URI College of Pharmacy Annual Report 2022

WHO WE ARE Mission

Create the future of health through pharmacy.

We value: service to the local, national, and global community; integrity and ethical behavior; innovation and collaboration in research; professional practice and education; personal growth through lifelong learning; diversity and respect for all individuals; cultural competence.

PAUL LARRAT STEPPING DOWN AS DEAN

Over the last 10 years, the URI College of Pharmacy has tripled its research funding, moving into the top 10 nationwide. The college has spearheaded the Pharmaceutical Development Institute, helped establish the George & Ann Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, played an instrumental role in the fight against COVID-19, and increased its faculty and staff size by 30 percent as it has ex panded its offerings. And the college has maintained an exemplary educational program that has seen students almost universally employed upon graduation.

While he will be quick to pass the credit on to the college’s dynamic faculty and staff members—and, especially, on its talented students—Dean Paul Larrat has been at the helm of the college during its decade-long expansion. This spring, Larrat announced he will be stepping back from his role as dean after the 2022–23 academic year.

“After 10 years, it’s probably time for new ideas and new blood to come in; new enthusiasm for different types of projects,” Dean Larrat said. “There’s also the ability to bring closure to some of the work we’ve done over the last decade, make sure some of our initiatives are sustainable, like the Pharmaceutical Development Institute, some of our initiatives in the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) space, some of the programs that allow our students to achieve exceptional outcomes. They’ve done a fabulous job over the last 10 years. We’ve had fantas tic students, and we have fantastic graduates.”

Larrat will remain part of the college as he returns to the rank of faculty members, planning to resume teaching and researching. Larrat, whose previous research mostly focused on health-care policy, also has a background in epidemiology, so he expects to collaborate on projects with other epidemiologists in the college.

“I’ve always enjoyed teaching; the students are truly my favorite part of the job,” Larrat said. “The continued excellence of our students is, I think, the biggest success we’ve had. We’ve enhanced our reputation there; we compare well with everyone in the country. Our research expansion has also been a great success. I can certainly serve as a mentor to other researchers and be a collaborator, particularly in the health outcomes area.”

The URI provost’s office will run a nationwide search for a new dean, who Larrat expects will be installed before the 2023–24 academic year. Larrat plans to remain at the helm until his replacement is selected and will help the new dean with the transition.

“I think you need to be creative and nimble and draw on the enthusiasm and great ideas of your faculty and staff,” Larrat said, advising the next dean. “Enjoy the ride. Enjoy the students. Walk into their classes. Support them when they come for funding for the research projects. Get to know them by first name. Enjoy all that.”

–Dean E. Paul Larrat

Fifty-eight postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) students achieved residency placements in 17 states across the country, for a 92 percent match rate. Postgraduate year 2 residents achieved an even better rate, matching at a 95.5 percent rate. “Congratulations to all of our soon-to-be residents and to those who obtained fellowships,” said Dean Paul Larrat. “It is a credit to our hardworking faculty members and our dynamic students who continue to make impactful contributions to pharmaceutical science and health care far beyond our campus.”

Big Ideas. Bold Plans. Transformative Faculty Leadership

As Dean Paul Larrat prepares to move on, resources are essential for recruiting a new dean. Alumni support has never been so important as we transition college leadership.

RESEARCH

Pharmaceutical Scientists Fuel Health Innovation

URI pharmacy Professor Matt Bertin collects algae from a net for study during a marine pharmaceutical trip in the Gulf of Mexico.

Tapping into ‘Medicine Chest of the Sea’

URI Researchers Continue College’s Tradition of Marine Pharmaceutical

In the 1950s and 1960s, pharmaceutical developers started looking into the ocean as a new field for discovery, intrigu ing then-URI College of Pharmacy Dean Heber W. Youngken Jr., who recruited not ed marine pharmaceu tical researcher Yuzuru Shimizu to lead the program and helped organize the first national “Drugs from the Sea” conference on the Kingston Campus in 1967. URI’s quest to look to the oceans for pharmaceutical discovery has continued through the years. Pharmacy Professors Matthew Bertin and David Rowley—both also oceanographers educated at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego—are the latest to hold down the tradition, discovering new therapeutics, helping aquaculture systems avoid toxic disease, and helping tap into the enormous potential the blue economy offers coastal communities.

“It’s not unique, but it’s uncommon” for oceanogra phers to populate colleges of pharmacy, Rowley said. “There is a long history at URI of marine phar maceutical research spanning more than 50 years now. It’s about both identifying harmful elements in the ocean and extracting molecules that may have therapeutic possibilities.”

Both professors have made significant strides in developing new pharmaceutics and protecting aquaculture systems like shellfish farms that are so vital to the local and national seafood industry. Bertin has identified chemicals produced by toxic algal blooms that have the potential to reduce neuroinflammation and some that may fight cancer cells. He has also focused on an alga that produces a neurotoxin known as domoic acid, which is filtered by mussels, oysters, and clams, and can end up in the food supply. His research helps aqua-farmers determine whether the toxin is present, and in what

Research

quantities, to prevent potentially harming consumers. Rowley has examined how some bacteria can be beneficial in reducing disease in aquaculture sys tems. He and his team have identified bacteria that can protect against marine pathogens, particularly in oyster larvae that are critical to the marine economy in Rhode Island. He is currently work ing with biotech firm Kennebec River Biosciences to develop the probiotic bacteria developed at URI into a product to be sold on the commercial market. “We know a lot of the organisms in the ocean com municate and defend themselves by producing small molecules,” Rowley said. “We’ve come to understand they have value for testing in biomedical systems. So, we’re accessing the medicine chest of the sea to provide groundbreaking new molecules for addressing some of our unmet medical needs.”

For a more extensive look at their marine pharma ceutical research, visit uri.edu/pharmacy/news.

Big Ideas. Bold Plans. Strategic Opportunities

For the college to take the next step, we need to be nimble and take advantage of opportunities that require quick action. Strategic funds like the Mario Family Foun dation Impact Endowment and Operating Fund provide financial agility to ensure the College of Pharmacy’s long-term success.

“There is a long history at URI of marine pharmaceutical research spanning more than 50 years now. It’s about both identifying harmful elements in the ocean and extracting molecules that may have therapeutic possibilities.”

—David Rowley

Pharmacy Professors Attract Millions in Research Funding

University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy researchers continue to grow and expand the college’s research goals through securing collaborations and funding with private and federal sponsors. Professors and researchers in the col lege have brought in millions of dollars in public and private financing for impactful studies on such topics as cancer treat ment, overdose prevention, Alzheimer’s disease, and many more.

The following is a look at some of those important studies. Log onto uri.edu/ pharmacy/news-and-events for a more complete look at the research projects.

Study Aims To Ease Age-Related

Aging is a complex process affecting virtually all vital parts of an organism, characterized by an overall decrease in cellular functions that lead to increasing risk of disease and death. As the proportion of the aging population continues to grow worldwide, so does the incidence of age-related disorders, with the most devastating affecting the aging brain, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, there is a tremendous need to discover novel treatments to increase the health of the aging populace. URI pharmacy Assistant Professor Jaime Ross is seeking such treatments in her study on the role of role of epigenetics in age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, funded by a $249,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Emerging evidence links age-related gene expression changes with alterations in how our DNA is packed. Ross will use a novel model called “ICE” (inducible changes in the epigenome) to test whether alterations in DNA packaging result in age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease pathology and if these changes are prevent

Disorders

able or even reversible. The project aims to illuminate the under lying mechanisms that drive age-related cognitive impairment, use the ICE system to determine if epigenetic changes can drive the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and study how chromatin modifications specifically disrupt the mitochondria during dementia and neu rodegeneration.

“Results so far support the hypothesis that alterations to the epigenome can trigger aging acceleration in mammals,” Ross wrote in a project summary.

“Taken together, this project will provide new valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of the aging process—focusing on brain aging disorders—reveal potential biomarkers, and high light therapeutic strategies to improve the human condition.”

“Results so far support the hypothesis that alterations to the epigenome can trigger aging acceleration in mammals,”

—Jaime Ross

Student’s Shrimp Study Wins Research Showcase

A URI College of Pharmacy student’s study on a common disease affecting shrimp in aquaculture projects won first place at the Undergraduate Re search Showcase on campus.

Maggie Hill, a B.S.P.S. student in the College of Pharmacy, aims to improve the health of aquaculture systems by seeking new ways to treat shrimp in fected with acute hepatic necrosis disease (AHPND), an infection affecting many species of Penaeus shrimp in aquaculture systems. She is focusing the study on the use of probiotics on shrimp, which are not only among the world’s most valuable and popu lar aquaculture species, but also one that encounters high economic losses due to diseases, which influence global supply and prices for longer periods.

Hill won first place in the science, technology, engi neering, and math (STEM) category of the research showcase, even showing off her study to URI President Marc Parlange.

Pharmacy student Maggie Hill explains her research on shrimp disease to URI President Marc Parlange.

“The goal of probiotics is to create cost-effective, preventative measures against disease. Antivirals tend to be very specific and costly to develop. And antibiotics promote antibiotic resistance if not dosed correctly, (so) you can imagine dosing large batches of shrimp larvae is very difficult,” Hill said.

Student Integrates Fungi into Medicinal Garden

The Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden outside Avedisian Hall is a one-of-a-kind resource with nearly 300 medicinal plants offering immense clinical and educational opportunities. One thing the garden was missing, however, was medicinal fungi, something Pharm.D. student and fungi enthusiast Anthony Makashov set out to remedy.

Working with Garden Coordinator Elizabeth Leibo vitz, Makashov worked to integrate medicinal fungi species into the garden and to highlight their phys iological benefits. He integrated lion’s mane, beard lichens, reishi, chaga, and turkey tail. He created wooden garden signs to detail each fungus and its benefits. Finally, Makashov obtained dietary supple ments created from each species to demonstrate the medicinal and commercial potential of the fungi.

“I really wanted to fulfill a need that could benefit the college as a whole,” Makashov said. “I felt there are so many wonderful learning opportunities in that garden for all students. And while the plants are obviously great, there was no fungi, which play such an immense role in the medicinal market and in growing the dietary supplement industry. So, I thought, ‘What a perfect way to combine my

passions of mycology and fungi.’”

Makashov traveled to the Pacific Northwest, “the mushroom mecca of the world,” which helped inform his study to “demystify fungi” and bring more awareness to the benefits that Eastern cultures have used for centuries. He plans to develop a medicinal garden web application to detail the benefits of lion’s mane (cognition, memory), reishi (overall vitality and immune health), chaga (digestion, immune health), beard lichen (antibacterial, antiviral), and turkey tail (liver health, cancer prevention).

Pharmacy student Anthony Makashov and medicinal garden coordinator Elizabeth Leibovitz present Makashov’s project during a research event on campus in May.

Faculty in the News

Professor Named R.I. Society of Health-System Pharmacists President

Clinical Professor Maggie Charpentier has been appointed president of the Rhode Island Society of Health-System Pharmacists, putting her in position to expand advocacy for pharmacists in the state with the goal of further improving patient care.

The American Society of Health-System Pharma cists (ASHP) is a nonprofit, professional association established to advance public health by promoting the professional interests of pharmacists practicing in hospitals and other organized health-care settings. ASHP representatives inform and advise local and fed eral legislatures on important pharmacy-related issues.

“One role of the board to help us transition out of COVID into a more vibrant, interactive, involved

pharmacy throughout the health-care system … accepted, respected and more widely available,” Charpentier said. “We’re advocating to expand the involvement of pharmacists at all health-care levels, both locally and nationally.”

Professor Wins Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award

URI College of Pharmacy professor and alumnus Robert Dufresne has won the Judith J. Saklad Memorial Award, a lifetime achievement award presented by the national College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists, among the most presti gious awards in the psychiatric pharmaceutical field.

A 1980 graduate of URI who received a master’s degree in pharmacology and toxicology and Ph.D.s in pharmaceutical sciences and psychology, Dufres ne is also a clinical pharmacy specialist in mental health at the Providence VA Medical Center. He initially worked in clinical research at the Rhode Island Psychiatric Research and Training Center, investigating the pharmacotherapy of affective disor ders, schizophrenia, and depression in schizophre nia. Much of his later work has involved studying the effects of atypical antipsychotics on metabolic disor ders, and he has published extensively concerning antipsychotic-induced dyslipidemia.

Dufresne is a founding member of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP), and he co-initiated an American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-accredited postgraduate year two psychiatric pharmacy

residency in 2013, for which he still precepts. “I am deeply honored to be this year’s recipient,” Dufresne said. “It represents to me the respect and esteem of my colleagues who I value so much for my life’s work and commitment to the field of psychiatric pharmacy. I am humbled to be included with the many past award winners who have helped grow our organization into a vital force for helping to improve the care of psychiatric patients now and into the future.”

URI Pharmacy Professor Robert Dufresne works with one of the students he precepts in his clinical practice at the Providence VA Medical Center

Academic Leadership Fellow

Clinical Professor

Kristina Ward will represent the University of Rhode Island in a national pharmacy leader ship program as an Academic Leadership Fellow in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. The program supports and contributes to developing leaders in academic pharmacy and higher ed ucation, providing an opportunity for fellows to expand relationships with peers and colleagues in other institutions, as well as within their own college and university.

ACSP Fellow

Clinical Professor and Pharm.D. program director Erica Estus was inducted as a fellow in the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, an international organiza tion representing pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and students serving the unique medication needs of older adults.

Professor of the Year

Clinical Assistant Professor Britny Brown has been named the URI College of Pharma cy Professor of the Year by the Class of 2022. In addition to teaching, Brown is a board-certified on cology pharmacist, whose clinical practice includes Smilow Cancer Hospital Infusion Centers in Westerly, Rhode Island, and Waterford, Connecticut.

“I am humbled and honored to be named Professor of the Year,” Brown said. “To the students-turned-doctors: I am inspired and mo tivated by all of you. Thank you for valuing DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) work, and for demanding progress and advocating for others. It serves as a great reminder that we might feel like small, incremental change can still be very meaningful.”

Calling it a Career

Two important members of the College of Pharmacy who have been with the college for decades have called it a career, retiring at the end of the 2021–22 academic year: Professor Marilyn Barbour and Michael Simeone, coordinator of experiential education.

New Office Offers Training for Multiple Health Professionals

The office that for years has provided continuing professional development in the URI College of Pharmacy has expanded beyond pharmacists to offer training programs to health-care profession als across the board.

The new URI Office of Healthcare Workforce Development is working with the state Depart ment of Labor and Training’s Real Jobs Rhode Island program to provide health education for all health professionals, according to director Mary-Jane Kanaczet, who continues to lead the college’s Office of Continuing Professional Development. The program works with health facilities that accept Medicare and Medicaid and serve underrepresented populations to provide the training their health-care professionals need.

“We’re really a center for workforce training for health care. Any health-care provider who needs any kind of training that we can show improves a patient’s outcome or a health-care provider’s capacity to deliver good outcomes, we can apply for funding,” Kacaczet said. “We’re starting to learn what these groups need. If we have a program someone needs, we will partner with them to apply for the funding, or we will create a program that meets their needs.”

One such program is a Mental Health First Aid training created by Lindsey Anderson, director of the URI Psychological Consultation Center. Kanaczet’s office has also provided medical technologist training for certified nursing assis tants and plans to offer mental health first aid to other accountable entities, a quality improvement training program, and a potential program on the social determinants of health.

really a center for workforce training for health care. Any healthcare provider who needs any kind of training that we can prove improves a patient’s outcome or a health-care provider’s capacity to deliver good outcomes, we can apply for funding for.”

“We’re

—Mary-Jane Kacaczet

STUDENTS

Tomorrow’s Leaders Impact Health Care Today

URI College of Pharmacy Graduation

Dean Paul Larrat, joined by URI President Marc Parlange and the faculty and staff of the College of Pharmacy, conferred degrees upon the Class of 2022 on May 22. Dean Larrat and the entire College of Pharmacy extend their heartfelt congratulations to the URI College of Pharmacy Class of 2022.

Hooding Ceremony Honors Pharmacy Doctorate, Master’s Degree Recipients

URI College of Pharmacy Dean Paul Larrat and di rector of graduate programs Angela Slitt congratulat ed graduating students receiving Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Doctor of Philoso phy and Pharmaceutical Sciences degrees during the college’s annual “Hooding Ceremony” May 20.

The 2022 Master’s Graduates Include:

Michaela Anelundi

Terra Marie Jouaneh Kara Torrey

Justin Trickett

The 2022 Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Graduates include:

Meiwen Ding

Jaunetta Hill

Oluwadolapo Lawal

Margaret Rosario

Christopher Via

Yiwen Zhao

Cost should not prevent talented, hardworking students from achieving their dream career in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, but families confront that barrier every year. The Simpson Family Scholarship in Pharmacy will allow qualified students from under-resourced communities to attend URI College of Pharmacy for a Pharm.D. education, and the Tom Needham Graduate Scholarship for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences helps make graduate education possible for M.S. and Ph.D. students.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go

The URI College of Pharmacy Class of 2022 will be impacting health and health care all around the country. Here’s a small sampling of some students’ immediate plans:

Julia Hodgins:

Julia Hodgins plans to become a pharmacy extern at Walgreens and will transition to a full-time pharmacist after passing her boards.

Julia’s favorite URI mem ory: Graduation weekend with her PharmD friends.

Olivia Spence:

Olivia Spence will be pursuing a PGY1 residency at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT.

Olivia’s favorite URI memory: Being able to live with her best friends right on the beach, and all the fun times they had together.

Megan Gray:

Megan Gray will be completing a PGY1 res idency at UConn Health/ John Dempsey Hospi tal, where she will be exploring her interests in critical care and ambula tory care.

Megan’s favorite URI memory: Attending the URI vs PC basketball game when Rhody won! Go Rhody!

Alexis Perry:

Alexis Perry will be com pleting a PGY1 residency at Seattle Children’s Hos pital, where she will have the opportunity to develop her knowledge to provide the best possible care for patients.

Alexis’ favorite URI mem ory: Meeting some of her closest friends throughout her six years at URI, and getting to spend time with them exploring new places in Rhode Island and around the world.

Graduating Students Achieve Academic Excellence

Lleayem Nazario-Johnson, B.S.P.S.

A native Rhode Islander, Lleayem’s career is on an impressive trajectory toward improving human health. While completing his B.S. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lleayem also engaged in an Honors Project in scientific research to find new drugs that may one day improve immuno therapies for cancer treatments. This coming fall, he will begin medical school at Brown University.

Marisa Jacobs, PharmD

A talented violist, artist, and writer...usually not what you typically think of when describing a pharmacist. However, Marisa Jacobs is no ordinary student! Through sustained academic excellence in pharmacy, Marisa earned the highest cumulative GPA in the PharmD program. She is a leader and mentor in various pharmacy organizations. Upon graduation, Marisa will continue her passion for writing and healthcare as a medical writer at AdMed in Philadelphia.

Pharmacy Graduate Aims To Share her Knowledge and her Music

While still a high school student, Marisa Jacobs was sitting in the admissions office of a pharmacy college at a large East Coast university, talking about her talents for math and science, her love of writing and art, and her lifelong passion for playing music, all of which she planned to continue in her chosen university.

When the admissions officer informed her that the rigors of the pharmacy program would preclude her from playing the viola in that university’s orchestra, she left and drove north up the coast to URI. Here, she has excelled in the College of Pharmacy’s equally rigorous 0–6 Doctor of Pharmacy program, while also sharing her love of writing with her fellow students and, yes, playing the viola for six years in the URI Symphony Orchestra.

“I am so happy I ended up going to URI, and I would choose URI again,” Jacobs said. “URI let me play in the orchestra. Maybe that doesn’t seem like it would be a big deal, but it was a big deal to me. Everyone at URI is so open-minded and willing. They allowed us the freedom to do things outside pharmacy. Even though the program is really busy, I was still able to do a lot of other things.”

Jacobs also played viola in the string quartets and the jazz band, earning a minor in music. The Poughquag, New York, native also worked in the URI Writing Center, while becoming an exemplary student in the College of Pharmacy.

She didn’t always know that pharmacy is where she would end up, just that she wanted to do something in the sciences. So, one summer during high school she spent every afternoon walking down the street to a Hannaford Pharmacy in her hometown, where she would stand back and watch how a pharmacy worked.

“Since I was too young to work there, they let me stand there and shadow and see what goes on,” Jacobs said. “I couldn’t touch anything, I couldn’t do anything, but I stood there for 40 hours in total over the summer, and something about that clicked. After that experience, I started researching pharmacy schools and really looking toward pharmacy as a career.”

The College of Pharmacy’s 0–6 program, which allows students to complete their general studies and earn their Pharm.D. in six years without having to reapply to a graduate school, attracted her to URI. This summer, Jacobs plans to combine her love of sci ence and writing working for AdMed Inc. in Philadelphia, a compa ny that contracts with major pharmaceutical corporations to create educational materials to educate sales reps on medications.

“It’s kind of like teaching, which is one of the main reasons I like pharmacy, so I’m really excited,” said Jacobs, who one day plans to pursue academia, perhaps even back at URI. Wherever she ends up, her work in pharmaceutical sciences will be joined by her passions for writing, art, and especially music.

“Since I was too young to work there, they let me stand there and shadow and see what goes on, I couldn’t touch anything, I couldn’t do anything, but I stood there for 40 hours in total over the summer, and something about that clicked. After that experience, I started researching pharmacy schools and really looking toward pharmacy as a career.”

Student Recognized Nationally for Public Health Service

in promoting healthy communities. Burkett has indeed taken an active role in public health, work ing with Professor Jeffrey Bratberg on a research project to take stock of pharmacists’ role in public health in Rhode Island. The pair brought together pharmacists in focus groups to talk about where they see the profession expanding in the state and how they can do a better job as a group advocating for those advances.

“Pharmacists are really uniquely positioned to impact public health as the most accessible care providers. It was really a chance to dive into advocacy on how to impact public health in Rhode Island and nation ally,” Burkett said.

URI College of Pharmacy student Michael Burkett has earned national recognition for his commitment to public health and community advocacy from the U.S. Public Health Service.

The service presents the annual pharmacy award to 75 college students around the country to increase the public’s awareness of the role pharmacists play

It was not Burkett’s first experience impacting public health. During the summer of 2020, the recent Pharm.D. graduate joined the Junior Commis sioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program through the U.S. Public Health Service. Burkett was placed with the Food and Drug Administration for 12 weeks, serving as a public health service officer. He has also worked in community pharmacies through out his time at URI, which helped inspire his passion for public service.

Recent graduate Michael Burkett (center) poses with Capt. Bill Lehault from the U.S. Public Health Service and his faculty mentor, Professor Jeffrey Bratberg.

Eight pharmacy students were awarded scholarships this fall during the college’s 63rd annual Heber W. Youngken Jr. Pharmacy Clinic in November. Students include Claire Burbridge, Matthew Campion, Emma Camara, Kaitlin Pothier, Stephanie Dowling, Jaidyn DeJesus, Jessica Samuel (not pictured), and Thomas Shugart (not pictured).

Student perspective: Why URI?

Willy Njeru, Class of 2027

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Why URI: “I was invited to a personal tour of URI in March of this year. This was the first and only tour I ever had of a college campus, yet it was enough to convince me that URI was where I belonged. I noticed how engaged and supportive the faculty were toward the students. Also, through interaction with older students, I got the sense that URI is ultimately a community in which every person is valued. On top of that, URI’s nationally ranked, direct-entry, six-year Doctor of Pharmacy program made this university the best option for me. Over all, choosing URI is a choice I don’t regret!”

Nisha Kakwani, Class of 2027

Hometown: Whitehouse Station, New Jersey

Why URI: “One of the things that made me choose URI was the welcoming and friendly environment. Everyone I spoke to were all so kind and welcoming. I also admired the collaborative environment and how stu dents helped each other academically. An other reason is all the opportunities within the College of Pharmacy and the University as a whole. There are a number of different pharmacy-related clubs and organizations. Additionally, I had the opportunity to con tinue my passion for journalism and yoga by writing for The Good 5 Cent Cigar and teaching yoga classes at the fitness center. I am confident in my decision in coming to school here and couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.”

Pharmacy Class of 2025 White Coat Ceremony

More than 120 new University of Rhode Island College of Phar macy students officially entered the field of pharmacy this year as they donned their white coats for the first time.

Pharmacy Dean Paul Larrat welcomes the new students and their families in Edwards Auditorium each year for the annual White Coat Ceremony, marking their first professional year of pharmacy training. “A commencement is a beginning, and this is a commencement of sorts,” Dean Larrat said. “You are becoming a member of the campus, but more globally, you are becoming a member of the health-care community.”

Annual Showcase Highlights Pharmacy Student Research Projects

With subjects as varied as the effects of ibuprofen, the use of nanotech in solar energy, and a study of shrimp aquaculture, along with many more, dozens of URI College of Pharmacy students showed off their research projects during the annual Undergraduate Research Showcase in the lobby of Avedisian Hall April 28.

Award winners include:

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

First place—Cassadra Compton, Nina Doyle, Emily Lamkin, Grace Mok, and Tiana Patriarca

Second place—Olivia Hunt, Caitlin Nearing, Stepha nie Robertson, Joel Seeram, and Braylee Wardwell.

Third place—Maya Dakessian, Anna Kang, Jacob Lawrence, Christina Miller, and Shohini Ray.

Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science (BSPS)

First place—Katelyn Burke

Second place—Margaret Hill

Third place—Dakota Watjen, Sam TenBrook, James McDermott, and Nate DiLoreto

Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Science

First place—Andrea Gonsalves

Second place—Gina M. Gallucci

Third place—Juan Song

Pharm.D. Students Awarded Scholarships

Eight pharmacy students were awarded scholar ships this fall during the college’s 63rd annual Heber W. Youngken Jr. Pharmacy Clinic, which brings together practicing pharmacists and pharmacy edu cators for a continuing education summit hosted by the College of Pharmacy and Office of Continuing Education for the Health Professions.

The URI Pharm.D student winners include:

Matthew Campion ’23

Thomas Shugart ’23

Jessica Samuel ’24

Claire Burbridge ’24

Stephanie Dowling ’23

Cassadra Compton, Nina Doyle, Emily Lamkin, Grace Mok, and Tiana Patriarca

Katelyn Burke

Andrea Gonsalves

ACADEMICS

A

Dynamic, Interdisciplinary Approach

Pharmacy Students Join Nursing, PT in Interdisciplinary Patient Training

Pharmacy students joined those from nursing, physical therapy, and social work in multidisciplinary teams, working together on a variety of patient-focused health-care simulations during an interprofessional education collaboration at the Alpert Medical School at Brown University April 27.

Students worked in teams to assess the condition of hypothetical patients—played by local actors—suffering from opioid use dis order resulting from pain medication prescribed after back surgery. Each team—consisting of a student physician, pharmacist, physical therapist, social worker, and two nurses from URI, Rhode Island College, and Brown—met with the patient for a physical exam and consultation. The team then worked together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan covering all disciplines that they then presented to the patient.

“While the students are brought together to develop optimal patient-care plans, the true objective of the educational activity is for these students to learn about, from, and with one another, in order to bring truly integrated patient care to their future practices,” said pharmacy Clinical Professor Celia MacDonnell, the college’s director of interprofessional education and lead of the project.

URI pharmacy students joined colleagues from nursing and physical therapy in an interprofessional patient training event at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School, examining “patients” together and conferring as a team on the best treatment approach.

Big Ideas. Bold Plans. URI Learning Experience

Academic and cocurricular activities develop students’ potential for leadership and discovery.

Your gifts to RhodyNow: College of Pharmacy provides flexible funding to assist with access to conferences, underwrite experiential learning, and acquire new tools that enhance the teach ing-learning experience.

Degree Program Combines Pharmacy and Business

Pharm.D. students at URI can develop management and administrative skills, adding to their pharmaceutical talents as they pursue their careers, thanks to a partnership between the colleges of Pharmacy and Business. The colleges offer a dual-degree program, giving students the chance to earn a Doctor or Pharmacy degree along with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree.

The program graduates highly qualified individuals to assume leadership and management roles in the health-care industry. A unique combination of didactic management and pharmacy coursework, coupled with innovative practicum experiences, provides students with an exceptional knowledge base of theoretical and applied information. Here’s how some current students feel about the program:

High School Day Returns with In-Person Tours

High school students with an interest in a career in pharmacy and their families and teachers were welcomed to tour the building and interact with faculty mem bers and URI students about the college and the pharmacy profession in general. This year, students from all over the region visited in person to learn more about URI and help them decide to apply.

Madison Savidge Class of 2024

“I chose to pursue the dual PharmD/MBA program because I believe graduat ing with these two degrees simultane ously will make me a more competitive candidate in any path of pharmacy I choose to pursue. I am also interested in pursuing a career in healthcare administration, and I feel like an MBA would properly qualify and prepare me to take on a role in man agement one day.”

TJ Dobson Class of 2022

“Acquiring a funda mental understanding of business opera tions, management and financial flows is essential to providing optimal patient care and leveraging your clinical knowledge effectively in today’s healthcare land scape. I chose the dual PharmD/MBA program to gain this knowledge, differ entiate myself from others, and expand my overall skillset. I would recommend this program to any pharmacy student, regardless of their career path.”

Krysia Lesniak Class of 2022

“I chose URI’s PharmD/MBA pro gram while still explor ing potential career paths in the industry, ambulatory care, and managed care pharmacy to develop the business and management skills that have become increasingly important in this field. The MBA also provided me with invaluable networking opportunities among fellow students, professors and alumni that made me a more competitive candidate when applying for post-doctoral fellow ships.”

Students broke into groups to tour Ave disian Hall and watch demonstrations by faculty members and students. Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden coordi nator Elizabeth Liebovitz gave a presen tation on the use of plants and herbs in medicine. Senior lecturer Amanda Chich ester and Clinton Chichester demonstrat ed the use of lifelike patient mannequins in the Patient Simulation Laboratory. URI pharmacy students taught their high school counterparts how to make creams and ointments in the compounding lab, demonstrated the use of EpiPens and other medical equipment, and led them through a tour of the building, including the simulated CVS pharmacy.

“I am even more excited to apply to the URI Pharm.D. program and enthusiastic about the possibility of being a Pharm.D. student,” one prospective URI student said. “Please be on the lookout for my application!”

High school students from around the state toured Avedisian Hall, experiencing the advanced simulation lab, learning how to use an epinephrine auto-injector, sampling the college’s lab equipment, and learning how to mix a medicinal ointment.

A student “flies” through the human body at the size of a molecule using one of the college’s virtual reality headsets.

Pharmacy Students Learning in Virtual Reality

College‘s Virtual Reality System Gives Students Unique Perspective on Drug Interactions, Biological Processes

Imagine shrinking down to the size of a single mol ecule and flying through the human body, watching the body’s biological processes at the molecular level. URI College of Pharmacy students are doing just that—virtually, of course—giving them a unique understanding of how drugs really work.

The college’s virtual reality teaching and researching program is unique among colleges of pharmacy in the country. Students can watch nanoparticles inter act with each other, witness cell-culture in process, and see exactly how drugs from aspirin to metho trexate affect molecules in the body. The program uses some commercial programs, but many of the virtual reality apps are custom-made by computer science students at URI.

“It gives students a clearer understanding of how drug processes work when they can actually see them in action,” said research Assistant Professor Chris Hemme, who leads the VR program along

with Professor Bongsup Cho. “And it provides a unique perspective for researchers to make new discoveries.”

The VR system was born out of the college’s 3D teaching system, which Cho has been growing for more than 20 years. The program began as an animation program to make videos showing how drugs work. Those videos, available on the YouTube channel “URIanimation,” have racked up nearly 2 million views. The 3D system took another leap forward during the construction of Avedisian Hall in 2012, which included a 3D projection theater on the building’s first floor, followed by the purchase of an advanced 3D printer, allowing students to create models of drug molecules. Virtual reality was the next step in the process.

“There was this progression from a drawing of the molecular structure, then the 3D printed version, and now the VR version of how the drug works on the molecular level,” Cho said. “In science, visual ization is a must. It really helps students understand mechanisms and drugs when they can see how they actually work in virtual reality.”

ALUMNI

Extending College’s Impact Throughout the Health Care Community

‘Consummate Professional’ Receives College’s Campbell Award

URI alumnus Scott Campbell received the Dr. Nor man A. Campbell Award for Ethics and Excellence in Healthcare, honoring the “consummate profession al” for his dedication to patients and the pharmacy profession.

Named for a professor emeritus and former associ ate dean of the college, the Campbell Award honors those like Campbell who have displayed high ethics and integrity over the course of their pharmacy and health-care careers. The award is presented annu ally at Seminar by the Sea, the college’s flagship continuing professional development conference.

Campbell, a 1977 graduate, owned two pharmacies in Rhode Island throughout his career—Ocean Health Marts in Charlestown and Richmond—the first of which he opened in 1987 after having worked in cor porate pharmacies for several years after graduation.

After selling the businesses in 2013, Campbell embarked on the second phase of his career, in pharmacy compliance. Serving as chief compliance officer for the Rhode Island Department of Health, Campbell investigated any complaints made against

URI College of Pharmacy Associate Dean Kelly Orr presents Scott Campbell

Dr. Norman A. Campbell Award for Ethics and Excellence in Healthcare.

pharmacies or pharmacists and reported his find ings to the health board to determine if there was any merit to the complaint. It is there that Campbell expanded his service beyond his individual patients to impact the entire pharmacy industry, according to Paul Larrat, dean of the URI College of Pharmacy. “Scott is the consummate professional, serving his patients for several decades with notable clinical skills and superior customer service,” Larrat said. “It is his work in elevating health-care quality and ethics through the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy that is his lasting legacy.”

Where Are They Now? Recent graduate profiles

Joyce Hou

Position: Research scientist II

Company: Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research

Job description: “I work in an electrophys iology lab, and we are currently looking for new therapies to treat atrial fibrillation. I counter-screen compounds on off-targets using an automated patch clamp system. Additionally, I differentiate human iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) into atrial cardiomyocytes for on-target screening.

Juanetta Hill

Position: Postdoctoral fellow in the Genomic Medicine Unit and rare and neurological diseases therapeutic areas

Company: Sanofi

Job description: I am working on an early stage but high visibility project using gene therapy to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I am using several models including primary and iPSC-derived cells along with developing assays to support the preclinical devel opment of a potential first-in-class therapeutic.

with the

College Inducts Second Hall of Fame Class

The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy inducted four luminaries of the pharmaceutical profession into the college’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony May 13.

Norma Owens

Norma Owens graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in pharmacy in 1977, followed by a Pharm.D. from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1979. She completed a research fellowship at Hartford Hospital from 1979–1982 before starting her distinguished career at the University of Rhode Island as a faculty member, department chair and associate dean. A fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Owens is recognized nationally in the field of geriatric pharmacotherapy. She was honored for her leadership in promoting patientcentered care within Rhode Island nursing homes. Her leadership was equally impactful in the College of Pharmacy through academic program development, faculty mentoring, and student engagement.

Christopher T. Rhodes

Christopher T. Rhodes earned his B.Pharm. with honors and Ph.D. degrees from the Chelsea School of Pharmacy at the University of London. He was an internationally recognized expert in the formulation and analysis of drug products and devices and the clinical and regulatory aspects of their use. Rhodes served the college in many capacities, including chair of the applied pharmaceutical sciences department. He was a prolific author of nearly 300 publications, editor of several pharmaceutical journals, and a soughtafter scientific expert. Federal partners included the U.S. Pharmacopeia and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He was a fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. During his tenure at URI, Rhodes had an enduring impact on the career trajectories of dozens of pharmaceutics graduates.

Lois Vars

Dean Lois Vars earned a degree in mathematics and taught high school math before earning her B.S. in pharmacy from URI in 1962. She worked at her family’s Vars Brothers pharmacy in Westerly until inaugural Dean Heber W. Youngken Jr. recruited her in 1974 to establish a highly regarded pharmacy externship program. Given her educational background, Dean Vars was then appointed to the newly created position of assistant dean for student progress, where she remained until her 1994 retirement. Dean Vars was well-known for her high expectations of pharmacy students, instilling a sense of professionalism they would bring to their chosen careers, and as representatives of the University.

Heber W. Youngken Jr.

Heber W. Youngken Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps with a faculty and research career in the field of pharmacognosy. After establishing himself as a leader in the field, he expanded his interests to academic administration roles. In 1957, he was recruited to establish the URI College of Pharmacy on the Kingston Campus. His strong influence was evident in every faculty member he selected and in the creation and establishment of an innovative curriculum. Applying his lobbying skills, he successfully raised funding for a modern building to complement his bold vision. In addition to the deanship, Youngken served for decades as provost for health science affairs, and his accomplishments created a bedrock foundation for URI’s College of Pharmacy today. The Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden is a testament to his lasting impact on the University.

Dean Paul Larrat and URI President Marc Parlange pose with Hall of Fame inductees Norma Owens and Lois Vars. Richard Youngken represents his late father, Heber Youngken.

College Publicly Introduces Pharmaceutical Development Institute

The University of Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Development Institute (PDI) held a weeklong open house in April, giving the campus community and the public a look at state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical education, development, manufacturing, and testing.

The open house, to publicly introduce the PDI and begin its mission to enhance the biopharmaceutical training and production in Rhode Island and beyond, included hands-on tours of the Pharmaceutical Processing Suites and the Analytical and Stability Testing Laboratory; live demonstrations of estab lished equipment in the process suites, including

tablet- and capsule-making technologies; and access to some of the region’s foremost experts in pharmaceutical training and manufacturing.

Located in the lower level of Avedisian Hall on the Kingston Campus, the PDI provides custom biopharmaceutical training for URI students and industry professionals already working in the field. Three processing suites in the PDI’s Good Manufacturing Practice lab provide space for pharmaceutical startup companies to work with PDI experts to develop and pilot new medication forms.

Grant Helps College Fight Opioid Deaths

The College of Pharmacy’s Community First Re sponder Program (CFRP) can buy thousands more NARCAN opioid overdose prevention kits to distrib ute across Rhode Island, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation.

The CFRP provides free NARCAN and educational training seminars, mostly to local rural communities that have traditionally not been as much of a focus for opioid mitigation as more urban areas. Trainees of the program receive a free naloxone (NARCAN) nasal spray kit—the medication to reverse an opioid overdose—and may request fentanyl test strips to help detect the lethal synthetic opioid.

“Understanding how to recognize an overdose, and having these resources can help save lives when seconds are crucial,” said Clinical Professor Anita Jacobson, who coordinates the program. “We are

excited to be the distribution partner with the Depart ment of Health for this naloxone donation. This grant will enable us to go wherever there is a need. When it comes to the drug overdose and addiction crisis, there are no borders.”

Clinical Professor Anita Jacobson and Pharm.D. candidate Emily Lancor ‘24 distribute NARCAN at a community site in Hope Valley.

College Meets Admission Goals Despite National Challenges

“I believe the most important part of recruiting students is building a relationship.”

Clinical Professor Erica Estus, who heads up the URI College of Pharmacy recruiting program, has faced major obstacles over the past two years establishing those relationships while the COVID-19 pandemic prevented prospective students from visiting Avedisian Hall. Coupled with a national downturn in college of pharmacy applications, the college’s leaders knew maintaining its historically impressive student numbers would be a great challenge. Despite the challenges, the URI College of Pharma cy attracted several hundred quality applications and met its class size goals for 2021–2022.

“We always pride ourselves that people can come see the building, feel the building, talk to students. For all of last year, that was really restricted,” Estus said. “So, it was really kind of amazing that we were able to keep some of the events—remotely—and

Marks of Excellence

Pharm.D.

keep the numbers up. We just figured out ways to make our programs be as engaging as we could while following all the protocols.”

Estus worked with manager of technology services Ian Lester to create group and one-on-one Zoom information sessions and Zoom tours of Avedisian Hall. Even the annual High School Day, when young students from across the state visit, was held virtually in 2020. Lester also arranged for potential students to Zoom into actual classes to learn exactly what they could expect from the college.

“We went out of our way to make ourselves available any way we could,” Estus said. “Anything they could have done in person, we did our best to allow them to experience it remotely. So, whether or not you meet them in person, they still know you; we were still able to establish those relationships.”

Pharm.D.

Pharm.D.

Pharm.D.

Big Ideas. Bold Plans. Innovative and Distinct Programs

Pharmacy is at the front line of health-care delivery, meeting health needs across society. As program director of the Community First Responder Program, Anita Jacobson and her team confront the acute crises of opioid addiction, serving communities across the state. This would not be possible without funding from the Rhode Island Foundation and others like Rotary International.

College Dedicates Reading Room to Former Professor

“URI was a big part of what defined my dad as a professor and a pharmacist. One of the things he liked most was teaching and interacting with students, so he would really enjoy this being a student lounge to remember his life’s work,” said Jesse Lipson, who cut the ribbon on the David Lipson ‘70 Student Lounge in Avedisian Hall in honor of the former URI professor, after joining Dean Paul Larrat on a tour of the campus and meeting with URI President Marc Parlange.

College Hosts 37th annual Seminar by the Sea

Big Ideas. Bold Plans. Transformative Faculty

Teaching and research excellence define the College of Pharmacy. Often, distinguished scholars mentor rising stars, who themselves become thought leaders. Such was the case for pharmacoeconomics professor Stephen Kogut, whose mentor, the late David Lipson, was honored by a gift to the URI College of Pharmacy Innovation Fund and naming of the David Lipson ’70 Student Lounge.

Pharmacists from around the region earned valuable continuing education credits while discussing some of the most pressing current pharmacy and healthcare issues during the 37th annual Seminar by the Sea Northeast Regional Conference presented by the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy Office of Continuing Professional Development. The flagship professional devel opment conference hosted by the college brings together about 300 pharmacists, students, and clinicians from multiple health-care disciplines for two days of presentations and discussions. This year’s conference, “Emerging from the Shadow of the Pandemic: Pharmacy Lights the Way,” included presentations on topics including asthma guidelines, leader ship, diabetes management, sexually transmitted infections, social determi nants of health, cannabis, pharmacy law, vaccines, COVID-19 treatments, dermatology, wellness, and resiliency.

Planning is underway for next year’s conference, scheduled for March 23–4 at the Newport Marriot. Visit uri.edu/ pharmce for more information and to register.

Jesse Lipson and wife Brooks Bell cut the ribbon of the David Lipson ’70 Student Lounge on the first floor of Avedisian Hall, before hanging out in the lounge.

TIME + TALENT

Our college community is indebted to a vast network of alumni, partners and friends who dedicate their time and expertise to support our mission.

Pharmaceutical Science

Alumni Mentors

Matthew Alcusky ‘14

Stephen J. Allen ‘76

Steven Arcidiacono ‘80, ‘84

Marc Bernarducci ’91, ‘95

Jeffrey E. Cehelsky ‘87

Amanda Copans ‘00

Robyn Peters ‘86

Jason Soares ‘98

Carl Symecko ‘94

Dean’s Advisory Board

Rami Beiram

Dea Balazi

Norman Campbell

Christine Collins

Christopher Federico

Eugenio Fernandez

George Grandolfi

Beth Hebert-Silvia

Kathleen Jaeger

Kenneth Lawrence

David Ludwig Henrique Pedro

Susan Petrovas

Lynn Pezzullo (Chair)

Robert Potter

Sarah Thompson

Rita Valentino

Emeriti Members

Ewa Dzwierzynski

Heather Larch

Colleen Moffitt

Justina Molzon

Nancy Motola

Eleanor Perfetto

Ed Quinlan

Edward Rudnic

John Zevzavadjian

Preceptors

David Ahern

Noemi Ramos-DeSimone

Anthony Leggio

Jeremy Colozzo

Kenny Correia

Alycia Gelinas

Jordan Villella

Alyssa Chankhour

Caitlin Salvo

Vrushank Patel

Jessica Miller Matthew Fratus

Emily Marshall Kristina McGill James Berghelli

Donna Paine

Kimberly Ackerbauer

Ryan Attwood

Lauren Barillari

Karrine Brade

Ava Cascone

Natalija Farrell Bryan Gendron Anthony Giuliani

Vivian Ho

David Hughes Jay Joshi Amanuel Kehasse

Lisa Ly Michelle Min

Jason Mordino Kelsey Norman

Alison Parker

Jasmine Patel

Ellen Rubin

Hope Serafin

Julie Slomkowski Karina Soares

Taylor Ward Kevin Yeh

Nitasha Sanil

Lisa Puterio Kate Ulbricht

Angel Pechie Kelley Sanzen

Chloe Morgan Monica Akus

Steven Cano Angela Medeiros Ann-Marie Shea

Laura Clarke M. Ross Casey Bridgit Witbeck Justin Greene Jennifer Lee Jeffrey Newton Justin Gregoire Rachel McGarty

Rebecca Carlson

Alexis Dellogono Natalie Erichsen Elyse Gagne John Correira Bill Snow

Tamara Hersh

Nicholas Papaioannou Nicole Rubinow Xhensila Derti

Cassandra Letho Phong Kieu Sopanhary Hang

Valerie Vu Chen Pham

Lisa Wheaton Colleen Briggs Eric Antonovitch Gabrielle Dall

Kelly McClory Amy Sherman

Christopher Ives

Bruce Wilson

Clarita Hatley Elsy Thomas

Suja Thannickal

Michelle Guarriello Titus Mathew

Diana Saad

Paul Darcangelo Karrisa Hubler Allison Marchand

Kevin Gaul

Alyssa Murray David Goodnow Stephanie Sayaf

Brittany Arrighi Kayla Quan Thomas Bertha

Justin Lamboy Rachel Grant Kingsley Nwogu Jared Mangano

Purvi Shah Nick Caldarelli Effie Papatsoris Kristine Stone

Christina Luisi Patricia Kenny John Cerini Scott Cerce Martine Lu Monica Pal Kayla Friend Dana Gagnon Grant Hamel Darlene Molett Michael Derkits

Jarrod Nedvidek

Rebecca Pacheco

Kirsi Diaz

David Lee

Dereck Realejo

Kevin Silvestre

Pranati Kuchimanchi

Armand Kounga

Jonathan LaDuca Shea Downie Ashley Fay

Elizabeth Morrow

Craig Worby Kelly DeMoura

Christopher Saun ders

Ryan Centafont Jeanne Curzake

Frank Toce Kerry Bythe woos-Saverino

Lesly Desarme

Kristina Wyngowski

Maygen Cardona

Christine McLellan

Stella Panneton

Deirdre Minihan

Marc Gentile

Dawn Sollee

Cyrus Agarabi

Daniel Tavares

Deven Shah

Madeline Ciccone

Julia Galea

Lauren Ribaudo

Marta Lachcik

Alison Schiesl

Ashley Davey

Carlie Martin

Martha Torok

Ashley Chin

Daniel Lefkowitz

Mary Kate Kelly

Andrew Terranova

Nina Yousefzadeh

Dylan Krawczyk

Christina Procaccianti

Kylie Fogarty

Ryan Kelley

Valerie Anselmo

Kimberly McCormack

Kristen Ignacio Yvonne Zeng

Amanda Powers Gavin Gillespie

Scott Castonguay

Whitney Davis

Lauren Major Dana Royal Mark Morrison

Jared Tucker Alicia Harvey Andrew Barna John Hammer

Kristen Driscoll

Khalilah Burgin

Anna Cantin

Anisa Grori

Kristin Linder

Nicholas Pugliese

Steve Willis

Alyssa Puia

Melvin Morales Jr.

Megan McCaskill

Joon Ji

Michael Kolman

Jennifer Fiebert

Foster Myers III

Laura Orwe

Lisa Robinson

Garth MacDonald

Andrea Cone Jessica Damon Daniel Hawkins Brennan Luke Patrick Mun Brian Musiak

Jayne Pawasauskas

Sarah Troob

Heather Deslauriers

Daniel Ragan

Michelle Gaumond Alex Dozier

Mark Rogers

Jennifer Wills Lydia DeRienzo Lorna Carrasquillo

Rodriguez Gerald McGaunn Aimee Mertz

Katie Nesbitt

Jessica Price

Scott Lancellotta Michelle Gauvin Allison Zuern Alissa Margraf Ian Willoughby Matthew Borden

Christina Richards Brian MacDonald Mark Santilli Brian Carlone Jamie Charron Matthew Christie Will Crall Eric Deane

David Gagnon Marizela Savic Chelsea Wampole Lisa Wendler

James Davis Ellie Provisor

David Caron Greg Low Joanne Huang Matthew Lei Miranda Monk Alexandra Tatara Chris Franzese Jose Badillo

Maricelle Monteagudo-Chu

Baley Rochefort

Nicole Clark Brittany Pelsue Karen Thomas Christina Barnett

Scott Ahern Kelly Cotter Scott Candon Pamela Barton Mark Lorson

Kelsey Eggeman

Paul Parchesky

Nicholas Jandovitz

Sony John Amrita Singh Caitlin DeLima Jill Demers Michela Fiori Katharine Freudenberger Whitney Jandreau Kyle Massey Bob Cattan

Nicholas Lotano Christopher DiBlasi Christine Eisenhower Amy Ricupero Margot Wolf Kestlie Morelus Corinn Normandin Christine Dyer Ann-Chee Cheng Leah Twohy Noemi/Lisa DeSim one/Cohen

Jeffrey Bratberg

Meav Ainley

James Beaulieu

Robert Brunault Alyssa Capuano

Annaliese Clancy Christine M. Collins

Dawn Feret

Rachel Fortin

Justin Huynh

Bianca Kohler

Kristina LaPerriere

Shannon Levesque

Laura McAuliffe

Donald McKaig

Krista Mecadon M. Andrea Monckeberg

Jessica Nagy Safiya Naidjate

Karen Nolan

Sean Nolan Martha Roberts Raymond Spinella Michelle Ting Shawn Whitehead Morgan Wynes Diana Mercurio Stacey Ranucci Brianna Kimball Alex Gianfrancesco Carla O’Donnell Alexa Shilko

Amanda Giannetta

Jennifer Boyle

Jackie Wong

Irene Lam Hardi Shah

John Coutros

Alejandro Rodriguez

Kelly Dubois

Todd Brothers

Mark Curtis

Gene Regnier JR

Alison Notte

Gregory Cianfarani

William Quirk

Sanjita Mavinkurve Shannon Burke Mayank Amin

Maggie Charpentier

Marissa Palm

Andrew Ross

Thomas Cory

Edward Allie

Ronald Serak

Robert Vincelette

Vinicius Pimentel

Stacie Siedzik

Peter Patota

Chris Albanese

Allan Wang

James Maffucci

MaryAnne Cronin

Tatsiana Verstak

Nicholas Wheeler

Michael Viscusi

Ashley Ayotte

Amy Brotherton

Courtney Durkin

Alexander Fairhurst

Britt Harrington Joshua Hayden Justin Liauw

Diane Parente

Carlo Lupano

Chris Durigan

Jessica Ryan

Joseph Navarra

Lindsay Wagner

Ifeoma Asoh

Kyle Fraielli

Kelly Matson

Catharine Bulik

Paula Morgan

Ashley Buchanan

Lisa Cohen

Patrick Kelly

Elizabeth St. Louis

Kristina Ward

Anita Jacobson

Raymond Ciarleglio

Nancy Tortolani

Becky Curtin

Sarah Smith

Melissa Wright

Deanna Akinbajo

Christine Borowy

Nicole Asal

Megan Crete

Robert Dufresne

Kerry LaPlante Amy St Amand Tracey Taveira

Kathleen Coffin Emily Stoukides

Denis Lipovac

Jennifer Chiarelli

Sarah Sapia Bill Truong Sara El-Baff

Brian Pulikowski

Kayla Huggins

Ryan Casey Kyulim Lee

Siu Pau

Bilge Parlakkilic

Jigna Mehta

Chelsea Laracy

Emily Kyomitmaitee

Jared Borowik

Gabrielle Kana Tiezan

Erinn Schneider

Rachel Wetson

Shweta Patel

Akshita Kota

Hoa Chu-Le Hanaa Crvaric Shridevi Patel

Michael Pedro Kathleen Dwyer

Yuk Ly Mary Takhtovich

Cindy Margaritonda

Marisa Park

Brendan Linehan

Mercy George

Mahendra Ramsammy

Lorna Bryce

Jennifer Hyatt

Kevin Placentino

Jena Ramdat

Nainesh Patel

Alyssa Gerundio

James Fontes

Robert Tortolani

Anthony Trask

Shawn Ackerman

James Olszewski

Ryan Hitte

Kayla Pederzani

Sarah Chin

Ashley Olivieri

Manuel Dalomba

Diana Fields

Carmen Oquendo

Ginger Lemay

Angelica Taskin

Christina Flores-Al faro

Hue Lu

Heather Cournoyer

Robert Puishys

Stephen Brosky

William Viens

Kayla Bourbonniere

Elaine Brunelle

Lauren Sparrazza

Felicia Rosh

Maureen Brady

Caroline Pomeroy

Consuelo Elder Jaclynne Gowen

Melanie F. McGuire

Meredith Peabody

Craig Randall Brooke Raymond Elizabeth Snarr

Julie Barber

Britny Brown

Sarah Silvia

Robert Iacobucci

Jenna Solomon

Melissa DaCosta

Michael Riendeau

Jennifer Smith

Michael Muller

Shannon Giddens

Gina Morrow

Talia Papiro

James Sarigianis

Michelle Pheng

Athena Peterson

Julie Valdes

Fast-Changing Health-Care Systems Require Investment in Future of Pharmacy Education

URI’s College of Pharmacy is recognized for its leading education, innovative programs, and pioneering research. Supporting the college provides vital training programs and unique learning experiences that prepare highly skilled pharmacists and pharmacy researchers; innovative and distinctive programs for a global pharmacy community improving health outcomes; and opportunities for breakthrough research that attracts and retains the best and brightest faculty leaders in our profession.

Health-care delivery is moving from hospitals to community settings where pharmacists are front-line health-care providers. Pharmacists must meet the needs of a socially diverse population and continuously learn from an expanding collection of knowledge, while researchers remain vigilant toward the next pandemic. Our fast-changing health-care landscape brings soaring costs to pharmacy education and research, and the need for

philanthropic support has never been greater.

URI and the College of Pharmacy are ad dressing this need through Big Ideas. Bold Plans. The Campaign for the University of Rhode Island, and we need your support.

You can advance the College of Pharmacy by investing in increased student access, an enlivened URI learning experience, the next generation of transformative faculty leader ship, new innovative and distinctive programs, and emerging strategic opportunities.

For more information about supporting the College of Pharmacy, contact:

Eric Schonewald, assistant vice president for development, at eschonewald@uri.edu or 401.874.9017.

Tim Babcock, director of development, at tbabcock@uri.edu or 401.874.4909.

College of Pharmacy

Avedisian Hall, 7 Greenhouse Road Kingston, RI 02881