The Mortar & Pestle Summer 2021 by Faculty of Pharmacy + Pharmaceutical Sciences

SUMMER 2021

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

THE

FACULTY OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE MEET THE BPSA

TAILOR-MADE MEDS

IMPROVING CHEMOTHERAPY

DOCTOR OF PHARMACY FOR PRACTICING PHARMACISTS

Earn your PharmD degree the way that works for you. Updated to provide students with more flexibility and customization, the entire program can be completed in as little as 18 months or as long as five years.

Unlike the PhD that focuses on research, the PharmD degree is an undergraduate professional doctorate. The University of Alberta’s PharmD for Practicing Pharmacists program provides advanced education in patient care and betters your management and

Students must complete 18 credits of online coursework

critical thinking skills. Students will complete coursework in the

and up to 36 weeks of supervised experiential learning in-

areas of evidence-based practice, patient assessment, advanced pharmacotherapy, frameworks for working in teams and the provision of education to diverse audiences.

Want to advance your career and keep up with practice changes? Learn more about the PharmD for Practicing Pharmacists program!

person. A recognition of prior learning process is available to reduce the required number of experiential placements.

APPLICATION DEADLINES: August 1, 2021 or February 1, 2022

Learn more at ualberta.ca/pharmacy/programs

Contents 4 Assistant Dean, Advancement Kieran Andrew MacIsaac Development and Alumni Engagement Officer Ellen Doty Editor Kalyna Hennig Contributors Dr. Jill Hall Kalyna Hennig Jasjot Nijjar Gillian Rutherford Dr. Ravina Sanghera Keri Sweetman Dr. Ann Thompson Design & Illustration Curio Studio The Mortar & Pestle is published twice per year to keep our community of alumni, students, and faculty connected and informed. As always, we welcome your comments, suggestions, and story pitches to guide future issues. phcomms@ualberta.ca ualberta.ca/pharmacy @ualbertapharmacy @ualberta_pharmacy @UAlberta_Pharm linkedin.com/school/ualberta-pharmacy

IN THE MORTAR

Assistant Deans’ Distillate

NEWS & NOTES 7

23 SheEmpowers

New Award Created to Support Black and Indigenous Pharmacy Students Meet the Black Pharmacy Students’ Association

Pharmacy researchers create patient decision aid for hormone therapy to manage symptoms of early surgical menopause.

24 Improving Chemotherapy Dr. Afsaneh Lavasanifar uses

10 Q&A with the PAA

nanomedicine to make chemotherapy

11 Pharmacy Students Lend a Steady Hand

have better outcomes and fewer side

Fourth-year pharmacy students help with massive COVID-19 vaccine rollout campaign.

effects.

26 Q&A with Daniela Amaral Silva Meet the award-winning graduate student and researcher who is receiving

13 Voclosporin Dr. Robert Foster’s discovered drug, voclosporin, is approved as the first FDA-approved oral therapy to treat patients with active lupus nephritis.

14 APEX Award Winners

two PhDs.

FEATURES 27 Women of Influence What does it mean to be a woman in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences?

16 Faculty Notes

Hear from your friends and colleagues

16 In Memoriam

across the profession.

SPOTLIGHT

33 Tailor-Made Meds Pharmacy researchers set out to

17 Options, Alternatives, and Accessibility

implement pharmacogenetics in Alberta

Alumna Dr. Daria Stypinski on designing clinical trials for better, more accessible cancer treatment options.

pharmacies to better mental health treatment.

LOOKING BACK

19 Q&A with Sonal Ejner

37 Ann Petry

Meet Calgary Co-op’s Pharmacy

Renowned author, pharmacist,

Professional Services Manager

21 Local Not-For-Profit Runs Cancer Clinical Trials Around the World Building on game-changing breast cancer trials, pharmacy alumna-led TRIO is now testing drugs for breast,

and Black rights advocate.

FAST FACTS 38 Congratulations, Class of 2021

lung, ovarian, liver and gastrointestinal cancer. THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

DEAN'S DISTILLATE

ASSISTANT DEANS’ DISTILLATE Dr. Jill Hall

ASSISTANT DEAN, PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS & ASSOCIATE CLINICAL PROFESSOR Reflecting on my professional journey to date, I have been influenced,

pharmacy team week after week. The questions were tough but clearly

mentored and coached by so many inspiring women. When I think

delivered with the aim of developing us into exceptional members of

about how I want to give back, in who I am and how I lead, and as

their pharmacy team. It was like a parent’s ‘tough love.’ It not only

advice for those searching for their ‘how’ or ‘what’s next,’ a few key

helped me grow but laid the foundation for how I teach, in the classroom

things come to mind.

and in practice, and with whom I continue to surround myself. This

First, keep your eyes open for unexpected opportunities and embrace

ensures that I keep learning and growing in all aspects of my work,

the possibilities that they may bring. I didn’t know that as a first year

taking the opportunities that both challenge and ultimately energize me

pharmacy student looking to complete some internship hours that

as I fulfil my professional purpose in life.

walking into a tiny independent pharmacy in my community would

Third, be true to who you are—being able to name my purpose and

have such an impact on my career. Behind the counter was a formidable

the values that support that purpose is what enables me to find joy in

mother-daughter duo who were pushing the boundaries of practice

even the most difficult work and to search for that next opportunity.

before it was trendy to do so. They kept people at the centre of their

John Izzo and Jeff Vanderwielen’s work, The Purpose Revolution, says,

practice and did whatever it took to serve them, regularly completing

“When you come to the end of a day and really feel it mattered that you

home visits—wicker basket of prescriptions in hand—with the intention

got up in the morning and that you contributed, what is it that gives you

of not just delivery or assessment of effectiveness and safety, but to

that feeling? If you were missing from your team or organization, what

connect with isolated patients. The first ever pharmacist-conducted

would people really miss? What is the way you uniquely contribute?”

injection also happened in that little pharmacy—and look at us now!

For me, it is, and has long been, to help shape pharmacists better

Second, surround yourself with people who both support you

prepared to deliver exceptional care and to do so with people at the

and challenge you. I had the privilege of completing my residency

centre of that purpose. In overseeing the professional programs, I lead

in a hospital setting that felt like family and pushed me beyond what

from the heart. I truly care about the work we are doing and about the

I thought was possible. Expectations were high—patient loads,

people I am doing it with and for.

therapeutic discussions, and resident-led continuing education for the

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

DEAN'S DISTILLATE

Dr. Ravina Sanghera

ASSISTANT DEAN, PROGRAMS AND STUDENT SERVICES & ASSOCIATE CLINICAL PROFESSOR I would like to thank all of the women who paved my way and especially

Services and as an instructor. I was able to create space in my brain and

those who not only saw potential in me but committed the time to

heart to take on others’ concerns and struggles and be intuitive in how

develop it.

best to support them. I extend this space to patients as well, as they are

My mom and my late grandmother inspire me. My mom came to this

seeking care at a time when their chronic condition is making them

country with an unfinished nursing degree and a few dollars to her name.

especially vulnerable and need someone to acknowledge the difficulty

She and my father worked multiple jobs to provide for us and, even when

that is being experienced.

life became comfortable, they continued to work at novel opportunities

My experiences have helped me to shift my thinking from being

fueled by their desire to give us a better life. Long hours at multiple jobs

goals-focused to response-focused. How I am going to react when

meant that my grandmother was a primary caregiver for my brother

things don’t go my way, and more importantly, what values I am going

and me during the day. The partnership between my grandmother and

to uphold when the journey gets difficult? Michelle Obama famously

mother to attend to our needs was inspiring. It has continued today with

and most beautifully articulated this exact shift in a speech. She asked,

my mother as my biggest cheerleader and an ally of my professional

“Who are you going to be? I am asking you how you plan to live your

success. Women uplifting other women is what the females in my

life every day, and how are you going to respond?” How are you going

family have demonstrated over generation and generation. As a female

to manage failure and setbacks? How will you react when you are

academic member from an underrepresented group, with three young

expected to complete a task that seems so difficult at the time? These

children, pursuing my third post-secondary degree, I aspire to do the

are the moments that will define us. As much as we plan to celebrate

same for other women that I meet.

our successes, we need to plan to manage our setbacks and challenges as

The key turning point in my life was when my brother died by suicide seven years ago. The ground beneath me shattered, and I felt that I was

well, so we don’t lose sight of “who we are going to be.” I have learned that I shouldn’t get hung up on emulating the exact

incapable of salvaging any sense of who I was and wanted to be. My

path to success as my mentors. I can learn from my predecessors, but

identity was tied to my brother and I over-identified with him being

I also accept that my journey may look different from others because

gone; therefore, I felt like I was gone. With a lot of counselling and

I have my own unique experiences, strengths and challenges. I’m

exploration of grief, I began to re-envision a new version of me. Though

always ready to adjust my route when needed, and I don’t see that as a

it took some time, this grief transformed into energy and skills that I

deterrent; instead, it adds to my story.

now pour into my work with students as the Assistant Dean of Student THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

DEAN'S DISTILLATE

Dr. Ann Thompson

ASSISTANT DEAN, EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION & ASSOCIATE CLINICAL PROFESSOR “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

“7 Leadership Lessons Men Can Learn From Women,” the authors

- Maya Angelou

gaps between where they are and where they aspire to be. Furthermore,

This quote, along with “lead with kindness,” embody guiding principles that I aspire to demonstrate with my actions and words. I aim for these attributes to inform the care I provide patients, how I work with and treat others and how I teach. In a world that can have so much negativity, criticism and cynicism, I am mindful to try to be a positive role model, leading by example. I have been fortunate to be shaped by many mentors and colleagues within professional and personal circles who have instilled in me the importance of timely, transparent and respectful communication, motivating through inspiration and the power of effective teamwork. In dynamic and healthy workplaces, I have seen real change occur when teams are willing to learn from each other, embrace a growth mindset, be challenged by others, try new approaches and acknowledge mistakes to move together more informed for future endeavours. I believe that increasing female representation in leadership roles is needed. In a profession like pharmacy that is dominated by women, we need commensurate visibility in leadership roles, and too frequently, men occupy them. In a recent Harvard Business Review article entitled

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

talked about women better knowing their limitations and generally being less overconfident compared to men. They explained that this is, in fact, good, as it shows more self-awareness and the ability to identify they state that people who see themselves more critically are better able to prepare for roles, which is critical for increasing competence and performance. I can think of numerous examples where this has been the case for myself, and I work hard to be prepared in my professional work. As a woman who has been privileged to work with students, patients and colleagues, I strive to harness the attributes that I admire in others: kindness, humility, curiosity, vulnerability and persistence. As I reflect on how we can prepare women for leadership roles, I think strong mentorship and role models should be at the center. We also need organizations to recognize the diverse leadership qualities that women bring to the table and offer opportunities for women to lead when they have a proven track record of successes. Thinking about my original quote, I hope all leaders have the strength and courage to lead with kindness, clarity and mindfulness of how we make others feel. As Amanda Gorman, a now-famous poet laureate, said, “If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” I hope all my students and colleagues see this within themselves and know that so many of us are cheering them on.

NEWS & NOTES New award created to support Black and Indigenous pharmacy students REXALL PHARMACY GROUP DONATES TO ESTABLISH THE REXALL AWARD IN PHARMACY TO SUPPORT BLACK AND INDIGENOUS PHARMACY STUDENTS

Thanks to the generosity of Rexall Pharmacy Group, the Faculty of

a sustainable impact,” says Tunde Kolarinwa, Vice President of Talent

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Alberta

Management and the HR Support for Rexall’s ASPIRE Inclusion and

now has the Rexall Award in Pharmacy for Black and Indigenous

Diversity Network, which represents BIPOC members of Rexall and the

second, third or fourth year pharmacy students. The hybrid award is

McKesson Canada enterprise.

one of the ways that Rexall has begun efforts to move beyond awareness

“This award will go a long way for the integration of Black and

and advocacy to more tangible actions to support equity, diversity and

Indigenous students into a mainstream program like pharmacy and

inclusion (EDI).

contributes towards the recognition of the diversity they bring to the

“We want to make an impact and a difference,” says Tracy Paulo-

field,” says first year pharmacy student and Black Pharmacy Students’

Brown, Director, Talent Attraction and Diversity. “We want to provide

Association member, Imabong Nzurum. “The scholarship will also

opportunities to make education more accessible where systemic racism

provide a measure of financial freedom that will increase interest in the

is present. Awards and bursaries are one way we can help support people

program for younger Black and Indigenous students.”

and work to dismantle that.” Rexall’s mission is to care for Canadians’ health, one person at a

“We’re happy to have Rexall partner with us to support Black and Indigenous pharmacy students,” says Dr. Neal Davies, Dean and

time, and Paulo-Brown says EDI is an integral part of that. “It provides

Professor of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “It’s

opportunity for innovation and growth. And beyond doing great things

important to us that our BIPOC students are celebrated and supported,

for the organization, it does great things for our patients and the

so they can go on to make an impact in the communities they serve.”

community.” When choosing where to begin lending support, Paulo-Brown says

The Rexall Award in Pharmacy will be open for applications in the next academic year (2021-2022). Selection will be based on academic

it was an easy decision for Rexall to start with students. “Students are

standing, indicated financial need, and demonstration of Rexall’s

our future,” she says. “When you think of growth and development, you

ICARE values of Integrity, Customer-First, Accountability, Respect and

should think of the next generation.”

Excellence.

“As a community pharmacy, it is important we are reflective of the

Rexall is in the process of creating similar student support programs

communities we serve. Partnering with U of A to ensure members of

at multiple other Canadian universities to reduce financial barriers

the BIPOC community have one less thing to worry about through this

for Black and Indigenous students in pharmacy programs across the

award is an initiative we are excited about and are confident will make

country. 

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

NEWS & NOTES

Welcome to the

BLACK PHARMACY STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION 1st

proud to welcome the Black Pharmacy Students’ Association (BPSA) to the University of Alberta community. The BPSA’s vision is to increase Black representation and engagement in the profession of pharmacy. Its mission is to provide a safe space for Black pharmacy students, to empower them and to create a strong and extensive network.

1st

YEAR

3rd

YEAR

Aisha Ibrahim VP External

4th

YEAR

Raymond Otieno VP Finance

4th

YEAR

4th

YEAR

Ruth Ghebretatios

1st

YEAR

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

Nick Kazungu Mugabo

3rd

YEAR

Seyitan Oyekan

Halimat Ibrahim VP Internal

2nd

YEAR

Jowaher Berhan

The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is

YEAR

Cassidy Phillips

Besingi Welisane

NEWS & NOTES

3rd

YEAR

Meet the BPSA Co-Founder Q&A WITH TOBI OBATUSIN

Tobi Obatusin (PharmD 2022) is a student in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Alberta and cofounder of the Black Pharmacy Students’ Association (BPSA), inaugurated in January 2021. She is an advocate for Black representation in health care and at the University of Alberta, and she is passionate about providing the best of patient care. Tobi Obatusin

3rd

YEAR

Why did you choose to become a pharmacist?

reading The Skin We’re In by Desmond

At the age of five, I was administered

which is Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo.

Cole, and I have already lined up the next,

medications following a surgical procedure. Instead of post-operative relief, I experienced escalating fever. The pharmacist at a nearby community pharmacy believed that this might be due to a lack of active ingredients in the medication I was administered. He

Mariam Abdullahi

provided us with new medicines, and I was better after that. After that, I always thought that it must be cool to be a pharmacist, and I wanted to do the same

thing he did for someone else.

YEAR

Ima Nzurum

@bpsaualberta

Black students and Black professors in the program and a general lack of discussion on how health conditions presented in the Black population within the curriculum were significant factors. The BPSA serves as a platform for Black pharmacy students to have a collective voice to address pharmacy education, including admissions,

I have been in school for nine years in

the hopes of improving health outcomes

Canada. After moving to Canada from

for our community and other racialized

Nigeria, I did high school upgrading in

communities. Black pharmacy students

2012, then spent five years at Mount Royal

continue to be my greatest support system

University getting my Bachelor of Science

within the program, and we see the BPSA

in General Science with minors in Biology

as an avenue to support one another

and Chemistry. Then I entered into the

and prospective Black students.

curriculum, wellness and engagement in

without my BPSA family’s support, most of

@BPSA_UofA

many factors. The underrepresentation of

systemic racism and to improve our

school journey will never be complete

@bpsa_uofa

The BPSA started due to a combination of

Tell us a bit about your educational journey.

PharmD program in 2018. My pharmacy

What made you want to start the BPSA? Why is it important to you?

whom have been friends since my first year in pharmacy school. When I am not doing school or BPSArelated activities, I enjoy spending time with my husband having debates about politics, religion, the meaning of life and so many other topics. I also enjoy reading books in my spare time; I am currently

What do you hope to accomplish in your career? I have many things that interest me, such as mental health, academia and caring for my community. Despite these interests, I am open to the possibilities that the future holds. For my career, I want to provide the best of care for my patients and to advocate for their well-being. That has always been the goal, and it continues to be; anything else after that is a bonus. 

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

NEWS & NOTES

Q&A with the PAA (VIRTUAL) LADIES LUNCH

BY JASJOT NIJJAR

The Pharmacy Alumni Association (PAA) chatted with three confident and inspiring alumni—virtual ladies’ lunch style—to get to know them better. Meet Marline Aizouki (BSc Pharm, MBA 2019), current President of the PAA; Nisreen Chehimi (BSc Pharm 2018), Traveling Relief Pharmacist; and Dr. Hiba Halabi (PharmD 2018), Clinical Community Pharmacist.

MARLINE AIZOUKI

DR. HIBA HALABI

What inspired you to take on the PAA Presidency?

How did you establish your clinical role at your current

My passion for giving back to the pharmacy community. I have always

workplace?

been an advocate for pharmacists. The measurable difference that

When I graduated, I didn’t have a job lined up that I was passionate

pharmacists make as a profession is profound, as shown most recently

about. I knew I wanted something primarily clinically-focused, but at

in our efforts to help battle this global pandemic. Volunteering to help

that time, the Allin pharmacy was not looking for another pharmacist.

support pharmacists is the least that I could do. What is intriguing to

So, I created a business plan structured around maximizing clinical

me is how the PAA could be a uniting force and create a community

services at this pharmacy. After my presentation, the owner agreed to

for pharmacists to stay in touch and share experiences with each other.

give me one day per week. A few months later, I had a full time clinical

In your pharmacy career, how have you overcome genderbased assumptions?

role! From my experience, I learned that sometimes you have to create your own opportunities.

I found one of the ways to overcome gender-based assumptions is

How do your relationships with your colleagues affect your

to always be my authentic self and not be afraid of challenging these

pharmacy practice and patient care?

assumptions when faced with them. I seek opportunities to educate and

Relationships are key to any career. When you have strong relationships

dispel biases. As a committed life long learner, I also welcome oppor-

within a pharmacy team, it improves efficiency, quality of the care and

tunities to continue to learn how to navigate this ever-evolving issue.

overall enjoyment. I love my colleagues; we’re like a little family!

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

NEWS & NOTES

Pharmacy Students Lend a Steady Hand FOURTH-YEAR EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION PLACEMENTS FOR U OF A PHARMACY STUDENTS COINCIDE WITH MASSIVE COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT CAMPAIGN BY GILLIAN RUTHERFORD (originally published by Folio.ca) ON THE FIRST DAY COVID-19 VACCINES WERE GIVEN at the southeast Edmonton pharmacy where Mina Nagib (PharmD 2021) works, the atmosphere was electric. “People came dressed up to get their vaccine, wearing suits or traditional dress,” he said. “It was a celebrated event—a major milestone for the patients and for the pharmacists.” The student in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Pharmacy

NISREEN CHEHIMI What led you to choose the area of relief pharmacy? As a pharmacy student, I wanted to take the opportunity to explore

and Pharmaceutical Sciences is one of 130 fourth-years who are doing their final work placements before graduation. Nagib counts himself lucky to be one of the dozen or so who are helping to administer COVID-19 vaccines. “When I found out I would be one of the first students in Canada

different pharmacy career options. My first exposure to working in a

to administer COVID vaccines, I was ecstatic,” he said. “It’s a

relief position was during a student position with Safeway, where I

chance to shape what our future will look like.”

worked at multiple pharmacies. I enjoyed the variety that each practice setting offered. Shortly after graduation, I started working at two community pharmacies, as a lab facilitator for the Faculty’s Practice Skills labs and in the role as the Events Chairperson for the PAA. I craved flexibility and work-life balance, so I decided to take a leap of

“Hopefully we can soon return to things that we previously took for granted, like attending an in-person social event, or going into a classroom with 300 participants, or being able to see people’s facial features without a mask on.”

faith into relief pharmacy.

How do you overcome challenges you face as a pharmacist? As a relief pharmacist, you are exposed to different pharmacy environments in different communities with different patient populations, and they all come with their own unique sets of challenges. This type of pharmacy work demands adaptability, quick thinking and strong interpersonal skills with customers and staff alike. So you inevitably develop problem-solving skills and become adaptable to the varying problems thrown your way. Being a relief pharmacist can be a tad lonely as there is no support structure, so you do not have a contact person to contact for help; however, I find that staying in touch with my pharmacy colleagues from school provides me with extra support if I need it. 

Fourth year pharmacy student, Safeer Chatoor

NEWS & NOTES

Injecting hope While public health measures will stay in place until more people are vaccinated, student Safeer Chatoor (PharmD 2021) said he knows the expanding vaccination program brings people hope, especially for seniors. “It’s an indescribable feeling when you look into their faces and see the joy,” said Chatoor, who is doing his practicum at a large pharmacy in Londonderry Mall. “You can just see the relief on their faces as they get vaccinated.” “They’re so excited to get back to their normal lives because they’ve been cooped up in their places of residence for so long,” Chatoor said. Pharmacy students are trained to administer intramuscular and subcutaneous shots in the third year of their studies, and then spend up to 32 weeks in their fourth year at on-the-job placements with pharmacist preceptors who supervise every injection. “This represents an opportunity for our students to participate in a much-needed public health activity that will save lives,”

Fourth year pharmacy student, Mina Nagib, administers the COVID-19 vaccine to a patient

said Dr. Ann Thompson, Assistant Dean of

For now, the Pfizer vaccine is available at

Experiential Education for pharmacy students.

more than 100 pharmacies across the province,

“They get authentic, real-world experience to

but Chatoor noted the province is updating the

prepare them for the practice environment they

rollout plan almost daily.

are about to enter.” The students will graduate in June and, after

“Many patients prefer to come to their pharmacy for vaccinations because they are

writing licence exams, most will soon enter the

comfortable with the pharmacists who manage

pharmacy profession.

their medications on a regular basis,” he said. Most people in Alberta choose to get their

Focus on safety

influenza vaccine at a community pharmacy

“I encourage everyone to get vaccinated as

because of the convenience, Thompson said,

soon as they can, because it’s a proven way to

and pharmacies are positioned to be just as

prevent infection,” said Nagib, who is ready to

crucial in delivering the COVID-19 vaccine.

answer patient questions about the safety and

She expects the list of pharmacies offering

efficacy of the vaccine.

vaccines to grow, meaning more students will

Before getting their shot, each patient is asked a series of screening questions about

have a chance to help. “Pharmacies really serve a public health

whether they have other medical conditions or

need by giving the right service, at the right

any active signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

place, at the right time,” Thompson said.

All surfaces are sanitized between each patient,

“We have the training, skills and

and the staff wear gloves, face shields and

infrastructure to administer the vaccine and

masks.

make sure all Albertans are covered and

“I feel safe because we are following all the public health recommendations and cleaning protocols,” Nagib said.

protected,” Nagib said. “It is very meaningful to me to conclude my pharmacy education in this way.” 

NEWS & NOTES

Dr. Neal M. Davies (left) and Dr. Robert Foster (right) at the 2019 White Coat and Awards ceremony where Dr. Foster was given the Outstanding Pharmacy Alumni award.

Voclosporin

“That’s what voclosporin—now LUPKYNIS—is currently doing. It’s

ALUMNUS’ DISCOVERED DRUG, VOCLOSPORIN, APPROVED BY THE FDA

the first oral medication to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of

BY KALYNA HENNIG

with LUPKYNIS were more than twice as likely to achieve renal

Dr. Robert Foster (BSc Pharm 1982, PharmD 1985, PhD 1988) left

standard measurement used to monitor protein levels in the kidney—

his tenured Associate Professor position at the Faculty of Pharmacy

twice as fast as patients on typical standard of care treatments alone.

and Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1993 to pursue drug development and

Early intervention and kidney response are linked to better long-term

incorporate Isotechnika Pharma, where he served as the company’s

outcomes and prevent irreversible kidney damage. Patients treated with

Chairman and CEO until 2014. There, Dr. Foster discovered

LUPKYNIS showed improved response rates in all parameters across

voclosporin, which 28 years later, has been approved by the U.S. Food

immunologically-active classes of LN studied.

and Drug Administration (FDA) as LUPKYNIS to treat patients with active lupus nephritis (LN). LUPKYNIS, commercialized by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc., is

lupus nephritis. It is safe, well-tolerated and efficacious.” According to Aurinia, clinical trials showed that patients treated response and experienced a decline in urine protein creatinine ratio—a

“It’s cool looking back at it, because I started the company in a room in my basement,” says Dr. Foster. “That extra room ultimately became my son’s room, who is now 32. So, that just shows you that it’s an

the first FDA-approved oral therapy for LN, which causes irreversible

agonizing process. But Friday, January 22nd was one of the best days of

kidney damage and significantly increases the risk of kidney failure,

my life to hear that it was finally approved.”

cardiac events and death. It is one of the most serious and common

Today, the voclosporin molecule is worth nearly 3 billion Canadian

complications of the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus

dollars, and Foster is the CEO of his biotechnology company, Hepion

(SLE).

Pharmaceuticals (Hepion)—based in New Jersey, with research labs in

“The whole purpose of creating a biotechnology company and

Edmonton. Hepion is working on all the early-stage molecules that Dr.

developing drugs is to bring patients that are suffering into remission and

Foster and his team originally discovered and is currently in phase II

to do it as quickly as possible with minimal side effects,” says Dr. Foster.

trials for a nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) indication.  THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

NEWS & NOTES

APEX Award Winners

Congratulations to all of the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) and Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA) 2021 APEX Award Winners, including our University of Alberta alumni:

The La Crete Apple Drugs pharmacy team, including Cynthia Driedger (BScPharm 2000), Nella Fehr (BScPharm 2010), Murray Brown (BScPharm 2010), and Timothy Derksen (BScPharm 2016) received the 2021 APEX Awards W.L. Boddy Pharmacy Team Award.

Madeleine Durrant (BScPharm 2016) and Dimitri Kachenyuk (BSc 2014, PharmD 2018) each received a 2021 APEX Future of Pharmacy Award. Rose Dehod (BEd 1980), alumna of the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, received the 2021 APEX Awards Friend of Pharmacy Award. 14

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

NEWS & NOTES

AWARD-WINNING STUDENTS 

Congratulations to Ayush Chadha (PharmD 2022) for receiving the 2021 Canadian Pharmacists’ Association’s

Centennial Leadership Award. “I am honoured to be winning this year’s Centennial Leadership Award. It has been my privilege to be involved in promoting the profession of pharmacy. I have had a tremendous group of mentors, friends and classmates who have helped push me through this unpredictable year,” says Chadha.



Post-doctoral student, Dr. Dinesh Babu, received an Alberta Innovates Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Health

Innovation in this spring for his work with Clozapine. Clozapine is the only drug approved for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but it can cause severe side-effects, such as lowered white blood cell count and inflammation of the heart, which can lead to heart attack. Babu will look for small genetic changes that predict these problems and will also test an antioxidant to try to prevent them.



For attaining the highest grade point average in the Class of 2021, Dr. Shannon Taylor (PharmD 2021), received the

Alberta College of Pharmacy Gold Medal, presented at this year’s virtual Pharmacy Convocation Celebration event on June 25th.

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

NEWS & NOTES

FACULTY NOTES

heart failure in people with Type 2 diabetes

Pharmacy Practice—that builds upon the

along with his team (research findings

foundation of international graduates’

published in April’s Cell Reports). People

pharmacy degrees, providing them with

with Type 2 diabetes have a defect in their

the knowledge and skills required to

hearts’ ability to burn carbohydrates as a

meet the health care needs of Albertans

fuel source, which can eventually lead to

as clinical pharmacists and pharmacy

diastolic heart failure, in which the heart

owners. In essence, the certificate will be

contracts normally but does not relax

designed to address gaps and differences

Congratulations to Dr. Cheryl Sadowski

properly between pumps. Ussher’s lab

in both educational training, pedagogy, and

for receiving the Excellence in Hospital

used a combination of genetic alterations

specific competencies. The program will

Pharmacy Practice - Interprofessional

and drug treatments in animal models

increase the likelihood that internationally-

Collaboration Award from the Canadian

to show this process can be halted by

educated pharmacy graduates will

Society of Hospital Pharmacy and for

blocking the action of a key protein called

successfully obtain licensure and practice

receiving an Alberta Innovates grant for

FoxO1. Dr. Ussher’s next step will be to try

in the Alberta health care system, with

her work on cannabis use in rheumatology

to better understand the mechanism of the

patients receiving the level of care

patients.

experimental drug they used to inhibit the

expected while maintaining public

FoxO1 protein, and then improve upon it.

safety and trust. To obtain licensure,

Congratulations to Dr. Terri Schindel, who

ACP will require successful completion

was promoted from Associate Clinical

The Faculty of Pharmacy and

of the program for any pharmacist

Professor to Clinical Professor.

Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Alberta

who completed their entry to practice

College of Pharmacy (ACP) are partnering

pharmacy degree outside of Canada. The

Dr. John Ussher, Associate Professor, has

to establish a comprehensive bridging

program will be available beginning in the

uncovered a new approach to preventing

microcredential—Certificate to Canadian

Fall of 2021.

IN MEMORIAM

We honour those who have passed.

Remembering Rudy Rudy Seneka was born in Barwedel, Germany on April 22, 1945 where he spent his childhood before immigrating to Edmonton with his family in 1958. Rudy completed his schooling at the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, graduating in 1973. Rudy’s

MARIANNE ERNO BSc Pharm 1973 July 2020

childhood dream of owning a small-town business came to fruition when he and his wife,

RUDY SENEKA BSc 1969, BSc Pharm 1973 March 2021

now carrying on. Thanks to Rudy and his family, the Seneka Family Bursary Fund continues

GERALD WHITE BSc Pharm 1972 February 2021

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

Rosemarie, established Calmar Pharmacy Ltd. in 1977 in Calmar, Alberta. They raised their three daughters in the Edmonton area while creating a lifelong legacy that their children are to support University of Alberta pharmacy students today. His generosity will be felt in the Faculty and the profession of pharmacy for years to come.

SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Daria Stypinski

OPTIONS, ALTERNATIVES, AND ACCESSIBILITY

PUTTING PATIENTS FIRST IN CLINICAL TRIAL DESIGN BY KALYNA HENNIG

When Dr. Daria Stypinski (BSc Pharm 1992, PhD 1998) graduated from

Professor, at the University of Alberta and the Cross Cancer Institute.

pharmacy school, the clinical pharmacy opportunities she was looking

When she returned to the Faculty for graduate studies in the fall of 1992,

for weren’t there. Thanks to a hiring freeze to balance the provincial

she continued this work by focusing on pharmacokinetics and dosimetry

budget in 1992, hospitals weren’t looking for new pharmacists. Little

of IAZA with the goal to optimize its imaging time in patients. From

did she know, her research work as a summer student in the Faculty

there, she worked for a Contract Research Organization (CRO) for

would pull her in the direction of clinical pharmacology, a field she

17 years before moving to Pfizer’s oncology group, where she is now a

now helps lead at Pfizer—the multinational pharmaceutical corporation

Director of Clinical Pharmacology, helping design, execute, conduct,

that brought the world its first approved COVID-19 vaccine—where

and analyze data from late phase clinical trials, as well as support

she works on clinical trials and guides dosing decisions for better,

applications for approval of new cancer treatments.

more accessible cancer treatment options. “I kind of stumbled into clinical pharmacology,” says Dr. Stypinski.

“Our job as clinical pharmacologists is to make sure we have the right dose for a patient with a given tumor type and disease stage, who

“If hospitals were hiring the year I graduated, I probably would have

may have other comorbidities and be on concomitant medications.

been a pharmacist somewhere in the hospital. But I am very lucky that

We spend a lot of time deriving the starting dose and then design studies

this is the turn my career took. I am very passionate about my work.”

to confirm or fine-tune this dose by characterizing the drug candidate’s

As an undergraduate student, Dr. Stypinski worked in the lab in the

pharmacokinetics and how it relates to safety and efficacy. Our goal is to

basement of the old Dentistry/Pharmacy building, doing biodistribution

find the best dose and dosing frequency that will maximize the potential

studies with IAZA, a compound that was being used as a hypoxia-

for benefit from the treatment while minimizing the risk of serious

imaging marker in cancer patients and was developed collaboratively by

side effects,” says Dr. Stypinski. “At study start, we provide input into

the groups of Dr. Wiebe, Professor Emeritus, and Dr. Chapman, former

dosing decisions, inclusion/exclusion criteria, concomitant medications THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

SPOTLIGHT

“The satisfaction of getting approval for a new drug after a long clinical development program—that feeling of joy and excitement just can’t be beat.” and required assessments. At the end of the study, we analyse the

see,” says Dr. Stypinski. “For some of the people who came in from

pharmacokinetic data, model it against safety and efficacy signals and

remote communities, their diagnosis was it. They were not going to come

weigh in on the need for any additional studies that may be required

back for treatments. It was just not possible for them based on where

prior to submission for approval.”

they lived and the frequency of treatments—sometimes you had to be

The day-to-day job of a clinical pharmacologist on a study, she says, is often about answering drug-drug interaction questions from the trial sites. Whether it’s traditional Chinese remedies in overseas studies or

there every week or two—usually for intravenous dosing, assessments and follow-ups.” Dr. Stypinski says there is a strong correlation between the distance

cancer patients in North America resorting to naturopathic treatments

people have to travel for treatment and their outcomes in cancer,

in addition to their standard-of-care or experimental treatments, Dr.

which affects some demographics, like Indigenous communities,

Stypinski and her clinical pharmacology colleagues have to ensure there

disproportionately.

are no potential drug-drug interactions that would make it unsafe for the patient to be enrolled in or continue on the trial. “I work on worldwide studies, which include sites in China, Japan and Korea, and I’m not always familiar with all of the drug alternatives there,” she says. “But if the site investigator asks the question, we have to do the necessary research to provide the right answer.” Dr. Stypinski is currently the clinical pharmacology lead on five oncology studies, four of which are finishing up. “With oncology trials, patients generally stay on the study for as long as they derive benefit from the treatment,” she explains. “If the

“That’s why I like clinical pharmacology and working with biologics. Biologics generally have long half-lives, which means visits to receive treatment can be less frequent: once a month and potentially even every other month.” Increasingly, the subcutaneous route of administration—an injection made with a small needle to deliver the dose just between the tissue layer and the skin—is being evaluated for biologics, which can further increase time between doses. And this route also opens the door to potentially having patients self-administer at home in the future. “Biologics are generally well-tolerated and have long half-lives which

treatment works well, patients can be on the study for many years,

allow for infrequent dosing, and when they work, they can work really

making for a very long clinical trial. After a certain number of years, we

well,” she says. “That’s what I love about what I am doing: We work

may move those patients to a rollover protocol, but even that takes time.

towards giving patients treatment options that offer them renewed hope

So, a patient may be on a study for four or five years and sometimes

and minimize inconvenience to them and their caregivers.”

even longer.”

Even with the challenges of a global pandemic thrown into the mix,

But the wait and the work are worth it, she says.

Dr. Stypinski has renewed hope in the work she and her colleagues

“We help to bring new drugs to the market. We give patients options.

are doing.

We give patients alternatives. And that’s really important. You want your

“Clinical trails through the world were impacted by the COVID-19

loved ones living with cancer or another disease to be treated and to have

pandemic. At its onset, some clinical sites closed, while others put study

those options. You don’t want them to die from this disease. So that’s it.

enrollment on hold and limited returns for assessments for patients who

That’s how I see my role, as trying to give options to patients—options

were already enrolled,” she says. “But, if there is one good thing, as it

that will improve their lives, cure their disease or at least keep their

relates to medical research, that came out of having to compete with the

disease at bay so that they can live relatively healthy and normal lives.”

COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that it challenged us to look at how we design

“Plus, there is the satisfaction of getting approval for a new drug after

clinical trials and to come up with alternatives to allow us to continue

a long clinical development program—that feeling of joy and excitement

collecting data to maintain study integrity with the absolute minimum

just can’t be beat.”

requirement for patient returns.”

Dr. Stypinski’s passion for ensuring patients’ access to and options for

“We asked ourselves, ‘Could patients collect samples at home and still

treatments started early on in her career, when she worked at the Cross

maintain their integrity? Which visits for assessments, or maybe even

Cancer Institute as a graduate student, which serves many northern

dosing, could be done remotely, either at home or at a local clinic?’ The

communities in Alberta and British Columbia.

pandemic forced us to think outside the box. It advanced positive change

“There were people coming in for their diagnosis that travelled hundreds and hundreds of kilometers. And it was very sad for me to 18

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

in medical research.” 

SPOTLIGHT

with Sonal Ejner CALGARY CALGARY CO-OP’S CO-OP’S PHARMACY PHARMACY PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SERVICES MANAGER MANAGER

Sonal Ejner (BSc Pharm 2001, APA, CRE) graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences with Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 2001. Now, she is Calgary Co-operative Association Limited’s Pharmacy Professional Services Manager, empowering pharmacists to address gaps in patient care and the healthcare system by working innovatively with clinicians and stakeholders.

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

SPOTLIGHT

What has your career journey been like so far?

be addressed due to a lack of time or resources? Is this a service that

My career has been very rewarding and challenging. It’s been a dynamic

pharmacists can help with? How can we work together to provide a full

journey full of opportunity. Upon graduation, I began practicing as a

circle of care?

community pharmacist. My pharmacy education prepared me to provide

With health care resources and funding stretched to the limit, it is

patient care and lay the foundation for active patient consultation. Very

very important that roles are optimized and that the best utilization

early on, I pursued the Certified Respiratory Educator certification and

of resources is occurring. Pharmacists can and need to be utilized to a

began meeting with patients to discuss their asthma, COPD and tobacco

greater extent! Part of my role is piloting innovative projects and ideas

reduction. At the time of my graduation, this was not common practice. Patients were also very intrigued by meeting with a pharmacist for such services. The experience was very gratifying, and patients were also very receptive to this. I have always been well-supported, from the start, by the operations

and coming up with solutions. I do this in partnership with our Calgary Co-op Pharmacy team and progressive industry partners and healthcare professionals who share the same vision.

Why is your role important to you?

and management team at Calgary Co-op to pursue clinical services.

I view this role as the gateway to the future of pharmacy. As a

They provided me with autonomy and a platform to grow the clinical

pharmacist, I am very passionate about the role we currently play and

services aspect of pharmacy practice and welcomed my ideas. As

the potential role we can play. It is about not only keeping the role of

the framework expanded, I began exploring alternate methods to

pharmacists relevant but increasing uptake of the pharmacist for the on-

operationalize clinical services so they could be more easily provided in

going sustainability of our healthcare system.

a busy dispensary environment. Pharmacists are so knowledgeable and

What is your proudest achievement so far?

accessible but vastly under-utilized. My vision has always been about

The development of the clinical pharmacist team at Calgary Co-op.

fully integrating community pharmacy into the healthcare system as an

The clinical pharmacist team has fully embraced the scope of practice—

active player to bridge and fill gaps. I want patients and other health

everything from APA to specialized credentials and actually utilizing

care professionals to automatically think of referring to pharmacists for

these opportunities we are so fortunate to have here in Alberta—into

clinical services such as vaccinations and education for chronic disease

everyday practice. This team has grown not only in size, but in skill

management to improve patient care in a collaborative environment. To

and expertise over the last seven years. I have seen the team evolve and

this day, there are many healthcare professionals and patients who are shocked to learn how much pharmacists are able to do.

morph into such key players in patient care; it makes me very proud. We started out trying to convince people to meet with a pharmacist for a care plan. Fast forward seven years, and patients are now routinely

What do you do as the Pharmacy Professional

seeking out the clinical pharmacist to meet with and discuss areas of

Services Manager?

concerns. This team has also developed critical relationships with local

I have one of the most exciting roles ever, as it doesn’t stay constant

healthcare professionals who routinely refer to the team for various

due to the rapid evolution of pharmacy practice. My role focuses on

services such as diabetes education, tobacco cessation consults, COPD

educating and training our pharmacists to provide clinical services

and asthma education, travel health and the list goes on. The team is

with confidence and skill. It focuses on creating an environment where

highly valued and recognized for the value they add to patient care.

pharmacists can practice to full scope and provide quality services to address care gaps in the community and connect with health care professionals to see how pharmacists can become part of the patient care solution. Are they currently experiencing gaps in care that cannot

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

What advice would you have for students or new grads beginning their careers? Passion is everything. Stay true to it. It is truly the driver for success. 

SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Launa Aspeslet

Local not-for-profit with pharmacy roots runs cancer clinical trials around the world

BUILDING ON GAME-CHANGING BREAST CANCER TRIALS, TRIO IS NOW TESTING DRUGS FOR BREAST, LUNG, OVARIAN, LIVER AND GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER BY GILLIAN RUTHERFORD (Originally published by Folio)

A not-for-profit research group with University of Alberta roots is quietly taking its place in the major leagues of global cancer drug testing. When promising new cancer treatments are ready for trial in humans, researchers from around the world turn to Edmonton-based TRIO (Translational Research in Oncology) to run their clinical trials.

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

SPOTLIGHT

“It may seem like an odd place for a company like this to be based,

Because TRIO is not affiliated with any one pharmaceutical company

but we started here, and we’ve stayed here,” said CEO Dr. Launa

or research institution, it can focus on the most promising drugs,

Aspeslet (PhD 1994), a grad from the Faculty of Pharmacy and

Slamon said.

Pharmaceutical Sciences. “There are a lot of brilliant minds that come out of the University, and we do our best to hire and train grads.”

“We don’t do just any cancer trial that comes to us,” said Aspeslet, who began her career at Isotechnika, where former U of A pharmacy

TRIO got its start with an international trial of the now-approved

professor Robert Foster (BSc Pharm 1982, PharmD 1985, PhD 1988)

breast cancer drug Taxotere back in 1997. Moving on to another breast

developed voclosporin (see p. 13), recently approved by the U.S. Food

cancer game changer—Herceptin—the company is now running

and Drug Administration for the treatment of lupus nephritis.

21 clinical trials for breast, lung, ovarian, liver and gastrointestinal

“We only do trials with really strong science behind them—the ones

cancer treatments at more than 500 hospitals and cancer centres in 20

that the investigators believe are going to make a real difference to

countries.

patients,” she said.

TRIO employs more than 200 people, with the head office in Edmonton, branches in Paris and Montevideo, and consultants in Korea, Russia, Italy and elsewhere. “TRIO has gone from success to success,” said Dr. John Mackey,

Hiring Alberta expertise, working for the benefit of Alberta patients Aspeslet gives back to the U of A community where she trained by

oncology professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and director

volunteering as a mentor through both the ThresholdImpact Venture

of clinical trials at the Cross Cancer Institute. Mackey helped launch the

Mentoring Service for alumnae businesses and the Career Mentoring

company but is no longer directly involved.

Program for students.

“It started as a breast cancer international research group and

One of Aspeslet’s student mentees was Ana Anoveros, who was

has evolved into so much more,” Mackey said. “They’re expanding,

a PhD candidate studying muscle wasting in cancer patients as

launching new trials and keeping local people employed with IT and

part of Vera Mazurak’s lab in the Faculty of Agriculture, Life and

other jobs.”

Environmental Sciences. Originally trained as a certified dietitian in

Unique vetting process means only the best drugs are tested

Mexico, Anoveros now works verifying data for TRIO’s clinical trials. She credits her time at U of A for teaching her critical thinking skills and the value of high-quality research.

TRIO runs the trials from start to finish—framing the research

“What I learned during my graduate studies is that in research you are

questions, finding investigators with the right kind of patients,

not only collecting data, you are working in a very human business,” she

confirming and analyzing data as it comes in, navigating ethics and

said. “We make sure that the data that we collect is reliable and at the

regulatory protocols and monitoring patient safety.

same time we take care of the safety of the patients.”

The company is actively supported by academics and key cancer opinion leaders from around the world who volunteer for the board and the scientific committee and who follow a unique vetting process

”I feel that I’m contributing to society in a tangible way,” Anoveros said. While COVID-19 may have slowed research in other fields, and safety

to choose projects. In many cases, drugs that come to TRIO are first

protocols mean that some of TRIO’s hospital monitoring is now done

screened against a panel of more than 600 human cancer cell lines in

electronically rather than in-person, she said “cancer doesn’t slow down

the UCLA laboratory of renowned American oncologist Dennis

just because of COVID, and our trials continue at the same speed.”

Slamon. Slamon, who is chairman and executive director of TRIO,

While TRIO runs trials for researchers based all over the world,

discovered that one in five breast cancers contain a gene (HER2+) that

Aspeslet said they encourage inclusion of Edmonton’s Cross Cancer

can be targeted by the drug Herceptin.

Institute as a trial site, which benefits local patients. This means that

“Before Herceptin, we were treating breast cancer with a one-size-

local breast cancer patients, for example, continue to have access to

fits-all approach, but we saw that some patients did well, while others

more clinical trials on a per capita basis than at any other cancer centre

did less well with our standard treatments,” Slamon said. “That’s when

in Canada, according to Mackey.

we realized breast cancer is not just one disease, but a spectrum of diseases.” “Now we know that other types of cancers have subtypes too,” Salmon said. “It’s a matter of sticking to the data and following the leads.”

“It means that our oncologists have more tools in their toolbox, and local patients have an opportunity to get treatments before they’re more widely available,” Aspeslet pointed out. “Some of our trials are for patients who have no other treatment options—this gives them an option.” 

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

IN THE MORTAR

Dr. Nese Yuksel

Although current guidelines recommend the use of hormone therapy in women who have early menopause to mitigate symptoms until the average age of menopause, Dr. Yuksel says it is greatly underused among surgically menopausal women. “In a previous study we had done, only one-third of patients with early surgical menopause were using hormone therapy,” says Dr. Yuksel. “This is what set the groundwork for the development of the patient decision aid, which is a tool that fosters informed decision-making through incorporating patients’ preferences, values and decisional needs regarding medication or procedure.” Through focus groups made up of women from the menopause clinics at the Lois Hole and Grey Nuns hospitals, the research team initially determined the decisional needs and desired information related to early surgical menopause. Women in the focus groups called for more of

SheEmpowers

NEW TOOL HELPS WOMEN DECIDE ON HORMONE THERAPY OPTIONS AFTER SURGICAL MENOPAUSE

BY KALYNA HENNIG

the resources that helped them through the experience—like those they found at the Menopause Clinics at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women and the Grey Nuns Community Hospital—and identified their learning needs related to symptoms with surgical menopause, treatment options and support resources. Based on these decisional needs, as well as current evidence and best practices, the SheEmpowers patient decision aid was developed. “The SheEmpowers PDA includes five domains: information on surgical menopause and hormone therapy, outcomes probabilities,

A UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA RESEARCH TEAM has created a patient

patient stories, explicit values clarification and guidance in deliberation

decision aid that supports women making decisions on hormone

and decision-making,” says Dr. Yuksel. “It helps women to make informed

therapy for the management of early surgical menopause—an induced

decisions about their options that are aligned with their values.”

menopause caused by the removal of both ovaries before natural menopause occurs. Dr. Nese Yuksel, professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, along with her previous PhD student who

So far, the PDA has gone through the first phase of evaluation with women who have had an early surgical menopause and with clinician stakeholders. “The SheEmpowers PDA has had good acceptability by both patients

worked on the project as part of her PhD thesis, Dr. Tasneem Siyam,

and clinicians with our first evaluation phase,” says Dr. Yuksel. “We

now a faculty member at Fatima College of Health Sciences in Abu

feel this PDA will be a great tool to guide and support women making

Dhabi, and their research team, published a paper in November 2020

hormone therapy decisions with early surgical menopause, and we are

on the development of a patient decision aid (PDA), SheEmpowers,

thankful to all the women and clinician experts who participated in the

that will allow women who have had a surgical menopause to better

development. We are looking forward to our next phase of this project.”

understand, assess and decide on hormone therapy—one of the best

Next, the acceptability and feasibility of the PDA are to be evaluated

options for managing symptoms of early surgical menopause and

in a larger cohort of women, as well as with clinicians not involved in

preventing long-term health consequences.

the early development. The research team will be testing the PDA in

“Women experiencing early surgical menopause experience menopausal symptoms—like hot flashes, night sweats, sleep issues, mood effects and vaginal dryness—more abruptly and more severely compared to natural menopause,” says Dr. Yuksel. “These women

real-life settings. Dr. Yuksel is now working with a graduate student to assess how women in menopause are using cannabis to help with symptoms. This research was supported by funds from generous supporters of

can also be at risk for additional long-term health consequences from

the Lois Hole Hospital for Women through the Women and Children’s

the loss of estrogen, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and

Health Research Institute (WCHRI) and the Philip Cash Pharmacy

cognitive decline.”

Research Excellence Endowment.  THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

IN THE MORTAR

Improving Chemotherapy PRECISION DRUG-DELIVERY SYSTEM COULD MEAN BETTER OUTCOMES AND FEWER SIDE-EFFECTS FOR CANCER PATIENTS

BY KERI SWEETMAN (originally published by Folio)

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

Dr. Afsaneh Lavasanifar

IN THE MORTAR

A UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA RESEARCHER IS USING

The technology has been licensed to Meros Polymers,

NANOTECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS

a spinoff company started by Dr. Lavasanifar and other

OF CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENTS FOR CANCER

investors. While the main focus is to use these drug-delivering

PATIENTS AND REDUCE THEIR SIDE-EFFECTS. Dr. Afsaneh Lavasanifar is a professor in the University

nanoparticles in cancer therapy, Meros recently licensed the technology to another company to treat heart failure. So far, Dr. Lavasanifar’s team has been working on the

of Alberta’s Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

nanomedicine project in the lab, using mice and rats. Her

and an adjunct professor in the Department of Chemical

lab has tested the delivery system on many types of cancer,

and Medical Engineering. Her lab develops precision health

including breast, colorectal, lung, head and neck and

solutions through nanomedicine, finding ways to deliver drug-

multiple myeloma. The technology performed well in all of

loaded nanoparticles to tumour sites.

them, although there may have to be modifications to the

“In nanomedicine, we are either working to improve the effectiveness of drugs that are already on the market or

nanoparticles for some cancer types. Dr. Lavasanifar’s team is also working to make

making new and better drugs by using (delivery) ‘vehicles’

radiotherapy more effective. In an ongoing collaboration with

that are in the nanometre-size range,” explained Dr.

oncologist Dr. Frank Wuest, they are making nanoparticles

Lavasanifar. “These vehicles either make the drugs more

trackable (using positron emission tomography or PET scans)

effective or reduce their side-effects, or both.”

in supplementary drugs delivered to tumour sites. Once

Dr. Lavasanifar, also a member of the Cancer Research

the PET scan determines that a high quantity of the drug

Institute of Northern Alberta (CRINA), trained as a

has accumulated in the tumour, the radiologist can apply

pharmacist in her home country of Iran before earning

radiation to the same site, enhancing its effectiveness.

her PhD at the U of A. She was drawn to this research

“Broadly speaking, precision medicine means giving the

area after seeing how many cancer patients suffered due to

right drug to the right patient at the right place and at the

chemotherapy side-effects.

right time,” said Dr. Lavasanifar. In chemotherapy, her

Current chemotherapy drug treatments are targeted to

nanomedicine project aims to ensure that anti-cancer drugs

destroy the body’s cancer cells, which multiply quickly,

are delivered to the right target. In radiotherapy, they are

but other rapidly-growing normal cells also end up as drug

tracking nanoparticles to ensure that radiation exposure

targets. The toxic effects of chemotherapy can even be seen in

happens at the right time.

normal cells that are not fast-growing.

Her research has had significant funding support from

The other issue with current chemotherapy delivery is that

agencies including the Alberta Cancer Foundation, the

it is given systemically, usually through intravenous injection,

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of

so that the drug or drug combination ends up everywhere in

Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Alberta

the body, which lowers its effectiveness.

Innovates and the Nanomedicines Innovation Network. But it

Dr. Lavasanifar’s research group has developed nanoparticles that act as a host to the anti-cancer drugs,

takes a huge amount of resources to move to the clinical trial stage, she says.

dictating their distribution in the body so that they redirect

She is grateful for the world-class facilities and labs

the drugs from normal tissues to tumour targets. Increasing

at the U of A as well as the support of the life sciences

the tumours’ exposure to the drugs makes the treatment

commercialization organization Applied Pharmaceutical

more effective, and reducing the exposure of normal cells to

Innovation. “We have received cutting-edge instruments, the

chemotherapy reduces side-effects.

best of the best that are available. The University of Alberta

Making drugs easier to deliver

has always been very supportive of research and that is why it

The delivery system is based on polymers Dr. Lavasanifar has

is known around the globe for the quality of its research.” If her nanomedicine research is able to help cancer

developed that come together and form the nano-particles.

patients in the future, it will further enhance the university’s

The technology makes the drugs water-soluble, allowing them

reputation in collaborating with industry to bring important

to be given intravenously. With higher solubility, the drugs

medical advances to the market, she said. “And that will

may be absorbed better orally as well.

create jobs here in Alberta, which is very much needed.”  THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

IN THE MORTAR

Daniela Amaral Silva

with Daniela Amaral Silva

GRADUATE STUDENT & RESEARCHER

Daniela Amaral Silva (BSc, PhD 2021) is

What research are you working

What has your post-secondary

working to bring more effective therapies

on right now?

journey been like so far?

to patients through the study and

I’m working on developing lipid-based

This has been a challenging but very

application of pharmaceutics—the area of

nanoparticles to enhance the absorption of

rewarding journey. Not only did I learn a lot

pharmacy concerned with the preparation

an antifungal drug—Terbinafine—used to

academically, but this experience has helped

treat skin and nail infections. This innovative

me to grow as a person as well. In the diverse

formulation is being developed in a way to

environment I encountered at the Faculty of

increase the absorption of the drug through the

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the

intestinal lymphatic route. This will reduce the

U of A, I realised that this is not a path you

pre-systemic metabolism of Terbinafine, thus

walk alone, and I’m only where I am today

increasing its bioavailability.

because of the great people I met. Another

and use of medicinal drugs. At the end of her studies, she will gain two PhD degrees, from the University of Alberta and the University of Sao Paulo, as she’s enrolled in a dual degree program. Notably, Amaral Silva received the Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship in 2020 for her work developing an inhalable treatment to prevent the spread of breast cancer to the lungs using nanotechnology for better outcomes. Now, she is in Sao

Why did you choose this research area? Why is it important to you? I decided to take pharmacy because I wanted to go into forensic sciences, and I thought that having such a background would be very important. However, when I

aspect of pivotal importance was, and still is, the mentorship I received from my supervisor Dr. Raimar Loebenberg, co-supervisor, Dr. Neal Davies, and lab manager, Dr. Vijay Somayaji. One of the most valuable parts of my experience was the chance to know world renowned scientists on a one-to-one basis and

Paulo, working on her pharmaceutics

took pharmaceutics during my undergrad,

research to enhance the bioavailability of

I became very interested in drug delivery

an antifungal drug.

and drug absorption. So I decided to take a

What is your proudest achievement

course called Scientific Initiation, which is an

so far?

undergraduate level research experience. After

I’m proud of how steep my learning curve was.

that, I realised that research in pharmaceutics

This was reflected in the many scientific papers

was what I wanted to do.

published in very important scientific journals,

This field of study is important to me

get crucial pieces of advice from them.

being an invited speaker at international

because it is an applied science. The

conferences and being the recipient of various

advancements and discoveries that we make

awards and scholarships, like the Alberta

can be readily implemented in the drug

Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship.

development process, which translates into

What’s next for you?

patients benefiting from a better therapy.

I would like to further my knowledge and get a postdoctoral fellowship in the industry. 

FEATURES

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE Women from across our pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences community influence the people around them every day through excellent patient care, innovation, research, and mentorship. We asked them to tell us what it means to them to be a woman in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

FEATURES

I have to work harder to be respected and taken seriously by my colleagues and patients. Despite the challenges, I recognize that I, along with other women, am integral to our health care system. I am hopeful that by working together, we will face these challenges and that our combined leadership, perspectives and innovations will reduce the barriers for women. Dr. Sabrina Lorico (BSc, PharmD 2019, ACPR) Hospital Pharmacist

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

Being a Black woman in pharmacy has everything to do with my influence on young girls who look like me. It means that when I tell a young Black girl that she can be a pharmacist, I am speaking the truth. It means that her dream can come true. Tobi Obatusin (PharmD 2022) Student, Co-Founder of the Black Pharmacy Students’ Association

As a woman of colour, knowing that there is space and opportunity for perspectives of intersectional individuals in our profession—with its vast opportunities for leadership, advocacy, and service—has filled me with gratitude. Systems and patterns can be difficult to change, but to know that I am in a field with progressive values and support for these changes means that underrepresented voices can make their way to circles of influence. NAVJOT K. SINGH (BSc Biological Sciences 2017, PharmD 2022) Student & APSA VP Academic 2020-21

FEATURES

There have been moments with disappointment and sadness, but they have made me stronger. There have been moments of laughter and happiness, and they have made me more passionate and kind. Being a woman in pharmacy means being forward-thinking and knowing that our futures hold unlimited opportunities for the profession. MARGARET WING (BScPharm 1985, MBA 2007, ICD.D) Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA)

Authenticity is a strong core value, and it is really important for me to be my true self for both myself and the team that I lead. I have no problem challenging the status quo, knowing there is always room for improvement. Being a woman in pharmacy is to mentor and create opportunities for other pharmacists. Sonal Ejner (BSc Pharm 2001, APA, CRE)

Being a woman in this field has never been an obstacle for me. I’ve branched out and delved into whatever opportunity came along, whether it be working in hospital or retail pharmacy, teaching, developing courses, writing, researching, or serving on committees, even in retirement. It has been a wonderful journey. Shirley Heschuk (nee Wolff )

(BSc Pharm 1964, MSc Pharmacology 1967) Retired Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmacy Professional Services Manager, Calgary Co-operative Association Limited

As a woman, visible minority and Bangladeshi immigrant working in pharmaceutical research—a male dominant area—I feel empowered. Though there were many challenges in advancing my career, the fact that I could co-found a pharmaceutical company meant being a hard worker with laser-sharp focus. DR. NUZHAT TAM-ZAMAN (B.Pharm., M.Pharm., Ph.D 1996) Co-Founder and VP, Consumer Health, Sinoveda Canada Inc.

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

FEATURES

that promotes both

It means that I am fortunate enough to be a Métis woman who was raised in a predominately single-parent household and who is pursuing an education and career that I am passionate about. It means that I am able to recognize barriers that others may not notice and strive to find solutions to create a profession that is more equitable for all patients and colleagues. It means that I get to work everyday to leave a positive impact in each patient’s life and be an accessible, trustworthy health care resource for everyone.

personal and career

Toni Dolhan (BSc Biological Sciences and Psychology 2019, PharmD 2023)

I feel fortunate to be part of a scientific community that is very diverse and

growth. Being a foreigner and a woman in Canada has granted me the opportunity to add to this diversity and to bring skills that lead to rich scientific discussions. Daniela Amaral Silva (BSc, PhD 2021) PhD student

Student

I take great pride in serving as a role model and mentor in my professional community and in my personal life. I’m in a position where I lead other healthcare professionals, and I’m proud to be a mother of two daughters who both aspire to work in healthcare. It is important to me to live by my values and lead by example—to help those around me recognize that a role in health care is a privilege; a role that we are entrusted to fulfill with empathy and compassion. KAREN HORON (BSc Pharm 1991, CHE) Senior Operating Officer, Pharmacy Services, Alberta Health Services

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

FEATURES

As a wife, mother, daughter, sister and graduate student, being a woman means to be resilient. At the end of each day, knowing that I am able to contribute to pharmacy research while fulfilling all these roles makes me feel strong and satisfied. Heba Aref (PhD candidate) Graduate Student

Opportunity. There are so many roles available that one is limited only by curiosity and determination. My career has taken me from direct patient care as a practising pharmacist, to graduate studies and research in pharmacokinetics, to health technology assessment and public drug funding, to my own independent consultancy, all the while raising a family and pursuing other goals. I am so grateful for being a woman in this profession as it affords the flexibility and limitless opportunities to chart your own path. DR. EUGENIA PALYLYK-COLWELL (BSc Pharm 1987, PhD 1994) President, Palylyk-Colwell Pharmaceutical Consulting Inc.

Our ability as women to provide compassion, support and empathy and to build deep and meaningful connections is exactly what the world needs right now. I truly believe that every single female pharmacist is already equipped to lead in her own capacity. Shivali Sharma (BSc Pharm with Distinction 2004) Community Pharmacist, Pharmacy Owner, Preceptor

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

FEATURES

Pharmaceutical Sciences is a male-dominated field. I have been honored to be the first woman promoted to the rank of full professor, and I currently serve as the only female in the discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Faculty. This gives me a sense of pride and personal accomplishment, but at the same time, highlights the need for more work. As an educational institution, we have to play our part in uplifting the stature of our future female pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in their respective disciplines. We have to increase the visibility of their accomplishments, highlight their unique insights and offerings to the discipline, introduce female role models as a source of aspiration and, finally, trust and encourage our female trainees and colleagues in taking leadership roles. DR. AFSANEH LAVASANIFAR (PharmD, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; PhD 2001) Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta & Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Meros Polymers Inc.

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

As a woman in pharmacy, I feel I must stand out and be excellent at my job. Consequently, I am committed to lifelong learning. As a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, friend, and professional woman, I feel honored and grateful to be a practicing clinical pharmacist today. Through resilience, perseverance, and hard work, I continue to flourish as a woman in pharmacy. Betty Dube (BPharm, MSc(Pharm) 2005; PgDipClinPharm 2011 & PharmD candidate 2021) Clinical Pharmacist, Shoppers Drug Mart

Being a woman in pharmacy means I am a voice that is reflective of the majority of our profession and allows me to contribute to my community, as well as influence the broader health care community. Being an active participant in discussions and leading policy initiatives is part of my contribution and allows me to make an impact within these communities. Kaye Moran (BSc Pharm 2003, ACPR) Deputy Registrar, Alberta College of Pharmacy

FEATURES

E D A M R TAILO MEDS NTING IMPLEME OGENETIC PHARMAC ALBERTA IN G IN T S E T IES FOR PHARMAC ENTAL BETTER M T REATMEN HEALTH T A BY KALYN

HENNIG

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

FEATURES

HOW DOES IT WORK? Your health care provider swabs the inside of your mouth (usually your cheek) to collect saliva.

INDING THE RIGHT ANTIDEPRESSANT can take anywhere from

a few months to several years1. When starting an antidepressant, it

takes about four to six weeks for the medication to take full effect2. But when half of all patients on antidepressants will not see the results that they need3—forcing them to taper off the medication to start the process over again with an alternative antidepressant—the cure can seem far from reach. Lather, rinse, repeat. This is where pharmacogenetics (PGx)—the study of how specific

The swab is sent to the lab to examine the genes that affect the enzymes in your body responsible for breaking down your drugs. The data examined is not a full picture of your DNA, but rather only a small piece of it relevant to your current or potential medications.

gene(s) can influence the body’s responses to a drug—comes in. Offering pharmacogenetic testing in pharmacies would allow patients to find the drug that works best for them with the least amount of side effects or adverse reactions. So why isn’t pharmacogenetic testing common in Canadian pharmacies? Researchers Dr. Lisa Guirguis (BSc Pharm 1997, MSc 2000, PhD), Associate Professor, and Heba Aref (BSc Pharm 2003, MSc 2018, PhD 2023), Graduate Research Assistant, are trying to find out how to fill the gap. “Pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetic testing aren’t new. They’ve been around for over a decade,” says Dr. Guirguis. “So, why are pharmacists not using them?” Dr. Guirgius says that many of the perceived barriers have come down

Based on the results, you and your pharmacist, physician and other health care professionals can discuss which medications will work best for you and which you should avoid to reduce side effects.

over the last ten years. The cost of the test has decreased from over a thousand dollars to around 200 to 300 dollars4. International drug plans are starting to cover the costs too. In the US, Medicaid fully covers pharmacogenetic tests5. But there’s still a disconnect. “It isn’t a science problem. We have the science. It isn’t a knowledge problem. We have the knowledge. And we know how to educate pharmacists successfully. But there is something that is holding it up,” says Dr. Guirguis. “It’s the uptake of the technology that is the problem.” Working with researcher Dr. Lisa McCarthy, based in Toronto at the

At the end, you and your health care team can select a medication tailored to you based on your genetic makeup.

Department of Family and Community Medicine, Women’s College Hospital, Dr. Guirguis looked over a previous study about implementing pharmacogenetics, specifically in mental health, to see what it would take to move it forward. The study involved the creation of a successful education program by Dr. McCarthy and Dr. Natalie Crown that taught 26 Ontario pharmacists about pharmacogenetics. But only five of the 26 pharmacists recruited more than five people for pharmacogenetic testing after taking part in the program6. So, the research team turned to its expertise in implementation science. As a pharmacy practice researcher that focuses on communications and social determinants of health, and most recently,

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

FEATURES

the implementation of prescribing for pharmacists, Dr. Guirguis’ experience in this area sets her and her team up to lead the creation of a flexible model for the implementation of pharmacogenetics in pharmacies in Canada, starting in Alberta. Currently, the team is conducting a literature review and talking with pharmacists, physicians, and patients—led by Aref—and beginning to map out a new implementation plan. Through patient consultation, Aref is focused on trying to see how patients understand pharmacogenetics, how to create a health literacy intervention that could help them better know about the service, how they can utilize it and how they can feel confident talking to their pharmacist about it. “I asked one patient, ‘if pharmacogenetics could help you find an effective medication, would that be valuable to you?’” says Aref. “Her

GET INVOLVED! • DONATE NOW to contribute to funding the translation of pharmacogenetics knowledge and implementation to pharmacists without barriers • ARE YOU A PHARMACY? The team is looking for pharmacies that want to move their practice in the direction of pharmacogenetics. • ARE YOU A PATIENT? The team is still looking for patients with experience using antidepressants to share their story and be part of the consultation process. Contact Dr. Lisa Guirguis at lisa.guirguis@ualberta.ca or (780) 492-9693

answer really touched my heart. She said, ‘Oh, if only all these years could have been saved.’ For her, it was not three months of trial and error, it was years and years of her life. What she said has stayed with me Dr. Guirgius’ research motivation starts with patients too.

References

“When I started this project, I began to realize that I didn’t want

and really emphasized my desire to look at the patients’ perspectives.”

to do this because it’s an interesting technology; I wanted to do this because patients need access to safe and effective medications, and I think pharmacogenetics is a tool that they really need access to,

especially around mental health,” says Dr. Gurguis. “And to be honest, I got a whole lot more excited about it, once I looked at it from this angle.

I really feel that this is something that needs to be done.”

The team’s goal is to develop a non-proprietary plan, package and toolkit that can be shared with pharmacists to implement pharmacogenetics into their daily practice.

“I’ll know this project is successful when we’ve developed a strategy that everyone can access and can be applied across all pharmacy settings,” says Dr. Guirguis. “Implementation takes time and needs to be refined on site. It’s not a ‘go, teach and walk out’ process. It’s a process of working with people to create a problem-solving and quality improvement mentality. Pharmacists are amazing. If you want to see problem-solvers, look at what they have done during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are highly adaptable and highly flexible people that know how to change. So, we need to build on that.”  The pilot of this project was generously funded by the Margaret and Andrew Stephens Family Foundation.

Keitner Gl., Ryan CE., Miller IW., Norman WH. Recovery and major depression: factors associated with twelve-month outcome. Am J Psychiatry. 1992;149:1127–1128 www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/ in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273 Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006; www.informedhealth.org Shin, J., Kayser, S. R., & Langaee, T. Y. (2009). Pharmacogenetics: from discovery to patient care. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 66(7), 625-637. Young, J., Bhattacharya, K., Ramachandran, S. et al. Rates of genetic testing in patients prescribed drugs with pharmacogenomic information in FDAapproved labeling. Pharmacogenomics J (2021). doi-org.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/10.1038/ s41397-021-00211-1 Crown, N., Sproule, B. A., Luke, M. J., PiquetteMiller, M., & McCarthy, L. M. (2020). A Continuing professional development program for pharmacists implementing pharmacogenomics into practice. Pharmacy, 8(2), 55.

LOOKING BACK

Ann Petry with her mother, Bertha James Lane, 1939. Courtesy Liz Petry.

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

LOOKING BACK

Lane Pharmacy, ca. 1920. Anne’s father, Peter Clark Lane,

Ann Petry

is standing on the steps. Courtesy Liz Petry.

AUTHOR, PHARMACIST, ADVOCATE

Writer Ann Petry (née Lane) (1908– 1997) learned the pharmacy profession from her father, Peter Clark Lane, at the Lane Pharmacy. He was one of Connecticut’s first licensed pharmacists and opened the first pharmacy in Old Saybrook. Ann’s mother was a shop owner, chiropodist and hairdresser. After graduating from high school, Petry attended the University of Connecticut College of Pharmacy and graduated with a PhD (Pharm) in 1931. However, after a few years of working in the family business, she dedicated herself to writing, her first love. She married George Petry in 1938, and they moved to New York where she worked for the Amsterdam News in Harlem. She had several news stories published over the next few years and immersed herself in political causes with activists, labour leaders, artists, actors and writers. Her first short story, “Like a Winding Sheet,” was awarded Best American Short Story in 1946. However, she is best known for her books. Her first novel, The Street (1946), won the Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship. That book sold over one million copies—Petry was the first Black woman in America to achieve this milestone. Other books include Country Place and The Narrows. The Drug Store Cat is based on her time working in the family pharmacy. Petry also authored short stories and children’s books. Petry lectured across the United States and was a visiting professor of English at the University of Hawaii. In a speech that was published in Horn Book Magazine, Petry talked about the importance of teaching young people about the Black men and women who helped build America. Petry and her husband returned to Old Saybrook in 1947 as activists but came under increasing scrutiny. That led to McCarthyism becoming the political background of her novel

“Look at [Black men and women] and remember them. Remember for what a long, long time black people have been in this country, have been a part of America: a sturdy, indestructible, wonderful part of America, woven into its heart and into its soul… These women were slaves. I hoped that I had made them come alive, turned them into real people. I tried to make history speak across the centuries in the voices of people — young, old, good, evil, beautiful, ugly.” Ann Petry, Horn Book Magazine

The Narrows (1953). The site of the family pharmacy was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. 

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | ualberta.ca/pharmacy

FAST FACTS

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S Class of 2021 DEAR SPRING 2021 GRADUATES, Congratulations on completing your schooling! You showed adaptability and perseverance throughout your education, even when you were interrupted by a pandemic. We hope that the lessons you learned pursuing your degrees, in and outside of the classroom, will help you grow as pharmacists, as researchers, and as people. We hope you managed to have fun and forge lifelong connections during your time here. Thank you for your dedication to your education, your peers, and your patients. We know that you will each go on to do great things. Sincerely, THE FACULTY OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

THE MORTAR & PESTLE | SUMMER 2021

HOCKEY GAME 2022

Pharmacy VS. Dentistry brought to you by APSA and DSA

! E T A D E H T SAVE 2 March 18, 202

heer rink-side while pharmacy students battle it out with their dentistry rivals! Start the night skating with your family or grab a beer post-game at the PAA’s after-party. You won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned for tickets at ualberta.ca/pharmacy

Thank you to our generous sponsor for supporting this event.

Help students wake up and realize their dreams

With your donation to a student award, bursary or scholarship, you can help students on their journey to becoming the next generation of pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. To learn more about supporting our students please visit uab.ca/givetopharm or contact Ellen Doty at edoty@ualberta.ca or 780-492-3819.

Please return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:

Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 2-35 MSB, University of Alberta 8613 - 114 Street Edmonton AB T6G 2H7 phcomms@ualberta.ca ualberta.ca/pharmacy

The Mortar & Pestle Summer 2021

Articles inside

Tailor-Made Meds

Improving Chemotherapy

Ann Petry

SheEmpowers

Local Not-For-Profit Runs Cancer Clinical Trials Around the World

Q&A with Sonal Ejner

Assistant Deans’ Distillate

New Award Created to Support Black and Indigenous Pharmacy Students

Voclosporin