LonghornPharmacy

FOCUS

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August22 New Student Orientation22 White Coat Ceremony23 Gone to Texas24 First Day of Fall Classes

September 5 Labor Day- campus closed22-23 Advisory Council

October 15 NCPA meeting

28 Alumni Reception &Awards Ceremony

29 Tailgate Party29 Free CE with Tailgate ticket

November 19 AAPS meeting24-25 Thanksgiving - campus closed

December4 ASHP meeting5 Last class day

23 Winter break begins

AdmissionsRenee Acosta(512) 471-1737

renee.acosta@austin.utexas.eduandAnn Spencer(512) 471-4425ann.spencer@austin.utexas.edu

Alumni/Donor Address ChangesVirginia Anderson(512) 475-9759vanderson@austin.utexas.edu

Alumni Events & InformationVirginia Anderson(512) 475-9759vanderson@austin.utexas.edu

Donations, Gifts, Endowed ScholarshipsSusan Brown(512) 475-9758skbrown@austin.utexas.edu

College/High School RecruitingGreg Caldera(512) 475-9754greg.caldera@austin.utexas.edu

Continuing Pharmacy EducationGlen Baumgart(512) 471-6213gbaumgart@austin.utexas.edu

CurriculumPatrick Davis(512) 471-1737patrick.davis@austin.utexas.edu

Financial Aid/ScholarshipsJennifer Ridings-Myhra(512) 471-9752jennifer.ridings-myhra@austin.utexas.eduandUT Student Financial Assistancewww.utexas.edu/student/finaid

Graduate Program AdmissionsStephanie Crouch(512) 471-6590swcrouch@austin.utexas.edu

Internships/PreceptorsJennifer Ridings-Myhra(512) 471-9752jennifer.ridings-myhra@austin.utexas.edu

Student Professional AffairsDiane Ginsburg(512) 471-1737diane.ginsburg@austin.utexas.edu

Student Affairs Office (512) 471-1737

College of PharmacyThe University of Texas at Austin2409 University AvenueStop A1900Austin, Texas 78712-1113

College Quick Reference

Pharmacy students participated in a university-wide Thanks Day in thespring offering their gratitude to donors.

The Dean’s message

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Dear Alumni and Friends:

The past year has been a busy and productive one for the UT College of Pharmacy. Ourstudents and faculty continue to make major accomplishments, whether it be volunteering tohelp those who are less fortunate, assisting patients with their medication regimens, orachieving success through professional organizations. Our faculty’s research accomplish-ments are among the best in the country with researchers making major discoveries toadvance health including Dr. Maria Croyle’s development of a vaccine for Ebola, Dr. SomMukhopadhyay’s discovery of a gene associated with Parkinson’s disease, and Dr. KevinDalby’s high throughput screening of potential new drugs to battle cancer.

When Arlyn Kloesel retired, the college established the Arlyn Kloesel Endowment forExcellence in Pharmacy Practice. The goal of the Kloesel Endowment is to fund projectsthat address practice models and business models in pharmacy practice. I was excited inJanuary to announced the recipient of the first grant from the endowment. Dr. Jamie Barnerand her graduate student, Tatiana Makhinova, were awarded $25,000 to study the role ofcommunity pharmacists in improving the treatment adherence of patients with asthma. Theresults of this study should assist community pharmacists in implementing a more uniformand effective approaches to helping asthma patients manage their care.

Our 2016 graduating Pharm.D. class is an amazing group of young women and men.Together, these classmates set a record for the most UT Pharm.D. graduates matching forpost graduate PGY-1 residencies. In addition, they pledged a record of more than $76,000in gifts back to the College of Pharmacy. We expect to see great accomplishments of these119 Pharm.D. graduates as their careers evolve.

The past year also brought sadness for the college. The death of Dr. Leroy Knodel, of apharmacotherapy faculty in San Antonio, was a shock for faculty, staff, and students. Leroywas loved by so many, and he was one of the college’s best teachers and mentors. He ismissed by all of us as we continue to adjust to life in the college without his presence.

As we approach the 2016-17 academic year, we look forward to additional successes andaccomplishments by our students, faculty, and staff. While we are proud of being consideredthe #3 college of pharmacy in the country, it is our goal to be the best. We work each andevery day toward accomplishing that vision. Thanks for all that you do in helping make thiscollege great.

Hook em!

Dean M. Lynn Crismon, Pharm.D.

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Administrative changes Familiar faces in new roles within college leadership

Familiar faces are showing up in new roles within theCollege of Pharmacy.

Serving in new capacities within the college are:

• Dr. John Richburg, professor of pharmacology/toxicol-ogy, and new associate dean for research and graduatestudies.

• Renee´ Acosta, clinical professor of health outcomesand pharmacy practice, and new assistant dean foradmission and advising.

• Dr. Karen Rascati, professor of health outcomes andpharmacy practice, and new graduate student advisor.

• Dr. Karen Vasquez, professor of pharmacology andtoxicology, and new head of the Division ofPharmacology and Toxicology.

• Dr. John DiGiovanni, professor of pharmacology andtoxicology and new director of the Center for Molecularand Cellular Toxicology.

• Dr. Chris Frei, continuing as head of the Division ofPharmacacotherapy and new director of theTranslational Science Ph.D. Program.

“It’s an exciting time in the history of the college,” saidDean Lynn Crismon in discussing the administrativechanges. “We have recently completed a comprehensivestrategic plan where we clarified our college’s directionand priorities for the next few years. I’m excited to wel-come these additions to our administrative team to helpsteer the college as we implement this ambitious plan forour college’s future.”

John Richburg, Associate Dean forResearch and Graduate Studies

John Richburg moves into his newrole directing research and gradu-ate studies after several years ashead of the Division ofPharmacology and Toxicology. Hereplaces Dr. Carlton Erickson whoassumed a consultative capacity ashe began his phased retirement.

“John has an excellent research track record with careergrant awards totaling more than $6.7 million,” said DeanCrismon in announcing the appointment. “As we imple-ment our new strategic plan with a strong emphasis on

advancing our research and graduate program, I lookforward to the leadership that John will provide to thecollege’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies.”

“These are exciting times for research within the col-lege,” said Richburg. “The opening of the Dell MedicalSchool, combined with the college’s translational sciencedoctoral program and its infrastructure focused on sup-porting the development and commercialization of itsinnovative research discoveries, allow our faculty andstudents to tangibly contribute to the improvement ofpublic health. “I look forward to supporting the furtheradvancement of our exemplary graduate and researchprograms.”

Renee´ Acosta, Assistant Dean forAdmissions and Academic Affairs

Renee´ Acosta has taught exten-sively within the professionalPharm.D. curriculum includingcourses in self-care, intravenousadmixture, CPR, immunizations,and patient safety. Currently, shefocuses on the use of technologyand standardized patients in teach-ing skills-based courses to further student learning anddevelopment. She follows Dr. Rich Wilcox who willreturn to a full-time faculty appointment in the Divisionof Pharmacology &Toxicology.

“I am delighted that Renee´ has agreed to join theDean’s office,” said Dean Crismon. “She is one of ourmost outstanding teachers as evidenced by her receivingthe Regents Outstanding Teaching Award and herappointment as a Provost’s Teaching Fellow. She hasalways impressed me with her tireless dedication andservice to students and to the college.”

“Students are at the core of everything within the col-lege,” Acosta said. “I have always found immense satis-faction in working directly with students and I’m eagerto continue working with and serving students from theperspective of this new role.”

John Richburg

Renee´ Acosta

Continued on page 5.

Karen Rascati, Graduate Student Advisor

Karen Rascati has a distinguishedrecord as a researcher, scholar,major professor and teacher. Forthe last several years, she hasserved as graduate advisor withinthe Division of Health Outcomesand Pharmacy Practice. She takeson this role for the full college, assuming responsibilitiespreviously held by Carl Erickson.

“Addressing the infrastructure of our graduate programis extremely important, and, as a component of this, I amseparating the responsibilities of the graduate advisorfrom those of the associate dean for research and gradu-ate studies,” Dean Crismon said. “I can think of no onemore qualified than Karen Rascati to assume this role aswe address this pivotal time in the growth of our col-lege.”

“The contributions of graduate students is immeasurablewithin the life of a college,” Rascati said. “Continuedemphasis on the recruitment of high quality students,and the provision of exceptional educational opportuni-ties are emphasized in our new strategic plan.”

Karen Vasquez, Head, Division ofPharmacology and Toxicology

Karen Vasquez joined the col-lege’s pharmacology and toxicolo-gy faculty in 2011 after serving inthe Department of MolecularCarcinogenesis at UT’s MDAnderson Cancer Center. Shereplaces John Richburg in leadingthe Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

“Dr. Vasquez is a distinguished scientist and an enthusi-astic and energetic faculty member,” said Dean Crismon.“Since coming to UT Austin, she has been impressivewith her creative ideas and the positive approach that shetakes in initiating change.”

“With the establishment of the new Dell Medical Schooland the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institute, the Collegeof Pharmacy and the Division of Pharmacology and

Toxicology are positioned to contribute even more sub-stantially to biomedical research and education,” saidVasquez. “Our expertise in drug discovery and develop-ment will certainly complement the missions of thesenew entities within the UT System to improve humanhealth. I am delighted to take on this new role in work-ing with my faculty colleagues to advance these disci-plines within the college.”

John DiGiovanni, director, Center for Molecular and Cellular Toxicology

Prior to joining UT Austin, JohnDiGiovanni served as director ofthe Science Park-ResearchDivision and chair of theDepartment of Carcinogenesis atthe University of Texas MDAnderson Cancer Center. His active research lab focuseson how cancer develops and on the identification ofnovel targets, mechanisms and strategies for cancer pre-vention. In this role, he has collaborated with fellowresearchers within the college, within the university, andacross the nation and world. DiGiovanni replaces JohnRichburg in taking on the CMCT leadership.

“John has an illustrious history of outstanding extramu-ral funding and research that focuses on understandingmechanisms involved in cancer development and pro-gression with the goal of identifying targets and mecha-nisms for cancer prevention and treatment,” said DeanCrismon. “He is most qualified to hold this leadershipposition.”

“The longstanding mission of the CMCT has been toprovide leadership for the expansion of programs to pre-pare students for careers that address the molecular andcellular mechanisms by which environmental agentsinduce toxicity and disease,” said DiGiovanni. “TheCMCT fosters interdisciplinary research and training tohelp prepare the next generation of scientists for tacklingthe complex nature of understanding environmental dis-ease. As director of the CMCT, I look forward toadvancing these activities together with the center mem-bership as well as the administration of the College ofPharmacy and the university.”

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Karen Rascati

Karen Vasquez

John DiGiovanni

Continued from page 4.

Continued on page 6.

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Dr. Chris Frei, Director,Translational Science Ph.D.Program

Chris Frei, new director of theTranslational Science Ph.D.Program, likes to urge people outof their silos, one of the trade-marks of the Translational ScienceProgram.

The program draws students with health professionaldoctoral degrees or health-related Master’s degrees andtrains them to conduct innovative translational research.The UT program is one of only a handful of such pro-grams in the country with the goal of improving efficien-cy in the drug development process.

Frei, follows Dr. Michael Lichtenstein as director. Theprogram draws from the faculty and research resources ofThe University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy,

UT San Antonio (UTSA), and UT Health ScienceCenter San Antonio (UTHSCSA). These institutionsjointly award the degree. Also participating but notoffering a degree, is the UT School of Public Health,San Antonio Regional Campus.

Students and their supervising professors, he continued,are forced “out of their silos” to speak with researchersfrom other disciplines, with a goal of fostering new col-laborations to speed up the translation of new discoveriesinto true gains for human health.

“At the end of the day, this program helps assure that thepatient is best served. It shouldn’t take 15 to 20 years toget a new scientific discovery to the patients who needthem,” Frei said.

“I am deeply honored to serve the program and its stu-dents as program director,” Frei said. “This programwould not be here today if it were not for the vision andtireless efforts of Michael Lichtenstein as program direc-tor and Susan Stappenbeck as program coordinator.”

Chris Frei

National rankingsCollege moves to #3 in U.S. News survey

Continued from page 5.

Longhorn pharmacy is recognized among the elite ofnational pharmacy programs in a new report issued byU.S. News and World Report.

The latest rankings, released on March 16 in the 2017edition of “Best Graduate Schools,” represent a step for-ward for UT Pharmacy which had been ranked No. 4 inprevious rankings by the publication.

“National rankings are not the primary reason that wework hard every day in pursuit of excellence,” saidPharmacy Dean M. Lynn Crismon. “Rather, they are aresult of what we do. We are driven by our desire toinspire Pharm.D. students and graduate students tolearn, our passion to discover and innovate, and ourthirst to serve our university, our community, our profes-sion and to improve the health of society.”

The pharmacy program is in a general graduate studiescategory of health disciplines. UT health programs thatearned rankings include:

• Pharmacy – #3• Social work – #7• Speech-Language Pathology – #7• Clinical Psychology – #8• Audiology – #13

Nursing is a category of its own with the UT programearning a 17th place rank while UT nursing administra-tion placed at No. 13.

The college shares the third place position within thepharmacy ranking with University of Michigan at AnnArbor and the University of California – San Francisco.They follow first ranked University of North Carolina –Chapel Hill and second ranked University of Minnesota.

More than 40 graduate programs within The Universityof Texas at Austin rank among the top 10 in the nation,including three programs ranked No. 1, The report’sgraduate rankings, separate from the magazine’s yearlyranking of undergraduate programs, are among the mostprestigious ratings in higher education. They are basedon surveys of academic leaders and, for select programs,additional quantitative measures including placementtest scores, student/faculty ratios, research expendituresand job placement success.

UT Programs earning a No. 1 rank include:

• McCombs School of Business – accounting• Cockrell School of Engineering –

petroleum engineering• College of Liberal Arts – Latin American history

College leadership changes

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Erickson modifies serviceAgrees to guide self-study and upcoming accreditation site visits

The College of Pharmacy is the newest member of amulti-university collaborative designed to advance phar-maceutical research and education initiatives.

The college has joined the National Institute forPharmaceutical Technology and Education (NIPTE), anot-for-profit organization dedicated to research andeducation in pharmaceutical product development andmanufacturing. The college is the 15th institution to jointhe NIPTE consortium. Members include leading phar-macy schools and engineering departments throughoutthe country with a proven track record in successfullyobtaining grant funding, particularly awards from theU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Dean M. Lynn Crismon announced the college’s latestassociation, citing NIPTE’s mission of supporting col-laborative research to advance the quality, safety, afford-ability and speed to market of medicines throughinterdisciplinary research and education in pharmaceuti-cal technology. Crismon will sit on the institute’s Boardof Directors

Within the College of Pharmacy, the affiliation will becentered primarily within the Drug Dynamics Institute

(DDI) and the Division of Pharmaceutics.

Dr. Janet Walkow, executive director and chief technol-ogy office of the DDI, said, “The mission and vision ofNIPTE aligns well with mission of both UT Austin andthe UT College of Pharmacy. The initiative opens thedoor for further collaborate initiatives between our facul-ty and those of fellow member institutions and also pro-vides greater opportunities for students to work onimportant pivotal research programs.

Much of the institute’s work involves collaborations withthe FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.Specific research areas include in vivo/in vitro correla-tions, process analytical technology, quality by design,biosimilars, excipients, and training program for CDERreview.

Walkow said that the ability to combine expertise andwork collectively with researchers across the NIPTEmember institutions is expected to lead to increasedextramural funding, and more importantly, hasten thedevelopment of new medications.

Among member institution, six have prestigious NIH-sponsored Clinical and Translational Science Award(CTSA) programs. As an integrated consortium,NIPTE can help advance commercialize of drugs devel-oped through UT Austin labs as well as other memberacademic institutions.

College joins NIPTE New collaborative to draw increased FDA funding, research partnerships

Dr. Carl Erickson, special assis-tant to the dean and professor ofpharmacology, has agreed toguide the college’s self-study andsite visits for research and gradu-ate programs through the comple-tion of the college’s mandatorygraduate school program reviewduring Fall 2016.A member of the college facultysince 1978, Erickson announced in Fall 2015 his inten-tions to begin phasing out his college and divisionresponsibilities. He spent a portion of the 2015-2016academic year mentoring his replacement, Dr. JohnRichburg, as associate dean for research and graduate

studies. At the college, Erickson has served in numer-ous roles including director of the Drug DynamicsInstitute (1986-88) to his current positions as AustinSite Program Director of the Addiction ScienceResearch and Education Center, and Pfizer CentennialProfessor of Pharmacology/Toxicology. Dean LynnCrismon appointed Erickson as the college’s first associ-ate dean for research and graduate studies in January2008.He is internationally recognized for his distinguishedcareer in alcohol/addiction research, education andtreatment. Additionally, he has expanded his reach inthis field to lead efforts globally regarding public andprofessional education about addiction sciences.

Carl Erickson

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Why I volunteerBy Taylor Dean

Editor’s Note: Taylor Dean will be a P4 pharmacy student this fall.

I was raised to serve those in need without the expecta-tion of receiving anything in return. Still, I feel that vol-unteering gives me so much. When I volunteer, thepeople I help give me perspective on what I value in mylife. I have met many people who may not have a lot ofmoney, status, or support, but still maintain a positiveattitude. They heighten my appreciation for what I have,big or small. Additionally, they motivate me to want tocontinue to give back. I love working with such greatpeople in the community and they are the reason why Ichoose to volunteer.

Within the college, I coordinate community serviceevents through the Student National PharmaceuticalAssociation (SNPhA). Although I currently serve aschapter president, I have served in various capacitieswithin this organization for almost five years. I continueto contribute to SNPhA because my values align withour organization’s core mission, which is to coordinateevents that impact underserved communities as well as toserve as positive representatives of minority health careprofessionals. I work closely with our members in orderto exemplify this mission by developing ways to giveback to the community by providing health education,

community outreach, mentorship, health screenings, anddonations to charities.

Of the many service opportunities in SNPhA, the one Ihave grown from the most has been assisting withSNPhA’s Pharmacy Formal. This new event was thebrainchild of Julie John, Brittany Monene, and myself.It was designed to create a fun formal event proceedsfrom which would go to Camp Reynal, a camp for kidswith kidney and other urological diseases. Our eventraised awareness of chronic kidney disease as we inviteda guest speaker from the National Kidney Foundation, aformer Camp Reynal counselor, and fellow studentpharmacist, FeeFe Yorka. The formal proved to be suc-cessful beyond our expectations raising $800 for CampReynal.

In addition to my involvement in SNPhA, I participatein health screenings provided by Project Collaborate.Initially, I was drawn to these services because I wantedto master administering blood glucose and cholesterolscreenings. As I became more skilled, I focused on get-ting to know each patient, many of whom lack primarycare physicians and/or health insurance. This realitymakes my involvement in the provision of screenings,counseling, and referrals even more meaningful because Iam able to play a role in the prevention of diseases thatimpact quality of life and health care expenditures.

In addition to service opportunities provided by organi-zations in the college, I serve as a pharmacy technicianfor the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic (VHC). There, I amable to play a role in providing free health services for theuninsured. One of my favorite things about volunteeringat the VHC is that I get to work with a great team.Despite most volunteers having already finished a fullshift at work, everyone comes prepared with a positiveattitude. Moreover, it is obvious that each volunteercares about ensuring that each patient it treated withrespect and given excellent care.

Overall, I am thankful to be a part of these service initia-tives, among others. I have had the opportunity to meetamazing people in the community who need and deservehelp. I have gotten to work alongside passionate leaderswho choose to make a difference. These invaluable lifeexperiences have developed me into a better person andconstantly reinforce my belief in the importance of usingmy career as a health care professional to benefit others.

When I volunteer,

the people I help

give me perspective

on what I value

in my life.

-Taylor Dean

”

“

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In Celebration of Service14 student organizations

UT APhA-APS • APSA • CPFI • CPSA • HAP • Kappa Epsilon • NCPA Phi Delta Chi • Rho Chi • SASPA • SNPhA • SPRN • SSHP

working in collaboration with community action, agencies, businesses throughout Texasfor health screenings, information, healthy living programs

2 college-wide programsProject Collaborate

6,632 patient screenings1,409 patients served521 patients referred

Know Your Medicine• 11 events in communities includingAustin, San Antonio, El Paso, Rio Grande Valley

• 134 student volunteers• 1,680 case reviews • 525 follow ups

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GraduationNew regalia, student successes highlight 2016 ceremony

Commencement remarks from theinaugural dean of Dell Medical School,a record giving back campaign fromthe graduating class, and new orangeregalia were highlights as members ofthe Class of 2016 moved from P4 toalumni in a ceremony conducted May20 at the Performing Arts Center.

Dean Clay Johnston, dean of the uni-versity’s new Dell Medical School, wasthe commencement speaker while JoelMoore, newly-elected president of thegraduating class, provided studentremarks.

Student awards included highest andsecond highest, grade point average toCourtney Ritchey and Luke Porter.Outstanding research awards were pre-sented to Stefan Allen, AshleeBrunaugh and Stephanie Hufnagel.

Other awards included excellence inpatient care to Maren Cowley,Katherine Lutek and JoAnne Savage;dedicated service to Eren Attia,Kathryn Broze, Isaac Miller and SanaQureshi; and exemplary leadership toCody Gummelt, Kyllie Ryan-Hummeland Samanatha Vogel.

The Alumni Association’s Mortar andPestle awards went to AngelicaCuenco, Joel Moore and JosephNguyen. Permanent class officers areJoel Moore (president); Karla Cuaron(vice president) and Isaac Miller (sec-retary/ treasurer).

The class pledged more than $76,000to the college with many gifts pledgedin honor/memory of family members.See related story on page 30.

M.S./PH.D. GRADUATES 2015-2016Chris Brough Ph.D. Dr. Bill Williams Summer 2015Jiyoon Cho PhD. Dr. John DiGiovanni Summer 2015Ke-Yi Lin Ph.D. Dr. Ben Liu Summer 2015Dawn Romo-Kim Ph.D. Dr. Karen Rascati Summer 2015

Tianyi Cheng M.S. Dr. John DiGiovanni Fall 2015Christine Dao Ph.D. Dr. Ted Mills Fall 2015Matt Herpin Ph.D. Dr. Hugh Smyth Fall 2015Grace Mbaguw M.S. Dr. Karen Rascati Fall 2015Tira Meyers M.S. Dr. Rick Morrisett Fall 2015Komal Singh Ph.D. Dr. Jim Wilson Fall 2015Rakesh Singh Ph.D. Dr. Ken Lawson Fall 2015

Joyce Er Ph.D. Dr. Walt Fast Spring 2015Grace Lee Ph.D. Dr. Chris Frei Spring 2016ChanHyun Park Ph.D. Dr. Ken Lawson Spring 2016Anthony Romo Ph.D. Dr. Ben Liu Spring 2016Ellen Roska Ph.D. Dr. Jim Wilson Spring 2016Jenny Wong M.S. Dr. Karen Rascati Spring 2016Shiu Ling Wong M.S. Dr. Jamie Barner Spring 2016

M.S., Ph.D. students honored with reception following Graduate School ceremonyStudents completing master’s or Ph.D.programs with studies in pharmaceuticalsciences participated in graduation exer-cices sponsored by the Graduate Schoolon Saturday afternoon, May 21.Following the ceremony, the collegehosted a reception for graduates andtheir families. Most of the graduatessupervising professors also attended.

Dr. John Richburg, associate dean ofresearch and graduate studies, served ashost for the event along with Dean LynnCrismon.

Class of 2016Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates

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Tracy Lynn AcostaSameer Kashif AfghaniStefan Michael AllenVicente Aparicio Jr.Erene Marian AttiaJillian Leah BlackwellSteven Jeffrey Braun Kathryn Ann BrozeAshlee Dawn Brunaugh Benjamin Joseph BrunellBenjamin Alan CaseyPatrick Wayne CasonAngelina Marie CastilloAriel Jacklyn ChampionJeremy Chen Sarah Sunghee Cho Chih Lin ChouMaren Christine CowleyAriel Ann CruzKarla A. CuaronAngelica Arlene CuencoGretchen Thy-Lam DaoMikaela Dawn DebarbaJohn P. DeslongchampsKarem ElizondoZachary Michael EnrightSharon C. FonsecaCarolyn Ann GalletsPedro Amadeo GalvanKathleen GarciaAntonio GarzaStephanie Maegan Garza

Marshall A. GeorgeKessa Dannette GilesCody Alan GummeltJessica Ann GumulyaMichael HernandezErica Brooke HerveyNhi Y-Tran HoDiane Pei HuaJanelle Krystin HudakStephanie Jean HufnagelAlejandra IbarraHeewon JangJillian Danielle JohnsonRithu JohnsonJayme Ryan JohnstonAnne L. Jones Hiulam KamScott Thomas KarpowiczFarhat Kasra Heather Lauren KeatingMichelle Ann Kennedy Mustafa Ahmed KhanDo Hyun KimGentry Lauren KuehnKathleen Morgan Kusey Kevin James LambethMinhngan Tran LeDiana Louise Loffgren Michael Bryan LugoKatherine Rebecca Lutek Melanie Ann Maine TimbsSarah Noel McDaniel

Charles ThaddeusMcGuireIsaac Elias MillerChelsea MolinaRobert Joel MooreAaron Ulyssez MoranMichael Tanner Moser Ike Muniez Jr.Mark Jeffery MyersJennifer Alejandra NavarNgan Phan Ngo Huy Quang NguyenJoseph Le NguyenLynn NguyenMai Chi NguyenSon Xuan NguyenTaiye O. OgunmakinNeha PablaHimansu PatelAshley Michelle PechalHali Tropicale PhamLynh Ngoc PhamTimothy M. PhanErin Renee PilcherLuke Christopher PorterNathalie QuachSana Qureshi Frank GeovannyRealegenoSylvie Byaombe RehaniCourtney M. RitcheyKyllie Shae Ryan-Hummel

JoAnne SavageChloe Nicol SchaferLauren Rachele SchultzAbigail Shi-Ning SeowElina ShtreyzmanBritta Lane SmithMario Alfonso Solis, Jr.Kimberly Marie SorensenChristian D. TellinghuisenMarie Elizabeth TillemaMelissa Thy Thy TranRenee TranSang Hoang TranThuy Thi Nhu TranSamantha Marie VogelChristian Taylor WhalenJason Xiaoyao XuHeng YangErin Kristi YeungCelina Cong You Rosario M. Yzaguirre

Anticipated Graduation DateAugust 17, 2016Kamlesh Hemant LadvaTaylor Lee MaaMegan MorrisonInam P. Zubairie

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Banner year for residenciesLonghorns soar through ASHP match process

It was a record-breaking season for Longhorn P4 stu-dent pharmacists seeking residencies through the 2016American Society of Health-System Pharmacists(ASHP) match program. Of the 51 students seekingpostgraduate year-1 residency positions (PGY-1), 45successfully matched. The number represents the largestnumber of UT students to successfully match in collegehistory.

The UT success rate of 88.2% compares with a national

match percentage of 66%. ASHP reports that 4,273individuals matched with more than 2,000 pharmacyresidency programs during the 2016 program, anincrease of 300 residency positions over the 2015 match.

UT Austin also had a 94.4% success rate among 2015Pharm.D. graduates seeking postgraduate year-2 resi-dencies (PGY-2) with 17 of 18 graduates successfullyatched or received early acceptance.

PGY-1 matches for 2016 include:

Sameer Kashif Afghani . . . . . . .Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fort Worth, TXVicente Aparicio Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . .Scott & White Health Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Temple, TXErene Marian Attia . . . . . . . . . . . . .South Texas Veterans Health Care System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .San Antonio, TXSteven Jeffrey Braun . . . . . . . . . .Central Texas Veterans Health Care System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Temple, TXKathryn Ann Broze . . . . . . . . . . . .University of Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Athens, GAJeremy Chen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Methodist Dallas Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dallas, TXSarah Sunghee Cho . . . . . . . . . . . .Central Texas Veterans Health Care System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Temple, TXMaren Christine Cowley . . . . . .University Health System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .San Antonio, TXAngelica Arlene Cuenco . . . . . .The University of Texas at Austin/H-E-B Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin, TXGretchen Thy-Lam Dao . . . . . . .The University of Texas at Austin/H-E-B Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin, TXMikaela Dawn Debarba . . . . . . .The University of Texas at Austin/H-E-B Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin, TXKarem Elizondo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .University of Arizona/El Rio Community Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tucson, AZZachary Michael Enright . . . . .University of California Davis Health System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sacramento, CAStephanie Maegan Garza . . . . .New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Albuquerque, NMAlejandra Ibarra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scott & White Memorial Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Temple, TXAnne L. Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael E. Debakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Houston, TXScott Thomas Karpowicz . . . . .Vanderbilt University Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nashville, TNFarhat Kasra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Methodist Dallas Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dallas, TXMichelle Ann Kennedy . . . . . . . .Methodist Hospital - San Antonio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .San Antonio, TXKathleen Morgan Kusey . . . . . .Memorial Hermann/Texas Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Houston, TXDiana Louise Loffgren . . . . . . . .Central Texas Veterans Health Care System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Temple, TXKatherine Rebecca Lutek . . . . .Oklahoma City Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center . . . . .Oklahoma City, OKSarah Noel McDaniel . . . . . . . . . .Methodist Hospital - San Antonio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .San Antonio, TXMichael Tanner Moser . . . . . . . .Seton Healthcare Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin, TXNgan (Kim) Phan Ngo . . . . . . . .Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Houston, TXLyn Nguyen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .San Diego, CAErin Renee Pilcher . . . . . . . . . . . . .Central Texas Veterans Health Care System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Temple, TXNathalie Quach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Valley Baptist Medical Center - Brownsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brownsville, TXSana Qureshi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scott & White Memorial Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Temple, TXCourtney M. Ritchey . . . . . . . . . .Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Houston, TXKyllie Shae Ryan-Hummel . . .University Health System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .San Antonio, TXJoAnne Savage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .University of Texas El Paso/Austin Co-Op Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .El Paso, TXChloe Nicol Schafer . . . . . . . . . . .Virginia Commonwealth University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Richmond, VAChristian D. Tellinghuisen . . . .St. David’s North Austin Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin, TXMarie Elizabeth Tillema . . . . . .The University of Texas at Austin/H-E-B Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin, TXSamantha Marie Vogel . . . . . . . .Seton Healthcare Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin, TXErin Kristi Yeung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .South Texas Veterans Health Care System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .San Antonio, TXCelina Cong You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .William S. Middleton Veterans Affairs Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Madison, WI

13F O C U S

Student news Student duo selected for SIMS programSecond year pharmacy students Andrea Laguado andSamuel Palka have been selected to attend a summerinstitute sponsored by the Hazelden Betty FordFoundation. The two will each spend a week at the foun-dation’s treatment center in California where they willshadow patients, family members, and care givers at theprestigious clinic known as a national leader in addictionstudies and treatment. The program also includes class-room instruction and clinical observations. The SummerInstitute for Medical Students (SIMS) program is one ofseveral programs for medical students designed by thefoundation to build awareness of addiction, a disease thatstrikes one in 10 Americans over the age of 12. TheSIMS program has been expanded in the past few yearsto allow students in other healthcare fields, such as phar-macy, to participate. The two students were among the400-500 applicants who sought a spot in the 2016 sum-mer program. Last year, pharmacy student MichaelMirdjani was the first College of Pharmacy studentselected to participate in SIMS.

Rumbellow cited for public health honorSarah Rumbellow, a P-3 pharmacystudent, has been selected to receive anational award for her contributions topublic health. She was named recipientof the United States Public HealthService Excellence in Public HealthPharmacy Award. The award recog-

nizes pharmacy students’ contributionsto both the pharmacy profession and public health. Shewas nominated for the award for her dedication inadvancing the Healthy People 2020 Initiatives. For thepast two years, Rumbellow has served as a co-chair of aProject Collaborate, a major college outreach to under-served communities. The initiative brings together stu-dents from the various pharmacy student organizationsas well as students from nursing and social work to offerthe public free health screenings including tests for cho-lesterol, blood sugar, body mass index, blood pressure,and, most recently, diabetic foot exams. Under her lead-ership, 2,866 area patients have received more than12,000 individual screenings from Project Collaborate.More than 1,100 patients from the total screened werediscovered to have abnormal values on one or more testsresulting in referrals to another healthcare provider.

Student receives RESPy AwardP-3 student Marilyn Mootz is recipi-ent of the RESPy Award presented byWalmart and Pharmacy Times. Theaward recognizes extraordinaryhumanitarian work in the community,and salutes the service of pharmacystudents throughout the country.

Mootz has been active in extracurricularactivities within the college. Students selected for theRESPy honor receive a $1,000 scholarship, a handcraft-ed mortar and pestle, invitation to the Walmart pharma-cy intern program, and a full-page feature article abouttheir service and commitment in Pharmacy Times.

Horns take NCPA honorsThe student chapter of the National CommunityPharmacists Association (NCPA) was named recipientof the 2015 Outstanding NCPA Student Chapter of theYear at the national association’s annual meeting inWashington, D.C. The chapter received a cash prizewith the award. The local chapter was also cited toreceive NCPA’s Health & Wellness Challenge Awardwhile three Longhorn student pharmacists receivedNCPA Presidential Scholarships. Recipients includeCody Gummelt, Lynn Pham, and Timothy Phan. Dr.Nathan Pope serves as faculty adviser for the chapter.

HAP named to leadership awardThe Hispanic Association of Pharmacists (HAP)received a Community Leadership Award from thePresident’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.Theaward is given to individuals or organizations whoimprove the lives of others within their community byproviding or enhancing opportunities to engage insports, physical activities, fitness or nutrition-relatedprograms. The Longhorn pharmacy students sponsored,organized and participated in the Fit and Fun Fest Runat Brooke Elementary School in Austin IndependentSchool District in 2015. The event consists of a fun runwhere the elementary school students ran laps and wonprizes for their success in exercising. HAPS providedfive educational booths to educate children about eatinghealthy. Children also were taught about ideal bloodpressure ranges, artherosclerosis, healthy eating portions,and implications of obesity on daily lifestyle.

Sarah Rumbellow

Marilyn Mootz

14 S U M M E R 2 0 1 6

Research Day12th annual event celebrates student accomplishments in discovery

Discovery took center stage in Aprilas the college hosted the 12thAnnual Louis C. LittlefieldCelebrating Pharmacy ResearchExcellence Day. The DistinguishedFaculty Lecture was presented byDr. Karen Vasquez, professor ofpharmacology and toxicology, who

presented, “DNA Structure in Health and Disease:When Good DNA Goes Bad.” Dr. Anthony Hickey,professor emeritus of pharmacy from the University ofNorth Carolina School of Pharmacy, gave the keynotescientific lecture, “Back to the Future - InhaledTuberculosis Therapy.” This year’s research day fea-tured a total of 109 abstracts. Students were recognizedfor outstanding abstracts and posters. Karen Vasquez

UndergraduateProgram -Timothy PhamSupervisor -Dr. Andrea Gore

ProfessionalProgram -Sarah RumbellowSupervisor -Dr. Kelly Reveles

Graduate Program -Young CheunSupervisor -Dr. Seongmin Lee

Pharm.D.Postdoctoral/Resident Program -Nina VadieiSupervisor -Dr. Mitchell Daley

Ph.D. PostdoctoralProgram -Imee Marie delMundoSupervisor -Dr. Karen Vasquez

Shannon ZandySupervisor -Dr. Rueben Gonzales

Sarah RumbellowSupervisor -Dr. Kelly Reveles

Shafaqat RahmanSupervisor -Dr. Andrea Gore

Imee Marie del MundoSupervisor -Dr. Karen Vasquez

Christina DormanSupervisor -Dr. Troy Moore

15F O C U S

Congratulations to the 2016 San Antoniopharmacy ptudent pwards recipientsincluding:

Student Clinical Skills Award: KyllieRyan-HummelStudent Research/Scholarship Award:Stefan AllenCommunity Service Learning Award:Amanda Kitten and Hangyul LeeStudent Leadership Award: Stefan Allenand Cameron Pickard

Faculty news Barnes named to board appointmentJ. Nile Barnes, clinical assistant profes-sor of health outcomes and pharmacypractice, has been named one of threenew appointees to the board of trusteesof the TMF Health Quality Instituteof Austin. Barnes is board-certified asa pharmacotherapy specialist as well asa pharmacist immunizationprovider/instructor. He is certified asan instructor in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support,Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Basic LifeSupport. TMF Health Quality Institute focuses onimproving lives by improving the quality of health carethrough contracts with federal, state and local govern-ments, as well as private organizations.

Impact facultyEvery year graduating Pharm.D. students complete anexit survey in which they are asked, among other ques-tions, to identify faculty members that had the greatestimpact, academically and/or professionally on themduring their time as a UT Pharm.D. student. While many faculty received positive comments, the“Top Ten” in terms of receiving positive commentsregarding their impact on the lives of members of thePharm.D. Class of 2016 included:

Pope named to TPA leadership roleDr. Nathan Pope, clinical assistant professor of healthoutcomes and pharmacy practice, has been elected as adirector of the Texas Pharmacy Association effective inApril 2016. Pope is also the director of the HEBPharmacy/UT Community Practice ResidencyProgram.

Koeller named HOPA fellowJames Koeller, professor of pharmacotherapy, has beennamed as one of the first fellows of theHematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association(HOPA). He was recognized for this honor at theHOPA annual meeting in March.

Van Den Berg named Dean’s fellowCarla Van Den Berg, associate professor of pharmacol-ogy and toxicology, has been named as a Dean’s Fellowfor Academic Development. This is a one-yearappointment during which she will develop her aca-demic leadership skills and work with the college’sCurriculum Committee, the Pharmacotherapy RevisionTaskforce, the Pharm.D. Admissions Committe, theLearning Skills Committee, and the entire college fac-ulty and administration to examine select critical issuesrelated to the Pharm.D. program. The major chargesof her appointment include development of an integrat-ed pathophysiology sequence, assessment of prepharma-cy curriculum and Pharmacy Adaptive Learning (PAL)oversight.

Faculty promotionsUT PresidentGreg Fenves hasapproved facultypromotionsthroughout theuniversity withtwo within thecollege including • Walter Fast toprofessor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry• Jennifer Seltzer to clinical associate professor of phar-macotherapyCongratulations to these two outstanding members ofthe college faculty. Their new appointments are effec-tive with the start of the Fall 2016 semester.

Ghosh gains PhRMA grantDr. Debadyuti (Rana) Ghosh, assistant professor ofpharmaceutics, is recipient of a Research Starter Grantin Pharmaceutics presented by the PharmaceuticalResearch and Manufacturers of America, PhRMA.The $100,000 award is presented by the PhRMAFoundation by making quarterly payments of $25,000over a one-year period. For nearly 50 years theFoundation has provided funding to encourage andhelp young scientists launch careers in pharmacology/toxicology, pharmaceutics, informatics, comparativeeffectiveness research, adherence evaluation, and adher-ence improvement.

Nile Barnes

Jennifer SeltzerWalter Fast

Dewayne DavidsonPat DavisBryson DuhonDiane GinsburgLeroy Knodel

Kelly RevelesSharon RushLaurajo RyanJennifer SeltzerVeronica Young

16 S U M M E R 2 0 1 6

Dr. Somshuvra Mukhopadhyay,assistant professor of pharmacologyand toxicology, is one of five earlycareer scientists selected to receivegrants from the National Instituteof Environmental Health Sciences(NIEHS). The awards are part ofthe Outstanding New Environ-mental Scientists (ONES) pro-gram.

Mukhopadhyay’s five-year award of $2.7 million (2016-2020) will advance his studies into the process throughwhich cells remove the toxin manganese that can cause asyndrome similar to Parkinson’s disease. The work is anextension of a study that he published last year. (Seestory below.)

“A ONES award gives promising environmental healthscientists the opportunity to pursue innovative ideasearly in their careers,” said Linda Birnbaum, director ofNIEHS. “This is one of the best tools we have to retaintheir talent for research.”

“Dr. Mukhopadhyay is an outstanding young scientist,and we are extremely excited about him receiving theONES award,” said Dr. M. Lynn Crismon, dean of the

College of Pharmacy. “He has already performed cuttingedge research examining manganese utilization and theproduction of a Parkinson-like syndrome. This earlyinnovator’s development award will be a springboardthat, undoubtedly, will advance his career.”

The 2016 ONES awardees will study substances in ourenvironment, such as arsenic, dioxins, and DDT; howthese chemicals cause harm, including heart problems,insulin resistance, and allergies; and how they areremoved from the body through protective mechanisms.

In addition to the ONES award, Mukhopadhyay’sresearch received a “Pathway to Independene K99/RO0”grant from NIEHS (2011-2016).

“Support from the NIEHS through these two awardswas instrumental in allowing me to transition to inde-pendence from a postdoctoral position,” Mukhopadhyaysaid. “The funding allowed me to focus on studyinggene-environment interactions in parkinsonism.”

Mukhopadhyay is the only UT Austin faculty membersamong the announced awardees. Others includeresearchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham,the University of California (Davis), Harvard MedicalSchool, and Michigan State University.

NIH ONES awardMukhopadhyay cited as outstanding new environmental scientist

Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s research team focused on the geneSLC30A10 and its role as a “door opener” in helping toremove elevated levels of manganese from cells. Thelink is considered a major step in the process of findingan effective treatment for parkinsonian disorders whichaffects more than a half million people in the UnitedStates alone. There is no known cure for any form ofparkinsonism.

Parkinsonian disorders usually occur because of a com-bination of genetic and environmental factors.Manganese exposure is an environmental factor knownto cause parkinsonism in humans. Exposures may origi-nate from occupational sources such as in welding andmining professions; through environmental sources suchas consuming tainted drinking water and food sources;and as a result of disease such as cirrhosis of the liverand alcoholism, which block manganese excretion.

Prior studies of a cohort of European families that

exhibited hereditary parkinsonism led researchers tolook at a genetic link. Sequencing the families’ genomesled to the discovery that all family members with thedisease had mutations in SLC30A10. The gene wasbelieved to be a key element, but its role and functionwere not determined.

Mukhopadhyay and his team discovered that the pro-tein coded by the gene resides on the surface of the celland works as a transporter to escort or remove excessivelevels of manganese from the cell. Mutations of thegene cause the gene to become trapped within the celland thus fail in its work to transport excessive metalsfrom the cell. Patients then retain excessive amounts ofmanganese within their cells and develop parkinsonismbecause of manganese toxicity.

Defining the function of the gene is critical, he said,since these findings provide a unique insight into howinteractions between a genetic mutation (mutations inSLC30A10) and an environmental factor (manganese)come together to cause parkinsonism in humans.

Som Mukhopadhyay

Parkinson’s study

17F O C U S

Dr. Kevin Dalby, professor ofchemical biology and medicinalchemistry, has received an almost$5 million grant from the CancerPrevention and Research Instituteof Texas (CPRIT) to kick-startdrug discovery programs.

Dalby’s grant is one of threeCPRIT grants approved for UTAustin and among the 35 total awards announced May18 by CPRIT. The CPRIT awards total approximately$79.2 million to promote cancer research in Texas.

Dalby received a grant of $4,982,636. He is co-directorof the Texas Screening Alliance for CancerTherapeutics. The new grant will support his TargetedTherapeutic Drug Discovery & Development Program,which is designed to develop small molecules that areprecursors to cancer drug therapies.

“Our team works in conjunction with cancer researchersby facilitating studies to translate their discoveries intopotential new therapies,” Dalby said. “We develop smallmolecules, precursors of potential cancer drugs, to assistthe researchers in furthering their investigations.”

The program will help physicians and scientists at theforefront of exploring new therapies target devastatingdiseases such as triple negative breast, lung, prostate,melanoma, pancreatic, and pediatric brain cancers.

“This initiative has catalyzed positive collaborationsamong researchers at several leading cancer research

institutions,” said Dean Lynn Crismon. “We are confi-dent that the work coming out of his lab will lead to newtreatments for cancer. I am extremely excited about Dr.Dalby receiving this CPRIT award in support of hishigh throughput screening core.”

“CPRIT’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer inTexas, and we’re doing just that,” said Wayne Roberts,CPRIT chief executive officer. “CPRIT funding has puta critical mass of cancer fighting energy into motionacross the state – from labs and researchers to companiesand prevention programs. This new round of grants bol-sters Texas’ reputation as a leader in the cancer field.”

CPRIT also awarded grants of $200,000 each to twoprograms in UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences:

• Rapid Molecular Diagnosis of Lung Cancer Biopsiesby Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry, led by assis-tant professor Livia Schiavinato Eberlin in theDepartment of Chemistry

• High Affinity Therapeutic Mimotope Antibodies tothe Oncogenic Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, ledby professor Haley Tucker in the Department ofMolecular Biosciences

“We are extremely grateful to CPRIT for its ongoingsupport of both our program and others that work todevelop innovative therapies to fight cancers,” Dalbysaid. “Through our partnerships, we work withresearchers to enable the translation of their investiga-tions into new treatments for cancers.”

Dalby grant $5 million CPRIT award to support drug discovery program

Kevin Dalby

Honorees at the College of Pharmacy’s Honors Day luncheon for Pharm.D. students.

18 S U M M E R 2 0 1 6

Dr. Nile Barnes is the college’s edu-cator of the year. Announcementwas made at the annual teachingawards reception. The event, hostedby Pharmacy Council, also sawteaching awards presented to facultymembers elected by students ineach professional year.

Barnes, a clinical assistant professor,is a member of the HealthOutcomes and Pharmacy Practice Division. He coordi-nates the pharmacotherapy lab series and clinical skillscourses including CPR training. In addition, he preceptspharmacist-interns and residents on the internal medi-cine clerkships at University Medical Center –Brackenridge.

In addition to the Educator of the Year Award, studentsselected outstanding teachers from each of the profes-sional years curriculum and named the preceptor of theyear and outstanding teaching assistant.

P1 Year Teaching Excellence Award went to Dr. Rong

Cui, an associate profesor of pharmaceutics. Hisresearch focus is on drug delivery and vaccine adjuvantdiscovery.

P2 Year Teaching Excellence went to Dr. BrysonDuhon, clinical assistant professor of pharmacotherapyin San Antonio. His interests include infectious diseases,diabetes, and innovative pedagogical techniques. Heteaches pharmacokinetics and both semesters of pharma-cotherapy.

P3 Year Teaching Excellence went to Dr. RichardWilcox, professor of pharmacology and toxicology.Wilcox teaches and coordinates Pharmacotherapy IIIcovering ten topics in neurology and psychiatry. Hefacilitates a pharmacotherapy lab.

The Preceptor of the Year was presented to Dr. GeorgeValdez. He serves as a pharmacist at the HEB in Buda.

The Teaching Assistant of the Year was presented toSiyuan Huang. Studying pharmaceutics with Dr. BillWilliams, he has served as a teaching assistant for severalcourses, primarily pharmacokinetics.

Vanessa Lopez, administrativemanager in the Office of Researchand Graduate Studies, has beenchosen to receive a President’s StaffAward.

Lopez was among 30 staff membersand two supervisors cited as havinghad a significant impact on the uni-versity. They were recognized atthe May 13 President’s StaffAwards. The program honors and recognizes theinvaluable contributions of non-teaching staff whoseoutstanding dedication, competence, conscientious per-formance, and excellent customer service has had a sig-nificant positive impact on the university. EachOutstanding Staff Award recipient received an honorari-um of $1,500.

In 2008, Lopez moved from Fort Worth’s University ofNorth Texas Health Science Center to work as an

administrative associate in UT’s Office of SponsoredProjects. She was promoted to a senior grants and con-tracts specialists in OSP before joining the college’sOffice of the Associate Dean for Research and GraduateStudies in 2012. In August 2015, her title changed toadministrative manager of college research.

At the same awards ceremony, college staff memberswith service anniversaries were recognized for their loy-alty and contributions to the success of the university.The UT tower was lit burnt orange in honor of the staffaward recipients on May 13.

College of pharmacy honorees included:

35 years – Janice Sutton30 years – Jennifer Ridings-Myhra25 years – Yolanda Camacho and Diane Ginsburg20 years – Greg Caldera15 years – Susan Brown10 years – Sherri Bendele, Angela Clapper, and

Outstanding staff awardVanessa Lopez recognized with UT Austin President’s honor

Vanessa Lopez

Nile Barnes

Educator of the YearNile Barnes garners college’s top teaching award

19F O C U S

The College of Pharmacy mournedthe loss of Dr. Leroy Knodel, aninspired educator and a truly greatman. He died unexpectedly onFriday, August 21, 2015 of a heartattack.

Knodel joined the college in theearly 1980s and quickly became afavorite among pharmacy students,faculty and staff.

He served as a clinical professor and assistant head of thecollege’s Pharmacotherapy Division located on theUniversity of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio(UTHSCSA). He coordinated experiential pharmacyeducation for the San Antonio region and taughtAdvanced Evidence based Practice in the Pharm.D. pro-gram. He served as administrative director of thePharmacotherapy Office of Evidence-Based andInterprofessional Education. He also was a tenured asso-ciate professor in the Department of EmergencyMedicine at UTHSCSA. Leroy was equally engagedwith the education of medical students as he was withstudent pharmacists.

“Leroy was dedicated to the development of students,and he touched many lives,” said Dean Lynn Crismon.“He gave of himself unselfishly both professionally andpersonally. His death leaves a vacuum in our college.”

“The family expressed how much Leroy loved our stu-dents,” said Dean Crismon. “They want the students toknow this by setting up a scholarship fund.”

A truly great manCollege mourns loss of Leroy Knodel

Leroy Knodel

Alumni name Ginsburg to Texas Exes honorDr. Diane Ginsburg, assistant dean for student affairs andclinical professor of health outcomes and pharmacy practice,was named among Alcalde magazine’s Texas Ten.

The annual recognition program invites members of the UTalumni community to nominate their favorite UT professorwith the staff of Alcalde, the Texas Exes magazine, selectingthe ten best. She was included in a story in the May/Juneissue of Alcalde, along with the other nine award recipients.

Ginsburg and other award recipients were guests of honor at areception at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center.

The annual salute to inspiring professors began in 2011.Professors are nominated by alumni and selected by Alcaldemagazine. Ginsburg is the first pharmacy faculty to be select-ed to the Texas Ten. For this year’s competition, 298 alumninominated 211 names for consideration. Learn more aboutthe Texas Ten and read Dr. Ginsburg’s comments at

https://www.texasexes.org/awards/teaching-and-administra-tive-awards/texas-10 Diane Ginsburg

Memorial GiftsThe Knodel family has requested that memorial giftsbe designated to The University of Texas at AustinCollege of Pharmacy. To make a gift in Dr. Knodel’smemory, go to https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/utgiv-ing/online/nlogon/?menu=PHLK. Click on the link tomake a gift to the Knodel Fund. Be sure to add KnodelMemorial Fund in the special information box on thelower right hand side of the page to assure that yourgift is credited to the Knodel fund.

For additional questions concerning gifts to theCollege of Pharmacy, contact the college DevelopmentOffice at 512. 232-2779.

20 S U M M E R 2 0 1 6

Asthma study Graduate student study gains support from Kloesel Endowment

A study that focuses on the role of pharmacists in helpingasthma patients stay healthy is the inaugural program sup-ported by a new initiative of the College of Pharmacy.

Dr. Jamie C. Barner, professor of health outcomes andpharmacy practice, and Tatiana Makhinova, a Ph.D. grad-uate student studying with Barner, are recipients of the firstgrant award from the Arlyn Kloesel Endowment forInnovative Pharmacy Practice and Business Models. The$25,000 grant supports Makhinova’s dissertation study,“The Role of Community Pharmacists in Patient-TailoredAdherence Intervention for Patients with Asthma: PilotStudy.”

Makhinova presented her research at the recent meeting ofthe American Pharmacists Association (APhA) where shewas presented the Best Podium Presentation.

More than 16.5 million adults have asthma, a chroniccondition that often is treated with both a maintenancemedication and a rescue treatment for occasional flair ups.In their previously published study, Barner and Makhinovaestimated that Medicaid patients with persistent asthmatook their maintenance medications as prescribed only 30-40 percent of the time, putting them at risk for flair ups andother complications, some of which may lead to hospital-izations and more intense, costly treatments.

“Asthma is a high cost disease state,” explainedMakhinova. “Patients with poor adherence are at risk ofcomplications that can be very costly.”

Makhinova and Barner designed a set of tools to aid phar-macists in counseling asthma patients on the proper use oftheir medications. The first tool is a short questionnairethat identifies patients’ adherence barriers. Pharmacistsnote patient responses that fall into a “red zone” whichindicate that the patient may not be gaining full benefitfrom their medications. Pharmacists then guide the asthma

patient through patient-focused strategies to overcome bar-riers.

Barner explained that asthma differs from many chronicdiseases because patients must not only remember to takethe medication routinely, they must also have mastery ofthe device used to administer the medication.

“If the patient does not understand how to use an inhaler,the medicine does not reach the lungs properly and cannotdo its work in keeping the patient healthy,” she explained.

Other tools supported by the grant include brochures and awebsite designed to help the patient remember how to useboth maintenance and rescue medications and other toolsto help them better manage their asthma.

Graduate student Titiana Makhinova and Dr. Jamie Barner,professor of health outcomes and pharmacy practice

Study garners APhA podium awardHighlights of this study were presented at the annualspring meeting of the American Pharmacists Associationmeeting and garnered Makhinova an award for bestpodium presentation. Title of her APhA presentationwas “Development of an Adherence EnhancementProgram for Patients with Asthma in CommunityPharmacy Practice: Instruments and Pharmacists’Feedback.”

The Kloesel EndowmentThe Kloesel Endowment was estab-lished with gifts honoring ArlynKloesel, a longtime member of thefaculty who created the Care andRespect for the Elderly Program. Theprogram is taught in the P1 year. Theendowment gives vital funding for ini-tiatives that continue the care and dedication that Arlyntaught. If you would like to help us grow this endowmentyou may do so at http://sites.utexas.edu/phralumni/giv-ing/giving-priorities/

Dr. Janet Walkow, clinical professor of pharmaceutics,has been named among 100 Inspiring Women in STEMby the national publication INSIGHT Into Diversity.

Walkow, the executive director and chief technologyofficer of the Drug Dynamics Institute at The Universityof Texas at Austin’s College of Pharmacy, is included inthe magazine’s September release.

The awards honor women who inspire and encourageyoung women to consider studying in the fields of sci-ence, technology, engineering and mathematics(STEM).

The mother of three daughters, Walkow has workedtirelessly to further opportunities for young women.

“Women who work in STEM fields enjoy significantopportunities to engage in new discoveries and innova-tions on a global scale,” said Walkow. “For years, theseopportunities were limited for women. I am delightedthat today, bright, hard-working young women can soarin STEM fields, and I am dedicated to helping thembreak down whatever barriers they may encounter.”

As a member of the American Association ofPharmaceutical Scientists, she developed the Women inScience platform for young women to learn aboutSTEM careers. In addition, she co-founded theLeading Women Project to teach women how to leadand manage others. She serves on the Health PromotionCouncil of Pennsylvania and on the Harvard Kennedy

School Women’s Leadership Board.

“Janet Walkow is an outstanding member of our facultyand she is passionately committed to efforts thatempower women, not only in this country, but in severalthird world countries,” said Dean Lynn Crismon.

“I am delighted to see Janet listed among these remark-able women who continue to make a significant differ-ence through mentoring and teaching, research andother efforts worthy of this national recognition. Shenever ceases to amaze me regarding what she is able toaccomplish,” Crismon continued.

Walkow earned her Ph.D. in pharmacy from UT Austinin 1982 after earning his B.A. in the Plan II HonorsProgram in 1977.

21F O C U S

Walkow named to STEM awardPharmacy faculty member named among 100 Inspiring Women

Dr. Karen Vasquez, professor ofpharmacology and toxicology, isamong five faculty members atThe University of Texas at Austinrecently elected fellows of theAmerican Association for theAdvancement of Science(AAAS).Vasquez, the James T. DoluisioRegents Professor in the college,was recognized for pioneering contributions concerninggenome instability, particularly by demonstrating thatnon-canonical DNA structures can be mutagenic, andfor discovering new roles for DNA repair factors.She identified three areas of research focus includingDNA structure in genomic instability and human dis-

ease; molecular mechanisms of DNA damage recogni-tion and repair; and novel strategies to modify genestructure and function in living organisms.AAAS fellows are chosen annually by their peers todistinguish individuals who are members of the associa-tion cited for “efforts on behalf of the advancement ofscience or its applications which are scientifically orsocially distinguished.”Vasquez is among five UT Austin faculty members infellow selection by AAAS this year including from theRichard Warren Aldrich, professor of neuroscience;Stanely Roux, professor of molecular biosciences; RogerT. Bonnecaze, professor of chemical engineering, andAramugan Manthiram, professor of mechanical engi-neering.

Karen Vasquez

Janet Walkow

Vasquez elected fellow by AAAS

22 S U M M E R 2 0 1 6

Dr. Ted Mills, associate professorof pharmacology and toxicology,and members of his research teamare turning up the heat in theirefforts to understand and ulti-mately block production of cancercells. The team has expanded thetarget list and discovered amethod to block an energy path-way needed by cancer cells toreproduce.

Mills said the research wasinspired by studies conductedmore than eight decades ago byOtto Warburg concerning repro-duction of cancer cells. Warburg’sstudies, Mills explains, focused on cancer cells’ dependenceupon sugars to create the energy needed for cell replication.Mills team found that the cells also exhibit an insatiableappetite for fats that are also used to generate tumors. Heand his team have devised an approach that impedes theconversion of both sugars and fats, forcing the energy to bereleased as heat.

In developing their attack strategy, Mills’ team focused on asmall family of proteins within the cell known as uncouplingproteins, in particular UCP3. The lab first found the energywasting mechanism of UCP3 as the molecular basis forlethal hyperthermia induced by the amphetamine drugEcstasy. That work was published in a 1993 edition ofNature.

Building upon the 1993 findings, and bridging interest inboth toxicology and cancer biology, the Mills team set aboutto determine if this same energy wasting process might beapplied to cancer cells to disrupt the cells’ production ofdaughter cells. They found that the same nutrient wastingmechanism disrupts cancer development by breaking downthe nutrients and releasing them as heat, and, for the firsttime, they expanded the technique to include fats as well assugars. The work was published in a fall 2015 edition ofNature Communications.

Mills said that team members had hypothesized that theoccurrence of cancer would be reduced after UCP3 exposure,but they were surprised to discover that none of the test sub-jects that were genetically engineered to have increasedUCP3 developed malignant tumors. Analysis of skin tumordevelopment showed that those with increased UCP3 levels

not only had a complete block of the development of malig-nant tumors, but also reflected a large-scale breakdown offats and glucose. In essence, the sweet tooth and fat cravingswere still present, but UCP3 interrupted the metabolismprocess via the heat release.

The team discovered that the increased fat metabolismoccurring in the epidermal cells blocked development of can-cer by suppressing activation of the oncoprotein kinaseb/AKT, a major driver of cancer growth. Blocking theUCP3 driven fat breakdown restored AKT activation andgrowth, and restored cancer development.

The findings mark a major step in developing new cancertherapies that target fat-based metabolism and heat release.Mills said that the findings have implications for dietarymodulations for cancer patients, but hold greater promise inthe development of small molecule treatments to specificallyincrease fat metabolism and nutrient wasting pharmcologi-cally. The work is expected to lay the foundation for devel-opment of small molecule activators of UCP proteins asnovel anti-cancer agents.

“A researcher goes about his work because he is intrigued toknow more about nature,” Mills said. “Somewhere in theprocess, he hopes that something he finds might prove to beof some value to society. We are thrilled that our hypothesishas proven correct.”

Cancer fight heats upMills lab turning up the heat to block cancer cells production

Ted Mills, left, and his research team

23F O C U S

A research study by Dr. Maria Croyle, professor of phar-maceutics, has been cited as the best research paper of2015 by the University Co-op.The honor was announced at the 19th annual UniversityCo-op’s Robert W. Hamilton Book Awards onNovember 2. The paper, “A Single Dose RespiratoryRecombinant Adenovirus-Based Vaccine ProvidesLong-Term Protection for Non-Human Primates fromLethal Ebola Infection,” was one of nine finalists for therecognition.Published in The Journal of Molecular Pharmaceutics justas the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa was peaking,Dr Croyle’s paper was the culmination of seven years ofresearch involving an international multi-disciplinaryteam. It is the first study to demonstrate long-term pro-tection against the most lethal strain of Ebola. The studyalso outlines using a needle-free approach for vaccina-tion.In making their decision, the selection committee dis-cerned that a unique set of circumstances, includingforesight and novel scientific approaches, led to a “per-fect storm” for this work to have significant and timely

impact on the protection against Ebola.In making their decision, members of the committeeconsidered the published paper’s scientific impact,impact to humans, and also the coverage the paperreceived by the international media and academic audi-ences.“While this alone is highly impactful in the field ofinfectious disease and vaccine research, it is of evengreater importance as this finding occurred in the midstof one of the largest and most serious Ebola outbreaksknown to date,” said Dr. Lynn Crismon, dean of theCollege of Pharmacy.Dr. Croyle and her research team were recently featuredalong with their work on the National GeographicChannel’s six-part series, Breakthrough. The segmentfeaturing the Croyle lab aired in November. The seg-ment can be viewed online atwww.croylelab.com/events-calen.

Croyle cited for research paperUniversity Co-op honors Croyle research

Lam receives third teaching awardDr. Francis Lam, clinical associ-ate professor of pharmacothera-py, has been named recipient ofa 2016 Presidential Award forTeaching Excellence from theUniversity of Texas HealthScience Center San Antonio(UTHSCSA).

A member of the college’sDivision of Pharmacotherapy, hejoins other members of that division in location at theUTHSCSA where he has a cross appointment asprofessor in the Department of Pharmacology.Within the college, he teaches courses in pharmaco-kinetics, pharmacogenetics, and pharmacotherapy.

The award marks the third significant teachingrecognition for Lam in a year having previously beencited to receive a Regents’ Outstanding TeachingAward from the UT System and a teaching excel-lence award from the School of Health Professions atUTHSCSA.

Francis Lam

Maria Croyle and Dean Lynn Crismon

A group of Renaissance patronsresiding in Florence once sought tohave the city cathedral renovated.After years of use, the walls of thisgrand edifice, graced byMichelangelo and famous others,had come to lose their wondrousglow and with it faded much of thecity’s stature and fame.

Being shrewd men, the patrons thought to call for sim-ple renovations to save time and funds. A new fresco inthe chapel, a taller fountain in courtyard, and perhaps arecasting of the building’s many archways was all thatwas asked. But to their surprise, when the town crierstook this message to the neighboring villages and ham-lets, not a single craftsman answered the call.

Confused, the patrons lowered the bar. Instead of newworks, the patrons call for a stroke of paint here, a newcoat of wax there, and a good scrubbing of the old floorsand saintly statues. Again, not one artisan or sculptorlent their skills to the aging cathedral.

After vexing for many days, one of the wisest patronsrealized their mistake. Taking grasp of the closest inkand pen, he wrote a new summons - calling for grand re-imaginings of high towers, bold new sculptures of pietyand glory, and even new paintings to stand next to thehonored works of past luminaries. To the surprise of hispeers, the patron’s summons not only brought manyambitious artists seeking their attention but almost all ofthem sought to offer their services pro bono – each seek-ing to make his mark on something greater than himself!

It is no mystery that the challenges of healthcare aregreat, and the challenges in pharmacy are no exception.Pharmacists should not shirk from the summon callingthem to optimize patient outcomes and provide mean-ingful answers to today’s healthcare questions. Like theFlorentine patrons, setting a bolder vision can ofteninspire others to act in ways that lesser challenges couldnever achieve.

In our mission to improve the health of our communi-ties, fellow alumni are among our greatest resources.Whether you are in need of mentorship in an area ofpractice, a clearer view of the pharmacy landscape, orsimply want to connect with old friends, the UT Collegeof Pharmacy Alumni Association and I would like towelcome you to join and stay involved with this most

distinguished group of pharmacists.

Keeping an active tie with the college has frequentlymade the hurdles of my professional life easier to man-age, and given me the opportunity to stay focused andgrow. I have personally found time and time again thatfellow UT alumni are among my closest colleagues andtruest mentors.

I would challenge you become a member of thePharmacy Alumni Association and help support ourgreat alma mater. If you would like to join, sign up at:https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e4JIoqPMMSjQoBL Join now! Stay involved! Hook’em Horns!

24 S U M M E R 2 0 1 6

The President’s message By Eric Ho

PresidentEric HoAustin, Texas

President-ElectSteven KnightRowlett, Texas

Secretary-TreasurerLori EvansDallas, Texas

Immediate Past-President Connie GelineauRichardson, Texas

Member-at-LargeKris Klein-BradhamAustin, Texas

Member-at-LargeMark ZamuttLakeway, Texas

Austin Reg. Rep.J. Nile Barnes

Austin Reg. Rep.Jobby John

Austin Reg. Rep.Kristi Westbrooks Torres

Austin Reg. Rep.Christine Wicke

Dallas Reg. Rep.Bethany Boyd

El Paso Reg. Rep.Raj Peddaiahgari

Houston Reg. Rep.Anne Nguyen

Panhandle Reg. Rep.Earon Flake

Rio Grande Valley Reg. Rep.Isidro Ramirez, Jr.

San Antonio Reg. Rep.Molly Curran

Student Body PresidentAndrew HwangAustin, Texas

Student LiaisonRobert LamontagneAustin, Texas

Assistant Dean forDevelopment & AlumniRelations (ex-officio)Susan BrownAustin, Texas

Assistant Director forDevelopment & AlumniRelations (ex-officio)Virginia AndersonAustin, Texas

Development Associate (ex-officio)Elizabeth CoxAustin, Texas

2015-2016 College of Pharmacy Alumni Association officers

Alumni News

25F O C U S

Jeanne Waggner, B.S. ‘72 (center in red) was sworn inas president of the National Association of Boards ofPharmacy in May during the association’s annualmeeting in Philadelphia. She has served as a memberof the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) since2006, currently serving as the TSBP president. She ispictured above with members of the Texas delegationattending the national meeting. She serves on theCollege of Pharmacy Advisory Council and is a phar-macy manager for Wal-Mart Pharmacy in Waco.

Marc Fleming, Ph.D. ‘12, is a faculty member at theUniversity of Houston College of Pharmacy where heis working to examine the effect of the DEA’s reclassi-fication of hydrocodone combination drugs fromSchedule III to Schedule II. In particular, he is look-ing at how removing nurse practitioners and physi-cian’s assistants from prescription authority mayimpact medical practices, particularly those in ruralareas of the state.

Phuoc Anh (Anne) Nguyen, Pharm.D. ‘13, was recog-nized by the Texas Society of Health-SystemPharmacists with its Special Recognition Award forOrganizational Service and with the Leo F. and AnneGodley Resident Fellow Award. Both presentationswere made in 2015. She works as an internal medi-cine/transitions of care clinical pharmacy specialist atThe University of Texas-MD Anderson CancerCenter.

John Freels, B.S. ‘41, died March 25, 2016 at the ageof 87 years. He worked at the Methodist Hospital ofHouston and was director of pharmacy there for severalyears before joining the staff at MD Anderson wherehe worked until his retirement.

Jack Nicholas, B.S., ‘51, died Dec. 20, 2015. He madehis career in Corpus Christi opening and operatingNichols Westwood Pharmacy for 55 years.

Jerome Davis, B.S. ‘74, died on Sept. 14, 2015 at hishome in San Saba, Texas. During his career, he ownedand operated several retail pharmacies in the MarbleFalls area before moving his professional focus to infu-sion management.

Jose Adrian del Castillo II, 89, B.S. ‘57, died May 9,2015 in Brownsville, Texas. He served on the UTPharmacy Advisory Council from 1984-1990.

Congratulations to Bryson and Kate (Corbin) Duhon,both Pharm.D. ‘11, who welcomed sons AndersonJames and CorbinHuntsberry Duhonon May 12. Brysonis a clinical assistantprofessor of phar-macotherapy for theUT College ofPharmacy and Kateis a staff pharmacist at the Austin State Hospital. Thetoo cute photo of the newest Longhorn fans was shotby Brian + Amanda of Georgetown.

Congratulations also to Tish Moczygemba, Pharm.D.‘04 and Ph.D. ‘08, along with husband Travis, and newbaby Travis whobecame a family inApril with Travis’adoption. Tish willjoin the college’sfaculty in Fall 2016as a faculty memberin the Division ofHealth Outcomesand Pharmacy Practice.

We want to hear from you - the who, what, where andwhen of your life. New job, new location, familychanges. Send us your news and we’ll share in the nextissue of Longhorn Pharmacy Focus.Finally, we turn to social media including web pages,Facebook and now Twitter in our attempt to keep youinformed about our news and ongoing activities. Find us:On the web at http://sites.utexas.edu/pharmacy/

On Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/TexasPharmacy

Keep in Touch

26 S U M M E R 2 0 1 6

Destiny callsChance meeting, son’s inspiration shape destiny for this alumnus soldier

Sometimes destiny finds us in the most unexpectedplaces. Just ask Claud Cameron, B.S. ‘81, Ph.D. ‘86.

In fall 1978, Cameron, brand new to UT Austin, wasenrolled as a chemistry major, unsure of the eventualdirection of his studies. He worked part time in theUniversity’s registrar’s office to help with expenses andearn a little spending money. The office was busy andCameron spent his time assisting visitors from through-out the campus with a variety of tasks that seemed any-thing but related to his future.

Among the regulars to the office was a tall, lanky profes-sor with dark rimmed glasses, wavy gray hair, and a readysmile. He sometimes made time for casual conversationwith Cameron. One day the professor inquired aboutCameron’s academic plan. When Cameron shared thathe wasn’t sure, the professor asked if he had ever consid-ered pharmacy. That’s how Dr. Bill Sheffield, belovedformer pharmacy faculty member, helped launch youngClaud Cameron down the road to pharmacy.

“That conversation was in fall 1978. In fall 1979, Ientered pharmacy school and Dr. Sheffield taught one ofmy first classes,” Cameron recalled.

Cameron completed his B.S. studies in 1981, and foundhe was particularly drawn to pharmaceutics. A Ph.D.followed in 1986 under the guidance of Dr. JimMcGinity, professor of pharmaceutics. For the next 18years, Cameron worked in industry, first with MarionMerrel Dow, and later at Glaxo and Watson.

Cameron said he loved research and development, butadded that the work’s huge time demands left him littletime for anything else, including his two growing sons.His eldest son graduated from high school in 2005 andpursued his desire to join the military that began whenhe was in high school.

Again, Cameron found unexpected inspiration for thenext chapter of his work – this time from his son.Cameron followed his son’s decision to join the military,enlisting in the Texas State Guard – a passion that hasfollowed him from the demanding drug developmentfield to retail and now to hospital pharmacy, whereCameron is practicing at Metroplex Hospital in Killeenand Rollins-Brook Hospital in Lampasas.

The guard serves as one of three branches of the TexasMilitary Forces (Army National Guard, Air NationalGuard, and Texas State Guard), with primary responsi-

bilities focused on providing a mission-ready militaryforce to assist state and local civilian authorities duringtimes of state emergencies. For more than 10 years, hehas served in the medical brigade of the Texas StateGuard.

In the medical brigade, Cameron said he found companywith individuals close to his own age with whom heshared two important characteristics: expertise in variousareas of the medical field and a commitment to serve thecitizens of Texas.

The medical brigade is filled primarily with EMTs,physicians, dentists, ophthalmologists, and nurses. Ahandful of pharmacists serve as well, he said smiling.Similar to the National Guard, Cameron and his TexasGuard members devote weekend time each month totraining and drill, assuring their readiness should they becalled to state active duty. Individuals in the medicalbrigade are assigned to one of 12 companies or groupslocated throughout the state.

Each summer, the training is accelerated as members ofthe medical guard organize, set up and run OperationLone Star (OLS) – a week-long experience that usesschools in the Rio Grande Valley to create a mobilehealthcare center complete with dental, optical, andmedical clinics, and sometimes pharmacies. The opera-tion is a win-win experience where guard members testorganizational structure and practice their medical skills

Claud Cameron

27F O C U S

in a MASH-type environment while providing muchneeded medical care to local residents.

Cameron serves as the commander for Bravo Companyof the 1st Medical Battalion’s first responders, a teamequipped to supply health care for at least the first threedays following an emergency. A deployed team oftenserves longer.

As one of the officers of the medical brigade, Cameron’swork on OLS begins months before the summer guardexperience, selecting the site, working through logisticsto make certain that when guard members report forsummer duty, they are met with the housing, meals, sup-plies, equipment, and a site necessary to carry out theirwork. Due to his rank as lieutenant colonel, Cameronsaid he often finds himself in the role of “instructing”physicians who would out rank him in a civilian world.Both he and the physicians have adjusted and he is com-fortable in his leadership role.

To help the units fine tune their collaboration and to testthe organizational structure, the Guard offers its servicesto indigent patients in the Rio Grande Valley where theyset up operation. Cameron said his and other units pro-vide screenings and care to thousands during their weekof operation. By the time the operation is set and “open

for business,” patients can be seen lined up for blocks toawait care.

“It’s hard work and I admit that sometimes I wonder if Iwant to start another summer operation,” he admits,adding that those thoughts are quickly diminished whenhe thinks of the beneficiaries of his efforts. “It is sorewarding to see the patients, coming by the thousands,waiting in line for as long as it takes to have access tohealth care that they otherwise would not be able toafford.”

“That part is so rewarding,” he says, brightening, addingthat the Texas Guard is always looking for medicallytrained folks to enlist. “I’d be happy to sit and talk toanyone who thinks they might be interested in this. It(Texas Guard) is my way of giving back to Texas inappreciation of my education. I am well aware thattuition alone does not begin to cover the cost of educat-ing pharmacists. This is my way of saying thank you toTexas.”

Join us for a spooktacular event weekend

Longhorn Pharmacy HomecomingOctober 28-29, 2016All alumni welcome!Special recognitions to anniversary classes from 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006

Alumni Reception & Awards CeremonyFriday, Oct. 28 • AT&T Executive Educationand Conference Center

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages from a cash baras we honor pharmacy’s finest with our annual alumni awards.

Free Continuing EducationSaturday, Oct. 29 • College of Pharmacy

Tailgate ticket holders are invited to arrive an hourbefore the party to participate in a free one-hour continuing education opportunity.

Tailgate PartySaturday, Oct. 29 • College courtyard

Put on your burnt orange (It’s Longhorn footballAND Halloween after all) and prepare to cheer theLonghorns as they take on the Baylor’s Bears. Partybegins three hours prior to kickoff with food, fun,Longhorn Pharmacy fellowship, and a little dose ofHalloween merriment. Don’t miss it.

Check our website to register and for homecomingupdates including tailgate kickoff once game time isset http://sites.utexas.edu/phralumni/alumni-events/alumni-events/homecoming/

28 S U M M E R 2 0 1 6

VISIT THE WEBSITE: HTTP://SITES.UTEXAS.EDU/CPE-PPS/DoubleTree North Hotel in Austin • Saturday & Sunday • September 24 & 25, 2016

64TH ANNUAL

PHARMACY PRACTICE SEMINARSEPTEMBER 24 & 25, 2016 • AUSTIN, TEXAS

texaS PharMacy Law UPdate1.5 cPe • Online Video course • $30 • dodson

IMMUnIzatIOn UPdate3.0 cPe • Online Video course • $45 • Pope & rush

Ut PrecePtOr cPe Multiple Online Video courses • Free

VISIt the webSIte: httP://SIteS.UtexaS.edU/cPe/Over 60 Online cPe activities covering Over 40 topics

CONTINUING PHARMACY EDUCATION • COLLEGE OF PHARMACY • THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

CONTINUING PHARMACY EDUCATION • COLLEGE OF PHARMACY • THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

Join over 520 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians for our annual CPE seminar. Program provides tools and knowledgethat can be immediately applied upon return to practice. The seminar offers up to 15 contact hours of ACPE accredited pharmacy continuing education.

PPS

harmacyracticeeminar

Who Should RegisterThe Pharmacy Practice Seminar (PPS) is designed for pharmacists and pharmacist technicians practicingin a variety of settings, including but not limited to: community/retail (chain and independent), hospital,clinical, pharmaceutical industry, academia, and government/regulatory practicesPre-Seminar Programs: September 23, 2015

IV Update*4.00 Contact Hours

Immunization Update3.00 Contact Hours

•IV Update meets new TSBP rule (291.133) requirement for specific CE to maintain IV certification.

ONLINE CPE

29F O C U S

VISIT THE WEBSITE: HTTP://SITES.UTEXAS.EDU/CPE-PPU/DoubleTree North Hotel • Austin • Saturday & Sunday • October 27 & 28, 2016

The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy is proud to behosting the 28th Annual Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy Update,October 27 & 28, 2016 in Austin, Texas.

addressing Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy topics for today's PracticeThis conference's goal is to improve the quality of care delivered topeople with mental health problems by providing timely and clinicallyuseful information for the practicing clinician. Conference speakersfocus on the practical application of neuroscience principles and evi-dence-based approaches for the treatment of serious and persistentmajor psychiatric and neurologic disorders, including depression, schiz-ophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dementias. Participants are providedwith treatment advances in the psychiatric pharmacotherapy of chil-dren, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, and an update on newpsychotherapeutic uses of existing agents and new psychotropic agentsthat will impact your practice in the next year.

“The UT Psychiatric Pharmacotherapy Updatebegan 28 years ago to address an unmet needfor high quality continuing education forpsychiatric pharmacy specialists. Since then,it has grown to a regional interprofessionaleducational meeting that addresses thepsychiatric pharmacotherapy needs for avariety of mental health professionals in Texasas well as from other states. We are proudthat the UT College of Pharmacy has beenable to provide leadership in providing highquality pharmacotherapy education for mentalhealth professionals.”

M. Lynn Crismon, Pharm.D., Dean & James T. DoluisioRegents Chair and Reherens Centennial Professor,The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy

28TH ANNUAL

PSYCHIATRIC PHARMACOTHERAPY UPDATE

OCTOBER 27 & 28, 2016 • AUSTIN, TEXAS

PSychOtrOPIc new drUG UPdate1.24 cPe • Online Video course • $15 • Saklad

PSychOtrOPIc MedIcatIOn UtILIzatIOn ParaMeterS FOr FOSter chILdren and yOUth1.0 cPe • Online Video course • $15 • crismon

GeneSIS OF addIctIVe PerSOnaLItIeS1.25 cPe • Online Video course • $15 • Grant

VISIt the webSIte: httP://SIteS.UtexaS.edU/cPe/Over 60 Online cPe activities covering Over 50 topics

CONTINUING PHARMACY EDUCATION • COLLEGE OF PHARMACY • THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

ONLINE CPE

30 S U M M E R 2 0 1 6

New faces of philanthropyClass of 2016 makes largest graduating class pledge in college history

Giving to the collegeIf you wish to learn more about giving back tothe college and/or honoring a loved one with agift to the college, contact Susan Brown, assis-tant dean for development and alumni relationsat skbrown@austin.utexas.edu or go to the col-lege website www.utexas.edu/pharmacy andclick on the Make A Gift button.

Building on the momentum initiated by graduates from 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, the Class of 2016 con-tinues a legacy of philanthropy that honors and celebrates their graduating class, expresses gratitude for support theyreceived from family, friends and faculty, and paves the way for students who will follow them. Student volunteersfrom the various rotation sites led this effort. By May 4, students had generated more than $76,000 in pledges. egraduates listed below have made monetary pledges to scholarships and programs that maintain their alma mater’sexemplary standing. e College of Pharmacy gratefully acknowledges our new class of alumni donors.

Dr. Tracy Acosta ............................In Honor of Sam & Sheri AcostaDr. Vicente Aparicio Jr ..................In honor of Vicente & Martha Aparicio, Sydney Renee Arguelles

& the Mauricio FamilyDr. Erene Marian Attia ..................In Honor of Dr. Farouk & Mrs. Afaf AttiaDr. Kathryn Broze ..........................In Honor of my three siblings & amazing parents,

Greg and Kathleen BrozeDr. Benjamin Brunell ....................In Honor of Dr. Rebekah & Mr. Bret BrunellDr. Ariel Champion ......................In Honor of Leaya V. Finner & Mikayla C. FinnerDr. Karla Cuaron ..........................In Honor of Jose, Bertha & Juan C. CuaronDr. Angelica Cuenco ....................In Honor of my mom, dad, brother &

the Galang familyDr. Gretchen Dao Dr. Karem Elizondo ....................In Honor of Ramon & Claudia ElizondoDr. Pedro Amadeo Galvan ............In Honor of the Galvan Family & Trejo FamilyDr. Antonio Garza ........................In Honor of Efrain & Cynthia GarzaDr. Stephanie Garza ......................In Honor of Mr. Christopher Garza & Mrs. Anne LandinDr. Marshall A. George ................In Memory of Carson Hammersley Dr. Michael Hernandez ................In Honor of Juan Alaniz Jr.Dr. Anne JonesDr. Scott Karpowicz ......................In Honor of Martin & Ann KarpowiczDr. Dohyun Brandon KimDr. Kathleen Morgan Kusey ........In Honor of Douglas & Debbie KuseyDr. Kevin J. Lambeth ....................In Honor of Janet LambethDr. Minhngan LeDr. Michael Lugo..........................In Honor of Martha Lugo & Daniel LugoDr. Joel Moore ..............................In Honor of Tori R. MooreDr. Joseph Le Nguyen Dr. Lynn Nguyen ..........................In Honor of Richard Nguyen & Katy NguyenDr. Neha Pabla Dr. Lynh Pham ............................In Honor of Khuong Pham & Ngoc-Ngan NguyenDr. Erin R. PilcherDr. Luke Porter ............................In Honor of Michael & Kris PorterDr. Kyllie Ryan-Hummel..............In Honor of Laurajo Ryan, Charles Ryan, Jill Ryan & David KalinowskiDr. JoAnne Savage ........................In Honor of Herman I. & Maria Luisa Savage,

Diana Noriega, Wendy Alaniz & Gabriel Gonzalez

Dr. Abigail SeowDr. Chloe Schafer..........................In Honor of Trina & Howard SchaferDr. Mario A. Solis Jr. Dr. Marie Elizabeth Tillema ........In Honor of Mike & Kim TillemaDr. uy Tran ..............................In Honor of An Tran & Sang PhanDr. Samantha Vogel ......................In Honor of Karin & Daryl Johnston, Franz

& Kristi Vogel & Jonny CatanzanoDr. Christian WhalenDr. Erin Yeung

31F O C U S

Why I want to give backBy Andrew Hwang, Pharm.D. Class of 2015

YOUR PART IS SIMPLE.

IT TOOK AN ACT OF CONGRESS.

New, permanent legislation allows you

to make donations from your Individual

Retirement Account to a charitable

organization at any time. Consider a

direct gift from your IRA today and help

Texas continue to change the world.

Support Texas by making a direct gift from your IRA. It’s easy, and the time to do it is now.

As I approached the end of pharmacy school, my mindwas flooded with questions.

• What will life be like out of school? • I took out how much in student loans? Surely that cannot be right. • Did someone mention something about investing in retirement? • How will I balance rent, other bills, student loan repayment, and other miscellaneous living expenses?

ere were many unanswered questions about how Iwould handle my financial situation post-graduation. As a result, when it came time for the Class of 2015Pledge Drive (a tradition started by the Class of 2011 togive back with first donations starting up to five yearsafter graduation), I regretfully shied away from theopportunity.As a student, I never took the time to think about theimpact of giving back. Others’ generosity helped fundscholarships that lessened my financial burden, fundedorganizations and events that fostered my personal andprofessional growth, provided stipends for travel to pro-fessional conferences, and much more. As an alumnus, Ireflect upon on all the enriching experiences our College

of Pharmacy was able to provide, and I am grateful.Take a few moments now to reflect. Reflect upon theimpact that other people giving and how it has impactedyour experiences in pharmacy school. As a result ofreflecting, I chose to give back.

• I chose to give, because it is tax-deductible. • I chose to give, because I know there are many areas in the college that need it. • I chose to give, because I want our College of Pharmacy to continue to be one of the best. • I chose to give back because now that I am balancing loans, rent, and other bills, I know can handle it. • I chose to give, because now it is my turn.

Whatever your reason may be, I challenge you to giveback too.

RETIREMENT IS A TIME TO TAKE STOCK OF THE LEGACY YOU WILL LEAVE. ONE

WAY TO ENSURE THAT WHAT YOU’VE BUILT OVER YOUR LIFETIME LIVES ON IS BY

SUPPORTING A PLACE THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY — THE UNIVERSITY

OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. AND ONE OF THE EASIEST WAYS TO DO THAT IS WITH

AN IRA CHARITABLE GIFT.

Making IRA transfers to UT Austin is a win-win

If you are 70½ or older, you are required to distribute

funds annually from your Individual Retirement Account

(IRA). This mandatory distribution often creates a tax

burden. But federal law* allows you to make direct,

annual transfers of up to $100,000 from an IRA to

charity without treating the distribution as taxable

income. These “charitable transfers” can significantly

lower your taxable income, and a direct transfer to

UT Austin from your IRA counts toward your required

minimum distribution.

An IRA charitable gift can benefit retirees, who often

have paid o� their mortgages and don’t file itemized

returns. The gift may help to neutralize the negative tax

consequences of a required minimum distribution.

How important are IRA charitable gifts to UT?

To date, alumni and friends have provided more than

$17 million from their IRAs to support faculty and

students working together to solve society’s biggest

challenges. These gifts have supported every area of

campus, and you can designate your IRA gift to the

people and programs at UT Austin that you care

about most. Give to a good cause and gain an income

tax advantage.

*Established under the Pension Protection Act

YOUR RETIREMENT CHECKLIST

Contact Susan Brown at skbrown@austin.utexas.edu or by phone (512) 475-9758 to learn more.