Ph.D. Alumni

2014

2015

2016

Mansour Almetwazi, Pharm.D., Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2016 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Catherine Harrington Dissertation Title: The Association Between Diabetes Mellitus, Use of Glucose Lowering Agents and Cancer Incidence Among Medicare Patients Current position: Director of Pharm.D./Bachelor Program, Training Unit Supervisor, College of Pharmacy at King Saud University Saudi Arabia

Abdullah Althemery, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2016 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Leanne Lai Dissertation Title: Socioeconomic Factors Associated with Antihyperlipidemic Pharmacotherapy in the United States:   Application of the Andersen Behavioral Model Current position: Assistant Professor, Prince Satam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

Abdullah Alfaifi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2016 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Leanne Lai Dissertation Title: Assessing the Burden of Illness Associated with Anxiety Disorder in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Current position: Assistant Professor, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

Srinath Muppalaneni, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2016 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Hamid Omidian Dissertation Title: Design and Analysis of Improved Abuse Deterrent Compositions Current position: Product Steward, Manufacturing and Technical Services at Mylan Pharmaceuticals ULC in Morgantown, WV

 

2017

Akesha Edwards, Pharm.D., Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2017 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Silvia Rabionet Dissertation Title: Investigating to Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients of Caribbean Descent Living with HIV/AIDS Current position: Visiting Associate Professor, St. John Fisher University

Alhussain Aodah, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2017 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Mutasem Rawas-Qalaj Dissertation Title: Formulation and Evaluation of Fast Disintegrating Sublingual Atropine Tablets for the Potential Treatment of Acute Organophosphates Toxicity Current position: Assistant Professor, Prince Satam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

Homood As Sobeai, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2017 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Jean Latimer Dissertation Title: Molecular Regulation of Nucleotide Excision Repair in Breast Cancer and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Current position: Assistant Professor, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

Wael Mahdi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2017  Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Young M. Kwon Dissertation Title: Triggered Delivery of a Thrombolytic Drug for Potential Stroke Therapy Current position: Chairman, Pharmaceutics Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

Muhammad Sultan, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2017 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Young M. Kwon Dissertation Title: Modulation of Insulin Release from Crystalline Basal Formulations Using Injectable Matrix Current position: Assistant Professor, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia

Dhanush Haspula, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2017 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Clark Dissertation Title: Pathophysiological Relevance of Astroglial Angiotensin and the Endocannabinoid Signaling Systems in SHRs Current position: Postdoctoral fellow, Medical College of Wisconsin

Ahmed Alanazi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2017 Sequence:Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Clark Dissertation Title: The Proliferative and Proinflammatory Roles of Angiotensin III in Wistar and SHR Cultured VSMCS Current position: Assistant Professor, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

Yogesh Joshi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2017 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Hamid Omidian Dissertation Title: Improved Abuse Deterrent Compositions Current position: Research Scientist at Unipharma, LLC, Florida

Suhaib Muflih, Pharm.D., Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2017 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Barry Bleidt Dissertation Title: Measuring Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Use of Pharmacogenetic Testing among Patients and Prescribers: Diffusion of Innovation Theory Current position: Assistant Professor, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Jordan

 

 2018

Khalid Alhazzani, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence:Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Appu Rathinavelu Dissertation Title: Preclinical Evaluation of F16 as Novel VEGFR-2 Inhibitor for Cancer Treatment Current position: Assistant Professor, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

Omar Ibrahim, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Jean Latimer Dissertation Title: Ancestral Dependence on Breast Stemness and Nucleotide Excision Repair in Breast Cancer Stem Cells in Novel Human Model Systems Current position: Associate, Program Development at Biorasi      (https://www.biorasi.com)

Manasi Pimpley, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Jean Latimer Dissertation Title: Analysis of Molecular Changes in 2 Types of Non-Tumor Adjacent Breast Identified by Nucleotide Excision Repair in Early Stage Sporadic Breast Cancer Current position: Associate Scientist at Genewiz

Fatimah Sherbeny, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Barry Bleidt Dissertation Title: National-Level Analysis of Inpatient ADEs and Patient-Related Risk Factors:  Using the ADE Action Plan's Targets Current position: Assistant Professor, Florida A&M University, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Jordan Spaw, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Ana Maria Castejon Dissertation Title: Role of Oxidative Stress in Autism: In silico, In vitro and Clinical Studies Current position: Project Management at Biorasi

Shmuel Negussie, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Michelle A. Clark Dissertation Title: Role of βArrestins in Ang II-Mediated Signaling in Rat Brainstem Astrocytes Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Weizmann Institute

Mohammed Alanazi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Ana Maria Castejon Dissertation Title: The Proliferative and the Protective Effect of Oxytocin against Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress in U87-MG Cells Current position: Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy at King Saud University

Ali Alaseem, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Appu Rathinavelu Dissertation Title: MDM2 Overexpression Promotes Angiogenesis and Metastasis through Dysregulation of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 Current position: Assistant Professor, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University

Fernando Lopez, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Jesus Sanchez Dissertation Title: An Exploratory Factor Analysis Model for Restrictiveness in Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans Current position: Consultant and Adjunct Faculty, Nova Southeastern University

Bushra Hijazi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Ioana Popovici Dissertation Title: An Economic Evaluation of State Laws Regulating Non-Medical Use of Prescription Opioids in the US Current position: Assistant Professor, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Jordan

Ammena BinSaleh, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Silvia Rabionet Dissertation Title: Impact of Antidepressant Use on Healthcare Utilization and Health-Related Quality of Life among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes and Depression Symptoms Current position: Assistant Professor, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University

Omar Almohammed, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2018 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Leanne Lai Dissertation Title: Comparative Effectiveness of Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis and Treatment in Patients with Cancer Current position: Assistant Professor, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

 

 2019

Varun Soti, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2019 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Ana Maria Castejon Dissertation Title: Protective Actions of Oxytocin on Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) from Normotensive (NT) and Hypertensive rats (SHRs) Current position: Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA

Rawan Bafail, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2019 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Mutasem Rawas-Qalaji Dissertation Title: Enhancing the Sublingual Permeability of Atropine Sulfate: Effect of PH and Penetration Enhancers Current position: Assistant Professor, Taibah University

Saad Alobid, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2019 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Appu Rathinavelu Dissertation Title: Cellular and Molecular Regulation of HIF -1α in MDM2 Overexpressed Prostate Cancer Cells Current position: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abdullah Alhamed, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2019 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Jean Latimer Dissertation Title: Analysis of Genomic Instability and Invasiveness in Ductal Carcinoma in Situ Current position: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University

Priya Dondapati, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2019 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Appu Rathinavelu Dissertation Title: MDM2 Promotes Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Metastasis of LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells Current position: Post-Doctoral, Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Cancer Center

Mohammad Algahtani, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2019 Sequence: Molecular Medicine Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Appu Rathinavelu Dissertation Title: Evaluation of F16 as a Novel Antiangiogenic Agent for Glioblastoma Treatment Current position: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

 

2020

Rand Husni Mahmoud Ahmad. Ph.D.
Year Graduated: 2020
Sequence: Drug Development
Advisor: Dr. Hamid Omidian
Dissertation Title: Development and Characterization of Improved Abuse-Deterrent Compositions Based on Crosslinked Anionic Polymers
Current position: Formulation Scientist II, Hikma Pharmaceuticals

 

2021

Tareq Alharby, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2021 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Jesus Sanchez Dissertation Title: Exploring The Association Between Medication Adherence, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Social Capital Among Arab Descent Americans in South Florida

Jowaher Alanazi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2021 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Jean Latimer Dissertation Title: The Role of Nucleotide Excision Repair in Late Stage Breast Cancer: A Strategy to Overcome Treatment Resistance Current position: Assistant Professor at Qassim University, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Saudi Arabia

Mathew Schrier, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2021 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Richard Deth Dissertation Title: Redox and Methylation-related Metabolic Effects of Cabalamins and their Interaction with NRF2, MTORC1, AND Gasotransmitter Signaling Pathways Current position: Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biomedical Science within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and its affiliated Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University

Muteb Alanazi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2021 Sequence: Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Jesus Sanchez Dissertation Title: Exploring the Association Between Medication Adherence, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Acculturation Among Arab Descent Americans in South Florida: A health Belief Model Approach

 

2022

Sashana Dixon, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2022 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Malav Trivedi Dissertation Title: Redox-Methylation Metabolic Effects of Metformin in Androgen-Dependent and Independent Prostate Cancer Cells Current position: Research Assistant and Instructor, NSU College of Pharmacy

Samaneh Alaei, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2022 Sequence: Drug development Advisor: Dr. Hamid Omidian Dissertation Title: Oral Retentive Drug Carriers: Buccal & Sublingual Mucoadhesive Pharmaceutical Thin Film

Perpetua Shillingford, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2022 Sequence: Drug development Advisor: Dr. Young Kwon Dissertation Title: Development of Ultra-fast Orally Disintegrating Midazolam Tables for the Treatment of Pediatric Preoperative Anxiety Current position: Research Scientist, Pharmaceutical Formulation and Process Development at Gilead Sciences

Bayan Hijazi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2022 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Ioana Popovici Dissertation Title: Patterns and Factors Associated with SSRI Medication Adherence in Patients with Mental Health Disorders Current position: Research Data Analyst at Johns Hopkins University

Ali Almutairy, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2022 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Jean Latimer Dissertation Title: Analysis of DNA Repair and Invasiveness of Early-Stage Breast Cancer Current position: Assistant professor at Qassim University, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Saudi Arabia

Shimone Parmar, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2022 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Silvia Rabionet Dissertation Title: Factors Associated with Fluoroquinolone Use after Black Box Warnings for Uncomplicated UTI’s in Hospital Emergency Departments Nationwide: 2017-2019

 

2023

Dion Allen, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2023 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Silvia Rabionet and Dr. Ioana Popovici Dissertation Title: An Economic Analysis of Factors Associated with Preexposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention use among Women Current position: Post-doc Research Scholar at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Fahad Alsulami, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2023 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Jesus Sanchez Dissertation Title: Exploring the Effect of HBM Constructs and Knowledge on HPV Vaccination Uptake and Willingness to Receive the HPV Vaccine Among College Students Current position: Assistant Professor, Taif University, Saudi Arabia

Yousef Alqarni, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2023 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Jesus Sanchez Dissertation Title: Exploring the Effects of Sociodemographics, Self-Assessed Mental Health Outlook, Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control on Intention to Receive the Covid-19 Vaccine Current position: Assistant Professor, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Alqahtani, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2023 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Albert Wertheimer Dissertation Title: Assessing the Intention of Healthcare Providers to Adopt Biosimilars using The Theory of Planned Behavior Current position: Consultant

Ninoofar Babanejad, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2023 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Hamid Omidian Dissertation Title: Developing Cryogel Composites to Combat Prescription Opioids Abuse  Current position: Senior Scientist, Pharmaceutical R&D Senior Scientist, Pharmaceutical R&D, CONRAD

Samia Alsubhi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2023 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Appu Rathinavelu Dissertation Title: Effects of MDM2 and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition on Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer

Amal Alzahrani, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2023 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Appu Rathinavelu Dissertation Title: Enhancement of MDM2 Inhibitory Effects through Blocking Nuclear Export Mechanisms using Selinexor in Ovarian Cancer

Anusha Thumma, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2023 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Hamid Omidian Dissertation Title: Abuse-deterrent Composites- A Multi Angle Approach

2024

Ahmed Alsarrani, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2024 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Appu Rathinavelu Dissertation Title: Analyzing the Role of MDMX compared to MDM2 for Regulating Cell Death in Prostate Cancer Cells

Karin Hsiao, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2024 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Ana Castejon and Dr. Richard Deth Dissertation Title: Redox Regulation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome: Implications for Immun Senescence, Inflammaging, and Neurodegenerative Disorders  Current Position: Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager, Accenture LLP

Kwadwo Mfoafo, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2024 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Hamid Omidian Dissertation Title: Thermoresponsive Polymers for Clinical Applications Current Position: Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, William Carey University, Mississippi

Zahrah Asiri, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2024 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Young Kwon Dissertation Title: Steric Modulation of Thrombolytic Enzymes for Ischemic Stroke

Nazanin Kianinejad, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2024 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Young Kwon Dissertation Title: Temozolomide-Loaded Niosomal Nanovesicles for Glioblastoma Treatment: Formulation, Characterization, and Stability Studies Compared to Liposomes Current Position: Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gregory School of Pharmacy, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Maha Mobasher, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2024 Sequence: Drug Development Advisor: Dr. Ana Castejon and Dr. Yadollah Omidi Dissertation Title: Biological impacts of Anti-haemophilus Influenzae Self-amplifying mRNA Vaccine Formulated as Lipid Nanoparticles Current Position: Director of Education, RADEX (Regulatory Affairs) Education, USA

Tahani Momenah, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2024 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Appu Rathinavelu Dissertation Title: Efficacy of MDM2 and Epigenetic Inhibitors for Neuroblastoma Treatment

Natalia Motzko Noto, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2024 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Robert Speth Dissertation Title: Targeting The Renin-Angiotensin System to Prevent Cerebral Current Position: Research Assistant, Silverman College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University

2025

Ali Alwadai, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2025 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Jesus Sanchez Dissertation Title: Pharmacists’ Opinions, Preferences, and Attitudes towards Deprescribing: A Mixed-Methods Study

Maab Sultan, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2025 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Dmitry Minond Dissertation Title: The Role of hnRNPH1 and H2 in Melanoma Immune Signaling

Saleh Alfuraih, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2025 Sequence: Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Advisor: Dr. Rais Ansari Dissertation Title: The Impact of Hyperglycemia on Lacrimal Function Unit Macrophages

Yasser Alharbi, Ph.D. Year Graduated: 2025 Sequence: Social and Administrative Pharmacy Advisor: Dr. Alexandra Perez Dissertation Title: Obesogenic Medication Use in Type 2 Diabetes: Prevalence and Associations with Social Determinants of Health and Healthcare Utilization