Department of BioMolecular Sciences
The University of Mississippi

Department of BioMolecular Sciences News

Congratulations to our 2022 graduate student award winners!

BMS Annual Graduate Student Awards; Tomayo Berida - BSA Excellence Awards; Baharul Islam - Nobles-Sam Award; Mohammed Ahmed - Outstanding Pharmacognosy Student Award; Alaa Qrereya - Pritchard Award Pharmacology; Cole Smith - Benson Award, Environmental Toxicology; Miguel De Leon, Davis Award, Pharmacology


Pharmacy School Expands Research Experience to Boost Recruiting

stem graphicSeptember 25, 2023

OXFORD, Miss. – In an effort to engage students with research interests from outside the university, the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy has completed the first run of an expanded version of its annual Summer Research Experience.

The 2023 Summer Research Experience marks the realization of a multi-year goal to host a version of the annual summer program that would include non-UM students for the first time and broaden graduate program recruitment efforts in the pharmaceutical sciences.

Read More: “Pharmacy School Expands Research Experience to Boost Recruiting”


Pharmacology Graduate Student Building a Legacy Through Research

Cellas Hayes working in the lab.August 1, 2022

OXFORD, Miss. – Cellas Hayes’ journey in science and research began as a college sophomore.

“I was simply searching for an on-campus job and research experience to strengthen my medical school application,” said Hayes, a graduate student at the University of Mississippi.

It was through this job search that he met Nicole Ashpole, associate professor of pharmacology in the School of Pharmacy. Ashpole was looking for someone to help maintain her laboratory, and even though he wasn’t hired to conduct research, Hayes began to pitch in on experiments.

Read More: “Pharmacology Graduate Student Building a Legacy Through Research”


Pharmacology Professor Explores Curiosity with NSF Grant

Gregg RomanMay 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

Kristie Willett stands in front of fish tanks

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”


UM-Sponsored Bilingual Health Fair Benefits Pontotoc Community

A male pharmacy student takes blood pressure of a patientApril 7, 2022

OXFORD, Miss. – Pontotoc area residents received cardiovascular and diabetes screenings and other health information Saturday (April 2) as part of a bilingual health fair sponsored by the University of Mississippi and nonprofit health care provider MississippiCare.

UM faculty, staff and students worked with health care and public service providers to meet the health care needs of nearly 100 members of Pontotoc’s underserved community, including many Spanish-speaking households.

Read More: “UM-Sponsored Bilingual Health Fair Benefits Pontotoc Community”


Graduate Student Symposium Expands, Features Keynote by Noted Alumnus

Sly Lee speaks to the audience at the Ford Center.March 25, 2022

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi‘s Graduate Student Council held its 12th Annual Research and Creative Achievement Symposium, showcasing the research and creative work of students from all disciplines across graduate and professional schools, on March 8.

This year’s event also featured a keynote address by UM alumnus Sly Spencer Lee, a Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree. He shared his story of growing up in Oxford as the child of parents who immigrated from Singapore, and finding success first as a scientist, then as an entrepreneur.

Read More: “Graduate Student Symposium Expands, Features Keynote by Noted Alumnus”


UM Researchers Working for Safe Drinking Water in Mississippi

Water comes out of a silver sink faucet.March 22, 2022

OXFORD, Miss. – Kristie Willett, BioMolecular Sciences department chair and professor, is part of an interdisciplinary team that is raising awareness of lead in drinking water through outreach, research and education.

This fall, Willett and Stephanie Otts of the National Sea Grant Law Center will teach an honors class about the topic and direct a lead forum in Jackson to help solve the problem.

Read More: “UM Researchers Working for Safe Drinking Water in Mississippi”


Meet Sherrie Gussow, February’s Staff Member of the Month

Sherrie GussowFebruary 21, 2022

OXFORD, Miss. – Sherrie Gussow, administrative secretary in the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, has been named Staff Council’s Staff Member of the Month for February.

To help us get to know her better, she answered some questions for Inside Ole Miss.

Read More: “Meet Sherrie Gussow, February’s Staff Member of the Month”


Graduate Student-Led Event Highlights Pharmacy School Diversity

Tonia Aminone speaking to School of Pharmacy graduate studentsJanuary 31, 2022

OXFORD, Miss. – One of the greatest strengths of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy is a diversity of backgrounds. Students and faculty members hail from all over the globe, bringing unique perspectives and life experiences.

For Tonia Aminone, a Ph.D. student in the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, that diverse environment was something she wanted to share.

Read More: “Graduate Student-Led Event Highlights Pharmacy School Diversity”


Researchers Study Cannabis Pain Relief with $1.37 Million Grant

Jason Paris and a graduate student look at scientific results on a computer screen.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

Samir Ross shows off his plaque and medal standing next to Donna StrumJanuary 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”


Faculty Feature: Gregg Roman

Gregg RomanOctober 20, 2021

OXFORD, Miss.  Gregg Roman joined the School of Pharmacy in January 2021 as a professor of pharmacology in the Department of BioMolecular Sciences. He also serves as director of the GlyCORE Imaging Core where he oversees the use of four imaging systems.

Roman may be a newer member of the pharmacy phamily, but he has been at Ole Miss for longer. He first came to the university in 2016 and served as chair of the Department of Biology.

Read More: “Faculty Feature: Gregg Roman”


Biotech Industry Leader Named Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus

G. Michael WallOctober 5, 2021

OXFORD, Miss. – G. Michael Wall, a 1988 University of Mississippi alumnus, has been named the School of Pharmacy Department of BioMolecular Sciences’ 2021 Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient.

Wall is senior vice president and chief scientific officer at Nacuity Pharmaceuticals Inc., and vice president of pharmaceutical development for Sound Pharmaceuticals Inc. He will deliver the Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Lecture, titled “Drug Repurposing, New Uses for Old Drugs,” at 2 p.m. Friday (Oct. 8) in the Thad Cochran Research Center, Room 1044.

Read More: “Biotech Industry Leader Named Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus”


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Pharmacology Graduate Student Striving for Excellence

Salahuddin MohammedSeptember 15, 2021

OXFORD, Miss. – Salahuddin Mohammed, a graduate student in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, has always sought to make his mark on the research and science world. As a young student with an interest in neuroscience, that desire led him to pursue a career in pharmacy and has taken him across the globe.

While receiving his undergraduate degree in pharmacy from Osmania University in India, Mohammed developed a passion for research. He followed that passion to the United Kingdom, where he received his Master of Science in Pharmacology from Aston University.

Read More: “Pharmacology Graduate Student Striving for Excellence”


The BMS STEMS REU program came to an end with a 2 day season finale of outstanding student presentations. Lots of thanks go out to the students for their enthusiastic engagement in their research; our faculty mentors; and the students’ near-peer graduate student & postdoc mentors.

a mixture of 7 men and women standing on stage together smiling for a photo on their STEMS REU presentation day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


UM, Community Partners Organize Bilingual Health Fair in Pontotoc

Pharmacy students sit at a table and talk with patients at a health fair.July 16, 2021

OXFORD, Miss. — University of Mississippi faculty, staff and students are working with health care and public service providers to start meeting the health care needs of Pontotoc’s underserved Spanish-speaking community.

The UM McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement, as well as representatives from the School of Pharmacy, are partnering with providers to host a bilingual health fair at the Pontotoc Gateway Pavilion from 9 a.m. to noon July 24.

Read More: “UM, Community Partners Organize Bilingual Health Fair in Pontotoc”


UM Researchers Working to Protect Mississippi’s Environment

Two people inspecting an oysterJuly 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

Mohammed AhmedJuly 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

Hayley Prescott sitting outside 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”


Faculty, Researchers Honored by School of Pharmacy

Josh SharpJune 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”


Learning from Each Other

Image: Shukria AkbarMay 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”


Info graphic announcing Rho Chi initiates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Up Front: Virtual Talks with UM Experts Hosts BMS Faculty April 22

Event flyer with pictures and titles of Courtney Roper, Marc Slattery and Kristie Willett along with event details.

 

BioMolecular Sciences faculty Courtney Roper and Marc Slattery along with BMS Chair Kristie Willett will discuss how environmental toxicologists at the school are working to improve human and environmental health. Join the trio via Zoom and celebrate Earth Day on Thursday, April 22 at 1 p.m. CT. Register at olemissalumni.com/events.


Pharmacy Professor Receives UM Faculty Achievement Award

David Colby

January 31, 2021

OXFORD, Miss. – Becoming a professor was David Colby’s goal as a pharmacy student at the University of Iowa.

Serving as an associate professor of medicinal chemistry and director of academic affairs in biomolecular sciences at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Colby’s excellence in teaching, scholarship and service was recognized, as he was named the 2020 recipient of the university’s Faculty Achievement Award.

Read More: “Pharmacy Professor Receives UM Faculty Achievement Award”


Understanding COVID-19 Topic for Virtual Oxford Science Cafe

Joshua SharpNovember 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 6 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

Karli and Jessica work on assays in a lab.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”


Great to have BMS “together” again. Congrats to our 2020 award winners in Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, and Medicinal Chemistry. Looking forward to a safe and successful semester!

 

 


Faculty Feature: Jing Li

September 24, 2020

Jing Li joined the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy as an assistant professor of medicinal chemistry in July. He comes to the school from the University of Chicago, where he spent five years as a postdoctoral research associate.

Li brings an extensive background based in biomolecular science and academia to the school, which he hopes to pass on to his students. In addition to his work with the University of Chicago, Li also received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2014.

Read More: “Faculty Feature: Jing Li”


UM Researchers Working on Nasal Spray COVID-19 Treatment

September 16, 2020

OXFORD, Miss. — A team of researchers, including faculty from the University of Mississippi schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, are developing a treatment that could be effective at preventing COVID-19. The good news is that it’s something that you can easily carry in your bag.

The treatment would take the form of a nasal spray that could be prescribed by a doctor and self-administered. A daily dose of this spray could make those taking it more resistant to COVID-19.

Read More: “UM Researchers Working on Nasal Spray COVID-19 Treatment”


Researchers Tackle Challenges of Safe Drinking Water in Mississippi

Water going from sink to drinking glass.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”


BioMolecular Sciences Chair Receives AACP Graduate Education Award

Kristie WillettJune 30, 2020

OXFORD, Miss. – Kristie Willett, chair of the Department of BioMolecular Sciences at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, has been named the inaugural recipient of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Graduate Education Special Interest Group Achievement Award.

The honoree must exemplify teaching excellence and commitment, inspirational leadership, and be a valued mentor, which are many of the qualities Willett portrays.

Read More: “BioMolecular Sciences Chair Receives AACP Graduate Education Award”


Pharmacy School Honors Faculty with Teaching, Research Awards

Noa ValcarcelJune 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”


Graduate Students Awarded Grants to Fund Further Research

Salahuddin holding an award with staircase behind him.

OXFORD, Miss. – Sixteen University of Mississippi graduate students are continuing their exploration into research and creative scholarship pursuits such as Alzheimer’s disease, skin cancer and young adult literature in Mississippi classrooms as recent recipients of Graduate Student Council Research Grants.

The students each received one of the $1,000 competitive research grants funded by the university’s Graduate School and Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. The funds will be used for projects conducted over the next year or two.

Read More: “Graduate Students Awarded Grants to Fund Further Research”


Medical Graduate Training Program Selects UM Scholars

Cellas Hayes stands in a lab setting with his arms crossed.May 14, 2020

JACKSON, Miss. – Eight doctoral students from four Mississippi universities have been selected as members of the second cohort of the Robert Smith, M.D. Graduate Scholars Program as part of the Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

The second cohort of UMMC-GTEC scholars consists of three students from UMMC, three from the University of Mississippi, one from Mississippi State University and one from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Read More: “Medical Graduate Training Program Selects UM Scholars


Pharmacy Professor Awarded Grant to Study Neuroregeneration

Vitor H. Pomin.May 1, 2020

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”

 


Pharmacy Faculty Named Distinguished Teaching Scholars

Photo of David A. ColbyApril 22, 2020

OXFORD and JACKSON, Miss. — University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy faculty members David Colby, Meagen Rosenthal and Gary Theilman have been named as Distinguished Teaching Scholars for a three-year term.

The honor recognizes professors who have proven to be exceptional teachers and colleagues, and who promote effective teaching and learning.

Read More: “Pharmacy Faculty Named Distinguished Teaching Scholars”


Graduate Students Find Impacts of Freshwater in Mississippi’s Oysters

Two graduate students standing on a boat looking at oystersFebruary 24, 2020

OXFORD, Miss. – As Ann Fairly Barnett pulled an oyster dredge up through the shoreline waters of the Mississippi Sound, she was dreading what she was about to find.

“Not a single living oyster,” said the University of Mississippi master’s student in environmental toxicology.

The Jackson native, along with UM environmental toxicology graduate student James Gledhill and chemistry graduate student Austin Scircle, had chartered a small fishing boat to visit several native oyster reefs in the sound to check the water quality and the health of the reefs.

Read More: “Graduate Students Find Impacts of Freshwater in Mississippi’s Oysters”


Pharmacy Faculty Selected to AACP House of Delegates

Noa ValcarcelJanuary 27, 2020

OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy faculty members David Colby and Noa Valcarcel were selected to represent the school in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy House of Delegates.

The AACP House of Delegates is the association’s democratic policy-setting body. Representatives debate and approve statements of educational policy, approve changes to the bylaws and the strategic plan, act to accept new institutional members and establish dues for all categories of membership.

Read More: “Pharmacy Faculty Selected to AACP House of Delegates”


BMS Chair Named Toxicological Sciences Deputy Editor

Kristie WillettJanuary 16, 2020

OXFORD, Miss. – The Society of Toxicology’s official journal, Toxicological Sciences, has named Kristine Willett, chair of the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, as one of two new deputy editors to its staff.

Willett, also a professor of pharmacology and environmental toxicology at the University of Mississippi, “will be coordinating solicitation and peer review of Forum articles and developing and administering new training for the editorial board and reviewers,” according to Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey M. Peters

Read More: “BMS Chair Named Toxicological Science Deputy Editor”


Pharmacy Student Presents Research to Society for Neuroscience

Gabby Hartman stands in front of her research poster

OXFORD, Miss. – A first-year University of Mississippi student pharmacist presented her scientific research at the Society for Neuroscience’s international conference in front of thousands of the world’s top neuroscientists.

Gabby Hartman of Birmingham, Alabama, has had a passion for neuroscience since seventh grade, and now researches the effects of specific compounds on neuron regeneration after an injury.

Read More: “Pharmacy Student Presents Research to Society for Neuroscience”


Kennedy Dickson, a student researcher in Dr. Kristie Willett’s lab and 2019 National Collegiate Honors Council Portz Scholar, had a 1st author publication in the Fall 2019 Arizona Journal of Environmental Law and Policy. We are so proud of all the hard work Kennedy has done! 

Read more: Cannabinoid Conundrum: A Study of Marijuana and Hemp Legality in the United States”

 

 


Seed Grants Fund UM Research into Disaster Resilience

Courtney RoperDecember 19, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. – Exploring thunderstorm asthma and examining how Gulf Coast universities can respond to natural disasters are the focus of two new University of Mississippi seed grants funded through the Flagship Constellations initiative.

Thunderstorm asthma is the phenomenon where pollen can break into smaller pieces during severe thunderstorms and cause asthma events. Researchers are collecting and characterizing air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter and pollen, in north Mississippi to investigate the link between air pollution and thunderstorms to better understand the occurrence.

Read more: “Seed Grants Fund UM Research into Disaster Resilience”


From Desert to Ocean, Toxicology Student Absorbs Marine Sponge Knowledge

Underwater picture of rope sponges in Panama.December 16, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. – It wouldn’t seem Amelia Clayshulte was destined to study marine sponges living in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

However, the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy doctoral student grew up going to the coast of North Carolina with her mom’s family, where she would spend a week each summer exploring the salt marshes that opened her mind from its land-locked state.

Read more: “From Desert to Ocean, Toxicology Student Absorbs Marine Sponge Knowledge”


Opioid Researcher to Deliver 2019 Waller Lecture

Closeup picture of Laura Bohn with computers displayed in background.October 8, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. – Laura M. Bohn, professor of molecular medicine and neuroscience at The Scripps Research Institute, will deliver the 2019 Coy W. Waller Distinguished Lecture at the University of Mississippi.

The Oct. 11 lecture, “Refining Opioid Receptor Signaling to Improve Therapeutic Potential,” will build on her nearly three decades of research into the impact of opioids on the brain. The School of Pharmacy and its Department of BioMolecular Sciences are hosting this free event at 11 a.m. at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.

Read more: “Opioid Researcher to Deliver 2019 Waller Lecture”


Eli Lilly Scientist Named Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus

John Rimoldi presents Maria Alvim Gaston with an award plaqueSeptember 23, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. – Maria Alvim Gaston, a 2000 University of Mississippi graduate with a doctoral degree in medicinal chemistry, was named the School of Pharmacy Department of BioMolecular Sciences’ 2019 Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Award honoree.

Gaston, a principal research scientist at Eli Lilly and Company, delivered the Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Lecture on September 23 with a presentation titled “A Scientist Journey—Moments of Truth.”

Read more: “Eli Lilly Scientist Named Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus”


BMS Welcome Back Orientation and Awards Ceremony!

August 23, 2019

The Department of BioMolecular Sciences kicked off the new school year with its Welcome Back Orientation on August 23. We welcomed 6 new graduate students to the department, for a total of 39 BMS graduate students, and 2 new faculty members!

See more pictures at the Facebook gallery: “BMS Welcome Back Orientation”


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Girl smiles in posed pictureAugust 19, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. – A University of Mississippi senior in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College has been awarded a prestigious scholarship from the National Collegiate Honors Council.

Kennedy Dickson, a forensic chemistry major from Whittier, California, has been named a 2019 NCHC Portz Scholar. She is one of three recipients nationwide and will present her honors thesis, “Cannabinoid Conundrum: A Study of Anti-Epileptic Efficacy and Drug Policy,” in November at the NCHC conference in New Orleans.

Read more: “UM Senior Wins National Collegiate Honors Council Portz Scholarship”



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

BMS was busy representing at the Mississippi IDeA conference in Jackson, MS! Dr. Nicole Ashpole chaired the neuroscience session while Dr. Kristie Willett, Dr. Jamie Stewart, and student Gabby Hartman gave talks. We also had several posters!

 

 


Student Research Program Explores Brain Wellness

Group photo of Neuroscience Summer Research Education Program participantsAugust 6, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. – Six University of Mississippi undergraduate students spent their summer exploring research opportunities in neuroscience and brain wellness as part of the inaugural Neuroscience Summer Research Education Program.

An initiative of the university’s Flagship Constellations, the program provided stipends for undergraduate students to engage in eight-week collaborative research with a mentor exploring neuroscience related to brain wellness.

Read more: “Student Research Program Explores Brain Wellness”


Congratulations to Dr. John Rimoldi for being awarded the 2019 AACP Wynn Award! The criteria for this award is teaching excellence and commitment to learning, inspirational leader, visionary academic, concientious mentor, collegial/kind/optimistic disposition and sustained dedication to the AACP Chemistry Section. 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

With University of Mississippi – Department of BioMolecular Sciences‘ Jason Paris serving as PI on a cross-disciplinary team, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant will bring a “Seahorse analyzer” to The University of Mississippi – Ole Miss. The instrument performs at a high production rate and sensitivity that will help researchers with better measurements of cellular metabolism.

 

 

 

Sly LeeJuly 9, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss Alumni Association is honoring eight recipients for its Distinguished Alumni Awards in 2019 in recognition of their service and accomplishments.

Two of those honorees are School of Pharmacy alumni, as Kimsey O’Neal Bailey will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame and Sly Lee will receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Read more: “Pharmacy Alumni Recognized with UM Distinguished Alumni Awards”


Four Pharmacy School Faculty Recognized for Innovation, Service

Two people, award presentation, smiling, shaking handsOXFORD, Miss. – Four University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy faculty members were recognized for their innovative teaching, service and research at the school’s annual Faculty and Research Scientist Summer Advancement in July.

“Ole Miss Pharmacy is fortunate to have stellar faculty and researchers,” said David D. Allen, dean of the pharmacy school. “It’s an honor to celebrate their commitment to their field and our students.”

Read more: “Four Pharmacy School Faculty Recognized for Innovation, Service”


Graduate Students Receive Grants for Research Efforts

Hao LiuMay 17, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. – Twenty-one University of Mississippi graduate students, including six from the School of Pharmacy, have been awarded Graduate Student Council Research Fund grants to support their research, study and creative scholarship.

The $1,000 competitive research grants, funded by the UM Graduate School and Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, are for projects conducted through April 2020.

Read more: “Graduate Students Receive Grants for Research Efforts”


School of Pharmacy Ranked Sixth in Research Funding

Associate research and development biologist Nisha Mishra works in one of the UM School of Pharmacy’s Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence labs.May 7, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. ­– The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy rose to sixth in the nation in external research funding for 2018, according to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Research funding reached $21.2 million in 2018, placing the School of Pharmacy second in the SEC and among the top 5 percent of pharmacy schools nationwide.

Read more: “School of Pharmacy Ranked Sixth in Research Funding”


Ole Miss Pharmacy Graduate Students Recognized for Research Accomplishments

Stephanie Burr standing in front of her posterApril 30, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Numerous graduate students in the Department of BioMolecular Sciences within the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy earned awards for their presentations at the UM Neuroscience Research Showcase in April and the Mississippi Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting in February.

Erik Hodges, a graduate student from Norman, Oklahoma, was honored at the Neuroscience Showcase. Student award winners at the MAS meeting included Stephanie Burr of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Amelia Clayshulte of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Mallory Harmon of Meridian, Mississippi; and Alaa Qrareya of Palestine.

Read more: “Ole Miss Pharmacy Graduate Students Recognized for Research Accomplishments”


Graduate Students Enhance Skills with Scientific Writing Workshop

BMS Council with Josh Sharp for Skills WorkshopApril 23, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. ­– For graduate students, the ability to summarize the results of a laboratory experiment can be as important as the result themselves. 

To emphasize the skill of writing in science, the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy offered a Graduate Student Scientific Writing Workshop last month, sponsored by the school’s Graduate Student Program office, the BioMolecular Sciences department and Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery department.

Read more: “Graduate Students Enhance Skills with Scientific Writing Workshop”


UM Graduate Student Selected for Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Course

Amelia ClayshulteApril 19, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Amelia Clayshulte, a second-year Ph.D. student in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy’s Department of BioMolecular Sciences, was accepted into a tropical taxonomy course at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

The internationally competitive course takes place at the Bocas Research Station in Bocas del Toro, Panama, for 21 days this summer. Clayshulte, originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico, will be one of approximately 15 students participating in a course titled “Understanding Relationships of Non-bilaterian Metazoans: Sponges.”

Read more: “UM Graduate Student Selected for Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Course”



 

Congratulations to our 2019 Rho Chi inductees! Rho Chi is an honors society that recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement in pharmaceutical sciences. Keep up the great work! 

2019 Rho Chi Inductees: (left to right) back row: Dr. Hoang Le, Dr. Nicole Ashpole, Dr. Cole Stevens, Nick Akins, Cody Cissom and Erik Hodges; front row: Hanan Albataineh, Stephanie Burr and Amber Kay.


Congratulations to the team of Dr. Kristine Willett, The Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Mississippi Law Research Institute and UM Center for Population Studies for recognition as an Excellence in Community Engagement Finalist at the McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement Celebration of Service! Their collaborative teaching engages students and communities about clean water in Mississippi.

 


Please join the BMS department and Graduate School Council (GSC) in congratulating our BMS student winners of the 9th Annual GSC Research Symposium. The GSC hosts many events throughout the year, but Research Day is of paramount importance to our organization and the graduate school as a whole. These students will receive travel funds to present their research at conferences. Our 2019 BMS grant recipients are:

  • Erik Hodges – Division of Pharmacology
  • Niloofar Abolhasani Khaje – Division of Pharmacology
  • Hao Liu – Division of Pharmacology
  • Abidah Parveen – Division of Pharmacognosy

This is great news for our students.  A hearty congratulations to them!


BioMolecular Sciences graduate students participated in The Ole Miss Big Event community service project this past weekend. This event impacts the broader community and has historically been the largest community service project at the University of Mississippi! 

 

 


 

February 19, 2019

As proud alum, Dr. Roy and Dr. Paris united post-docs from across campus to discuss the benefits of our community joining the National Postdoctoral Association. We can’t wait to see how our post-docs can grow and work together!

 

 

 

 

 


University professor awarded cancer research grant

BMS Council with Josh Sharp for Skills WorkshopJanuary 31, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. ­– After nearly 50 years of cancer research in the U.S., the search for a cure continues at the University of Mississippi.

The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy received a research grant from the National Cancer Institute this week for the cancer prevention research work done by the university’s Cole Stevens and Kristie Willett, both of whom are professors in the School of Pharmacy.

Read more: “University professor awarded cancer research grant”


Fulbright Scholar Makes History

January 29, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Abidah Parveen has taken a unique path to the University of Mississippi, that wound through Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, back to Pakistan, and then finally to Oxford. A Fulbright Scholar in the PhD Pharmacognosy program, she has a bright future ahead of her. Upon graduation, she will be the first Pakistani to achieve a Ph.D. degree in Pharmacognosy from the United States. 

 

 

Read more: “Fulbright Scholar Makes History”


Three Pharmacy Professors Win New Investigator Awards

Vitor H. PominJanuary 24, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Three faculty members in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy have won competitive 2019 New Investigator Awards from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, giving the school five winners over the past two years.

AACP honors a limited number of research projects from junior faculty across the country every year. UM’s three winners for 2019 were Marie Barnard, Sujith Ramachandran and Vitor Pomin, who join UM’s two 2018 recipients of the award.

Read more: “Three Pharmacy Professors Win New Investigator Awards”


Pharmacology Professor Awarded NIA Grant for Research on Aging Brain

Nicole AshpoleJanuary 17, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Nicole Ashpole, an assistant professor of pharmacology in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, has been awarded a grant from the National Institute on Aging to research memory impairments in advanced age.

With this award, Ashpole and her team will explore a specific hormone in the body that decreases with age, as well as its ability to communicate with the brain and its effects on learning and memory. The hormone is insulin-like growth factor-1, or IGF-1.

Read more: “Pharmacology Professor Awarded NIA Grant for Research on Aging Brain”


Ole Miss Professor Earns Grant to Produce Anticancer Natural Products from Bacteria

Cole StevensJanuary 10, 2019

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Cole Stevens, a faculty member in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy has been awarded a grant from the National Cancer Institute for cancer prevention research using natural products.

Stevens, an assistant professor of pharmacognosy in the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, is working to engineer bacteria to produce significant amounts of gephyronic acid, a polyketide that has potential as an anticancer therapy.

Read more: “Ole Miss Professor Earns Grant to Produce Anticancer Natural Products from Bacteria”


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Pharmacology Professor Works to Reverse Impact of Opioids on HIV

Fakhri Mahdi, Matthew Saucier and Jason ParisDecember 20, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. ­– The opioid epidemic has reached new perils across the United States. Though opioid abuse can be dangerous for anyone, those diagnosed with HIV can see increased adverse effects on the brain and nervous system.

With a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy pharmacology assistant professor Jason Paris is working to combat opioids’ harmful effects on the HIV-infected brain.

Read more: “Pharmacology Professor Works to Reverse Impact of Opioids on HIV”


BioMolecular Sciences Advocacy Council Enhances Graduate Student Experience

BMS Council with Josh Sharp for Skills WorkshopDecember 17, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. ­– The graduate students and faculty of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy’s Department of BioMolecular Sciences have worked together to reestablish an organization that will benefit the many graduate students within the department.

The BMS Graduate Student Advocacy Council formed during the fall of 2018 as the department renewed its official student registration of the former BMS Journal Club. The organization plans to include more opportunities for interaction outside of the labs with faculty and student networking events, journal club meetings and football tailgates.

Read more: “BioMolecular Sciences Advocacy Council Enhances Graduate Student Experience”


Be sure to check out “Brain Storm“, the blog associated with the on campus neuroscience journal club. Below is a link to one of the latest entries by Alaa Qrareya, a graduate student in Dr. Jason Paris’ lab!

CBD

Read more: “Cannabidiol: A controlled substance against the evidence”


Ole Miss Professor Awarded NIDA Grant to Fight Opioid Addiction

David ColbyNovember 27, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. ­– David Colby, a University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy professor, received a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to develop new treatments for addressing the opioid crisis.

Colby hopes to develop a therapy for drug addiction by studying the medicinal chemistry of certain compounds that can lower the anxiety some patients experience when withdrawing from an addiction.

Read more: “Ole Miss Professor Awarded NIDA Grant to Fight Opioid Addiction”


Pharmacy Ph.D. Graduate Wins Scholarship for Drug Discovery Research

Mohammed AlbadrySeptember 21, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Mohamed A. Albadry, a recent Ph.D. graduate from the Department of BioMolecular Sciences in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, has won the 2018 Harvey W. Wiley Scholarship from AOAC International.

AOAC International develops global quality standards for microbiological and chemical materials, ranging from food to pharmaceuticals, in an effort to ensure public health.

Read more: “Pharmacy Ph.D. Graduate Wins Scholarship for Drug Discovery Research”


September 19, 2018

Happy Post-Doc Appreciation Week, Dr. Pandey!

Dr. Pankaj Pandey has been an incredibly busy post-doc, with two publications in press this month! Check out the links to his two papers below:

 

Computationally Assisted Assignment of the Kadsuraols, a Class of Chemopreventive Agents for the Control of Liver Cancer


BMS Welcomes Back Students at Orientation, Awards Luncheon

Award RecipientsAugust 17, 2018

The Department of BioMolecular Sciences kicked off the new school year with its Welcome Back Orientation on August 17. The day consisted of the Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Lecture featuring 2018 recipient Randall Clark in the morning before the awards luncheon and department photo in the afternoon.

See more pictures at the Facebook gallery: “BMS Welcome Back Orientation”


Position Advertisement

Assistant/Associate Professor

Environmental Toxicologist

School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi

 

The Division of Environmental Toxicology, within the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, in the School of Pharmacy at The University of Mississippi is seeking qualified applicants for a full time, 12-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. We seek candidates with expertise in the field of environmental toxicology who possess a record of distinguished and innovative research (as evidenced by a significant publication record and the potential to secure extramural funding) and a commitment to excellence in education. Applicants applying for the higher rank should have a nationally recognized research program with recurrent success in securing extramural funding and excellent teaching credentials.

 

The University of Mississippi is the flagship university for the State of Mississippi. A world-class public research university, the institution has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and innovative research. The School of Pharmacy is on the main campus in Oxford, a community of approximately 23,000 residents that has been recognized nationally as one of America’s best places to live. For ten consecutive years, UM has been recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for by The Chronicle of Higher Education.  The Department of BioMolecular Sciences has 17 full-time faculty with research emphases in medicinal chemistry, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, and environmental toxicology. The faculty have affiliations with the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and collaborative opportunities in the National Center for Natural Products Research. Additionally, in 2017, the University of Mississippi initiated Flagship Constellations, which are designed to bring together a wide range of faculty from across campus to address some of the most difficult and complex problems facing our nation and world. Membership in these constellation groups provide access to cross-disciplinary researchers working to solve grand challenges. The department has teaching responsibilities in several degree programs, including the Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) as well as M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

 

The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable pool of applicants is established. Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in Toxicology, Environmental Sciences with an emphasis in environmental toxicology, or a related field in the pharmaceutical or biological sciences, as well as post-doctoral experience. Applicants should provide a cover letter outlining qualifications for the position, a detailed description of research plans, a one-page executive summary of the research plan, a statement of teaching philosophy, a curriculum vitae, and the name and contact information of four references through The University of Mississippi’s online employment site. For additional information please contact, Dr. Marc Slattery, Search Committee Chair, 662-915-1053, slattery@olemiss.edu.  

 

The University of Mississippi is an EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADEA employer.


 

Position Advertisement

Assistant/Associate Professor

Natural Products/Pharmacognosy

School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi

 

The Division of Pharmacognosy of the Department of BioMolecular Sciences in the School of Pharmacy at The University of Mississippi is seeking qualified applicants for a full time, 12-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. We seek candidates with expertise in the fields of chemistry and biology of natural products, who possess a record of distinguished and innovative research (as evidenced by a significant publication record and the potential to secure extramural funding) and a commitment to excellence in education. Applicants applying for the higher rank should have a nationally recognized research program with recurrent success in securing extramural funding and excellent teaching credentials.

 

The University of Mississippi is the flagship university for the State of Mississippi. A world-class public research university, the institution has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and innovative research. The School of Pharmacy is on the main campus in Oxford, a community of approximately 23,000 residents that has been recognized nationally as one of America’s best places to live. For ten consecutive years, UM has been recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The Department of BioMolecular Sciences has 17 full-time faculty with research emphases in medicinal chemistry, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, and environmental toxicology. The faculty have affiliations with the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and collaborative opportunities in the National Center for Natural Products Research. Additionally, in 2017, the University of Mississippi initiated Flagship Constellations, which are designed to bring together a wide range of faculty from across campus to address some of the most difficult and complex problems facing our nation and world. Membership in these constellation groups provide access to cross-disciplinary researchers working to solve grand challenges. The department has teaching responsibilities in several degree programs, including the Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) as well as M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

 

The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable pool of applicants is established. Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field in the pharmaceutical sciences as well as post-doctoral experience. Applicants should provide a cover letter outlining qualifications for the position, a detailed description of research plans, a one-page executive summary of the research plan, a statement of teaching philosophy, a curriculum vitae, and the name and contact information of four references through The University of Mississippi’s online employment site. For additional information please contact, Dr. Jordan Zjawiony, Search Committee Chair, 662-915-7290, jordan@olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi is an EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADEA employer.


Forensic Chemist Named Ole Miss 2018 Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus

Randall ClarkAugust 13, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Randall Clark, a 1973 University of Mississippi graduate with a doctoral degree in medicinal chemistry, has been named the School of Pharmacy Department of BioMolecular Sciences’ 2018 Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Award honoree.

Clark earned degrees in both biology and chemistry from Berry College in Mt. Berry, Georgia, before receiving his Ph.D. under the direction of late Ole Miss professor Ronald F. Borne. He has spent his 45-year academic career at Auburn University, where he is a professor of medicinal chemistry, mentoring over 50 Master’s and Ph.D. students.

Read more: “Forensic Chemist Named Ole Miss 2018 Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus”


Faculty, Researchers Honored at Pharmacy School Annual Retreat

David Colby (left) and Dean David AllenJACKSON, Miss. ­– The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy presented four faculty and researchers awards for their excellence in and commitment to research, teaching and service at its annual faculty retreat on June 14.

“We are fortunate at our school to have talented faculty and scientists committed to our mission, so it’s a privilege to award them for their outstanding efforts,” said David D. Allen, dean of the School of Pharmacy.

Read more: “Faculty, Researchers Honored at Pharmacy School Annual Retreat”


TriCounty Workforce Alliance_OystersBioMolecular Sciences and Environmental Toxicology, along with National Sea Grant Law Center and Center for Population Studies, welcomed the Tri-County Workforce Alliance for a tour. Students learned about our lead study as well as oyster and zebrafish research.

 

Read more: “Delta Students Learn About Health Professions at UM”


Dr. Joshua Sharp is getting the laser ready because today is the first day of his new NIGMS-funded R01! Dr. Sharp and his collaborators at the NYU Medical Center and the University of Georgia are developing new methods for generating molecular models of proteins. Congratulations and good luck to the Sharp lab!

 

 


Pharmacology Graduate Student Awarded Cantú Fellowship

Erik HodgesOXFORD, Miss. ­– Erik Hodges, a graduate student in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy’s Department of BioMolecular Sciences, was selected as the recipient of the 2018 Virginia Dolores Cantú Fellowship.

“I was elated when I heard I was selected,” Hodges said. “It always feels good to be recognized for your efforts. The topic is one I am very passionate about, and it is nice to know that I was able to convey my thoughts effectively to the reviewers.”

Read more: “Pharmacology Graduate Student Awarded Cantú Fellowship”


Pharmacy Postdoctoral Fellow Honored for Outstanding Poster Presentation

Pankaj Pandey presented Borne Award from John Rimoldi.OXFORD, Miss. ­– Pankaj Pandey, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, won the Ronald F. Borne Outstanding Postdoctoral Poster Presentation Award at the 45th Annual MALTO Meeting in College Station, Texas.

The MALTO conference, for medicinal and natural product chemists from Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas and Oklahoma, gives the Borne Award to one postdoctoral fellow at the conference each year based on their interview and research poster.

Read more: “Pharmacy Postdoctoral Fellow Honored for Outstanding Poster Presentation”


 Marc Slattery Receives Top UM Research Award

Marc Slattery receives award from Josh GladdenMay 12, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Marc Slattery was a little conflicted about being honored for his research achievement at the University of Mississippi.

Slattery, a professor of biomolecular sciences in the School of Pharmacy and research professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, was named the 2018 recipient of the Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award during the university’s 165th Commencement ceremonies Saturday (May 12) in the Grove.

Read more: “Marc Slattery Receives Top UM Research Award”


 Khan Recognized as University Creates Distinguished Professor Honor

Ikhlas Khan selected as a Distinguished Professor with Chancellor Vitter and Provost WilkinMay 11, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Three University of Mississippi faculty members were appointed as Distinguished Professors during the spring faculty meeting Friday (May 11) in Fulton Chapel.

The honorees are John Daigle, director of the Center for Wireless Communications and professor of electrical engineering; Donald Dyer, associate dean for faculty and academic affairs in the College of Liberal Arts and professor of Russian and linguistics; and Ikhlas A. Khan, director of the National Center for Natural Products Research and professor of pharmacognosy.

Read more: “Khan Recognized as University Creates Distinguished Professor Honor


UM Pharmacy Grad Student Earns Student Exchange Award

Ann Fairly Barnett divingMay 7, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. ­– Ann Fairly Barnett, a University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy graduate student, received the Student Training Exchange Opportunity award from the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

The award will allow Barnett to conduct research in the Shoemaker Toxicology Laboratory at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs this summer under the guidance of Joe Griffitt, chair of USM’s Division of Coastal Sciences and associate director of its School of Ocean Science and Technology.

Read more: “UM Pharmacy Grad Student Earns Student Exchange Award”


BMS pharmacognosy graduate student, Mohamed A. Albadry, has been selected as the 2018 AOAC INTERNATIONAL Harvey W. Wiley  Award Scholarship recipient . Congratulations, Mohamed!

 

 

 

 


Superintendent of Oxford, MS School District, Brian Harvey, visited  Dr. Noa Valcarcel-Ares class, Drugs and Human Performance. The class discusses drugs that can be used to enhance performance, especially “smart drugs” and doping agents, like steroids. Brian Harvey visited the class to give some insight into the prevalence and regulations of performance enhancing drugs in the Oxford School District. 

 


Please join BMS in congratulating our student winners in the Research Showcase sponsored by the Neuroscience Minor and the Biology Department.

Graduate Student, Disha Prabhu

1st Place Winner
Disha Prabhu, Katie Blackburn, Jessica Posey, Nicole Ashpole
Role of IGF-1 in Astrocytic Regulation of Learning and Memory in Aging.
BioMolecular Sciences Advisor: Dr. Nicole Ashpole

 

 

Undergraduate Student, Myriam Sanders

1st Place Winner
Myriam Sanders and Nicole Ashpole
Neurotoxicity of Asimina Trilb.
Biology major, Chemistry minor Advisor: Dr. Nicole Ashpole

 

 


Congratulations to Ann Fairly Barnett in receiving a $1,000 award for the Student Training Exchange Opportunity from the North American Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)!

 

 


Congratulations to Dr. John Rimoldi for being named PY1 Class Teacher of the Year!

 

 

 


Congratulations to BMS graduate student, Amelia Clayshulte, in receiving second place in the Science Slam competition at the Young Environmental Scientist Meeting (YES), Stand up for Science.

 

 


Please join us in congratulating BMS graduate student AyoOluwa Aderibigbe and postdoctoral research associate Dr. Pankaj Pandey, in receiving the following award and honorable mention from the 15th annual meeting of the MidSouth Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Society (MCBIOS).

AyoOluwa Aderibigbe received the 2nd place MCBIOS-SAS Young Scientist Excellence Award 2018 for students, Dr. Robert Doerksen’s lab.

Dr. Pankaj Pandey received Honorable Mention for the MCBIOS-SAS Young Scientist Excellence Award 2018 for postdoctoral fellows, Dr. Robert Doerksen’s lab.

 


Congratulations to the following awardees at the Graduate Student Council, 8th Annual Research Symposium!

Niloofar Abolhasani Khaje and Mohamed Albadry

  • 2nd place tie, podium presentation

Barbara Adaikpoh and Abidah Parveen

  • 2nd place tie, poster presentation

Congratulations to BMS students, Barbara Adaikpoh and Cellas Hayes, in receiving the awards below from the Mississippi Academy of Sciences (MAS) Meeting, Feb. 22-23, 2018, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Barbara MAS

Barbara Adaikpoh, Graduate Student, Dr. Cole Stevens lab

Second place in the chemistry poster awards

Honorable Mention in the INBRE Graduate Symposium

Cellas Hayes, Undergraduate Student, Dr. Nicole Ashpole lab

Second place in the molecular and cellular division oral awards

5th place in the Millsaps Undergraduate Symposium

Per Dr. Nicole Ashpole, “Both the INBRE and Millsaps symposiums were designed to recognize the top 20 percent of all graduate and undergraduate research projects (based on their abstracts submitted). In addition to standing at their posters during the normal poster session, there were additional requirements for these top 20 percent students. The undergraduates had to give an oral presentation, and the graduate students had an additional poster session they had to present at.”


Two Pharmacy Faculty Win New Investigator Awards

February 27, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. – Two assistant professors in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, both from the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, have won prestigious 2018 New Investigator Awards from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Hoang Le, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry, and Cole Stevens, assistant professor of pharmacognosy, each won one of only 16 new investigator awards bestowed by AACP this year.

Dr. Steven’s winning proposal is entitled Production of Predation-Associated Antimicrobials From Cryptic Biosynthetic Pathways.

Dr. Le’s winning proposal is entitled Development of Glutaminase and Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors for Cancer.

Kristie_Erin_Pharm Showcase_2018February 2, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy will host pharmacy showcases across the state this spring to educate aspiring pharmacists about the over 600 career paths available in the field of pharmacy.

The pharmacy showcase events, sponsored in part by Walgreens Diversity Initiative, are designed to be meet and greets with the School of Pharmacy’s dean, faculty, staff and current students, as well as pharmacy practitioners from different areas of practice.

Read more: “Pharmacy School Hosts Showcase for Aspiring Pharmacists”


Mississippi Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting

We are a month away from the Mississippi Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting where some of our graduate and undergraduate students will present their research. For more information, check out Mississippi Academy of Science website.


Sly LeeJanuary 22, 2018

OXFORD, Miss. – As technological advances continue to rapidly turn yesterday’s fiction into today’s facts, a University of Mississippi alumnus finds himself at the forefront of the burgeoning virtual and augmented reality revolution.

Sylvester “Sly” Lee, co-founder of Emerge Inc., an independent technology company in Los Angeles, recently made Forbes magazine’s annual “30 Under 30” list of rising entrepreneurs in manufacturing and industry.

Read more: “Alumnus Makes Forbes ’30 Under 30′ List of Leaders”


We ended a great semester with a trip around the world of BMS departmental potluck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Position Advertisement

Assistant/Associate Professor

Medicinal Chemistry

School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi

The Department of BioMolecular Sciences in the School of Pharmacy at The University of Mississippi is seeking qualified applicants for a full time, 12-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. We seek candidates with expertise in the fields of computational chemistry, informatics or a related field who possess a record of distinguished and innovative research (as evidenced by a significant publication record and the potential to secure extramural funding) and a commitment to excellence in education. Applicants applying for the higher rank should have a nationally recognized research program with recurrent success in securing extramural funding and excellent teaching credentials. Outstanding individuals with expertise that complements existing research programs will have opportunities to participate in active collaborative research efforts, including the cross-disciplinary University of Mississippi Flagship Constellation research initiatives.

The University of Mississippi is the flagship university for the State of Mississippi. A world-class public research university, the institution has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and innovative research. The School of Pharmacy is on the main campus in Oxford, a community of approximately 19,000 residents that has been recognized nationally as one of America’s best places to live. The Chronicle of Higher Education has named The University of Mississippi as one of the “Great Colleges to Work For.”  The Department of BioMolecular Sciences has 16 full-time faculty with research emphases in medicinal chemistry, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, and environmental toxicology. The faculty have affiliations with the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and collaborative opportunities in the National Center for Natural Products Research. The department has teaching responsibilities in several degree programs, including the Pharm.D. (Doctor of Pharmacy) as well as M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences.   

The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable pool of applicants is established.  Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry (including Organic or Medicinal Chemistry) or a related field as well as post-doctoral experience. Applicants should provide a cover letter outlining qualifications for the position, a detailed description of research plans, a one-page executive summary of the research plan, a statement of teaching philosophy, a curriculum vitae, and the name and contact information of four references through The University of Mississippi’s online employment site. For additional information please contact, Prof. John Rimoldi, Search Committee Chair, 662-915-5119, jrimoldi@olemiss.edu 

The University of Mississippi is an EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADEA employer.


Jimmie Valentine Named 2017 Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus

John Rimoldi presents Jimmie Valentine with awardSeptember 21, 2017

OXFORD, Miss. – Jimmie Valentine, a 1968 University of Mississippi graduate with a doctoral degree in medicinal chemistry, has been named the School of Pharmacy Department of BioMolecular Sciences’ 2017 Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Award honoree.

Valentine holds degrees in both biology and chemistry from Centenary College of Louisiana and received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in medicinal chemistry from the UM School of Pharmacy. Retiring from the University of Arkansas in 2008 after 19 years as a professor of pediatrics, pharmacology and myeloma research, Valentine is now a consultant in medical pharmacology and toxicology.


Pharmacy Professor Wins UM Faculty Achievement Award

September 7, 2017

OXFORD, Miss. – For the second consecutive year, a pharmacy professor has won the University of Mississippi’s Faculty Achievement Award.

Kristie Willett, chair of the Department of BioMolecular Sciences in the School of Pharmacy and professor of pharmacology and environmental toxicology, was presented the 2017 award at the Aug. 25 fall faculty meeting.

“This is an amazing honor,” Willett said. “There are so many truly outstanding faculty at the University of Mississippi. I really appreciate the recognition, especially considering the accomplishments of the previous awardees, who are all people I have looked up to over my years here.”

Read more: “Pharmacy Professor Wins UM Faculty Achievement Award”


Faculty Profile: Jamie Stewart

Dr. Jamie Stewart, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy

August 24, 2017

OXFORD, Miss. – Jamie Stewart, associate professor of pharmacology in the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, joined the faculty of the School of Pharmacy this summer after teaching at Mississippi State University.

Stewart earned a B.S. in microbiology and a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Auburn University before completing post-doctoral internships in South…

Read more: “Faculty Profile: Jamie Stewart”


The Annual BioMolecular Sciences, Graduate Student Awards were presented on August 18th, at the Graduate Student Welcome Back/ New Student Orientation. These are all outstanding and prestigious awards. Congratulations!

Division of Medicinal Chemistry

  • Munia Sowaileh – Nobles-Sam Graduate Research Award 2015-2016
  • Veda Gogineni Nobles-Sam Graduate Research Award 2016-2017

Munia Sowaileh and Dr. John Rimoldi

Veda Gogineni and Dr. John Rimoldi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Division of Pharmacology

  • Trisha Dhawan – Edith Pritchard Graduate Student Award 2016-2017
  • Disha Prabhu – Marvin Davis Graduate Student Award 2017

Disha Prabhu and Dr. Kristie Willett

Trisha Dhawan and Dr. Kristie Willett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The BMS Welcome Back Graduate Students/ New Graduate Student Orientation, held on August 18th, was a success! Looking forward to a great, new academic year.


Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Speaker Announced

The Department of BioMolecular Sciences is excited and pleased to announce that  Dr. Jimmie Valentine, Retired Professor of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Myeloma Research, University of Arkansas College of Medicine, will be the recipient and honored speaker. Dr. Valentine graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1968 with a doctoral degree in medicinal chemistry. The Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Speech will take place on Thursday, September 21st at 3:00 pm in TCRC room 2066.


Pharmacy School Recognizes Outstanding Faculty, Researchers

Dr. Kristie Willett won the 2017 Instructional Innovation Award at the Ole Miss School of Pharmacy Faculty Retreat

June 19, 2017

OXFORD, Miss. – The UM School of Pharmacy recognized four professors and researchers for their excellence in and commitment to service, research and teaching at the annual faculty and research scientist retreat on June 15.

“Our faculty and scientists are consistently recognized externally for their efforts,” said David D. Allen, dean of the pharmacy school. “I was honored to present them with awards…

Read more: “Pharmacy School Recognizes Outstanding Faculty, Researchers”


Congratulations to graduate student Munia Sowaileh for receiving the 2017 ACS Graduate Research Award! Munia will present her work at the upcoming 2017 Graduate Research Symposium on the campus of the Portland State University in Portland, OR. 


Congratulations to Mohamed Jihan for receiving UM Pharmacy, PY2 Class, Teaching Assistant of the year!


Pharmacy Professors Named Distinguished Teaching Scholars

rimoldiMay 11, 2017

OXFORD and JACKSON, Miss. – UM School of Pharmacy professors Kim Adcock, Robert Doerksen, Erin Holmes and John Rimoldi have been recognized as Distinguished Teaching Scholars for a three-year term beginning this year. This honor recognizes faculty members who have proven to be exceptional teachers and colleagues and who…

Read more: “Pharmacy Professors Named Distinguished Teaching Scholars”


Congratulations to Dennis Carty, BMS graduate student in the environmental toxicology division, who won the First Place Graduate Student Poster Presentation Award at the Mid-South Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry meeting held in Oxford, MS at the UM School of Pharmacy.  In addition to a cash prize, the award qualifies him for a travel award to the SETAC North America meeting in November 2017, in Minneapolis. Way to go, Dennis!


Pharmacy School Recognizes Students with Honors Banquet

April 27, 2017

OXFORD, Miss. – Two Ole Miss chapters of pharmacy honors societies will co-host a banquet this Friday to initiate new members into both societies and recognize the outstanding academics and leadership of existing society members.

The UM chapter of the Rho Chi Society, which honors pharmacy academic achievement, will induct 22 second-year pharmacy students, 15 graduate students and two faculty members. Pharmacy students must be academically in the top 20% of their class to be considered for Rho Chi.


Congratulations to Mohamed Albadry and Abidah Parveen, BMS graduate students, for receiving and award at last week’s ICSB Conference!

Mohamed A. Albadry

  • 3rd place Student poster competition, The 17th annual Oxford international Conference on the Science of Botanicals ICSB  

Abidah Parveen

  • First mention award, The 17th annual Oxford international Conference on the Science of Botanicals ICSB

Pharmacy Professor Wins Prestigious Elsie M. Hood Teaching Award

John Rimoldi, professor of medicinal chemistry in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, is the winner of the 2017 Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.April 11, 2017

OXFORD, Miss. – John Rimoldi, professor of medicinal chemistry in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, is the winner of the 2017 Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.

This award recognizes one Ole Miss professor each year who embodies teaching excellence and exceptional student engagement. Students and faculty submit letters of nomination, and honorees are usually nominated many times over before winning.

“I am deeply humbled to be in the company of past Elsie M. Hood award recipients, many of whom I…

Read more: “Pharmacy Professor Wins Prestigious Elsie M. Hood Teaching Award”


Congratulations to Dennis Carty, BMS graduate student in the environmental toxicology division, for winning a University of Mississippi Graduate Achievement Award at the Honors Convocation.


Join us at MidSouth SETAC in Oxford May 18 – 19, 2017

We are inviting abstracts and participation in all areas but especially in Natural Resources Management, Multidisciplinary Approaches to Solving Environmental Problems, Science and Education, Sustainability, and of course,  Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry!

Abstracts for platform and poster presentations must be submitted by MAY 5, 2017.

MidSouthSETAC2017 OXFORD MS Call for Abstracts


Congratulations to Vimal K. Sharma for winning second place in the poster session at The Graduate Student Council’s, 7th Annual Research Symposium. He was also awarded $125 to go towards travel costs associated with attending conferences.


Congratulations to Munia Sowaileh for receiving the 2015-2016 Nobles-Sam Graduate Research Award!


Kristie Willett Named Chair of Department of BioMolecular Sciences

Kristie Willett was named the chair of BioMolecular Sciences at Ole Miss Pharmacy January 12, 2017

OXFORD, Miss. – Kristine Willett, professor of pharmacology and environmental toxicology, has been chosen as chair of the Department of BioMolecular Sciences in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy.

Several members of the department nominated Willett, a native of Wooster, Ohio, as a candidate for the position and encouraged her to pursue the opportunity. The Department of…

Read more: Kristie Willett Named Chair of Department of BioMolecular Sciences


Congratulations to Veda Gogineni for winning the Graduate Student award for the Chemistry research category at the 2016 Sigma Xi Student Research Conference


Welcome Back Graduate Student Luncheon

August 25, 2016

2016 Fall Student Welcome Lunch


August 16, 2016

Congratulations to Dr. Chris McCurdy on being elected the 2016 President for the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)!


August 15, 2016

Congratulations to graduate student Veda Gogineni for being selected to receive the 2016 AAPS Graduate Student Research Award in Drug Discovery and Development Interface!


Congratulations to Dennis Carty for being selected as one of five American College of Toxicology, 2016 North American Graduate Fellowship award winners! This award will provide Dennis with a two-year fellowship of $5,000 per year to be used toward education and attending the ACT annual meetings. Dennis will be recognized during the 2016 annual meeting awards ceremony and luncheon on Monday, November 10, 2016.


BioMolecular Sciences

Graduate Student Award Ceremony

2015-2016

Left to Right: Mohammed Jihan, Dr. Pankaj Pandey, Chinni Yalamanchili, Dr. Stephen Cutler, Dennis Carty, Harshul Batra, Surendra Jain and Jagrati Jain

 Division of Environmental Toxicology

Dennis Carty

  • Won 2nd Place for his Poster Presentation at the 6th Annual Graduate Student Council Research Symposium (April 2016)
  • Recipient of the 2016 William H. Benson Graduate Student Award

Division of Medicinal Chemistry

Mohamed Jihan

  • Won 1st Place for his Poster Presentation at the 6th Annual Graduate Student Council Research Symposium (April 2016)

 Michael Cunningham

  • Received $1,500 ACS travel grant to the 2016 ACS National Meeting in San Diego, through the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry (December 2015)

Dr. Manal Nael

  • Received the AAPS Award for Graduate Student Research in Drug Discovery & Development Interface (October 2015)
  • Received the 2015-2016 ACS Graduate Research Scholar (April 2016)
  • Received the Dissertation Fellowship Award from the University of Mississippi, Graduate School (Spring 2016)
  • Received the 2015-2016 Graduate Achievement Award (April 2016)
  • Received the PY2 Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year (April 2016)

 Veda Gogineni

  • Received an ACS Women Chemists Committee Travel Award. This travel supported her trip to the ACS 252nd National Meeting & Exposition in Philadelphia, PA. (March 2016)
  • Selected by the Gamma Beta Phi Society as the Most Outstanding Member of the year. (March 2016)

Dr. Pankaj Pandey

  • Received the Dissertation Fellowship Award from the University of Mississippi, Graduate School (Fall 2015)
  • Recipient of the 2014-2015 Nobles-Sam Graduate Research Award

Division of Pharmacognosy

Chinni Yalamanchili

  • 3rd Prize for the Best Poster at the 16th Annual Oxford ICSB, 5th Interim ASP Meeting (April 2016)
  • Recipient of the 2015-2016 Charles D. Hufford Graduate Student Award

Division of Pharmacology

 Rhianna Morgan

  • Received $10,000 for the 2015-2016 COBRE CORE-NPN Assistantship Award

 Taisen Hao

  • Won 1st Place for his Podium Presentation at the 6th Annual Graduate Student Council Research Symposium (April 2016)

 Jagrati Jain

  • Received the Young Investigator Honorable Mention Award at the 64th Annual Meeting of American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (October 2015)
  • Won 1st Place for his Poster at the 4th Malaria Symposium (April 2016)

 Harshul Batra

  • Recipient of the 2015-2016 Edith Pritchard Graduate Student Award
  • Inducted into Rho Chi Society (April 2016)

Surendra Jain

  • Received a travel award at the 64th Annual Meeting of American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (October 2015)
  • Recipient of the 2016 Marvin Davis Graduate Student Award

Graduate Student Council Research Grant Awards (2015-2016)

Harshul Batra

Trisha Dhawan

Taisen Hao

Mohamed Jihan


The 6th Annual Graduate Student Council Research Symposium was held on April 15th. The following were presented awards:

      Podium – Life Sciences

1st Place : Taisen Hao    (BioMolecular Sciences/Pharmacology)

     Poster – Life Sciences

1st Place : Mohamed Jihan    (BioMolecular Science)

2nd Place : Dennis Carty    (BioMolecular Science)


The following awards were received by members of our department at the School of Pharmacy 2016 Awards Ceremony:

Manal Nael

PY2 Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year

Dr. John Rimoldi

PY1 Teacher of the Year

Dr. Tracy Brooks

PY2 Teacher of the Year


At the Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 7, 2016, the following people received awards:

Awardees at the 2016 Honors Convention

Awardees at the 2016 Honors Convention

  • Manal Nael  Graduate Achievement Award in Biomolecular Sciences and Medicinal Chemistry

Division of Environmental Toxicology

  • Dennis Carty – Dr. William H. Benson Graduate Student Award

Division of Medicinal Chemistry

  • Dr. Pankaj Pandey – Nobles-Sam Graduate Research Award

Division of Pharmacognosy 

  • Chinni Yalamanchili  – 2015/2016 Charles D. Hufford Graduate Student Award

Division of Pharmacology

  • Harshul Batra – Edith Pritchard Graduate Student Award
  • Surendra Jain – Marvin Davis Graduate Student Award

Congratulations on these outstanding achievements!


  • Veda Gogineni has been selected to receive an ACS Women Chemists Committee Travel Award. This award will support Veda’s travel to the ACS 252nd National Meeting & Exposition in Philadelphia, PA. Congratulations Veda!
  • Dr. Jordan Zjawiony has been selected for the 2016 Faculty International Professional Development Award. This award will allow Dr. Zjawiony to conduct research in Winsk, Belsrus and Warsaw, Poland studying Medicinal Mushrooms in the Bialowieza Forest. Congratulations Dr. Zjawiony!
  • Veda Gogineni has been selected by the Gamma Beta Phi Society as the Most Outstanding Member of the year. She will be presented with this award at the Induction and Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, March 23. Congratulations Veda!
  • Dr. Pankaj Pandey was one of two co-winners of the Postdoctoral Fellow Oral Presentation Award at the 13th Annual Midsouth Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Society. Congratulations Dr. Pandey!

UM Professor Elected to National Environmental Toxicology Board

February 19, 2016

Kristine Willett, professor of pharmacology and environmental toxicology at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, has been elected to the board of directors for the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

SETAC is a not-for-profit global professional organization that promotes research related to environmental contaminants, education in environmental sciences and the use of science in environmental policy. Its board of directors represents the tripartite membership of the society, which includes academic, industry and government representatives.

Read more: “UM Professor Elected to National Environmental Toxicology Board”


We are excited to announce the Annual BioMolecular Sciences, Graduate Student Awards. These are all outstanding and prestigious awards! These individuals will also be recognized at the Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 7, 2016.

Division of Environmental Toxicology

  • Dennis Carty – Dr. William H. Benson Graduate Student Award

Division of Medicinal Chemistry

  • Dr. Pankaj Pandey – Nobles-Sam Graduate Research Award

Division of Pharmacognosy 

  • Chinni Yalamanchili  – 2015/2016 Charles D. Hufford Graduate Student Award.

Division of Pharmacology

  • Harshul Batra – Edith Pritchard Graduate Student Award
  • Surendra Jain – Marvin Davis Graduate Student Award

January 28, 2016

Dr. Jordan Zjawiony received an honorable recognition from the Polish government lawmakers for a recent collaboration in helping with the development of the Center for Natural Products in Poland.


Professor’s Research Protects, Restores Marine Ecosystems

Image: UM professor Marc Slattery underwater in scuba gearDecember 10, 2015

Marc Slattery was trained as a marine biologist, so pharmacy may have been somewhat foreign when he was hired at the University of Mississippi. Two decades later, however, his efforts have made quite a splash at the School of Pharmacy.

The professor of pharmacognosy got his start at the school under the direction of associate dean emeritus Charles Hufford.

“I wasn’t a traditional pharmacist, but I came here and found collaborations I normally wouldn’t have and applications for my work that I would have never really considered,” Slattery said.

Read more: “Professor’s Research Protects, Restores Marine Ecosystems”


  • Dr. Chris McCurdy has been appointed to the AFPE Board of Grants.
  • Michael Cunningham, a graduate student in the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, received a $1500 American Chemical Society travel grant to the 2016 ACS National Meeting in San Diego, through the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry; the video he created, titled “Chemistry through the looking glass”, which conveyed the benefits of membership in the ACS Organic Division, won him the grant. 

Dr. Chris McCurdy receives the inaugural AAPS Drug Discovery and Development Interface Section Service Award.


  • Veda Gogineni’s and Manal Nael’s research has been selected by the Graduate School for funding!With the facilitation of the Graduate Student Council (GSC), the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) and the Graduate School (GS) are able to sponsor a number of awards each year to students whose proposals demonstrate well-considered projects with exceptional promise. This year, their awards are two of 20 awards being made from a field of 46 proposals.
  • Taisen Hao and Mohamed Jihan have won the 2015-2016 Graduate Student Council Research Grant and Eric Bow has won the Outstanding Poster Award at the 2015 Neuroscience Research Day. Congratulations and thanks to all those contributing to the department’s success!

  • On Friday, May 1st, 2015 the Department of BioMolecular Sciences held its second Annual Awards day, in which graduate students were recognized for their hard work and accomplishments. It was a beautiful day in which to combine business and pleasure!
  • The Department is proud to announce that Lisa Wilson is the recipient for the Virginia Dolores Cantú Fellowship! This is a prestigious award given to only one deserving applicant a year. Lisa’s application proved her dedication to the safety and care laboratory animal research and the importance of humane care of research animals. We are extremely proud and thankful to have Lisa representing our department! Virginia Dolores Cantú served students and faculty involved in laboratory animal research at The University of Mississippi for many years by facilitating their compliance with the federal regulations on the humane care and use of laboratory animals. Ms. Cantú was also an integral part of the team that achieved AAALAC accreditation for The University of Mississippi. The fellowship was established in 2010 by Joe Turner Cantú, Eddie Upton, and the Cantú family.

 

  • Congratulations to Walid Alsharif and Pankaj Pandey who took 1st and 2nd place, respectively, in the Applied Neuroscience section of the First Neuroscience Research Showcase.
  • Congratulations to Surendra Jain, who has been awarded 2nd prize for the GSC Research Forum podium presentation on “Transgenic Leishmania donovani cells with constitutive expression of Citrine and mCherry fluorescent proteins: Applications in biology, screening and new drug discovery.”
  • Congratulations to Surabhi Shukla who won the second place award for poster presentation at the 15th Annual International Conference on the Science of Botanicals, held April 13 – 16, 2015.
  • We are very proud to announce that two of our faculty members have been honored with Teacher of the Year Awards! Dr. John Rimoldi received Teacher of the Year for the PY 1 Class and Dr. Tracy Brooks received Teacher of the Year for the PY 2 Class. Dr. Brooks also received the Friend of the Student Award.
  • Congratulations  to Santu Singha, for receiving a travel fellowship award for the 3rd annual UAB Workshop on Metabolomics. This fellowship is jointly sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) as part of the NIH Common Fund Metabolomics initiative, and the Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology and Toxicology at University of Alabama at Birmingham.
  •  Congratulations to Jagrati Jain for her 2nd Place Poster Award at the 3rd UM Malaria Symposium.
  •  Pankaj Pandey has been named as a recipient of the ACS Chemical Computing Group Research Excellence Award in Medicinal Chemistry. Pankaj will receive $1,150 which he can use towards travel expenses. 

April 16, 2015

Graduate Awards Ceremony invitation

In preparation for the upcoming BMS Spring Graduate Student Award Ceremony on May 1st, the department would like to acknowledge the graduate students who will be recognized:

Division of Environmental Toxicology

  • Dennis Carty – $500 travel award from the South Central Chapter of Society of Toxicology to attend the national SOT meeting.

Division of Medicinal Chemistry

  • Eric Bow – 2013/2014 Nobles-Sam Graduate Research Award
  • Shuneize Slater – First Place at the MCBIOS XII (Midsouth Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Society), Poster Presentation in Biological Bioinformatics and $300 award
  • Veda Gogineni – Most Outstanding Member for the University of Mississippi, Chapter of Gamma Beta Phi
  • Walid Alsharif – Honorable Mention for the MAS Outstanding Student Manuscript
  • Pankaj Pandey – ACS Chemical Computing Group Research Excellence Award in Medicinal Chemistry and $1,150 award. Pankaj also received the 32014-2015 University of Mississippi, Graduate Student Achievement Award

Division of Pharmacognosy 

  • Mohamed Albadry – 2014/2015 Charles D. Hufford Graduate Student Award

Division of Pharmacology

  • Rhianna Morgan – First Place at the Mississippi INBRE, Graduate Student Symposium
  • Trisha Dhawan – Received Honorable Mention from the Reproductive and Development Specialty Section of the Society of Toxicology and $75 award.
  • Santu Singha – Received $500 travel award from the South Central Chapter of Society of Toxicology to attend the National SOT meeting. Santu also received Honorable Mention from the Reproductive and Development Specialty Section of the Society of Toxicology and received $75 award.
  • Jagrati Jain – Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Society. Jagrati also received $1000 travel fellowship award for the 3rd Annual UAB Workshop on Metabolomics, Dept. of Pharmacology/Toxicology, University of Alabama. The fellowship is jointly sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) as part of the NIH Common Fund Metabolomics initiative, and the Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology and Toxicology at University of Alabama at BirminghamJagrati also received a poster award today at the 15th International Conference on the Science of Botanicals.

2014-2015 – Graduate Student Council Research Grant Awards

Veda Gogineni – Division of Med Chem

Walid Alsharif – Division of Med Chem

Rhianna Morgan – Division of Pharmacology


Ole Miss School of Pharmacy Honors Senior Scientist

August 14, 2015

The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy honored its Distinguished Alumnus of the Year at the annual Alumni Weekend Awards Banquet and Reunion Dinner.

Jeffery Steevens, senior scientist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was recognized for his involvement in student service and professional achievement.

Read more: “Ole Miss School of Pharmacy Honors Senior Scientist”


April 14, 2015

We are excited to announce that the A. Nelson Voldeng Memorial Lecturer will be Alan P. Kozikowski, Professor, Drug Discovery Program, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago. The topic will be:

“Chemistry, the Brain, and Cancer – Ups and Downs on the Road to HDAC6i Drugs”


April 13, 2015

Congratulations to Jagrati Jain, who was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, due to her excellent academic work! It is a well-deserved honor for Jagrati! A short video can be seen on our Facebook page.


April 7, 2015

Please note that the time for the Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Speech has been changed from 11:00 am to 10:30 am. The date and location remain the same.


Joseph  Sam Distinguished Alumnus Speaker Announced

March 24, 2015

Bob Magarian

The Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Medicinal Chemistry is excited and pleased to announce that  Dr. Robert A. “Bob” Magarian, Professor Emeritus of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma (Medicinal Chemistry, 1966)  will be the recipient and honored speaker. The Joseph Sam Distinguished Alumnus Speech will take place on  Thursday, May 21st at 10:30 am in TCRC room 1044.

 


  •  Shuneize Slater has received First Place at the MCBIOS XII (Midsouth Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Society), Poster Presentation in Biological Bioinformatics. She also received $300 for winning first place.
  • The University of Mississippi, Chapter of Gamma Beta Phi has named Vedangali Gogineni the Most Outstanding Member this year.
  •  Rhianna Morgan, Graduate Student in the Pharmacology Division received First Place at the Mississippi INBRE, Graduate Student Symposium last month. The title of her presentation was, “Structure Elucidation of G-Quadruplex within the mid-region of the kRAS Promoter and Identification of Stabilizing Small Molecules as Promising Transcriptional Silencers.”

Dr. Christopher McCurdy Named AAPS Voting Representative

February 18, 2015

We are proud to announce that at today’s AAPS Executive Council meeting that Dr. Christopher McCurdy was appointed as the AAPS’ voting representative to the United States Pharmacopeia. This brings great recognition and honor to Chris, our department, the school, and the university. Please join us in congratulating him on this wonderful accomplishment.


  • Congratulations to Walid Alsharif who has been awarded “Honorable Mention” for the MAS (Mississippi Academic Society) Outstanding Student Manuscript Award.
  • Congratulations to Shuneize Slater for receiving a Dissertation Fellowship from the University’s Graduate School.

Charles D. Hufford Graduate Student Fellowship Endowment

January 29, 2015

For more than four decades, Dr. Charles D. Hufford made an incredible impact on the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy’s research culture. It is undeniable that Dr. Hufford helped transform our school into one of the world’s premier locations for the study of natural compounds. Not only that, but his leadership in the Department of Pharmacognosy and in the school’s administration as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs has been unparalleled.

Dr. Hufford’s accomplishments were extensive. His research talents shined in the area of drug metabolism, as well as finding and characterizing new antifungal antibiotics. Additionally, he was largely responsible for growing the school’s nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer capabilities. Over the years, he mentored numerous graduate students and facilitated various renovation projects.

Upon his retirement in 2015, Dr. Hufford’s family created an endowment that will pay tribute to his vast contributions to the university. The Charles D. Hufford Graduate Student Fellowship Endowment will provide additional funding to a deserving biomolecular sciences graduate student who is a U.S. citizen. We are thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of graduate students while celebrating Dr. Hufford’s legacy at the same time.

Checks to the University of Mississippi Foundation with the Hufford Fellowship noted in the memo line can be mailed to 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655; or contributions can be made online by visiting www.umfoundation.com/makeagift .


Pharmacology/Toxicology Alum to be Honored

December 12, 2014

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jeffery A. Steevens (Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology, 1999) is the recipient of the School of Pharmacy’s 2015 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Dr. Steevens is a Senior Research Scientist with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, MS. His commitment to the School of Pharmacy and his many contributions to the profession have made him an excellent choice for this esteemed award.

This award will be presented at the annual Pharmacy Alumni Weekend banquet on April 18, 2015. We are excited about honoring Dr. Steevens on his exceptional accomplishments.


Environmental Toxicology Research Program New Award Featured in Pharmacy Matters

December 11, 2014

The creation of the William H. Benson Distinguished Graduate Student Award was featured in the School of Pharmacy’s Newsletter, “Pharmacy Matters”. The award is the brain child of Dr. Kristine Willett, a professor of Pharmacology who has been committed to the development of the Environmental Toxicology Research Program. The award is for graduate students enrolled in the Environmental Toxicology Research Program. The full article can be found in the November/December 2014 issue of Pharmacy Matters.


The Department of BioMolecular Sciences is proud to announce these awards which have been earned by our faculty members:

  • Professor Christopher McCurdy was selected as a Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientist
  • Professor Kristie Willett was recognized as a University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy Distinguished Teaching Scholar
  • Professor Kristie Willett received the 2013-14 University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy Faculty Service Award
  • Assistant Professor Tracy Brooks received the 2013-14 University of Mississippi New Investigator Award
  • Professor Stephen Cutler received the 2014 Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Research of the Year award
  • Professor Stephen Cutler received the American Chemical Society Division of Agrochemicals 2014 Research Article of the Year Award for his outstanding manuscript “Antifungal Metabolites against Plant Pathogens of Metabolites from the Endophytic Fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 61, 4551-4555, 2013.

Renowned Researcher A. Douglas Kinghorn Named 2014 Waller Distinguished Lecturer

November 18, 2014

Kinghorn_photo_1-300x300Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, who performed postdoctoral work here in the Department of Pharmacognosy in the 1970s will be returning as this year’s Coy W. Waller Distinguished Lecturer. The full story is here.

 

 


Congratulations to Khalid Alharthy for receiving the second place platform presentation at the South Central Chapter of the Society of Toxicology 2014 Meeting here in Oxford.


  • We would like to recognize Mallory White and Colleen Riley for their awards, received at the Rho Chi Poster Presentation, held October 8, 2014. Mallory won the First Place Award for her presentation, “Reproductive and Multigenerational Effects of Dietary Benzo[a]pyrene Exposure in Zebrafish”. Colleen Riley won the Third Place Award for her poster featuring “Optimization of Radioligand Binding Assay for Cannabinoid 1 Receptor.”
  • Walid Alsharif was awarded first place in the Chemistry Category of the ACS Graduate Student Competition held October 17th, 2014 at the University of Mississippi in the National Center for Natural Products Research. Walid’s poster was titled, “Dual Probes for Inhibition the Dopamine Transporter and alpha Receptors as Potential Cocaine-Abuse Therapeutic Agents”. This is the second time he has earned this award.
  • Dr. Jordan Zjawiony was honored at a luncheon with only 18 other employees for 25 years of dedicated service to the University of Mississippi.

Marine Ecologist Builds 3D Models of Coral Open to All

October 8, 2014

This article was taken from the February 2015 issue of WIRED magazine.

Most people will never see coral in its natural habitat, so marine ecologist Sly Lee is bringing it to them.

In 2014, Lee, who works for the United States National Park Service, founded The Hydrous, a Hawaii-based non-profit that builds 3D models of corals. Its database includes those that are disappearing, such as elkhorn and staghorn corals, and it maps ecological changes in the ocean. “Once we’ve generated 3D models of entire reefs, we can investigate the habitat preferences of fish, coral-sponge interactions and other ecosystem processes,” says Lee.

Read more: “Marine Ecologist Builds 3D Models of Coral Open to All”


Waters_HUffordAward


Leading Drug Discovery Scientist to Give Borne Lecture April 15

By Erin Garrett

Chris M. IrelandChris M. Ireland, distinguished professor and dean of the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, will deliver the 10th annual Ronald F. Borne Distinguished Lecture at the University of Mississippi.

Hosted by medicinal chemistry faculty, the April 15 lecture is set for 11 a.m. in Room 2066 of the Thad Cochran Research Center. It is free and open to the public. Ireland plans to discuss “Three Decades of Evolution in an Academic Drug Discovery Program: Then and Now.”

“We are delighted to have Dr. Ireland as our 10th annual Ronald F. Borne Lecturer,” said Stephen J. Cutler, department chair. “He is an exceedingly accomplished pharmaceutical scientist who has lead very productive research teams doing drug discovery.”

Ireland has established himself as a world leader in natural product drug discovery during his nearly 30 years at the University of Utah. His research has focused on the discovery of antitumor agents from natural product sources including marine invertebrate animals, tropical plants and fungi.

He has published more than 170 peer-reviewed research articles, eight book chapters and five patents. He has been invited to speak at numerous national and international symposia on natural products research and cancer chemotherapeutics.

Ireland is an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow, an American Society of Pharmacognosy Fellow, a 2008 short-term Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and an Honorary Research Fellow of the Queensland Museum Biodiversity Program. He has been given numerous awards, including a National Institutes of Health Career Development Award, the 2007 University of Utah Distinguished Scholarly and Creative Research Award, the 10th Webster Sibilsky Award for Contributions to the Field of Medicinal Chemistry and the 2007 Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology.

“Dr. Ireland has extensively studied the chemistry of marine invertebrates, which have proven to be a prolific source of diverse chemical structures with potential anticancer effects,” Cutler said.

The lecture was established in 2004 as a way of recognizing Ronald F. Borne, a longtime medicinal chemistry professor, and his contributions to the department and the university. Borne was a classroom favorite of students for many years and has been recognized on numerous occasions for his teaching and research excellence. He received the university’s 1972 Elsie M. Hood Teacher of the Year Award and 1996 Faculty Achievement Award. He was also named by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education as the Mississippi Professor of the Year in 1992.

Borne served as department chair from 1979 to 1988, acting associate vice chancellor for research and acting dean of the Graduate School in 1985-86, interim associate vice chancellor for research in 1997-98 and interim vice chancellor for research in 1998-2001. He retired from the university in 2004.

For more information on the lecture or for assistance related to a disability, contact Danielle Noonan at dnoonan@olemiss.edu or 662-915-7026.