School of Pharmacy

Nicholas Bethel

I am a first-year graduate student in the department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I graduated from Webster University in 2021 with a BS in Biological sciences. My research at Webster involved studying Lemna minor, the common duckweed, for its ability to reduce BPA and estradiol concentrations in an aqueous environment.

During my time at SIUE, I plan to study Medicinal chemistry and research novel ligands of the somatostatin and dopamine receptors for their therapeutic effects in diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Keerthana Kolluri

 I am a first-year Pharmaceutical Science graduate student at SIUE School of Pharmacy. I completed my Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2021 from Vikas Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences with a high distinction. For my bachelor’s thesis, I conducted the antimicrobial property of pomegranate albedo a methanolic extract.

I wanted to see myself in the position of a pharmaceutical scientist that focuses on the design and synthesis of potential drugs, as well as their evaluation in biological systems and disease models as a means of profiling their preclinical safety, efficacy, dynamics, and metabolism.  A pharmaceutical scientist is a professional who performs research to drive drug discovery, development, and testing and aimed at introducing new drugs to the marketplace. My aim is to work and to create potentially life-saving therapies and improve the overall health of individuals which is highly fulfilling.

Dikchhay Shakya

I am a first year graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences pursuing my major in pharmacology. 

Vyshnavi Velasiri

I am a first-year graduate student in the department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, who is interested in the pharmaceutics track. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from India's Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2021. My career aim is to become a formulation research and development scientist and want to make a lot of difference in the medical field.

My undergraduate study focused on the synthesis and spectral characterization of 1,7-bis-(13-chloro-9-ethyl coumarin-8-yl-)-5-hydroxy-3-oxo hepta-1,4,6-triene. Prior to attending SIUE, I did an internship at a pharmaceutical company where I learned about the formulation and testing of medication formulations.

Faria Anjum Simin

I am a second year graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences pursuing Pharmacology track. I received my Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from North South University, Bangladesh where I gained research experience in nano drug delivery systems, pharmacology, and phytochemistry. Prior to joining SIUE, I worked at Nutrition and Clinical Services Division of icddr,b as a research assistant and captured technical and applied knowledge in clinical trials and public health.

My goal of conducting research in cancer cell biology has been expedited by SIUE's Competitive Graduate Award (CGA). As part of my CGA research, I will work under the supervision of Dr. Joseph Schober, and perform immunofluorescence studies in cancer cell lines to decipher the intracellular localization of sigma receptors and their roles in cancer. I aspire to become a competent researcher who can enrich the diversity of this department, as well as the School of Pharmacy. 

Abdul Azeez Arisekola Lanihun

I am a second year MS student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Prior to attending SIUE, I completed my Bachelor's degree in Pharmacology at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. I also enrolled in the course-based Master's program in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, which was funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

Having completed two research projects in toxicology and antibacterial drug discovery in the past, I hope to explore my interests in Oncology research and in silico drug discovery in the program.

Rupesh Chandra Panta

I am a second year graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences with my major in pharmaceutics. I completed my bachelor's degree in pharmacy from Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal.

My thesis in undergrad was on Synthesis of Nanoparticles using Aerial Extract of Plant Bidens Pilosa, Linn. Prior to starting this program, I worked as a Marketing Sales Officer in Deurali-Janta Pharmaceuticals Pvt.ltd. I am fortunate to be continuing my master's degree in the hospitable environment of SIUE School of Pharmacy faculty and community.

My current research interest is in the field of Pharmaceutics. 

Omoh Emmanuel Ben

I am a second year graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicinal Chemsitry track. I completed my Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Jos, Nigeria.

After completion of my bachelors degree, I worked as a hospital and community pharmacist. My undergraduate thesis focused on the Modification of the Antimalarial Drug Lumefantrine.

My interests are in drug discovery and design, as well as computational chemistry. 

Kuber Bajgain

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

I completed my Bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. During my undergraduate studies, I performed in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate the pharmacological potential of a medicinal plant. Before starting the graduate program at SIUE School of Pharmacy, I worked in a pharmaceutical industry as a Quality Control Analyst.

My current research is in Pharmaceutics. 

Prasant Khadka

I am a second year Graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Prior to my graduate studies, I worked as a Production Officer in Ohm Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Nepal.

My current research interest is in Pharmacology. 

Safat Shoeb

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

I completed my Bachelors of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) in 2019 from Brac University, Bangladesh with a high distinction. For my Bachelor's thesis, I calculated the odds ratio of certain variables (Bright lights, loud sounds, spicy foods, etc) that trigger intense migraine headaches, among university students by collecting data from 500 samples and analyzing it with "R" studio. Before admitting myself to graduate studies, I have worked in Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited (FDA-approved Pharmaceutical Company in Bangladesh), as a Senior Assistant Officer in the Department of Planning and Inventory Control for almost a year.

My research interest is to discover novel anticancer agents from natural sources and altering the formutation to increase their efficacy. 

Suraj Rauniyar

I am a second year graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences pursing pharmaceutics under the guidance and direction of Dr. William Kolling.

My moral compass has always led me to help people. In recent years, the world has become so prone to diseases. I've always been keen on learning ways to either treat or prevent diseases. Medicine has been my point of interest since high school. When I realized that research progressing, with the help of technology, can bring about changes in how a patient can be treated, I made a firm choice of pursuing my Bachelors in Pharmacy. I completed my Bachelor's in Pharmacy from Baddi University, Chandigarh India. I worked on several projects and assisted various professors during laboratory experiments and publishing their research article(s). My interest is in finding new, easy and economical methods for synthesis of novel drugs. My final project was on Synthesis of Novel Drugs: Schiff's base.

I would like to work in the field of IGQAP1 role in cell motility in the future.

Ousman Boye

I am a first-year Pharmaceutical Science graduate student at SIUE school of Pharmacy. In December 2020, I completed my undergraduate program with an honorary degree in Chemistry at the University of The Gambia, West Africa. My goal is to improve human health and safe the life of mankind through the practical applications of science.

Becoming a pharmaceutical scientist will enable me to fulfil my interest in knowledge and have positive impacts in people’s lives. Thus, I plan on using my knowledge and skills to specialize on drug designing and development (Medicinal Chemistry) under the supervision of Dr. Michael Crider and Dr. Marcelo Nieto. My research will be focus on the Design and Synthesis of Hexahydrobenz[e]Indoles as Selective Sigma2 Receptor Ligands. Its synthesis, biological evaluation and structure activity relationships studies. The goal of this project would be to understand the structural and physicochemical requirements for affinity and selectivity of the hexahydrobenz[e]indoles as Sigma2 receptor ligands.

Nathan Peel

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

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

Ariel Magee

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

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

Olivia Slater

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

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