Recent News
Pharmacy Students Provide Health Care to Dominican Republic
September 8, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Six University of Mississippi pharmacy students spent part of their summer distributing medications and counseling patients in the Dominican Republic during a medical mission trip, and they say the experiences were life-changing and will make them better health care professionals.
Hannah Harvey, of Collins; Michael Kelley, from Booneville; Ann Kate Meagher, of Oxford; Carley Puckett, from Louisville; Anna Miller Rebich, of Brandon; and Madden Stockstill, from Picayune, all fourth-year students in the UM School of Pharmacy, joined a team of health professionals in the cities of Barahona and Bombita between June 10 and 17.
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Pharmacy Professor Working to Bring Needed Care to LGBTQ+ Patients
August 11, 2022
JACKSON, Miss. – For many LGBTQ+ patients, finding proper health care can be difficult. A lack of expertise about issues they face, in addition to discrimination, means that many can go without treatment.
At the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, faculty are working to buck that trend and provide those needed services to patients.
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Pharmacology Graduate Student Building a Legacy Through Research
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.
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Pharmacy Graduate Programs Aim to Increase Diverse Workforce
July 18, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – To raise awareness about the field of pharmaceutical sciences and career pathways among potential students across the region, the Office of Research and Graduate Programs at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy is investing in increased outreach and recruitment efforts.
The school’s efforts focus on diverse undergraduate student populations throughout the state and beyond.
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UM Community Remembers Pharmacy Administration Pioneer Mickey Smith
July 15, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Former colleagues, students and friends are mourning former University of Mississippi professor Mickey C. Smith, who died July 5.
To say that Smith was a big deal would be an understatement. He leaves a legacy at the UM School of Pharmacy and the pharmacy world at-large that is unmatched.
“It is not uncommon when meeting alumni for them to ask about him or share a story of how he impacted their life,” said Donna Strum, UM pharmacy dean. “He was an amazing person whose legacy will live on.”
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‘Friend of the Student’ Offers a Helping Hand
June 30, 2022
Making the adjustment to college can be tough, especially as a pharmacy student. Between classes, rotations, social life and more, it can be a lot to handle.
Fortunately for students at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, they don’t have to make that adjustment alone. Ashley Crumby, Academic Affairs Coordinator, is here to help students with study skills, time-management and more.
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‘Friend of the Student’ Helps Pharmacy Students Gain Valuable Experience
June 22, 2022
For a pharmacy student, the classroom is only part of their education. Getting that real-world experience can make all the difference.
Fortunately for students at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Robert Metzger is here to help. Metzger works with the Experiential Program, which places pharmacy students in practice settings where they can learn by doing . He also works with the preceptors, making sure they have what they need to support students.
This year, the student body selected Metzger as a recipient of the annual Friend of the Student Award.
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Pharmacy Administration Professor Named Distinguished Cotton Lecturer
June 16, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Marie Barnard, an associate professor of pharmacy administration with the University of MississippiSchool of Pharmacy, has been named as the Distinguished Cotton Lecturer in Pharmacy Administration.
The lectureship is supported by the Winfield and Rachel Cotton Lectureship in Pharmacy Administration Endowment. The appointment is intended to honor and reward a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to the Department of Pharmacy Administration in research, teaching, service and collegiality. The faculty member is selected by the dean of the School of Pharmacy, with input from the department chair.
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Pharmacology Professor Named Triplett-Behrakis Endowed Professor
June 14, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Joshua Sharp, an associate professor of pharmacology with the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, has been appointed as the Triplett-Behrakis Endowed Professor in the School of Pharmacy.
Supported by the Triplett-Behrakis Endowment Fund, the professorship was created to recognize, retain or recruit outstanding faculty members. The faculty member is selected by the dean of the School of Pharmacy, in consultation with associate deans.
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School of Pharmacy Honors Faculty with Teaching, Research Awards
June 9, 2022
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 and Research Scientist Advancement.
“We have some of the finest faculty and research scientists that go above and beyond to advance the mission of our profession,” said Donna Strum, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “It’s truly a privilege to be able to celebrate the important work they do.”
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Professor Retires After 11 Years with School of Pharmacy
May 25, 2022
JACKSON, Miss. – Scott Malinowski has been one of the most beloved members of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy faculty. Set to retire after 11 years as a full-time faculty member with the school, and 16 years before that as adjunct faculty, he said that the feeling is mutual.
“Without a doubt, the thing I will miss most are the people,” Malinowski said. “The folks I work with at the School of Pharmacy have welcomed me as family, been there for me in my times of need and helped me grow as a person.”
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Lessons Learned Lead to Business Success for Pharmacy Alumna
May 24, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy alumna Mollie Spencer has been tested a few times in her life.
From taking a personality test to find the best career fit to being challenged as a business owner, Spencer is finding the rewards in hard work, as she was named to the Ole Miss Alumni Association’s inaugural 40 Under 40 class.
Read More: “Lessons Learned Lead to Business Success for Pharmacy Alumna”
Pharmacology Professor Explores Curiosity with NSF Grant
May 20, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi faculty member Gregg Roman is exploring the genetic and neural mechanisms responsible for curiosity after securing a grant from the National Science Foundation.
A professor of pharmacology in the School of Pharmacy, Roman serves as principal investigator for a project that uses species of Drosophila, or fruit flies, to study the genes and neurons that drive the exploration of novel stimuli.
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Boosting Patients’ Health Literacy Goal of School of Pharmacy Graduate
May 16, 2022
JACKSON, Miss. – The power pharmacists have in helping patients live healthier lives inspires School of Pharmacy senior Amy Ly-Ha to become an ambulatory care pharmacist.
“I wish to bridge gaps created from health disparities, especially for the medically underserved,” she said. “As a daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, I have seen poor health literacy in action. For example, I witnessed older family members struggling to comprehend health information because of limited English skills. Because of this, I can appreciate how patient education from pharmacists can help reduce health disparities.”
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Natural Products Center Celebrates 20th Botanicals Forum
May 13, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – For the first time since 2019, the botanicals industry descended on Oxford this spring for the International Conference on the Science of Botanicals.
The conference, hosted annually by the National Center for Natural Products Research within the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, brought together leading industry figures, government officials and academics for a week of discussion and idea sharing of the ancient, yet evolving, study on medicinal plants.
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Two HRSA Grants Let Pharmacy Chair Bring Well-being to Forefront
May 10, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. — Seena Haines’ wellness journey has come full circle.
Her own personal struggles as an adolescent with obesity, along with the impact of chronic disease in her family, set her passion toward personal well-being and a calling to help others.
Read More: “Two HRSA Grants Let Pharmacy Chair Bring Well-being to Forefront”
Faculty Feature: Suresh Bandari
May 10, 2022
Suresh Bandari is an accomplished pharmaceutical sciences researcher from Warangal, Telangana, India. Bandari originally joined the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery in 2017, where he has worked as postdoctoral research associate and research scientist.
This year, Bandari joined the faculty as research assistant professor and hopes to pass on his extensive knowledge and experience to students.
Get to know Bandari in this Q&A.
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Kristie Willett Receives University’s Top Research Award
May 6, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Sometimes parents are the best role models to follow. Kristie Willett may be an example of that.
Lynn B. Willett, now a retired animal science and toxicology professor from Ohio State University, showed his daughter, Kristie, the world of toxicology from a young age. Kristie attended her first Society of Toxicology, or SOT, meeting in 1978, and her first publication was with him when she was in high school in 1989 on the topic of polychlorinated biphenyls metabolism by rumen microorganisms.
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Discovering More in Pharmacy
May 5, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Katie Kreusel has discovered there is much more to the pharmacy profession than dispensing medicine.
Originally from Dacula, Georgia, Kreusel’s journey to Oxford started as she was accepted into the Early Entry Program at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. With a seat in the professional program secured, Kreusel used the opportunity to network with the school’s expert faculty and found a research mentor in David Colby, associate professor of medicinal chemistry.
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Match Made in Pharmacy
May 3, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Nason Wise knew pharmacy was the career for him, as he wanted a profession that fulfilled his interest in medication use and allowed him to help others.
For Shelby Strength Wise, she had worked in a pharmacy since high school and enjoyed the patient interaction it provided.
Attending the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy was a no-brainer for the pair, but what they didn’t realize is all the matches pharmacy would provide. Now Nason and Shelby are married, graduating with their Doctor of Pharmacy degrees and preparing for their postgraduate residences at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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Leader in the Lab
April 27, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Maali Alshammari knew her time in school wasn’t finished just yet.
Originally from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Alshammari received her bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences from King Saud University. But instead of beginning her career, she sought out new educational challenges.
“I had the option to work as a pharmacist, but I knew that was not the right path for me,” Alshammari said. “Instead, I wanted to continue my education in medicinal chemistry.”
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Professor Brings Interprofessional Experience to Students
April 18, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Sally Earl’s career has been defined by a willingness to collaborate with those in and out of the pharmacy profession.
As a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Earl’s work extends beyond the classroom. When Earl began her position at the school in 2017, she worked with the Stern Cardiovascular Foundation in Southaven. There she assisted with the appropriate management of medications for cardiovascular diseases with an interdisciplinary team of physicians and nurse practitioners.
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Student Pharmacist Awarded Zada M. Cooper Scholarship
April 12, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Second-year student pharmacist Leah Franks is having an impact at the School of Pharmacy. She serves as president-elect of Kappa Epsilon, as well as vice president-elect of ASHP-SSHP. She was also selected for Kappa Epsilon’s Zada M. Cooper Scholarship, which goes to student pharmacists who exemplify superior achievement.
Read on to learn more about Leah and her work.
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NCNPR Scientist, Pharmacy Student Honored at University’s Celebration of Service Awards
April 11, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi Division of Diversity and Community Engagementwill recognize outstanding accomplishments in community-engaged research, learning, service and scholarship Tuesday (April 12) during its annual Celebration of Service Awards.
The program begins at 2 p.m. in the Johnson Commons Ballroom. Honors to be presented include the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, the Excellence in Community Engagement Award and the new Community Engaged Partnership Fund.
Read More: “NCNPR Scientist, Pharmacy Student Honored at University’s Celebration of Service Awards”
Pharmacy Professor Honored with Elsie M. Hood Teaching Award
April 8, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – With a passion for statistics and commitment to student learning, John Bentley, professor of pharmacy administration at the University of Mississippi, is the winner of the 2022 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.
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UM-Sponsored Bilingual Health Fair Benefits Pontotoc Community
April 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.
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Alumna Upholds Family Pharmacy Legacy Through Service
March 31, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – For Wilma Wilbanks, pharmacy runs in the family. Both her father and grandfather were pharmacists along with other family members. This made any family get-together a pharmacy affair.
“I think back to Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Wilbanks said. “For every part of the family that was there, there was a drug store represented.
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Graduate Student Symposium Expands, Features Keynote by Noted Alumnus
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.
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Garrett Gives Back, Scholarship Established in School of Pharmacy
March 24, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Gladys Garrett’s gift to the University of Mississippi’s School of Pharmacy will not only change students’ lives but perhaps the future of the health and pharmaceutical industry as graduates enter the field.
Garrett’s gift of $100,000 to the university establishes the Gladys & M. Lynn Garrett Pharmacy Scholarship Endowment, honoring her late husband, a 1949 UM graduate. In appreciation of Garrett’s gift, the pharmacy school will name a conference room in the couple’s honor.
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Pharmaceutics Students Excel in Receiving Internships
March 23, 2022
Five students from the Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery have received internships from leading industry companies and government agencies.
Michael Repka, chair and distinguished professor of the department and director of the Pii Center for Pharmaceutical Technology, praised the students for their efforts in attaining internships and noted this represents a significant increase for the department.
“I have been our department chair for almost 17 years and this last year has shown a four-fold increase in our students receiving internships,” Repka said. “This fact definitely demonstrates the strength of the department and the high quality of our students.”
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UM Researchers Working for Safe Drinking Water in Mississippi
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.
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Faculty Feature: Eman Ashour
March 21, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Eman Ashour has a long history with the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. She has worked at the school as an associate research & development chemist and received her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from the university in 2015. Ashour returned in 2017 as a research assistant professor and has made Oxford home.
In January, Ashour was promoted to the position of assistant professor for the Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, where she hopes to continue to help pharmacy and graduate students launch their careers.
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Pharmacy Administration Faculty Awarded Grant to Study Opioid Tapering
March 17, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – Faculty members of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmacy Administration have received a grantthrough the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a division of the National Institutes of Health.
Titled “Safety and Effectiveness of Opioid Tapering Among Older Adults,” the $432,303 grant will allow researchers to study older adults who are using long-term opioids to manage chronic pain.
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UM Pharmacy School Hosts Browse Fair for Future Pharmacists
March 14, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy will host pharmacy showcases across the state to educate future pharmacists about the career paths available in the field of pharmacy.
The events are designed as a meet-and-greet with the School of Pharmacy’s new dean Donna Strum, as well as faculty, staff, current students and pharmacy practitioners from different areas of practice.
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National Pharmaceutical Council Executive to Give Hartman Lecture
March 8, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – John M. O’Brien, president and chief executive officer of the National Pharmaceutical Council, will present the annual Charles W. Hartman Memorial Lecture on March 11 at the University of Mississippi.
Hosted by the School of Pharmacy, the lecture will begin at noon CT in the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. O’Brien’s presentation is titled “Navigating the Health Care Ecosystem to Improve Patient Outcomes.” The event is free and open to the public while also available to watch via Zoom and the pharmacy school’s Facebook page.
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dōTERRA, Pharmacy School Sign Five-Year Partnership to Advance Essential Oil Research
March 2, 2022
PLEASANT GROVE, Utah and OXFORD, Miss. – dōTERRA and the University of Mississippi National Center for Natural Products Research, based within the UM School of Pharmacy, have agreed to a five-year research partnership that will focus on establishing quality standards for the essential oil industry.
As part of the partnership, NCNPR will study the chemometrics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and metabolomics of essential oils. Officials from both the company and the university anticipate that the research will result in multiple peer-reviewed, published studies that will serve the broader essential oils and scientific communities.
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Pharmacy School, Mississippi College Partner on Admissions Pathway
February 25, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy and Mississippi College have boosted their commitments to public health with an admissions partnership.
With the preferred admission program, qualified Mississippi College students who express an interest in pharmacy may be admitted to the School of Pharmacy after the first semester of their freshman year. Students must show high achievement in pre-pharmacy coursework and be involved in service activities.
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SNPhA Panel Opens Discussion of Diversity in Pharmacy
February 25, 2022
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi chapter of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association hosted three UM alumni for its “Practicing as a Diverse Pharmacist” event, kicking off the group’s Spring Speaker Series.
The panel took place February 10 in honor of Black History Month. For SNPhA President Isaiah Brown, a first-year student at the School of Pharmacy, Black History Month is a time to celebrate how far the Black community has advanced, after progressing through different forms and intensities of oppression.
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People of the U: Alexcia Carr
February 24, 2022
JACKSON, Miss. – Alexcia Carr got some strong clues growing up that she would go to school to be a pharmacist.
“A lot of people have a ‘person,’ and my grandfather was that person,” said Carr, who will graduate in 2023 with a Pharm.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. “I went with my grandfather to doctor’s visits and gave him his medications,” Carr said.
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