School of Pharmacy News & Media Center | The University of Mississippi

Recent News

Pharmacy Federal Grant to Propel Vaccine Technology Research

April 26, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has awarded a roughly $500K grant to University of Mississippi pharmacy professor Mo Maniruzzaman, with a recommendation for another $500K in 2025, to develop a technology that promises to streamline vaccine production.

The Research Project Grant will support work by Maniruzzaman, two doctoral students and two postdoctoral research fellows on a method for 3D manufacturing of complex recombinant protein vaccines.

For the love of family
Pharmacy graduate Victoria Green makes good on a promise

Hall of Fame Dinner at the Inn at Ole Miss Ballroom. Photo by Logan Kirkland/ Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

April 26, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – Family is everything to Victoria Green, a Canton native and University of Mississippi Doctor of Pharmacy graduate.

As a young adult, she took pride in assisting with the care of her maternal grandmother, riding the bus to her grandmother’s house every day to make sure she took her daily medications.

“That hands-on experience introduced me to the world of medications, how they work and the positive impact they have on health and well-being,” she said. “I realized I wanted my future career to revolve around medications, improving health outcomes and healing people.”

Pharmacy School Announces Alumni of the Year
Three honored during annual alumni reunion

April 5, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – This month, the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy will recognize three of its alumni for their career accomplishments during the annual Pharmacy Alumni Reunion.

This year’s honorees include 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award winners Meg Pearson and Debbie Minor and 2024 Early Career Alumni Award winner Alexandre Raymond.

Pharmacy Professor Named Community Engaged Fellow
Distinction honors commitment to enhancing pharmacy services

April 3, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – Pharmacy professor Lindsey Miller has been named a Community Engaged Fellow by the University of Mississippi’s Center for Community Engagement as a result of her commitment to keeping community engagement at the forefront of her work both in the classroom and in the pharmacy setting.

The program is an interdisciplinary, intercollegiate community of practice designed to further institutionalize and support engaged teaching and scholarship performed in mutually beneficial and equitable collaboration with communities.

University Rho Chi Chapter Named Finalist for National Award
Professor to serve as national treasurer for honor society

April 2, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy chapter of the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society continues to build upon its reputation of excellence, with the chapter being named among finalists for the society’s 2022-2023 Chapter Achievement Award.

The Chapter Achievement Award recognizes the full scope of chapter activities as documented in the Annual Chapter Report. Chapter reports are comprehensive in nature, describing the breadth of activities and accomplishments by the chapter over the preceding 12 months.

Celebrating Women’s History Month Spotlight on Dean Emeritus Barbara Wells

March 22, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – Dr. Barbara Wells, first female dean of the School of Pharmacy

Q: When did you serve as dean?
A: I was fortunate to become dean of the School of Pharmacy in June of 2001, and I remained in that position for 10.5 years.

Celebrating Women’s History Month
Spotlight on Vice Chancellor Emerita Alice Clark

Alice Clark was awarded one of the early contracts in AIDS studies by the National Institutes of Health to search for new antifungal agents, and she continued this work throughout most of her UM career. Photo by Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

March 19, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – Dr. Alice M. Clark, first female director of the National Center for Natural Products Research

Q: When did you serve as director of the NCNPR?
A: From 1995 to 2001.

Q: What did it mean to you to serve as the center’s first female director? Was it something you thought about?
A: I was honored, yet humbled and more than a little anxious since it was my first official administrative position. Fortunately, I had the support of a lot of great people.

Pharmacy Professor Named To NIH-Funded Entreprenurial Cohort

March 2, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – A University of Mississippi scientist has joined an inaugural cohort of entrepreneurs that will work to translate discoveries made at educational institutions into commercial products.

David Colby, professor of medicinal chemistry and research professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, has been named to the National Institutes of Health-funded, competitive IDeA Regional Entrepreneurship Development, or I-RED, program.

Pharmacy Resident Secures Grant for Diabetes Study

March 1, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy PGY-2 resident Amy Ly-Ha has secured funding through the American Pharmacists Association Foundation to study glucose monitoring in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The $1,000 grant will cover one year of research, which will specifically investigate the use of continuous glucose meters versus traditional self-monitoring of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes who are newly initiated on basal insulin, not on prandial insulin, with or without oral antidiabetic agents.

Three Pharmacy Alumni Named to 40 Under 40 List

March 1, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – Three alumni of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy have been named to the Ole Miss Alumni Association’s annual 40 Under 40 list.

Caroline Bobinger, Anna Touchstone and Andrew Mays are each featured on the association’s 2024 list, which celebrates the personal, professional and philanthropic achievements of successful university graduates.

Research Day Participation Continues Upward Climb
Attendance jumps more than 58 percent from 2022

February 29, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy’s 2024 Research Day saw a significant jump in participation from just two years ago.

Hosted by the pharmacy school, the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Rho Chi, this year’s event showcased 95 poster submissions, a 58 percent increase from 60 posters in 2022.

Pharmacy Professors Elected to National Leadership Roles
Haines, Wagner to head AACP groups

February 29, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy professors Seena Haines and Jamie Wagner will assume leadership roles within the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy after being elected by their peers.

“It’s wonderful to see two members of our faculty elected to serve in these positions,” said Donna Strum, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “What that says to me is that their peers in AACP see the same thing we do at the School of Pharmacy – very capable, knowledgeable and hardworking members of our profession who will no doubt excel as AACP leaders.”

Celebrating Black History Month
Spotlight on father-son pharmacy duo Billy and Isaiah Brown

February 22, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – Billy Brown, Pharm.D. 1998

Current position:

Clinical pharmacy practitioner at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson and adjunct faculty and preceptor for the UM School of Pharmacy. In this role, I have the privilege of caring for veterans by managing disease states such as HIV, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

How well do you feel the UM School of Pharmacy prepared you for your career?

The SOP helped me develop fundamental knowledge and skills that have allowed me to experience a wonderful career.

Celebrating Black History Month
Spotlight on sisters Delaney and Jessica Wilson

February 14, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – Delaney Wilson, EE3
Jessica Wilson, P2
Hometown: Walls, Miss.

Why did you choose Ole Miss pharmacy?

DW: I live in Mississippi and I want to be a pharmacist. It was a no-brainer to choose Ole Miss pharmacy, which happens to be one of the highest ranked pharmacy schools.

JW: Being relatively close to home and still being able to pursue my career path at a highly ranked program was an opportunity I could not refuse.

Celebrating Black History Month
Spotlight on father-daughter pharmacy duo Marvin and Makaili Robinson

February 13, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – Makaili Robinson, P1 student
Hometown: Batesville, Miss.

Why did you choose Ole Miss pharmacy?

I chose Ole Miss pharmacy because it’s home to me. I have been surrounded by Ole Miss all my life, especially since both of my parents are esteemed alumni of the university. It was also a plus that I was going to the same school as my dad did a little over 20 years ago. I was so confident in my decision about UMSOP that I didn’t apply anywhere else. Y’all are stuck with me.

American Pharmacists Association Leader to Deliver Hartman Lecture

February 1, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – Michael D. Hogue, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the American Pharmacists Association, will present the 2024 Charles W. Hartman Memorial Lecture on March 1 at the University of Mississippi.

Hosted by the School of Pharmacy, the annual lecture will begin at noon in Room 1000 of the Thad Cochran Research Center. The event will also be live-streamed via Zoom. Hogue’s presentation, “Hope in the Face of Uncertainty,” is free and open to the public.

Pharmacy Researcher to Use $2M NIH Grant to Study How Drugs Work in the Body

Joshua Sharp. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services

January 31, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – The National Institutes of Health has awarded University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy Professor Josh Sharp roughly $1.9 million to develop technologies for measuring how proteins work and interact with other biomolecules.

The Research Project Grant funding covers four years of research, expiring in August 2027. The RO1 is the original and oldest grant mechanism used by NIH, and provides support for health-related research and development based on the organization’s mission.

Read More: Pharmacy Researcher to Use $2M NIH Grant to Study How Drugs Work in the Body

Pharmacy School Hosts First Open House for State’s Career Coaches

January 31, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – Fifty of Mississippi’s public high school career coaches recently attended the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy’s inaugural open house held just for those tasked with guiding the state’s high school students to future success in the job market.

“The School of Pharmacy’s open house was an outstanding success,” said Kristy Luse, who attended on behalf of the CREATE Foundation in Tupelo.

Pharmacy School Awarded Grant to Fight Addiction Stigma

January 31, 2024

OXFORD, Miss. – A $5 million grant secured by the University of Mississippi’s William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing is allowing the School of Pharmacy to tackle addiction stigma in Mississippi’s healthcare system.

The Magee Institute secured the funding from the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The overall project is housed in the institute’s Jackie and Faser Triplett Center for AOD Research. Meagan Rosenthal, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Administration and interim director of the Magee Institute, is the project’s principal investigator.

Pharmacy School Secures NASA Grants

December 13, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – Thanks to seed grants awarded through NASA’s Mississippi Space Grant Consortium, six first-year students in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy are conducting innovative research on space medicine.

Each $33,000 grant was secured through the organization’s Student Led STEM Activities Program and will be used to fund two separate projects focusing on space medicine.

Pharmacy Students Selected for National Leaders Program

December 11, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – Four University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy students have been accepted into the ACT Pharmacy Collaborative’s Pharmacy Student Scholar Leaders program.

Students selected were Delancey Anderson, of Yazoo City, Erin Lomenick Pearson, of Potts Camp, Elizabeth Jenkins, of Grenada, and John White, of Puckett.

Only 66 students from across the country were selected to complete the program during the inaugural 2023-2024 academic year.

University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy 2023 Highlights of Achievements, Impact and Community

December 11, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy 2023 highlights of achievements, impact and community in education, research, practice and service.

Pharmacy Professor Awarded $1.2M NIH Grant

November 1, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – For the first time, a member of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy faculty has received the prestigious National Institutes of Health’s Early Stage Investigator Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award.

Sudeshna Roy, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy in the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, is the recipient of the R35 MIRA award. The grant provides a total of $1.2 million over five years for the Roy Laboratory to study fluorinated alkenes and explore the untapped potential of fluorinated alkenes.

UM Pharmacy Researchers Secure STTR Grant

October 31, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – As part of a Small Business Technology Transfer grant, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy distinguished professor Michael Repka has received funding to study steroid-eluting dissolvable threads for treatment of rhinitis.

Pharmaceutics Professor Wins Prestigious International Award

October 24, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi pharmacy professor Michael Repka has been announced as recipient of the prestigious 2023 Ralph Shangraw Memorial Award.

This recognition by the International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council of the Americas Foundation is an acknowledgement of Repka’s efforts in the field of pharmaceutical excipients, or inactive medicinal ingredients.

School of Pharmacy’s Ashpole Wins Faculty Achievement Award

September 27, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – The childhood version of Nicole Ashpole would be equally surprised and excited to learn where her professional life would take her. Growing up in rural North Dakota with very few opportunities linking her to the scientific world, she could not have imagined the success she would see in the field.
Read More: School of Pharmacy’s Ashpole Wins Faculty Achievement Award

UM Pharmacy Student Earns National Scholarship

August 31, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. — Cameron Buss, a third-year student in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy from Dyersburg, Tenn., has been awarded a Community Pharmacy Scholarship from Pharmacists Mutual.

UM Researchers Conduct First Study to Assess Naloxone Availability In State

August 28, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – Many Mississippi pharmacies do not have the lifesaving drug naloxone available, according to a recent paper by University of Mississippi researchers.
Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose by restoring normal breathing and preventing possible fatal consequences.

UM Pharmacy Educator Recognized for Service to AACP, Special Interest Group

July 27, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. — University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy professor Seena Haines has been recognized with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s Outstanding Contributions to Self-Care and Nonprescription Medicines Award.
Haines was presented with the award at the AACP Annual Meeting in Aurora, Colorado, in July. The award is presented to a member of the group who has demonstrated sustained contribution in service, scholarship and teaching in the area of self-care therapeutics/nonprescription medications.

Pharmacy Faculty Earn School Awards

July 11, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy has presented awards to six members of its faculty recognizing excellence in their respective areas.

“This year’s award winners exemplify excellence in research, teaching and service in our school,” said Donna Strum, pharmacy school dean. “I commend them for their impactful contributions and commitment to advancing knowledge, innovating in the classroom and serving others.”

University Awarded New NIDA Contract

June 12, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded the University of Mississippi a new five-year contract and $2 million work order for the cultivation of marijuana and related materials for research.

The five-year contract denotes the university’s eligibility to apply for task orders through NIDA. NIDA crafts task orders to provide materials which meet the expected needs of research investigators.

Four Pharmacy Students Named Taylor Medalists

June 8, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – Four first-year students in the professional program at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy earned Marcus Elvis Taylor Memorial Medals, the university’s highest academic award, this spring.

Fewer than 1% of all Ole Miss students earn the award annually, and honorees must have a 3.9 GPA or higher. This year, some 3.5% of eligible pharmacy students were awarded Taylor Medals.

“Having four Taylor Medals affirms the School of Pharmacy has the best and brightest students, who are academically strong and leaders on campus,” said Donna Sue West Strum, the school’s dean.

Alumnus Tapped as New Cannabis Director

May 23, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy has hired Robert Welch, a 2002 alumnus, as director of the school’s National Center for Cannabis Research and Education.

“I am excited about Dr. Welch’s leadership and his passion for the work,” said Donna Strum, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “His experience in both pharmacy and business will help the center develop strategic partnerships to serve the state and advance our initiatives in medical cannabis.”

The NCCRE was founded in 2022 and builds upon the work of the National Center for Natural Products Research and the pharmacy school.

Pharmacy Student Wears Miss Mississippi USA Crown

May 22, 2023

JACKSON, Miss. –Sydney Russell of Collinsville, a School of Pharmacy student on the campus of University of Mississippi Medical Center, is pursuing two dreams – earning a PharmD degree and becoming Miss USA.

“You don’t have to pick just one dream,” Russell said of the challenge of professional rotations, an essential part of a pharmacy education, and preparing for the Miss USA pageant, to be held later this year in Reno, Nevada. “You have to go for your dreams and trust that everything will work out like it’s supposed to.”

BMS Chair Wins SEC Faculty Award

May 18, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – As the 2023 SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner for the University of Mississippi, Kristie Willett is most excited about what the honor represents.

“Maybe I’m inspiring other women,” said Willett, chair of the university’s Department of BioMolecular Sciences. “In the past, there haven’t been as many female winners from UM, so I hope that other women who see me will be encouraged to apply in the future.

“This year’s list of winners from other SEC institutions is very diverse and inspiring; I’m humbled to be a part of this cohort.”

Dispelling Myths About Natural Remedies

May 11, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – Dietary supplements come with a disclaimer that they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent diseases. Still, a University of Mississippi pharmacy expert advises users to know exactly what they can and cannot do.

Hayley Prescott, instructional assistant professor of pharmacy, said that she advocates for being the most informed consumer you can.

“Three key nonprofits – our own National Center for Natural Products Research, the American Botanical Council and the American Herbal Pharmacopeia – work constantly to provide scientific evidence, guidance to industry and education opportunities in this area,” she said.

Pharmacy School Honors Alumni

May 5, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy celebrated three of its alumni during the school’s recent Alumni Weekend awards banquet.

Those recognized were Robert Marion and Jimmie Valentine, both receiving the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award, and Mary-Haston Vest, who received the 2023 Early Career Alumni Award.

Marion earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Ole Miss in 1976. He credits retired pharmacy professor Marvin Wilson for mentorship and guidance that helped influence the direction of his future career.

School of Pharmacy Names Distinguished Teaching Scholars

April 23, 2023

OXFORD and JACKSON, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy has named three faculty members as Distinguished Teaching Scholars for a term of three years.

Sally Earl, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice; Kayla Stover, professor of pharmacy practice; and Noa Valcarcel, instructional assistant professor of pharmacology, were honored for dedication to teaching and student development.

“It is an honor to be named and recognized as a distinguished teaching scholar within the school,” said Donna Strum, the school’s dean. “The history of those who have been awarded include the top echelon of educators.”

To be considered for a School of Pharmacy Distinguished Teaching Scholar award, an individual must teach for at least five years, demonstrate qualities of a great educator and be publishing research on the scholarship of learning and teaching. Colleagues or supervisors can nominate individuals or self-nominations may be submitted.

Dr. Carter Delivers Hartman Lecture

March 21, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – Lemrey “Al” Carter, executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, will present the 2023 Charles W. Hartman Memorial Lecture on Friday (March 24) at the University of Mississippi.

The AAAS council elects members each year whose “efforts on behalf of the advancement of science, or its applications, are scientifically or socially distinguished.” The 2022 class of fellows, announced today (Jan. 31), includes 505 scientists, engineers and innovators from around the world, spanning 24 scientific disciplines.

Natural Products Center Director Named AAAS, ASP Fellow

January 31, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – Ikhlas Khan, director of the University of Mississippi‘s National Center for Natural Products Research, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Recent News

Dr. Carter Delivers Hartman Lecture

Natural Products Center Director Named AAAS, ASP Fellow

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