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Washington State University
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty

Interview with an infectious diseases pharmacist

May 22 is Infectious Diseases Pharmacists Day intended to recognize ID pharmacists and their impact on patient care and contributions to the health care team. This year’s theme for ID Pharmacists Day is deprescribing antibiotics amid COVID-19. To understand the role of ID pharmacists and what patients can do to protect their health, we speak to our very own infectious diseases expert and assistant professor at the college, Dana Bowers.

What does an infectious diseases (ID) pharmacist do and how do they differ from other pharmacists?

ID pharmacists focus on the appropriate use of antibiotics. We make sure that when patients are prescribed an … » More …

CPPS Announces Faculty Promotions

From the first days in kindergarten, to the last days of a doctoral program, educators serve a critical role in their students’ lives. They guide students through the curriculum, sharing their own experiences and expertise to help students forge their own paths.

At the Washington State University (WSU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS) faculty members are passionate about inspiring the next generation of health care providers and scientists. By giving faculty the opportunity to excel through professional advancement and research, both faculty and students benefit. University promotions recognizes a faculty member’s growth through activities in teaching, research and service.

“These promotions represent years … » More …

From Doctor of Pharmacy to Doctor of Love

As the associate dean of external relations, Julie Akers has helped to connect people in more ways than one. When she is not advocating for the pharmacy profession or teaching a class on pharmacy law and management, she officiates weddings. Most of the weddings have been of student pharmacists who meet their life partners while in the WSU doctor of pharmacy program.

“In pharmacy school, you get to meet people more intensely than you would in undergrad. Our students spend three didactic years together where they have every class together, meet with the same people, every day, every year, for three years. It pushes you … » More …

WSU faculty, alumni recognized at WSPA Annual Meeting

It is always a time to celebrate when any member of our Cougar community is recognized for their commitment to the profession. This year the Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) honored several Coug pharmacists on October 30 for their contributions to the profession. Congratulations to the following College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences alumni and faculty. » More ...

Q&A with the new executive director of graduate programs

Salah-uddin Ahmed has been named the new executive director of graduate programs at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS). In his new position, will provide oversight and vision for the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Molecular Medicine graduate program at the college.

Ahmed has taught in the graduate program since he first joined the college in April of 2014 first as an associate professor and now as a full professor with tenure. In addition to his new role, Ahmed will continue to teach in courses focused on topics varying from the fundamentals of molecular and cellular mechanisms in diseases and toxicological studies to drug discovery … » More …

How one professor is combating a silent epidemic in eastern Washington

Just as the COVID-19 epidemic exploded on the world stage in early 2020, a silent epidemic was also taking place in parallel to the spread of the deadly virus: drug overdoses, which increased nationally by 42% in May 2020 compared to year before, according to ODMAP. Law enforcement and public health experts believe the growth of overdoses was a result of state-mandated stay-at-home orders. Job losses, reduced income, and increased stress and anxiety have led to increased drug use as a coping mechanism for many. In 2020, fentanyl overtook methamphetamines as the drug most involved in overdoses in Washington state. This is where Assistant Professor in Pharmacotherapy Nicole Rodin has made it her mission to educate communities in eastern Washington about the dangers of illicit fentanyl and the use of naloxone, the antidote to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. » More ...

Q&A with the new associate dean of external relations

Julie Akers, class of 2000, has been named associate dean for external relations at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS). In her new position, she will be managing and maintaining external relationships of the college while continuing her long-standing legislative and professional advocacy efforts.

Akers first joined the college back in 2013, when the program made the transition from Pullman to Spokane. Since then, she has taught in the Doctor of Pharmacy … » More …

Celebrating college excellence

As COVID-19 spread across the globe, colleges found themselves pivoting to distance learning experiences leaving students, faculty and staff to adapt to a rapidly changing environment while navigating the implications of a global pandemic. Though everyone in the college deserves to be recognized for persevering through this difficult year, several have been recognized by their peers for their outstanding leadership, teamwork and service. » More ...

CPPS students and faculty recognized by University

Across the Washington State University (WSU) spring is a time to recognize those who go above and beyond, making an impact in their programs, the University, and their communities. It is with great pride the college announces the WSU President’s Awards for Leadership and WSU Health Sciences Chancellor’s Excellence Awards received by CPPS students and faculty. » More ...

Raising trans awareness in pharmacy education and across campus

By Sara Zaske, WSU News
Originally posted in the WSU Insider March 31, 2021

The guest speaker in Cheyenne Newsome’s pharmacy class confesses he hates Brussel sprouts. He loves his daughter. He is also transgender. He does not like public speaking but feels compelled to speak to the class in honor of his transgender friend who had little support and died by suicide.

Unfortunately, this is not an unusual story. An estimated 40% of transgender and non-binary people attempt suicide, compared to 4.6% of the general public. While there is strong evidence that gender-affirming care can help resolve gender dysphoria and improve … » More …