Since 2017, Waterloo School of Pharmacy has hosted the annual Graduate Pharmacy Research Day. This year, on May 3, the Pharmacy Graduate Student Association (PhGA) brought together faculty, alumni and graduate students for the event.
Pharmacy research day allows for graduate students to share their research, practice public speaking, network and gain inspiration from their colleagues.
The event also allows graduate students to seek out future collaborations and partnerships to ensure the students receive the best interdisciplinary opportunities in pharmacy research.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Peivand Sadat Mousavi presented on her work in using cell-free systems to enhance drug discover methods. Exposure to innovative ideas is important to inspire future researchers.
A group of grad students, faculty and researchers at Waterloo Pharmacy, photo credit: Alistar Chan
“Research day has offered students a supportive environment to share their current projects while also receiving comprehensive feedback to become more effective science communicators,” says Hirniak.
“Early career exposure to innovative ideas is part of what ensures the graduate students are well-equipped for their future careers, whether it be in academia or industry.”
Poster presentations were hosted midday where graduate students discussed their work with fellow students and faculty.
Poster presentations by graduate students at Waterloo Pharmacy, photo credit: Sadaf Faisal
This year’s oral presentations by graduate students included:
- Ryan Nodder: Development and characterization of novel paper-based biopolymer for sustainable 3D printing
- Pierre Chelle: Development of a model informed precision dosing of oral ibuprofen for treatment of persistent patent ductus arteriosus
- Mohamed Aborig: A review of clinical trials of gold nanoparticles
- Yasaman Eskandari: Walk in my shoes: Using serious games to improve pharmacy student understanding and empathy toward experiences of living with dementia
- Ethan Watt: Toxin-induced liposomal release of nisin for enhanced antimicrobial activity
- Ali Syed: Understanding practice readiness in Waterloo PharmD students and new graduates
- Alistair Chan: Developing nanoparticle-loaded micro needed for HIV prevention
- Mira Maximos: An interrupted time series analysis to assess the impact of guideline and drug coverage change on prescribing fiaxomicin and vancomyin for clostrididoes diccicle infections in Ontario
- Morgan Robinson: The interplay between the lipid membrane and cell signaling in Alzheimer’s disease
- Samuel Dubinsky: Anakinra removal by continuous renal replacement therapy: an ex-vivo analysis
- Sakina Fatima: Evaluating the dynamics of interdomain contacts induing the aggregation of the hnRNPA1 protein
- Sam Hirniak: Health utilities in adults with hemophilia A
A workshop led by the Centre for Career Action focusing on “Creating Connections in your Career” concluded the day.
The PhGA team is incredibly grateful for the support of the School, the staff who worked behind the scenes and all those who attended and presented. They would also like to thank the event sponsors, the Graduate Studies Endowment Fund from the School.