Congratulations, class of 2020!
A message from Interim Dean Linda Garrelts MacLean
Keynote Address
Rear Admiral Scott Giberson
Rear Admiral (RADM) Scott F. Giberson is an Assistant U.S. Surgeon General, serving our Nation as an active duty officer for over 25 years. He has served with multiple U.S. Departments including Department of Homeland Security (as a founding member), Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Defense, and the U.S. State Department. Currently, he is the acting Director of Human Capital at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Prior to this, RADM Giberson served as Chief Pharmacist of the U.S. Public Health Service, supporting over 1,500 pharmacists nationwide; Director, Commissioned Corps Headquarters from 2011 through 2015; Senior Advisor to the Office of the Surgeon General; overall Commander of the Corps’ Ebola Response in West Africa in 2014; and acting Deputy U.S. Surgeon General from 2013 until Jan 2015.
RADM Giberson maintained dual licensure as a pharmacist and clinician for over 20 years of his career. He served 15 years of his career in the Indian Health Service as a credentialed and privileged provider, performing clinical duties both in the pharmacy and in family medicine.
Graduating student reflections
Panshak Dakup
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Panshak, an international student from Nigeria, began pursuing his Ph.D. in 2015. His studies focused on understanding the mechanisms of how the body’s biological clock and sex differences influence cancer development and treatment outcomes. Having written eight research articles and contributed to two others, Panshak has won numerous awards including the prestigious American Heart Association Predoctoral Fellowship, WSU’s 3-Minute Thesis competition, and Graduate Program Student of the Year. He served as the Ph.D. Senator on ASWSUHS from 2017-18, and communications secretary for the Graduate Research Student Association from 2016-18. In his free time, Panshak co-host’s the Greetings from America radio show aired in Nigeria and is the drummer for the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences’ Serious about Science (SAS) band. Panshak will continue to pursue cancer research following graduation.
Cody Damman
Doctor of Pharmacy candidate, Spokane
Born and raised in Vancouver, Washington, Cody received an Associate of Arts from Clark College and then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in basic medical sciences from Washington State University. Having previously witnessed the prestige of WSU alumni pharmacists while working as a pharmacy assistant, Cody continued his education at WSU to pursue his Doctor of Pharmacy. During his studies, Cody served as vice regent from 2018-19 for the Beta Pi Chapter of the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity and policy vice president for the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists at WSU from 2018-19. His greatest accomplishment at WSU was the development of his YouTube-based health sciences education platform, the Carbidopa Sofa. Following graduation, he plans to specialize in psychiatric medicine.
Peter Tang
Doctor of Pharmacy candidate, Yakima
From a young age, Peter has always been interested in the pharmacy business. One of his great accomplishments as a student pharmacist was working with fellow students Frank Nenninger and Chad Schmitt in the National Community Pharmacists Association’s 2018 Student Business Plan, winning first place in the national competition. Peter’s leadership positions include class representative for the Pharmacy Student Advisory Council in 2016-17 and 2019-20, chapter president for the National Community Pharmacists Association from 2017-19, and founding chapter secretary of the Student National Pharmaceutical Association from 2017-19. Peter was also an active member in the American Pharmacists Association and Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society. Following graduation, Peter will work as a graduate intern for Rite Aid Pharmacy in the greater Seattle area and become a community pharmacist upon passing his licensure exam.
Congratulations on behalf of Albertsons Companies
Proud sponsor of the 2020 WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences graduation celebration.
Timothy Maynard, Class of 2007
Senior Director of Talent Acquisition, Albertsons Companies
Hannah Mason, Class of 2019
Pharmacy Manager, Albertsons Companies
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Madalyn Brown
Metabolomic approaches to the detection and treatment of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, a heritable disorder of gaba catabolism
Mentor: K. Michael Gibson
Panshak Dakup
Roles of the circadian clock- and sex-related mechanisms in melanomagenesis and therapeutic applications
Mentor: Shobhan Gaddameedhi
Xinyue Dong
Design and engineering of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for improved therapy of ischemic stroke and glioma
Mentor: Zhenjia Wang
Mahamudul Haque
The role of guanylate binding protein 5 in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases
Mentor: Salah-uddin Ahmed
Shannon Marie James Kozlovich
Impact of genotype and tobacco additives on clearance of NNAL, an important tobacco carcinogen
Mentor: Philip Lazarus
Dunxin Shen
Medicinal chemistry of lanthionine ketimine analogues: development of new small molecule treatments for neurodegenerative diseases
Mentor: Travis Denton
Ana Vergara
Utilization of alternative UDP-sugars in the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by UDP-glycosyltransferases
Mentor: Philip Lazarus
Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Jinita Bhupendra Modasia
Understanding the role of the circadian clock in radiation and immunotherapy efficacy in melanoma mouse model
Mentor: Shobhan Gaddameedhi
Doctor of Pharmacy Research Honors Program
Ali Ahmad
Review of literature related to vaccination for people taking ocrelizumab
Mentor: Brian Gates
Nadia Bamfo
Ability of animal models to predict a lack of metabolism in humans for biopharmaceutics drug disposition classification system (BDDCS) class 3 and 4 drugs
Mentor: Connie Remsberg
Justin Chen
Pharmacophore-based virtual screening for gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid Ligands
Mentor: Senthil Natesan
Beverly Etchey
Hazards and health risk assessment associated with electronic cigarettes
Mentor: Ayesha Ahmed
Frank Nenninger
Naloxone use at Virginia Mason Memorial Hospital
Mentor: Shannon Rodriguez
Ila Srivastava
Molecular docking of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) selective agonist JWH-015 to potential targets
Mentor: Senthil Natesan
Doctor of Pharmacy Student Awards
APhA-ASP Senior Recognition: Yongmin Ko
For the greatest contribution to advancing the pharmacy profession through outstanding service to APhA-ASP.
College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Award: Nancy Johnson, Nadia Bamfo, Johanna Pantig, Megan Baker, and Debbie Li
For outstanding grades, membership and participation in pharmacy organizations, and work characteristics as evidenced in the laboratory, classes and internships.
Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information: Facts and Comparisons Award Excellence in Clinical Communication: Yaoyi (Peyton) Xiao
For being in the top 25% of the class and demonstrating superior verbal and written clinical communication skills.
The Merck Manual Award for Academic Excellence: Kelsey Snyder and Irene Mendoza-Sanchez
For students with the highest GPA in the class.
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Excellence in Pharmacy Award: James Nguyen
For being in top 25% of the class academically. The recipient demonstrates high personal motivation and possesses a unique ability to communicate drug information.
Providence Health Care Foundation: Larry G. Bettesworth Providence Sacred Heart Health System Pharmacy Award: Johanna Mae B. Pantig
For a future health system pharmacy resident that demonstrated health system pharmacy excellence in student leadership, state and national pharmacy organization engagement, pharmacy quality or service project(s), and positive impact while on health system rotation at Providence Sacred Heart.
Doctor of Pharmacy Cord Colors
American College of Veterinary Pharmacists (ACVP): Turquoise and Orange
APhA-ASP Graduation Honor Cords: Baby Blue and White
Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, WSU Beta Pi chapter: Scarlet and Cadet Gray
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA): Royal Blue
Phi Delta Chi pharmacy fraternity, WSU Gamma Psi chapter: Maroon and Gold
Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society, WSU Gamma Upsilon chapter: Green and Gold
Rho Chi, the Academic Honor Society in Pharmacy: Purple and White
Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA): Black and White
Doctor of Pharmacy candidates
Spokane
Casey Aaby
Kebron Tamerat Abebe
Ali Abdelkhaleq Ahmad
Candice Boyd Armstrong
Megan Baker
Nadia Okyere Bamfo
Angela Marie Barnick
Courtney Marie Beason (Beers)
David Ater Bol
Thomas James Borden
Jasmeet Braich
Vinh ThiThe Bui
Lindsey May Byers
Justin Chen
Randy Cho
Gabriella Colon
Tracie-Lynanne Comer
Michael Todd Corbitt
Mikayla Cornwall
Anastasia Corolenco
Cody James Damman
Anatoliy Amosovich Datskiy
William Riley Devine
AmberLeah Simpliciano Duldulao
Samantha Ehrenfelt
Lwam Dori Ekubazgi
Jordan Lee Erickson
Beverly Emefa Etchey
Aaron Wade Eversaul
Khaled Fares
Diana Jane Forrest
Emily Justine Gallagher
Hugo Garcia
Abigail Gheorghies
Brieana Michelle Goods
Joanna C Gourley
Vanessa Gutierrez
Surafel Haile
Tyler Gregory Hogan
Andre Huang
Sally Christina Hughes (Blackner)
Tanner Dalton Hull
Nancy Johnson
Spokane
Anne Marie Keef (Fleming)
Kevin James Kelly
Krista L Killmer
Heebeen Kim
Hyunjin Kim
Yongmin Ko
John Norman Kortus
Veronika D Kovaleva
Melonie K Lam
TuongVan Lam
Sean Michael Lattanzi
Brittany Diane Leaf
Hyeran Lee
MeShine NouChi Lee
Michael Anthony Lee
Cynthia SinTing Li
Yen-Chun Lin
Rhonda Khunnary Long
Lucy N Mambo
Anthony Sean McDonald
Andrew Moore
Janet Amanda Murphy
Numneet Nagi
Connor Nathaniel Netz
Angela Nguyen
Geneva Nguyen
James Nguyen
Katelyn Tuyen Nguyen
Linh Thuy Nguyen
Loc Nguyen
Lynn H Nguyen
Michele Nguyen
Ngan Thithao Nguyen
Tricia Le Nguyen
Vivianne Khanh Nguyen
Tea Nikolic
Yoo Jung Oh
Yoon Jung Oh
Michelle Ezinne Okocha
Audrey Paige Oleson
Zachary John Ostarello
Kailey Ann Paavola
Johanna Mae Pantig
Spokane
James Jichul Park
Ji-Min Park
Ankita Tushar Patel
Blaine Anthony Pervinich
Allison Marie Pettersen
Ashton Scott Powell
Lauren Powell
Bianca Pries
Estera Pruteanu
Tyler Hadley Reed
Jonah Southerland Richards
Brandy Renee Seignemartin
Rebecca Lynn Severns
Megan Richelle Sherman
Soyoung Shin
Kylee Ann Shriver
Serge Siliuk
Denis Sinchenko
Racheal Lynn Slater
Kelsey Snyder
Mona Solooksaran
Emily KayeAnn Spenker
Ila Srivastava
Vladimir Stoianov
KellyAnn Tanaka
Katherine Christine Taylor
Jesse Brandon Tegtmeyer
Denise Lu Tran
Michelle Uyen-Thi Tran
Natty Tran
Vi Thuy-Thi Tran
Taylor Renae Trevino
Liya Wuhib Tsegaye
Charlotte Rose Valleroy
Pang Vang
Carolann Kay Warren
Bryanna Weller
Yosef Hailu Woger
Cameron Ryo Yang
Fareed Zerafat
Yakima
Guhdar Burhan Abdullatif
Tiba Almaaroof
David Byon
Luan Ngoc Dang
Ly Ngoc Dang
Barun Dhakal
Mercedes Estella Felix-Contreras
Danielle Nicole Fitzpatrick
Mesfin Demissie Gedil
Ryan Michael Horner
Tina Huynh-Pham
Christy R Kang
Alexandria Michelle Kemper (Blake)
Linda Vu Lang
Debbie Li
JianQing Liang
Irene MendozaSanchez
Zachary Edward Miller
Lejla Mlivic
Frank Stephan Nenninger
Nancy Hang Nguyen
Zebadiah Porter
Chantel Elizabeth Robinson
Chad Schmitt
Jacob Andrew Stutzer
Jessica Ta
Peter Mingyang Tang
Eunka Youssef Tobia
Stefanija Michelle Tubbs
Timothy Nai Tzeo
Kate Vijarro
Tracy Vuong
Yaoyi Xiao
Ling Yin
Rozita Zandkargar
Oath of a Pharmacist
Thank you to all of the students who submitted videos for the Oath of a Pharmacist.
I promise to devote myself to a lifetime of service to others
through the profession of pharmacy.
In fulfilling this vow:
I will consider the welfare of humanity and
relief of suffering my primary concerns.
I will apply my knowledge, experience,
and skills to the best of my ability to assure
optimal outcomes for my patients.
I will respect and protect all personal and
health information entrusted to me.
I will accept the lifelong obligation to improve
my professional knowledge and competence.
I will hold myself and my colleagues to the
highest principles of our profession’s moral,
ethical and legal conduct.
I will embrace and advocate changes that
improve patient care.
I will utilize my knowledge, skills, experiences, and values to
prepare the next generation of pharmacists.
I take these vows voluntarily with the full
realization of the responsibility with which
I am entrusted by the public.
Additional WSU Celebrations
All Campus Virtual Celebration
WSU system-wide virtual celebration video; featuring WSU leaders, Jay Inslee, Ryan Leaf, Luke Falk, Jim “Mad Dog” Mattis, Maria Cantwell, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Macklemore (!) and more.
Virtual celebration webpage; featuring #CougGrad tagboard and graduate profiles.
WSU Health Sciences Spokane Graduate Video
Watch the full length video showcasing each WSU Health Sciences graduate by college/degree, and search for a specific student clips.
Watch the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences specific video.