On the CUSP: June 2024
Grants Dr. Ajay Sharma has received a grant from the National Eye Institute for his project, “Targeting the multicellular process of corneal regeneration and vascularization to enhance outcome of cornea transplantation”. He, alongside other investigators, will test the effect of topical application of a recombinant protein Mitsugumin 53 (MG53) on enhancing the success of corneal
National Institute of Aging Awards Grant to Dr. Rachita Sumbria for Alzheimer’s Disease Therapeutics
Dr. Rachita Sumbria has been awarded an NIH R01 grant from the National Institute of Aging, receiving $1.71 million over the next 5 years for research on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutics. This project is founded on data from her lab’s earlier successes in modifying erythropoietin (EPO) to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with promising results
NIH Study Section Appoints Dr. Jennifer Totonchy
Dr. Jennifer Totonchy has been invited to serve as a regular member of the HIV Coinfections and HIV Associated Cancers (HCAC) Study Section of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Her appointment will span a four-year term, where she will review applications related to HIV associated diseases, such as on pathogen coinfections with HIV, opportunistic
Dr. Kang Secures Gold Status for Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee at Harbor-UCLA
The Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center has been awarded Gold status by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), reserved for programs that demonstrate exemplary practices and have impactful community outcomes. Dr. Amy Kang, an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, secured this award as the co-chair of the committee at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Amelia Monfared ’25 Receives Dr. Elliot S. Vesell Award
Amelia Monfared, PharmD candidate ’25, has been honored with the Dr. Elliot S. Vesell Award for her abstract in the area of pharmacogenomics. Given by the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP), the award recognizes Amelia as a top student researcher in the area of pharmacogenomics. Her project abstract, “Analyzing the Association Between Single Nucleotide
Drs. Roosan and Sumbria Awarded the CUSP Collaboration Award
Dr. Moom Roosan and Dr. Rachita Sumbria have been named recipients of the CUSP Collaboration Award, which awards inter-departmental collaborations within Chapman University School of Pharmacy for high-impact research that expands beyond one facet of understanding a critical issue in pharmacy healthcare. This award provides funding to generate pilot data for future larger awards. Dr.
Collaboration Award Honors Drs. Yamaki and Elshahawi
Dr. Jason Yamaki and Dr. Sherif Elshahawi have been honored with the 2024 CUSP Collaboration Award for their innovative research proposal, “Developing Drug Leads to Inhibit C. difficile Bacterial Infection.” The research aims to open more opportunities for discovering solutions in antibiotic resistance for infectious disease treatments. The CUSP Collaboration Award is designed to foster