University at Buffalo researchers received an $880,000 grant from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help quicken the development of generic equivalents of contraceptives and other drugs delivered vaginally or to the uterus, such as by intrauterine devices (IUD). The research is led by Robert Bies, PharmD, PhD, associate professor, pharmaceutical sciences. Additional investigators include Sharon Achilles, MD, PhD, assistant professor, and Lisa Rohan, PhD, professor, both at the Magee-Womens Research Institute and the University of Pittsburgh.

A manuscript by Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Juliane Nguyen, PharmD, PhD, titled The Phenotypic Effects of Exosomes Secreted from Distinct Cellular Sources: a Comparative Study Based on miRNA Composition, was selected for publication in a theme issue of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (APPS) Journal: "Pioneering Pharmaceutical Science by Emerging Investigators." Her manuscript was one of only four selected to be recognized in the national publication.

Nguyen was also promoted to Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences on Jan. 1, 2019. 

“Dr. Nguyen is an exceptional faculty member excelling in research, teaching and service,” says SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chair, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Marilyn Morris. “Her scientific productivity is absolutely outstanding, and she clearly and unambiguously meets the criteria for promotion to the rank of associate professor.”

The University at Buffalo has partnered with The Center for Discovery (TCFD), a leading provider of medical and clinical care and education services for people with complex developmental disabilities, to advance critical research in autism and other complex conditions. The pioneering collaboration led by Gene Morse, PharmD, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, and co-director of the SUNY Global Health Institute, between the UB Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences (CIGBS) and TCFD, will support the growth of translational research and innovation.

As part of a new series of interviews with UB’s deans, UB Now sat down with James M. O’Donnell, PhD, dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, to learn more about the school’s strategic priorities, as well as trends in pharmacy education, research and career paths. 

Jason Sprowl, PhD, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences, has received a 2019 New Investigator Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). The award is in support of Sprowl’s research project titled, “Regulation of SGLT1 Function by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.”

A study led by the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences on the patterns of HER2 testing in New York State was recently published in the journal Pharmacogenomics. Erik Hefti, PharmD/MS ’14 & PhD ‘17, was first author on the study. Khyatiben Rana, PharmD ’17, participated in the study as part of her final year APPE rotations. Javier Blanco, Clin. Biochem, PhD, professor, pharmaceutical sciences, was co-principal investigator on the study, along with David Jacobs, PharmD ’11, PhD, assistant professor, pharmacy practice, who provided unique expertise in pharmacoepidemiology.

The University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is pleased to announce that William A. Prescott, Jr., PharmD ’02, has been promoted to clinical professor of pharmacy practice. Prescott is also Interim Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice. His innovative teaching techniques and integrations of blended-learning earned him a 2017 State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. 

Robert Wahler, PharmD '00, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice in the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, received a $20,000 grant to develop a micro-credential program on patient-centered care and collaboration between health care professionals. The program will educate faculty, staff, students and others on the new profession-wide Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process, a practice focused on interprofessional, patient-centered care that is emphasized by accreditation standards. The online course will be made available through Open SUNY.

University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty and students presented on a wide variety of current and cutting-edge topics at the annual American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) PharmSci 360 conference, held Nov. 4-7 in Washington, DC. Pharmaceutical sciences PhD candidate Robert Dingman, BS/MS '16, was a moderator for "rapid fire" presentations during the Clinical Pharmacology - Biomolecular session, and also the student representative for the AAPS Biosimilar Focus Group.

• Juliane Nguyen, PharmD, PhD, was promoted to associate professor, pharmaceutical sciences.
• William A. Prescott, Jr., PharmD ’02, was promoted to clinical professor, pharmacy practice.
• Rachel Poole was hired as a Human Resource Specialist.

University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences students won both main competitions at the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY) 2019 Mid-Winter Conference in Albany for the second year in a row.

The University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences had an impressive number of faculty, students and residents present at the 2018 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition in Anaheim, CA.

For the first time in seven years, the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) Region 1 Midyear Regional Meeting was held in Buffalo, NY, coordinated by APhA-ASP regional officers (and our own PharmD students) Stephanie Lanza, ’20, and Laurie Diaz-Ordaz, ’21, and UB chapter president Johanna Sulesky, ‘20.

Over 150 student pharmacists from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont attended the three-day event, which focused on career development and leadership training.

The University at Buffalo Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences held its annual awards banquet on Dec. 17 at the festive Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Vivian Rodriguez-Cruz and David Bussing received the Dr. Allen Barnett Fellowship Award, Hsuan-Ping Cheng received the Outstanding MS, BS/MS Student Award, Brandon Bordeau received the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, and Aman Singh received the Graduate Scholar Award.

On Oct. 25, 2018, the School of Pharmacy Student Association (SPSA) held its annual Fall Networking Event at the Hotel Lafayette. The event gave more than 100 students the opportunity to network with local and regional professionals in a wide variety of fields, including hospital, community, industry, managed care, and more.

• Michael Ghobrial, PharmD '09, was inducted into the American Society of Pharmacy Law as a board member.
• Miranda Minhas, PharmD '10, was promoted to Medical Science Director at Genetech in San Francisco, CA.
• Justin LaMarca, PharmD '17, is working at Maxor National Pharmacy Service Company.
• Alexander Schepart, PharmD/MBA '14, accepted a new position as Medical Director at Pfizer Rare Disease.
• Kezia Gravesande, PharmD '16, was promoted to Clinical Scientist at Merck.
• N. William Bartz, PharmD/MBA '17, was promoted to Associate Manager, Compliance Monitoring and Auditing, at Novo Nordisk.
• Courtney Kelchin, PharmD '14, accepted a new position as Registered Store Manager at Walgreens in Arlington, VA.
• Victoria (Wronski) Hickman, PharmD '17, was promoted to Pharmacy Manager/Supervising Pharmacist at Rite Aid in Lockport, NY.
• Deanna Scibilia, PharmD '10, accepted a new position as a Pharmacist at BryLin Behavioral Health System in Buffalo, NY.

• Marvin J. Pleskow, '51
• Richard P. Van Slyke, '53
• James M. Connors, '57
• Darrell H. Mantei, '59

Thank you for reading our Winter 2019 edition of Buffalo Pharmacy eNotes. Please stay in touch! Send us updates on your own personal and professional accomplishments by filling out our alumni update form.

Look for our next edition of eNotes this spring.

Best regards,
James M. O’Donnell, PhD
Dean and Professor