Mentorship and Research from MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences Shapes a PharmD Candidate’s Success
January 24, 2025
Since earning her Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS), Taran Harris has continued to earn her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at CUSP and credits the skills and research opportunities earned during her Master’s towards the success she feels now as a PharmD candidate.
Taran has traveled and presented at conferences across the United States and even globally. About this experience, she says that “presenting at conferences has helped me learn how to effectively communicate my research findings to a wide range of audiences and to distill complex information into engaging and understandable presentations while answering questions on the spot.”
Taran’s research, which began during her MSPS and now continues as a PharmD candidate, focuses on the proteomics profiles of hemp proteins extracts, investigating their anticancer effects on breast cancer cells. Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteomes – A proteome is a set of proteins, meaning that proteomics includes the study of protein structure, function, and interaction with other proteins within cells.
Throughout her time at CUSP, Taran has worked closely with several faculty members, including Drs. Aftab Ahmed, Innokentiy “Inno” Maslennikov, and Keykavous Parang. “Dr. Aftab Ahmed, my professor and mentor, has been a significant influence, along with my thesis committee members, Dr. Maslennikov and Dr. Parang. Working closely with Dr. Aftab Ahmed has been incredibly valuable in building a strong mentor-mentee relationship. Over time, this has fostered transparency, trust, and a collaborative environment, which has significantly enhanced my growth as a student and researcher.”
“Earning my MSPS at CUSP was an incredible experience. The small cohort of students and professors created a close-knit environment where collaboration and freely asking for help were encouraged. The faculty were approachable, and their support helped me thrive academically and personally.” So what was next for Taran? After her time at CUSP, she decided there was only one place she wanted to pursue her doctorate. “The PharmD at Chapman University appealed to me because it offers respect, strong earning potential, and opportunities in both industry and clinical settings that a PhD doesn’t typically provide. This enables me to blend my love of science with my passion for patient care.”
At CUSP, our faculty develops mentor-mentee relationships and values an open stream of communication with our students. Students like Taran can participate in research with faculty in dedicated wet or dry labs in accordance with their interests. Interested in learning more about earning your degree with CUSP? Click here for more information.
This article was written by Silas Fernandes.