Annual Research Day Showcases Students’ and Trainees’ Work

Forum provides opportunity to share research and reach potential collaborators

PhD student Emily Reese discusses her work on the costs associated with treatment of stages 3 and 4 colon cancer.

By Becky Ceraul
April 9, 2012

More than 60 student pharmacists, pharmacy residents, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows participated in the School of Pharmacy’s annual Research Day on March 29, which highlighted the breadth and depth of research within the School’s students and trainees.

“Research day gives students, postdocs, residents, and faculty a chance to share their research studies and learn about research going on in other departments,” says Peter Swaan, PhD, associate dean for research and graduate studies. “We hope that this venue will stimulate new collaborations across the School and within its variety of disciplines.”

Emily Reese, MPH, a graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, presented her work on the costs associated with treatment of stages 3 and 4 colon cancer. “Research Day is a great opportunity to get exposure to researchers in other disciplines,” she says. “Those working in other fields are often able to provide feedback and suggestions that I may not have thought about.”

Jennifer Dress, PharmD, a School of Pharmacy resident in psychiatry, showcased her study on a new urine test that has the potential to determine the concentration of antipsychotic medications in a patient’s system. “This is the first urine test of its kind, the advantage being that it’s less invasive than drawing blood,” she says. “And talking with people at Research Day opens my eyes to how my work can affect patient care.”

Aparna Shivananda, a fourth-year student pharmacist, examined data on hospice patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to determine if those with a stage 4 diagnosis were being treated according to established guidelines. “Conducting research as a student helps me understand the real world beyond school,” she says. “And at Research Day, it’s nice to interact with others and see that they are interested in my project.”