Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Updates • June 2022
Like everywhere, COVID has been a challenge for the Wayne State University Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The pandemic caused faculty to almost instantly flip classes to online instruction, and the months away from the lab impacted the research of our students. However, our faculty, staff and students have done astonishingly well during this challenging time. Our students were some of the first to safely return to research labs and did so with empathy for others. Our faculty worked hard to meet the needs of the professional pharmacy students and redoubled their efforts to keep graduate students on track and focused on their degrees. Our staff worked tirelessly to make sure that the department was moving forward and that no one was left behind. I am in awe of their efforts. Read the full letter from Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Interim Chair and Professor Steven M. Firestine, PhD.
Celebrating student success
On May 19, we honored standout students during the Pharmaceutical Sciences Awards Ceremony, shown above with more photos on Flickr. The event followed the WSU Applebaum Donors & Scholars Luncheon, when generous benefactors gathered with scholarship recipients to celebrate their achievements. We invite you to watch the Donors & Scholars ceremony livestream, look through the event photo album, and get to know our Pharmaceutical Sciences scholarship recipients.
Dr. Susan L. Davis appointed associate dean for pharmacy
Scholarship award honoring Dr. George Corcoran announced
Decades ago, department mainstay George Corcoran mentored Bradley Wong as they conducted medically important research at the State University of New York at Buffalo in the ’80s. Now Wong and wife Janice Busch – both of whom are pharmacokinetics consultants in San Francisco – are honoring that bond and supporting student success by establishing a scholarship in Dr. Corcoran’s name. Read more about their history, the scholarship and inaugural recipient Tiara Hinton.
Student Spotlight: Jeremy Kelm
PharmD 2016 graduate and current Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD student Jeremy Kelm was awarded a position as a Chemistry Biology Interface Scholar, an NIH T32 fellowship that provides training, professional networking opportunities, and full financial support for the 2022-23 academic year. Read his Q&A for details.
PharmSci turns to junior investigators for data collection assistance
When Wayne State launched a doctoral program combining pharmaceutical sciences with urban sustainability, Zoha Siddiqua became the first PhD candidate to jump on board. Last summer, she worked with Dr. David Pitts to engage Detroit K-12 students in data collection and environmental awareness. See more photos and learn about their research.
“I can’t imagine being anything but a scientist,” said department alumnus Aktham Mestareehi. “I feel fortunate to have this career.” To learn more, read his Alumni Spotlight. Then consider filling out your own Q&A so we can feature you in an upcoming newsletter. It's easy and quick to fill out our form.
More department news
Professor Steven M. Firestine appointed interim chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dr. Timothy Stemmler appointed Wayne State interim assistant vice president for research enhancement and development
Dr. Brian Cummings ’99 assumes role as WSU Applebaum dean in August 2021
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Wanqing Liu to play key role in $4.3M award to increase state's infectious diseases preparedness
Chemist by training, artist by choice: Tiara Hinton finds balance while pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences
FASEB: National Mentoring Month Q&A with Pharmaceutical Sciences alum Ismail Syed, PhD ’11
Dr. Anna Moszczynska named president-elect of the Society for Neuroscience Michigan Chapter
Dr. Janardan B. Nagwekar, pioneering Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty member, dies at 90
Jerry Schumacher, former WSU pharmacy faculty and distinguished alumnus, dies at 83
WSU PharmSci research funded by NIH may lead to new treatment for diabetic wound healing
Prof. Paul Stemmer's NIH grant to bring proteomic research capabilities to Wayne State
Today@Wayne podcast: Graduate School Dean and PharmSci Prof. Amanda Bryant-Friedrich
Conversations With the Dean connects Dr. Brian Cummings with PharmSci students
We want to hear from you!
If you have story ideas for future newsletters or just want to drop us a line, reach out to Interim Chair Steven Firestine.
