Current and Past New Investigator Award Recipients

AACP Resource

2024 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Samuel Adeosun, High Point University; A Theory- and Data-Driven Approach to Core Journals List in Pharmacy Practice 
  • Cintia Citterio, Chapman University; Molecular Pathogenesis of Thyroid Cystinosis and New Therapeutic Approaches
  • John Fetse, Larkin University; Development of Smart Drug Delivery Systems for Prostate Cancer Immunotherapy
  • Chad Johnson, University of Maryland; Muscarinic Antagonist Antidepressants Lacking Cognitive Deficits

2023 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Vibhuti Agrahari, The University of Oklahoma; Topical Hybrid Nanomicelles for Treating Corneal Injuries and Repair
  • Simone Brixius-Anderko, University of Pittsburgh; Targeting Cytochrome P450 Mediated Fatty Acid Metabolism in Lung Cancer
  • Xin Chen, Campbell University; Development of Chemical Affinity Probe for Quantitative Proteomic Profiling of PI3Ks
  • Collin Clark, University of Buffalo, The State University of New York; A Pilot Pharmacist-to-Pharmacist Hand-off Intervention During Transitions of Care
  • Caleb Class, Butler University; Prediction of Antidepressant Response Through Pharmacotranscriptomics
  • Ashley Crumby, The University of Mississippi; Factors Associated with Student Pharmacist Engagement in Mentoring Relationships
  • Kelsey Frederick, The University of Tennessee; Growth Mindset and Clinical Reasoning in Student Pharmacist Experiential Education
  • Elizabeth Henderson, Presbyterian College; Lead Optimization of Tetrahydropyridines as Potential Breast Cancer Agents
  • Jinhee Jo, University of Houston; Non-toxigenic Clostridioides difficile: Implications for Diagnostic Stewardship
  • Yujin Kim, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; Developing Hydrogel-forming Microneedles to Deliver an Anti-Parkinson Drug into Skin
  • Kathryn Marwitz, Manchester University; Evaluating the Impact of Information Literacy Education on Misinformation Debunking
  • Srinath Pashikanti, Idaho State University; Mitochondrial Membrane Disruption Using Novel Sphingoid Probes in Cancer Cells
  • Kathryn Sawyer, University of Illinois at Chicago; Utilizing Transformative Learning Theory to Enhance Professional Identity Formation
  • Chengwen Teng, University of South Carolina; Safety Assessment of Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
  • Yun (Sherry) Wang, Chapman University; A Real-World Study Assessing Utilization of Buprenorphine Treatments

2022 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Padmamalini Baskaran, Howard University; Mitochondrial Quality Control and Fatty Liver Disease
  • Ashley Campbell, The University of Arizona; Fixed vs Random Weekly Team Assignments and Student Outcomes in a Therapeutics Course
  • Jennifer Courtney, California Northstate University; Embedding Pharmacist Professional Identity in the P1 Curriculum
  • Rachel Crouch, Lipscomb University; In vitro Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Verticilide
  • Seenae Eum, Shenandoah University; Genotype-and Phenoconversion-predicted CYP2D6 Activity and Risperidone Exposure
  • Cale Fahrenholtz, High Point University; Development of Silver Nanoparticles for Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
  • Anisha Gupta, University of Saint Joseph; Next Generation Oncogenic MicroRNAs Inhibitors for Cancer Therapeutics
  • Ruth Jeminiwa, Thomas Jefferson University; Formative Research to Support the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnant Women
  • Janet Lighthouse, St John Fisher College; Effect of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Cardiac Remodeling
  • Beatriz Manzor-Mitrzyk, University of Michigan; Cross Sectional Study of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at US Schools of Pharmacy
  • Kathryn Morbitzer, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Determining Non-Direct Patient Care Opportunities for PharmD Graduates
  • Marwa Noureldin, Manchester University; Pharmacists' Roles as Information Providers to Family Caregivers of Older Adults
  • Teresa Salgado, Virginia Commonwealth University; Oncologists' Knowledge, Comfort and Ownership of Hyperglycemia Management
  • Ernane Souza, Palm Beach Atlantic University; Novel Allosteric Thrombin Inhibitors as a New Class of Anticoagulants
  • Kangho Suh, University of Pittsburgh; The Impact of Pharmacists Using Electronic Alerts on Patient Outcomes in D-AKI
  • Michael Wolcott, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Deliberate Practice Preceptor OSTEs to Build Racially Inclusive Learning Environments

2021 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Jaclyn Cusumano, Long Island University; Innovative Assessment of Penicillin Plus Ceftriaxone Against Enterococcus faecalis
  • Peter Hart, Roosevelt University; Evaluating Metformin as an Immunomodulator To Inhibit Ovarian Cancer Metastasis
  • Weimin (Conrad) Hong, Butler University; Molecular Mechanisms of Dopamine Transporter Modulation by the Sigma-1 Receptor
  • Hyeun Ah Kang, The University of Texas at El Paso; Unintended Consequences of the 2016 CDC Guideline for Sickle Cell Disease Patients
  • Nitesh Kunda, St. John's University; Antimicrobial Peptide, Nisin-Based Inhalation Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
  • Sangmin Lee, High Point University; Peptide Hormone Amylin Interaction With its Receptor for Next Anti-Diabetic Therapy
  • Sun Lee, High Point University; Insulin Delivery Device and Health-Related Quality of Life in Medicare Enrollees
  • Sin Yin Lim, The University of Wisconsin; Relationship Between Immune Responses and Fentanyl Exposure in Children
  • Amanda Margolis, The University of Wisconsin; Preceptor Perceptions of a Validated Tool to Assess APPE Interprofessional Teamwork
  • Margaret Olson, Roosevelt University; RNA-Binding Chaperone Hfq as a Novel Target for Antibacterial Drug Development
  • Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Marshall B. Ketchum University; Tamoxifen-peptide Nanostructures for Efficient Delivery to Resistant Cells
  • Osama Shoair, The University of Texas at Tyler; Prevalence and Healthcare Costs of Psychotropic Polypharmacy Among Dementia Patients
  • Melinda Varney, Marshall University; Deficiency of Immune Regulators IRGM, TIFAB, and miR-146 in Hematologic Cancers
  • Jacqueline Zeeman, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Better Together: Evaluating the Me and We Competencies in Interprofessional Teams
     

2020 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Benjamin D. Aronson, Ohio Northern University, Exploring the Meaning and Developing a Measure of Student Professional Success
  • David Rhys Axon, The University of Arizona, Validity and Usefulness of an Exposure Score and Profile for Chronic Pain Management
  • Comfort Boateng, High Point University, Dopamine D4 Receptor Antagonists for Treatment of Cocaine Use Disorder
  • Tram Cat, University of California, San Francisco, Implementation of an APPE Well-Being Promotion (WelPro) Program
  • Ike C. de la Peña, Loma Linda University, Novel Combination Therapy for Obesity-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction
  • Juan M. Hincapie-Castillo, University of Florida, Leveraging Social Media Data for Evaluation of Drug Use Trends After Opioid Policies
  • Jace W.  Jones, University of Maryland, Sphingolipid Metabolism as a Diagnostic Marker of Hepatotoxicity in DILI
  • Ingo Koomoa-Lange, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Components of Store-Operated Calcium Entry Promote Neuroblastoma Malignancy
  • Justin Lenhard, California Northstate University, Optimzing the Treatment of Polymicrobial Wound Infections
  • Chioniso Patience Masamha, Butler University, MicroRNA Evasion as a Mechanism for Multi-Drug Resistance in Ovarian Cancer
  • Kalyan Nagulapalli Venkata, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Design of NDM-1 β-Lactamase Inhibitors to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs
  • Jennifer L. Nguyen, Mercer University, Increasing Naloxone Access in Independent, Community Pharmacies
  • Ashana Puri, East Tennessee State University, Development of Transdermal Systems of Naloxone for Treatment of Opioid Addiction
  • Nathaniel Jim Rhodes, Midwestern University/Downers Grove, Development of a Clinical Decision Algorithm for Adults Hospitalized With Pneumonia
  • Susan E. Smith, The University of Georgia, Long-Term Retention of ACLS Knowledge After AHA ACLS Certification
  • Suzanne Surowiec, The University of Findlay, Feasibility of a Concierge Pharmacy Service Incorporating Pharmacogenomics

2019 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Marie Barnard, The University of Mississippi, Preparing Pharmacists to Care for Patients Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence
  • Tarsis Brust, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Inhibitors of Type 1 Adenylyl Cyclase as Novel Pain Therapeutics
  • Li Chen, Auburn University, Machine Learning Methods to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of FDA-Approved Orphan Drugs
  • Sherif Elshahawi, Chapman University, Generation of Lipopeptide Analogs Using Biocatalytic Methods
  • Kirk E. Evoy, The University of Texas at Austin, Gabapentinoid Abuse Prevalence
  • Jason Guy, The University of Findlay, Co-Curricular Drug Information Organization's Impact on IPE Outcomes
  • Robert H. Hilgers, Campbell University, Thioredoxin Improves Endothelium-Dependent Vasorelaxation in Obese Mice
  • Vaibhav Mundra, Manchester University, Formulation of Micelles for Co-Delivery of Bortezomib and Doxorubicin
  • Amy L. Pasternak, University of Michigan, Defining the Pharmacogenetic Associations for CYP3A5 and IV Tacrolimus
  • Ryan M. Pearson, University of Maryland, Programming Immune Cell Sensitivity Towards Toll-Like Receptor Agonists
  • Vitor H. Pomin, The University of Mississippi, Potential Cardiovascular Therapeutics From the Sea
  • Sujith Ramachandran, The University of Mississippi, Overcoming Defensive Responding in the Estimation of Prescription Stimulant Misuse
  • Aurijit Sarkar, High Point University, Towards Targeting Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
  • Jason A. Sprowl, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Regulation of SGLT1 Function by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
  • David R. Steeb, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Development and Assessment of Entrustable Professional Activities for Global Health
  • Benjamin Y. Urick, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Pharmacy Owner Perceptions of Performance-Based Payment Models

2018 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Terrick Andey, MCPHS University-Worcester/Manchester, Nanoparticle Delivery Platform for Dual Targeting of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
  • Gabriella Baki, The University of Toledo, Enhancing the Delivery of Ibuprofen Through the Skin Using In Silico Modeling
  • Diane M. Calinski, Manchester University, Evaluation of Cytochrome P450-Mediated Metabolism of the Synthetic Cathinones
  • Lipika Chablani, St. John Fisher College, Microparticulate Cancer Vaccine: Interpreting an Innovative Approach to Immunotherapy
  • Justin Gatwood, The University of Tennessee, Strengthening Student Pharmacist Engagement and Teamwork with Productivity Software
  • Greg M. Landry, MCPHS University-Boston, Effects of Lead on Oxalate Nephrolithiasis
  • Hoang Le, The University of Mississippi, Development of Glutaminase and Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors for Cancer
  • Traci J. LeMasters, West Virginia University, Prescription Drug Therapy Outcomes Among Older Cancer Survivors in the United States
  • Minghui Sam Li, The University of Tennessee, Effects of the First U.S. Biosimilar on Patient Clinical and Economic Outcomes
  • Jasmine A. Luzum, University of Michigan, Addressing Racial Disparity in Heart Failure Outcomes and Beta-Blocker Response
  • T. Joseph Mattingly, University of Maryland, Pharmapreneur: Defining the Role of Entrepreneurialism in Schools of Pharmacy
  • Calvin J. Meaney, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Personalized Erythropoiesis in Hemodialysis Patients: The Novel PREDHICT Tool
  • Christina H. Sherrill & Sara M. McMillin, High Point University, Weight Loss With SGLT2 Inhibitor Use:  An Uphill Battle
  • Ajay N. Singh, South University, Synthesis of Novel Chelating Agents for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
  • David Cole Stevens, The University of Mississippi, Production of Predation-Associated Antimicrobials From Cryptic Biosynthetic Pathways
  • Dong Xu, Idaho State University, Drug Discovery and Repurposing Against a Key Clostridium sordellii Exotoxin

2017 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Adegoke O. Adeniji, South University, Elucidating and Targeting Mechanism of Enzalutamide Resistance in Prostate Cancer
  • Hibah O. Awwad, The University of Oklahoma, Histamine Release in Traumatic Brain Injury: Neurotoxic or Neuroprotective?
  • Antonio A. Bush, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Exploring the Experiences and Agential Behaviors of URM Pharmacy Students
  • Janet H. Cooley, The University of Arizona, Creation and Assessment of an Interprofessional Activity Using ThinkShare
  • Ashley Crowl, The University of Kansas, Best Practices for Assessment of Interprofessional Team-Ready Behaviors on APPEs
  • Melanie A. Felmlee, University of the Pacific, Maturation and Spatial Expression of Intestinal MCT1 in Obesity
  • Raphael M. Franzini, The University of Utah, Targeting Sirtuin 7 in BRCA-Deficient Breast and Ovarian Cancers
  • Kathleen M. Frey, Long Island University, Prospective Evaluation of Preclinical Anti-HIV Agents for Mutational Resistance
  • Rebecca Hoover, Idaho State University, Drug Information Education for Students in Non-Pharmacy, Non-Prescribing Health Professions
  • Adriane N. Irwin, Oregon State University, Exploring Patient Perceptions of Pain Contracts and the Role of the Pharmacist
  • Jennifer T. Lamberts, Ferris State University, Neuronal Injury and Parkinson’s Disease: Role of Purinergic Signaling
  • Devika S. Manickam, Duquesne University, DNA Nanoparticles for Ischemic Stroke Therapy
  • Matthew D. Metcalf, MCPHS University–Worcester/Manchester, Analgesia with Reduced Side Effects from Dual FAAH Inhibitor-Analgesic Ligands
  • Pramit A. Nadpara, Virginia Commonwealth University, Duration of First-Line Chemotherapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Survival among the Elderly
  • Ajay Sharma, Chapman University, Pharmacologic Modulation of Ocular Mucins for the Treatment of Dry Eye
  • Ami M. Vyas, The University of Rhode Island, Trajectories of Psychotropic Polypharmacy among Cancer Patients

2016 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Wissam AbouAlaiwi, The University of Toledo, Role of Primary Cilia in Cardiomyocyte Contraction
  • Jianjun Chen, Chicago State University, Novel and Targeted Prodrug Strategy for the Treatment of Resistant Ovarian Cancer
  • Manoranjan S. D'Souza, Ohio Northern University, Brain Kappa Opioid Receptors and Aversive Effects of Nicotine
  • Nathaniel A. Hathaway, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Development of Novel Inhibitors of Mammalian Heterochromatin Gene Repression
  • Daniel Hertz, University of Michigan, Pharmacogenetic Predictors of Anastrozole and Fulvestrant Pharmacokinetics
  • Wei-Hsuan Jenny Lo-Ciganic, The University of Arizona, Adherence Trajectories of New Hepatitis C Virus Therapy in a Large Medicaid Program
  • Nancy D. Merner, Auburn University, Gaining Insight towards Breast Cancer Disparities through Gene Discovery Efforts
  • Mark E. Patterson, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Workflow Impact on Medication Errors during Care Transitions between Rural Facilities
  • Meagen Rosenthal, The University of Mississippi, The Professional Culture of Pharmacy and the Provision of MTM Services
  • Gaurav Sahay, Oregon State University, Targeted Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Small Molecules to Treat Niemann Pick Type C-1 Disorder
  • Amelia K. Sofjan, University of Houston, Changing Epidemiology in Cirrhotic Patients with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
  • Anand Sridhar, St. John Fisher College, Targeting DXP Synthase Using ThDP Mimics to Develop Newer Antibiotics
  • Xinyu Wang, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Anti-Myeloma Effect of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester: The Role of Oxidative Stress
  • Joseph A. Zorek, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Evaluating the Utility of Mimycx to Advance Interprofessional Experiential Education

2015 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Vishakha Bhave, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Transdifferentiation: a New Approach for Biliary Diseases
  • Dave Dixon, Virginia Commonwealth University, Nighttime Dosing of Amlodipine versus Lisinopril in Non-Dipping African Americans
  • Peter Doshi, University of Maryland, The Possible Harms of Statins: What do Product Labels and Pharmacy Leaflets Tell Us?
  • Marc L. Fleming, University of Houston, Pharmacist-Patient Communication about Addiction and Willingness to Counsel and Refer
  • Madan Kharel, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Rational Design of Thiopeptide Antibiotics through Biosynthetic Pathway Engineering
  • Shannon Kinney, Western New England University, Altered DNA Hydroxymethylation in a Mouse Model of Prostate Cancer
  • Jacqueline E. McLaughlin, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Early Clinical Immersion as Inpatient Psychiatry Medication Education Group Leaders
  • Emi Minejima, University of Southern California, Extended Spectrum β-lactamase Infections in a Medically Underserved Population
  • Megan Murphy-Menezes, University of Florida, Is CPD More Effective than a Traditional CE Model in Improving Practice Behavior?
  • Jagannath Muzumdar, St. John’s University, Evaluating the Medium of Comics for Providing Information on Adult Immunizations
  • E. Jeffrey North, Creighton University, Discovery of Novel Anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis FadD32 Inhibitors
  • Denise Simpson, Cedarville University, Evaluation of the Biological Activity of Cajanus cajan Flavonoids and Related Analogs
  • Ying Xu, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Targeting PDE2 to Treat Memory Loss Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Tao Zhang, Husson University, Combination of Sulforaphane and Paclitaxel to Treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer
  • Haojie Zhu, University of Michigan, Genetic Determinants of Carboxylesterase 1 Activity

2014 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Jessica L. Adams, University of the Sciences, HIV Associated Neurocognitive Disorders in Patients on Atazanavir versus Darunavir
  • Travis E. Brown, University of Wyoming, The Role of Cathepsin K in Mediating Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity and Memory
  • Andrew S. Bzowyckyj, University of Missouri-Kansas City, NPH Insulin for Prednisone-Induced Hyperglycemia
  • Joseph E. Deweese, Lipscomb University, Examination of the Topoisomerase II Covalent Poisoning Mechanism of Etoposide Quinone
  • Tracy R. Frame, Cedarville University, Impact of Using Team-Based Learning in Patient Education on Diabetes Outcomes
  • Kimberly B. Garza, Auburn University, Effectiveness of Different Financial Incentives to Improve Medication Adherence
  • Oscar W. Garza, University of Minnesota, Development of a Community Pharmacy Social Capital Assessment Tool
  • Klarissa D. Hardy, Lipscomb University, Molecular Mechanisms of Drug-Induced Liver Injury by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
  • Kirk E. Hevener, Idaho State University, Enoyl-ACP Reductase II (FabK), a Selective Antibacterial Target for C. difficile
  • Patrice L. Jackson-Ayotunde, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Enaminones as Potential Agents for Partial Epilepsy
  • Hyun Jin (Sean) Kim, University of Pittsburgh, Quantitative Mechanistic Modeling of Drug Disposition with Variable Interactions
  • Feng Li, Hampton University, Thermosensitive Hybrid Hydrogel for Delivery of Anti-Cariogenic Agents
  • Terry W. Moore, University of Illinois at Chicago, "Tucked" Stapled Peptides for the Estrogen Receptor/Coactivator Interaction
  • Scott W. Mueller, University of Colorado, Assessment of 23-Valent Pneumococcal Vaccine Response in Critically-Ill Burn Patients
  • Isaac T. Schiefer, The University of Toledo, Development of NO Mimetic Furoxans as Novel Agents for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy
  • Vanessa Stevens, The University of Utah, Outcomes of Treatment for Clostridium difficile Infection among Pediatric Patients
  • Andrew J. Wiemer, University of Connecticut, Development of Isoform-Specific Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors for T Cell Leukemia

2013 New Investigator Award Recipients

  • Rucha S. Bond, The University of New Mexico, Development & Pilot of an Experiential Observational Professionalism Assessment Tool
  • Albert A. Bowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Biosynthetic Engineering Thiazolyl Peptide-based Inhibitors of FoxM1
  • Nicole K. Brogden, The University of Iowa, Microneedles as a Novel Means to Individualize Drug Delivery in an Aging Population
  • Aisling R. Caffrey, The University of Rhode Island, Comparative Effectiveness of Antimicrobials in Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia
  • Rebecca F. Chhim, The University of Tennessee, Ethanol Dose Escalation Safety Study in Neonates and Infants
  • Christopher W. Cunningham, Concordia University Wisconsin, Synthesis of Novel Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Modulating Ligands
  • Charles A. Douglas, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Video Based Training to Improve Preceptor Assessment of Student Clinical Skills
  • Eliud Hernández, University of Puerto Rico, New Rac1 Inhibitors in Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells
  • Yagna P. R. Jarajapu, North Dakota State University, Vasoreparative Functions of a Novel ACE2 Activator, Diminazene Aceturate, in Diabetes
  • Quang A. Le, Western University of Health Sciences, Cost-Effectiveness of Treatment Choices in a PTSD Doubly Randomized Preference Trial
  • Abebe E. Mengesha, Drake University, Thermosensitive Monoglycerides Blend for Local Delivery of Chemotherapeutic Agents
  • Ginah Nightingale, Thomas Jefferson University, Polypharmacy and Inappropriate Medication Use in Senior Adult Oncology (SAO) Patients
  • Jingjing Qian, Auburn University, Psychiatric Health Services Utilization and Spending among Young Medicare Enrollees
  • Baskaran Thyagarajan, University of Wyoming, Capsaicin Antagonizes Botulinum Neurotoxin A at the Motor Nerve Terminals
  • Meghana Trivedi, University of Houston, Identification of Novel GPCR Targets in HER2+ Breast Cancer
  • Zachary F. Walls, East Tennessee State University, Listeriolysin O-Liposomes for the Treatment of Drug Resistant Cancer
  • Venkata K. Yellepeddi, Roseman University of Health Sciences, Omega-3 Fatty Acid Conjugated Nanoconstructs for Targeted Delivery of Paclitaxel