Research News
Diamond Flower Compounds Show Promise in Repelling Mosquitoes
February 1, 2023
Diamond Flower Compounds Show Promise in Repelling Mosquitoes
Natural Products Center Director Named AAAS Fellow
January 31, 2023
Center’s Role in Quality and Safety of Supplements
December 7, 2022
Center’s Role Critical in Quality and Safety of Supplements, Cosmetics
Pharmacology Graduate Student Building a Legacy Through Research
August 1, 2022
Pharmacology Graduate Student Building a Legacy Through Research
Pharmacology Professor Explores Curiosity with NSF Grant
May 20, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi faculty member Gregg Roman is exploring the genetic and neural mechanisms responsible for curiosity after securing a grant from the National Science Foundation.
A professor of pharmacology in the School of Pharmacy, Roman serves as principal investigator for a project that uses species of Drosophila, or fruit flies, to study the genes and neurons that drive the exploration of novel stimuli.
Read More: “Pharmacology Professor Explores Curiosity with NSF Grant”
Kristie Willett Receives University’s Top Research Award
May 6, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Sometimes parents are the best role models to follow. Kristie Willett may be an example of that.
Lynn B. Willett, now a retired animal science and toxicology professor from Ohio State University, showed his daughter, Kristie, the world of toxicology from a young age. Kristie attended her first Society of Toxicology, or SOT, meeting in 1978, and her first publication was with him when she was in high school in 1989 on the topic of polychlorinated biphenyls metabolism by rumen microorganisms.
Read More: “Kristie Willett Receives University’s Top Research Award”
dōTERRA, Pharmacy School Sign Five-Year Partnership to Advance Essential Oil Research
March 2, 2022
PLEASANT GROVE, Utah and OXFORD, Miss. – dōTERRA and the University of Mississippi National Center for Natural Products Research, based within the UM School of Pharmacy, have agreed to a five-year research partnership that will focus on establishing quality standards for the essential oil industry.
As part of the partnership, NCNPR will study the chemometrics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and metabolomics of essential oils. Officials from both the company and the university anticipate that the research will result in multiple peer-reviewed, published studies that will serve the broader essential oils and scientific communities.
Read More: “dōTERRA, Pharmacy School Sign Five-Year Partnership to Advance Essential Oil Research”
New Center Advances Medical Cannabis Science, Education
January 20, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi is home to a new center that will prioritize resources toward patient and public safety on the medicinal use of cannabis.
The National Center for Cannabis Research and Education will foster and conduct scientific research, data analysis, education and training on the health effects of cannabis. NCCRE researchers and leaders will aid in policymaking and outreach as state programs emerge.
Read More: “New Center Advances Medical Cannabis Science, Education”
Researchers Study Cannabis Pain Relief with $1.37 Million Grant
January 5, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Three researchers from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy have been awarded a $1.37 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as their research focuses on reducing HIV-related pain through cannabis.
Nicole Ashpole, Mahmoud ElSohly and Jason Paris are screening and identifying the compounds found in cannabis that may hold anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects without the addiction potential.
Read More: “Researchers Study Cannabis Pain Relief with $1.37 Million Grant”
Ross Earns Highest Honor from Asfendiyarov National Kazakh Medical University
January 5, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Samir Ross, professor of pharmacognosy and research professor, was recognized as Honorable Professor and awarded a Gold Medal from Asfendiyarov National Kazakh Medical University in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The honor was presented to Ross for scientific collaboration with the Kazakh pharmacy school for almost a decade, which includes giving seminars, workshops and supervising 10 Ph.D. graduate students both abroad and in Mississippi. The Gold Medal is the institution’s highest honor.
Read More: “Ross Earns Highest Honor from Asfendiyarov National Kazakh Medical University”
UM Researchers Working to Protect Mississippi’s Environment
July 15, 2021
Preserving the health of the Mississippi Coast is important for the health of the state as a whole. Fortunately for the state, the researchers at the Environmental Toxicology Research Program are here to help.
At ETRP, graduate students work alongside University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy faculty, research scientists and staff to resolve problems related to environmental and human health. Their research provides valuable resources for state and local decision-makers. With events such as extreme storms putting pressure on the Gulf of Mexico in recent years, those resources are more important than ever.
Read More: “UM Researchers Working to Protect Mississippi’s Environment”
Graduate Student Council Research Grants Further Range of Research
July 2, 2021
OXFORD, Miss. – With projects ranging from service robots in the hospitality and tourism industries to a novel treatment of dry eye disease to relationship ghosting, 20 University of Mississippi graduate students are exploring a range of research and creative scholarship as recent recipients of Graduate Student Council Research Grants.
The $1,000 grants, funded by the university’s Graduate School and Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, or ORSP, will support projects that contribute to the university’s research mission while also helping the students develop their research and grant-writing skills.
Read More: “Graduate Student Council Research Grants Further Range of Research”
Student Selected for Medicinal Botany Fellowship
June 17, 2021
OXFORD, Miss. – Hayley Prescott, a graduate student with the Department of BioMolecular Sciences at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, has been named a recipient of the Anne S. Chatham Fellowship in Medicinal Botany by the Garden Club of America.
The fellowship, established in 1997, is administered by the Missouri Botanical Garden. Prescott received the award for her project, “Botanical Aphrodisiacs for Women’s Health.” She was awarded a $4,500 grant that will allow her to continue her research on botanical aphrodisiacs.
Read More: “Student Selected for Medicinal Botany Fellowship”
UM Research Scientist Creates Award-Winning Images
June 16, 2021
OXFORD, Miss. — The Microscopy and Imaging Center (MIC) at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy is an important resource for the North Mississippi region, providing access to one of the most advanced Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging services in the region.
For Vijayasankar Raman, director of MIC and senior research scientist with the National Center for Natural Products Research, this has turned into a bit of an art form.
Read More: “UM Research Scientist Creates Award-Winning Images”
Faculty, Researchers Honored by School of Pharmacy
June 11, 2021
OXFORD, Miss. — The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy recognized four of its faculty members for their excellence in and commitment to teaching, service and research during its annual faculty retreat.
“Our stellar faculty and research scientists go above and beyond to advance the mission of our school and profession,” said David D. Allen, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “It’s truly a privilege to have the opportunity to recognize their efforts.”
Read More: “Faculty, Researchers Honored by School of Pharmacy”
GlyCORE to Host Inaugural Mid-South Glycoscience Meeting
May 12, 2021
OXFORD, Miss. – The Glycoscience Center of Research Excellence at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy is set to host the inaugural Mid-South Glycoscience Meeting.
The meeting is slated for July 19 at the Thad Cochran Research Center. The one-day event will be a venue for Mid-South glycoscience researchers and their trainees to feature their work, network and establish new opportunities for collaboration.
Read More: “GlyCORE to Host Inaugural Mid-South Glycoscience Meeting”
Learning from Each Other
May 4, 2021
OXFORD, Miss. – Being a new student in a new school can be a challenging experience. The same is true for new faculty members.
For Shukria Akbar and Cole Stevens, these were experiences they shared.
Akbar, a Ph.D. student, came to the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy in 2016 after receiving her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of the Punjab in Pakistan. She found a position in the lab run by Stevens, assistant professor of pharmacognosy, where she has conducted research into myxobacteria, a group of bacteria that live in the soil and feed on organic material.
Read More: “Learning from Each Other”
Starting a New Tradition
May 1, 2021
OXFORD, Miss. – Commencement is far from a new tradition, but becoming the first graduate of a new program is a tradition Rasha Elkanayati is excited to make.
Elkanayati is a member of the inaugural graduating class for the master’s program in industrial pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. Created in 2018, the two-year program in the School of Pharmacy focuses on the applied knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce, while equipping students to specialize in quality assurance, regulatory affairs, formulation development or manufacturing.
Read More: “Starting a New Tradition”
Graduate Students’ Research Aided by Pharmacy School Resources
March 29, 2021
OXFORD, Miss. – At the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, students have opportunities to get hands-on experience to prepare them for careers in pharmacy. It’s no different for graduate students, who undertake research at the school that can make a real difference in lives around the state and region.
Fortunately for students, they’ll have plenty of help along the way.
Read More: “Graduate Students’ Research Aided by Pharmacy School Resources”
Pediatric CBD Drug Trial at UMMC Gets Two-Year Extension
December 14, 2020
JACKSON, Miss. – The clinical trial of a new cannabis-derived drug to treat seizures in children has moved into a study of its long-term safety and effectiveness during a two-year extension.
Approved by Food and Drug Administration, the extension will allow further study of the clinically tested investigational drug product in new trial participants as well as in children already participating.
Read More: “Pediatric CBD Drug Trial at UMMC Gets Two Year Extension”
Understanding COVID-19 Topic for Virtual Oxford Science Cafe
November 11, 2020
OXFORD, Miss. – The infection processes of the COVID-19 virus are the topic for a virtual Oxford Science Cafe scheduled for Nov. 17 by University of Mississippi faculty researchers.
The program will be hosted on Zoom beginning at 7 p.m. Joshua Sharp, associate professor of pharmacology and director of the UM Glycoscience Center of Research Excellence, will discuss “COVID-19 and Heparan Sulfate: The Carbohydrate Handle that SARS-CoV-2 Uses to Grab Your Cells.”
Read More: “Understanding COVID-19 Topic for Virtual Oxford Science Cafe”
Pharmacy Student Receives Gateway to Research Fellowship
October 22, 2020
OXFORD, Miss. – Karli Anders, a third-year professional student at the University of MississippiSchool of Pharmacy, has been named a recipient of the Gateway to Research Fellowship by the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education.
The award provides students an opportunity to work on faculty-mentored research projects while improving their knowledge of clinical skills.
Read More: “Pharmacy Student Receives Gateway to Research Fellowship”
NSF Provides Funds for Major New Research Instrument at University
October 21, 2020
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi will be home to an instrument essential to innovative materials development research, thanks to a Major Research Instrumentation award from the National Science Foundation.
The award is being used to purchase a Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation, a highly sensitive balance that can detect changes in mass at the molecular level using a quartz crystal, which registers minuscule deviations in frequencies and loss of energy.
Read More: “NSF Provides Funds for Major New Research Instrument at University”
Natural Products Center Gets NIH Award to Advance Botanical Research
August 10, 2020
OXFORD, Miss. – The National Center for Natural Products Research, in partnership with the University of Mississippi Medical Center, has been awarded a nearly-$6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the use of a popular oral supplement in promoting resilience against viral infections.
Through the award, the NCNPR, which is part of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, established the Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center and became a component of the NIH Consortium for Advancing Research on Botanicals and Other Natural Products, or CARBON, Program. Ikhlas Khan, NCNPR director, serves as the botanical center’s director and Nirmal Pugh is associate director.
Read More: “Natural Products Center Gets NIH Award to Advance Botanical Research”
Researchers Tackle Challenges of Safe Drinking Water in Mississippi
July 29, 2020
OXFORD, Miss. – Recognizing that clean drinking water is a necessity of life, a group of University of Mississippi professors is using community-based research, education and outreach to work with communities in addressing water quality challenges.
Most Mississippians receive their drinking water from a network of more than 1,100 public water systems. The smaller systems serve dozens of people, while larger ones supply tens of thousands of citizens with water. Other Mississippians obtain their water from private wells.
Read More: “Researchers Tackle Challenges of Safe Drinking Water in Mississippi”
Glycoscience Research Center Established at School of Pharmacy
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi has received a $10.5 million Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence Phase I grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish a new center dedicated to glycoscience, funded for the first year at $2,107,042.
The Glycoscience Center of Research Excellence, known as GlyCORE, will study how carbohydrates and carbohydrate-containing molecules affect human health.
Read More: “Glycoscience Research Center Established at School of Pharmacy”
Pharmacy School Honors Faculty with Teaching, Research Awards
June 25, 2020
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy recognized four of its faculty members for their excellence in and commitment to teaching, service and research during its virtual Faculty and Research Scientist Advancement.
“We are fortunate to have a team of faculty and research scientists that goes above and beyond,” said David D. Allen, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “It’s always a privilege for me to celebrate the work they do for our students, school and the profession with these awards.”
Read More: “Pharmacy School Honors Faculty with Teaching, Research Awards”
UM Researchers, Woodcliff Skincare Partner for Aloe Product Patent
OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi researchers, along with Woodcliff Skincare Solutions Inc., have been jointly issued a patent for Alasta, the main ingredient in a line of skin care products being sold under the brand name Sustainable Youth.
The primary ingredient in Alasta is derived from the aloe vera plant and is responsible for the clinically observed effects of enhanced skin firmness and wrinkle reduction. The composition contains aloeride, an immune-enhancing extract that was previously patented by the university and licensed to Woodcliff.
Read More: “UM Researchers, Woodcliff Skincare Partner for Aloe Product Patent”
Repka Presented University’s Top Research Award
OXFORD, Miss. – Growing up in a small Texas town south of San Antonio, Michael A. Repka worked in his father’s pharmacy.
Frank Repka opened Center Pharmacy in Pleasanton in 1961, and Michael started working there when he was 11 – dusting bottles and shelves, restocking those dust-free shelves and performing various tasks for his father.
Read More: “Repka Presented University’s Top Research Award”
Pharmacy Professor Awarded Grant to Study Neuroregeneration
OXFORD, Miss. – Vitor H. Pomin, a professor in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, has received a grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to investigate the molecular details and potential active compounds in the process of neuroregeneration.
Pomin, assistant professor of pharmacognosy, will seek to better understand the biochemical mechanisms that limit the ability of the nervous system to recover after damage.
Read More: “Pharmacy Professor Awarded Grant to Study Neuroregeneration”
New Center to Engage Mississippi Communities as Research Partners
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi is home to a new center that aims to empower local communities to take charge of their community development, policy change and resilience building by using data and the arts.
The UM Community First Research Center for Wellbeing and Creative Achievement, or UM: CREW, will be a resource for Mississippi communities – from counties and cities to groups of citizens – to create, access, analyze and apply knowledge and data to improve community well-being and local and regional decision-making.
Read More: “New Center to Engage Mississippi Communities as Research Partners”
UM Partners with Emerald Bioscience to License Cannabis-derived Drugs
OXFORD, Miss. – The cannabis research program at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy has partnered with pharmaceutical company Emerald Bioscience Inc. to license two new drug technologies that may provide nonaddictive pain management, prevent blindness and alleviate the threat of irreversible vision loss from glaucoma and other eye diseases.
The two drug candidate formulations include a synthetic prodrug of tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, the main psychoactive compound associated with marijuana, and a synthetic analog of cannabidiol another compound that is attracting widespread attention as a potential treatment for a variety of medical conditions. Both drug candidates are derivatives of the natural THC and CBD found in the cannabis plant.
Read More: “UM Partner with Emerald Bioscience to License Cannabis-derived Drugs”