SHARKS RX Spring 2016 Magazine

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY 30 S ince the College of Pharmacy (COP) launched its Ph.D. program in 2010, it has continued to grow and currently boasts 43 students that hail from around the country and the world. David Mastropi- etro, Ph.D., now an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at NSU COP, became the first to earn his doctoral degree in drug development (pharmaceutics) in 2014. Recently, two additional graduates—Ahmad Nour and Diena Almasri—both of Saudi Arabia, received their Ph.D.s after completing the social and administrative pharmacy sequence. “It’s a proud moment to see our first graduates completing the program,” said Peter Gannett, Ph.D., associate dean of research and graduate education, who is responsible for overseeing the Ph.D. program. “The program is growing and developing. And it’s still in its infancy. We are looking to keep expanding our research capabilities and gain recognition on a national level.” Gannett explained that the Ph.D. program includes three sequences: molecular medicine and pharmacogenom- ics; drug development (pharmaceutics); and social and administrative pharmacy. The doctoral students are evenly balanced among the sequences and are involved in cut- ting-edge research at NSU. “What makes our program unique is the people who comprise it, the research they are doing, and the expertise of the faculty members we have,” Gannett said. For instance, various research projects are being conducted on the causes, predictors, and possible treatments for breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and autism. Ph.D.ProgramCelebrates Inaugural Graduates By Ellen Wolfson Valladares Mastropietro, who worked as a pharmacist for 13 years, took advantage of the Ph.D. program to “see what was on the other side of the fence.” His doctoral work included researching abuse deterrent formulations (ADFs), or drug designs that would help prevent drugs from being abused through crushing, snorting, or injection. “The abuse of prescription drugs is a big problem, and there are ways to prevent that type of abuse,” he said. In fact, Mastropietro was a coinventor in one international patent application (PCT), six U.S. provisional patent applications (patent pending), and nine NSU invention disclosures for the drug designs he has been researching. Additionally, he has seen interest from pharmaceutical companies in his product. After receiving his Ph.D., Mastropietro said he was thrilled to be offered the chance to teach at NSU and is enjoying continuing his research, working with students, and sharing his personal experi- ences as a pharmacist. Meanwhile, Nour and Almasri have headed back to Saudi Arabia to share their knowledge. “They were here as part of a wonderful program between NSU and the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, which provides scholarships for Saudi Arabian students to study at NSU and then bring their expertise back to their country, to help build an in- frastructure to train their own pharmacists,” Gannett said. “We are working to create more programs like this with other countries, too. It’s a win-win situation. They come here to be trained so they can improve pharmacy educa- tion and industry in their country, and we host students who conduct incredible research. It works on both sides.” Pharmacy News