School of Pharmacy

About the School Departments, Faculty & Staff Pharmacists Alumni & Giving Degrees, Programs & Research Admission (PharmD)

Research

Overview Department of
Pharmaceutical
Sciences Department of
Pharmacy Practice Publications Grants

Graduate Student
Research Alumni Seminars

Graduate Students Research

Understanding the biological mechanisms behind illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and even cancer have become top research priorities for the School of Pharmacy’s fourteen pharmaceutical sciences graduate students. The cohort is working diligently alongside faculty mentors on several research projects in the School’s state-of-the-art laboratories.

Year II Masters Student

Busayo Odunayo Akodu

I am a first-year MS student in the pharmaceutics and drug delivery track at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I completed my Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Jos, Nigeria.

I worked as a production/formulation pharmacist at Vitabiotics Ltd. (a pharmaceutical company) before enrolling at SIUE, where I was specifically in charge of the formulation and industrial production of liquid dosage forms. I was also a research assistant at the department of pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical technology, faculty of pharmacy, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

After working on numerous drug formulation and drug delivery projects in the past, I aim to further explore my interest in using nanoparticles to achieve targeted drug delivery systems, especially in cancer therapy.

Emmanuel Adetun Faderin

I am a first-year graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

I completed bachelor’s degree in pharmacy at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. My Undergraduate thesis was on ESBLs contribution to antibiotic resistance.

Prior to attending graduate school at SIUE, I worked as a Pharmacist in the Health and Pharmaceutical Industry. I am interested in drug discovery and design as well as computational chemistry.

Praise Ibukunoluwa Fawehinmi

I am a first-year graduate student in the department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I completed my Bachelor's degree in Anatomy from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

My undergraduate thesis focused on the exploration of plant products for compounds with protective effect against testicular toxicity in adult male wistar rats.

This spurred my interest in drug discovery and development for diseases of global burden and prompted me to pursue a graduate degree at SIUE where I can be adequately trained to achieve this goal.

Dikshita Lama

I am a first-year graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. My interest is in Medicinal Chemistry and while I am at SIUE, I will be involved in the synthesis of the organic compounds that target the sigma receptors under the guidance and supervision of Dr. Marcelo Nieto.

I completed my bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. During my undergraduate thesis, I performed extraction and phytochemical screening of the plant Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers and evaluated the anti-ulcer activity in the rats.

Likewise, I also performed phytochemical and biological study on the leaf’s extracts of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. and evaluated for the hepato-protective effects in the rats.I worked as a Pharmacy Officer in the Health Directorate, Dhankuta of Koshi Province, Nepal. Also, I was an instructor and exam coordinator in School of Medical Sciences, Nepal. I believe in hard work.

Kazi Shihabur Rahman

I completed a five-year bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a distinction of magna cum laude from North South University, Bangladesh. During my undergraduate project, I evaluated the effects of different plant extracts on mouse models of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease through biochemical and behavioral tests.

I am highly motivated to continue my training and research on neurodegenerative diseases and contribute to the development of novel therapeutics against these diseases.

Amrita Talukder Mohini

I am a first-year graduate student at the SIUE School of Pharmacy. I received my Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Brac University, Bangladesh in 2019. Born & raised in Dhaka, my interest is in learning about cell biology, organic chemistry, & pharmacology.

At Brac University, I was awarded a merit-based scholarship and the Vice Chancellor’s Award for my academic accomplishments. I also have work experience of 3 years in the pharmaceutical sector of Bangladesh. Currently, I am pursuing my research work on cancer, specializing in the pharmacology track offered by SIUE School of Pharmacy.

Year I Masters Students

Chibuike-Okafor

I am a first-year graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences with a concentration in Medicinal Chemistry. I completed by bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the University of Jos, Nigeria. My undergraduate thesis was on the synthesis, characterization, and computational bioactivity prediction of dihydroartemisinin esters.

Before enrolling at SIUE, I worked as a part-time research assistant at the Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, University of Jos while providing clinical services as a pharmacist in the hospital and community.

I am excited about this opportunity to learn, grow and explore drug discovery under the mentorship of the well-versed faculty.

Deborah Ojo

I am a first-year graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I earned my bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Lagos State University, Nigeria.

My undergraduate thesis focused on utilizing machine learning-driven screens and molecular modeling techniques to predict and characterize potential de novo compounds that inhibit purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) in Plasmodium falciparum contributing to the identification of new lead compounds

for antimalarial drug development.

Building on this experience, I aim to investigate protein abnormalities underlying human diseases, elucidating molecular mechanisms, drug mechanisms of action, and their resulting pharmacological effects to inform therapeutic strategies. I am excited to leverage the department's resources, mentorship, and opportunities to drive my research forward and contribute meaningfully to the field.

Sumon Roy

I am a first-year graduate student at SIUE School of Pharmacy. I am passionate about medicinal chemistry research. I am working on a project on synthesizing novel anticancer drugs to target the eIF4E complex in cancer signaling. I love to study advanced organic chemistry, molecular pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics.

I got my inspiration to do medicinal chemistry research during my undergrad at the University of Dhaka. At my previous university, I used to do the synthesis of novel benzimidazole derivatives. After all, I am highly motivated to do my career in the drug discovery field.

I believe SIUE School of Pharmacy is the best place to fulfill my dream.

Jony Timalsina

I am a first-year MS student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, with a deep interest in Medicinal Chemistry and Cancer Cell Biology. I completed my Bachelor's in Pharmacy from Kathmandu University, Nepal.

I believe that with continuous hard work, dedication, and a never-give-up attitude, we can break through any barriers and achieve the goals we set for ourselves.

PhD Student

Nathan Peel

I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I completed my Bachelors of Science degree in Chemistry at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana in 2015. During my tenure, I worked on indole reduction reactions to test iridium catalysts to be used in hydrogen fuel, and a project based on substituted glucose rings as alternative catalysts.

Before starting the program, I spent 4 years in industry as a bench chemist in Quality Control/Assurance.

Ariel Magee

I am a 2nd year graduate student in the Pharmacology & Neuroscience Co-Op PhD program. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Greenville University in chemistry and biology in 2021.

My passion from personal experiences and for helping others has led me to pursue a degree in pharmacology. I am interested in drug discovery and development.

Olivia Slater

I am a PhD candidate in Pharmacology and Neuroscience Co-Op PhD program with a focus in Medicinal Chemistry.

I earned my Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from SIUE School of Pharmacy in 2020, and continuing to work under the direction of Dr. Kontoyianna.

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