MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences Students Showcase Capstone Research at Poster Session

From cancer therapies to advanced drug delivery systems, students showcased solutions to some of today’s toughest health challenges.

By Pam Carder
January 8, 2026

Images courtesy of Vanshika Patel.

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Students in the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmSci) program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) presented their capstone research projects during a poster session Dec. 12 in Pharmacy Hall. The event marked the culmination of the rigorous 16-month MS program, which blends advanced coursework with hands-on research and industry experience. The program has grown from an inaugural cohort of approximately three students to its largest class to date, with 36 students in the current cohort.

“This poster session is a celebration of the hard work and innovation our students have demonstrated throughout the program,” said Steven Fletcher, PhD, professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and director of the MS in PharmSci program. “Their projects reflect not only scientific excellence but also the collaborative spirit that drives pharmaceutical research forward.”

The event highlighted the MS program’s breadth, with projects spanning oncology, neurodegenerative disease, infectious disorders, and advanced drug delivery systems. Students explored topics such as population pharmacokinetic modeling for pediatric malaria treatments, engineering hybrid nanoparticles to combat sepsis, and developing 3D organoid models to study pulmonary fibrosis. Others investigated antibody-drug conjugates for lymphoma and innovative strategies for Alzheimer’s diagnostics, reflecting the program’s commitment to addressing complex health challenges through multidisciplinary approaches.

“The rigor of the capstone poster session mirrors industry expectations, and the students demonstrated a high level of professionalism, technical depth, and readiness to contribute meaningfully in research and development settings,” said Scott Riley, PhD, instructor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UMSOP and coordinator of the biopharmaceutical internship portion of the MS in PharmSci program.

Highlights included:

• Lavanya Nagaveni Attili explored fluorescent lectins for non-invasive evaluation of pluripotency in human stem cells.
• Afroza Awadiya developed a 3D organoid model to study idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
• Aidan Smart investigated CD30-targeting antibody-drug conjugates as a first-line therapy for anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
• Shubham Deshpande applied population pharmacokinetic modeling to guide pediatric dosing for cerebral malaria.
• Gargi Digholkar engineered hybrid nanoparticles to enhance anti-inflammatory efficacy in sepsis models.

Students partnered with leading organizations such as AstraZeneca, Bayer, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and internationally recognized UMSOP faculty, gaining real-world experience that complements their academic training.

The MS in PharmSci program prepares graduates for careers in pharmaceutical research and development, regulatory science, and related fields. For more information about the program, visit pharmacy.umaryland.edu/academics/ms-pharmaceutical-sciences.

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