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SAS Section - Summer Research Exchange Mentorship Program

Student pharmacist researchers in lab.

AACP Social and Administrative Sciences (SAS) Section

2026 Program Student Application Now Open 

The AACP Social and Administrative Sciences (SAS) Section Summer Research Exchange Mentorship Program application cycle for 2026 is now open. The Exchange offers students pharmacists an opportunity to complete a research experience with a SAS faculty member outside their home institution, building skills for residency, fellowship, & post-doctoral studies. The program is intended to foster interest in research and SAS-related graduate education and is open to incoming P1-P3 students. A list of 2026 projects can be found below.

Program Components and Application Criteria
  • Student participants will complete an 8 to 12-week summer research experience between May 15th and August 31st with a SAS faculty member outside their home institution.
  • Students who will begin P4 rotations during Summer 2026 are not eligible to apply.
  • Applications consist of a brief form, the students’ CV, and one letter of recommendation from the home school mentor.
  • Applications undergo a review process and students are selected for the program and matched with a research mentor outside their home institution on a competitive basis.

For the 2026 program, the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education will once again be offering five $2,500 scholarships for especially meritorious applications to support student pharmacists as they pursue research with host mentors outside of their home institutions. Not all students admitted to the exchange program will receive a scholarship. The number of students admitted to the program is limited by the number of research mentors available. 

Although not required, the majority of students go on to present the results of their summer projects at national conferences. A final report describing the summer research activities is required for all students. 

Interested students should complete the program application and upload a copy of their Curriculum Vitae (CV). One letter of recommendation from a home school mentor/advisor is also required; mentors will be contacted with instructions for uploading their letter upon submission of a complete application. The application and all materials must be submitted by April 3, 2026.  Program and award decisions will be sent out in early May 2026.

Apply Now!
 
2026 Project List
Research Mentor and InstitutionDatesBrief Description of Project
Abby A. Kahaleh, South University School of Pharmacy      6/1 – 8/15  
  1. Examining the impact of pharmacist-led services on patients’ economic, clinical, and humanistic outcomes.
  2. Conducting SWOT Analysis to Apply Global Pharmacists’ Prescribing Framework in the U.S.
  3. Examining the use of AI on Competency-Based Education. 
Jagdish C. Joshi, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Pharmacy      5/1 – 7/31  
  1. Cannabinoids in respiratory disease
  2. Gut-microbiota and brain signaling in metabolic disorder.
  3. Regulatory-G proteins in respiratory infectious diseases. 
Fatimah Sherbeny, Florida A&M University      Flexible, 5/1 – 8/15Research conceptualization, literature review, and data analysis in topics related to health outcomes and pharmacoepidemiology.
Nathaniel Rickles, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy     6/1 – 8/15 
  1. Analysis of large databases around the topics of mental health services, substance use disorder, pharmacy, and other topics.  
  2. A clinical trial on depression management.  
  3. Projects related to pharmacy education and screening programs among low-income older adults, to examine impact of medications and/or pharmacy services on patient outcomes.  
Kevin Fuji, Creighton University     Flexible, 5/18 – 8/7  
  1. Literature review and potential survey of the presence and use of on-campus food pantries
  2. Assessment of online patient education-based resources for usability and understandability
  3. Student and mentor-developed ideas which would likely involve development and conduction of a survey and/or interviews with stakeholders based on the topic chosen. 
Prashant Sakharkar, Larkin University College of Pharmacy         6/1 – 7/31Evidence synthesis of published literature, assessment of health outcomes in chronic disease conditions and economic evaluation of drug therapy used in the treatment of chronic diseases. 
Heqin Yang, Larkin University      6/1 – 7/31  A literature review to characterize self-care practices and examine the factors that influence the decisions to initiate, modify, or discontinue self-care behaviors among person with Type II diabetes. 
Farisai Chiwanza, Larkin University         Flexible, 5/1 – 8/15 A scoping review examining how health literacy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures are used in pharmacist-led or medication-focused type 2 diabetes care. 
Michelle L. Blakely, UNT Health        Flexible, 5/1 – 8/15
  1. Conduct a literature review and data analysis of disability-related pharmacy publications.
  2. A brief scholarship of teaching and learning (SOTL) project. 
Ruth Jeminiwa, Thomas Jefferson University         5/18 – 7/31Examine the budget impact of split-dose methadone from the perspective of a healthcare provider.
Deepika Rao, University of Texas at Austin       Flexible, from 7/1 Conduct a literature review, digital design, and user testing for a digital opioid safety intervention for patients using prescription opioids for pain.
Jayoung Han, Fairleigh Dickinson University   7/13 – 8/31Literature review, data management and analysis of secondary datasets related to the impact of cognitive reserve on Alzheimer’s disease progression.
Michael Wolcott, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences        Flexible, 5/1 – 8/15
  1. Methodology papers to review different qualitative research methods
  2. Evaluation of fears/advice from admissions interviews
  3. Immunization perceptions and hesitancy of incoming learners
  4. The student experience and leadership development
Lindsey Hohmann, Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy      6/1 – 7/31 Survey or literature review regarding opioid misuse or other substances of abuse.
Natalie Hohmann, Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy     6/1 – 7/31  Conduct a survey or literature review on an Alzheimer's and dementia-related topic.


 

The scholarship recipients for 2025 were:
  • Ni Penn-Henry, Campbell University College of Health Sciences - host mentor Nate Rickles, University of Connecticut
  • Jothsana Jaimon, Drake University - host mentor Ruth Jeminiwa, Thomas Jefferson University
  • Madelyn Mullinax, Texas Tech University Health Science Center - host mentor Natalie Hohmann, Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy
  • Swastik Goel, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - host mentor Jayoung Han, Fairleigh Dickinson University
  • Reem Nasr, UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences - host mentor Motolani Adedipe, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
  • Gabriela Rajic, Midwestern University at Glendale College of Pharmacy – host mentor Lindsay Hohmann, Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy
     
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