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Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences News

Research identifies critical protein in cancer treatment-related heart damage

By Judith Van Dongen, WSU Spokane Office of Research

SPOKANE, Wash. – Many cancers can be successfully treated, but treatment itself often comes with risks as well. Cancer therapy that uses anthracyclines—a class of commonly used chemotherapy drugs—has been associated with heart damage that can eventually result in heart failure. It is thought to be the reason why heart disease is a leading cause of death in cancer survivors, immediately following cancer recurrence.

Scientists have not fully understood how exposure to anthracyclines can lead to heart failure, but a new study led by researchers at Washington State University has made a giant leap toward … » More …

WSU Health Sciences names Mark Leid dean of WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Original Announcement from WSU Health Sciences

Washington State University Health Sciences has named Mark Leid the next dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Leid, PhD, is currently an Oregon State University (OSU) College of Pharmacy professor and the associate dean for research. He is also a WSU Pharmacy alum.

“As a native of eastern Washington and a 1983 graduate of the College of Pharmacy, WSU has always held a special place in my heart. WSU trained me and made my entire career possible,” Leid said. “The current public health crisis highlights the clear need for the continued expansion of the role of … » More …

Embedded: A first-person account of COVID-19 testing in Eastern Washington

By Lee Roy Esposo, class of 2021

Last week the Spokane Regional Health District along with Spokane Medical Reserve Corps set up a drive-thru testing site for COVID-19 at the Spokane County Interstate Fairgrounds. This is one of two testing sites in eastern Washington. Individuals who are concerned that they may have contracted the virus are able to drive down and be evaluated by medical personnel. Medical staff working on site hail from multiple healthcare systems like, Spokane Regional Health, Providence, CHAS, and more.

In mid-March as cities across the nation were looking for ways to ramp up COVID-19 testing, I received an email requesting … » More …

The beauty of everyday things: where pharmacy and artistry meet

What do pharmacy and painting have in common? According to first-year pharmacy student Karen Vo: a lot.

When Vo started in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at WSU in fall of 2019 she was among many new student pharmacists being asked to tell their new classmates about themselves.

“It’s still weird to say, I’m an artist,” she recalls.

But that is precisely what she is.

Vo’s artwork depicts wildlife—an interest she attributes to being raised in the scenic Washington state. She explained that as she has spent more time on her artwork in recent years she has become more aware of the wildlife that surrounds … » More …

April 2020 Updates

FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP

Publications

Pharmaceutical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Associate Peng Xia, Pharmaceutical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Associate Jingrui Chen, Pharmaceutical Sciences Assistant Professor Zhaokang Cheng and two co-authors published, “Doxorubicin induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis and atrophy through cyclin-dependent kinase 2-mediated activation of forkhead box O1,” in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a weekly peer-reviewed scientific journal that is published by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. View abstract

Pharmacotherapy Clinical Professor Terri Levien and J. Roberts and Marcia Fosberg Distinguished Professor of Pharmacotherapy Danial Baker published, “Drug evaluation – asenapine transdermal system (Secuado),” in Wolters Kluwer Health’s The Formulary Monograph Service (FMS) in February 2020. Wolters Kluwer Health … » More …

First-ever Allen I. White speaker returns to WSU to share his revolutionary research

39 years ago, Leslie Z. Benet was the first-ever presenter for the Allen I. White lectureship. This March, he was welcomed back to the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences to present his groundbreaking theory on the impact of protein binding and drug transporters on in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE), an approach used commonly in drug development to predict the pharmacokinetics of drugs in the body from experimental models. For people studying and working in pharmaceutical sciences, Benet is basically a rock star.

“We grew up reading [Les Benet’s] books,” said pharmaceutical sciences graduate student Shamema Nasrin. “He revolutionized the pharmacokinetic field, so his … » More …

WSU student pharmacist serves as first-ever ACVP student board member

For the first time, the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists (ACVP) national board has added a student member who hails from the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

After receiving the Pharmacist Mutual/ACA Foundation Community Pharmacy Scholarship last year, fourth year pharmacy student Joanna Gourley had the opportunity to attend the ACVP annual meeting and board meeting. While there she proposed the addition of a student to the national board. The ACVP was established to support independent pharmacists to develop and strengthen services they provide for animals and veterinarians.

“Student members are the future of every organization and I wanted to improve the connection … » More …

10,126 miles and worlds away: Yakima student pharmacists gain a global perspective in South Africa

Approximately 1 in 5 individuals in South Africa have HIV. The country is one of the largest epicenters of the HIV epidemic in the world with 7.7 million people living with the disease. That’s nearly the population of New York City. In the summer of 2019, WSU student pharmacists visited Cape Town, South Africa, to work with patients, doctors and pharmacists at health care institutions, allowing them to see the frontlines of HIV treatment and prevention, including application of precision medicine. » More ...

What role does sleep play in sun damage and skin repair?

In 2010, the International Agency for Research on Cancer under the World Health Organization recognized night shift work that disrupts the circadian rhythm as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” This official recognition of the link between cancer and sleep disruption was a defining moment for Dr. Shobhan Gaddameedhi, an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. » More ...

March 2020 Updates

FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP

Publications

J. Roberts and Marcia Fosberg Distinguished Professor of Pharmacotherapy Danial Baker published, “Drug evaluation – tenapanor (Ibsrela),” in Wolters Kluwer Health’s The Formulary Monograph Service (FMS) in January 2020. Wolters Kluwer Health is a drug and health information publisher, the FMS is a resource used in the formulary decision making process for hospitals and managed care systems on recently released and investigational drugs.

Danial Baker published, “Drug evaluation – trifarotene (Aklief),” in the FMS in January 2020.

Danial Baker and Drug Information Center Resident Brittany Craft published, “Drug evaluation – brolucizumab (Beovu),” in the FMS in January.

Pharmacotherapy Clinical Professor Terri Levien, … » More …

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