On the CUSP: May 2026

June 12, 2026

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Ajay Sharma chaired a session “Ocular Surface” at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Denver on May 3-7, 2026.
Dr. Sherry Yun Wang received Chapman University’s 2026 Teaching and Mentoring Award.

Dr. Laressa Bethishou, Dr. Karl Hess, Dr. Richard Beutler, and Dr. Jeff Goad published “Level of Comfort and Barriers to Pediatric Vaccination Among Pharmacy-Based Immunizers in California,” in the California Journal of Health Promotion.
Dr. Keykavous Parang and Clare Dinh published “Antibiotic Resistance in Pediatric Infections: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Directions,” in Preprints.
Dr. Neeloufar Fakourfar, Dr. Brenda Kilzi, Dr. Reza Taheri, Dr. Richard Beuttler, and Dr. Hindu Rao published “Implementation of wellness activities in an experiential rotation to promote pharmacy student well-being,” in Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning.
Dr. Keykavous Parang, Param Patel, and Michael Oh published “Global Cancer Etiology: Molecular Signatures, Therapeutic Disparities, and the role of Socio-economic Determinants,” in Chemical Biology Letters.
Dr. Jeff Goad and others published “Expert Recommendations to Strengthen Chikungunya Outbreak Surveillance and Reporting for Traveler Health Protection,” in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Dr. Neeloufar Fakourfar, Dr. Hindu Rao, and Dr. Mirna Mikhail, published “Self-Assessment of Layered Learning Experience Within an Experiential Rotation,” in AACP Experiential Education Section Newsletter – Summer Edition. May 2026.

Dr. Kamaljit Kaur (PI) and Dr. Surya Nauli (Co-I) received an R15 grant ($535,000) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) – National Institutes of Health for their study “Peptide-drug conjugates targeting EGFR for improved efficacy of chemotherapy.”

Dr. Ajay Sharma, Dr. Karthik Ramasamy, Dr. Srishti Jha, and Wonsuk Choi presented “CSF1/CSF1 receptor axis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of oGVHD-associated conjunctiva and lacrimal gland fibrosis,” at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Denver, CO, May 3-7, 2026.
Dr. Jeff Goad and others presented “Expanding the Pharmacist’s Role in Travel Medicine: Engagement, Education, and Impact,” at the Pharmacy Times CE webinar on May 6, 2026.
Dr. Jeff Goad and others presented “Measles Communication Strategies,” as a co-moderator at the NFID National Measles Summit in San Diego, CA on May 7-8, 2026.
Dr. Jeff Goad and others presented “Bridging Gaps in Meningococcal Protection: Pharmacist-Led Approaches to Vaccination and Public Health Equity,” at the Pharmacy Times CE webinar in Princeton, NJ on May 19, 2026.
Dr. Jeff Goad presented “Immunization and Travel Medicine Update 2026,” at the Rx for Success: University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy Board Review in Stockton, CA on May 29, 2026.

Dr. Ajay Sharma, Lois Kim, and others presented “Soluble klotho, an anti-aging protein, activates NRF2 and induces antioxidant defense mechanisms in corneal epithelial cells,” at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Denver, CO on May 3-7, 2026.
Dr. Ajay Sharma, Wonsuk Choi, Alexis Diaz, and others presented “Ocular Surface Safety and Tolerability Evaluation of MG53 Protein-Containing Hydrogel,” at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Denver, CO on May 3-7, 2026.
Dr. Sherry Yun Wang, Dr. Daniel Umoru, and others presented “Real-world safety trends of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the United States: Analysis of FAERS reports (2015–2025)” as a poster at the ISPOR Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA on May 16-20, 2026.