GEORGE P. ALLEN, PHARM.D. |
Oregon
State University College of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor, Pharmacy Practice |
| Project
Title: |
“In Vitro
Resistance Prevention in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Combination
Fluoroquinolone and Aminoglycoside Therapy. Evaluation of the
Effects of Pharmacokinetically Superimposed Concentrations within
the Mutant Selection Window.” |
| Project
Description: |
The mutant
selection window (MSW) describes a range of antimicrobial concentrations
that exists between the MIC and the mutant prevention concentration
(MPC). A single antimicrobial dose above the MPC should prevent
resistance, but this is not possible for many available agents.
Alternatively, use of two antimicrobials together within the MSW
should prevent resistance, but the required degree of concentration
overlap within the MSW is unknown. We will study the ability of
fluoroquinolone-aminoglycoside combinations to prevent resistance
in P. aeruginosa using an in vitro model. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Pfizer-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
PETER L. ANDERSON, PHARM.D. |
University
of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor |
| Project
Title: |
“Phosphorylation
of Nucleoside Analog Antiretroviral Drugs in Purified CD4 Lymphocytes
and CD4 Depleted PBMCs.” |
| Project
Description: |
Nucleoside
analog reverse transcript inhibitor-triphosphates (NRTI-TPS) are
the active anabolite for NRTIs. The site of NRTI-TP action is
in HIV-infected CD4 lymphocytes. Currently, NRTI-TP concentrations
are measured in PBMCs of HIV-infected patients. Patients with
the lowest CD4 cells often have the highest NRTI-TP concentrations.
One possible mechanism for this finding is that CD4 depleted PBMCs
may phosphorylate NRTIs more efficiently than PBMCs with normal
CD4 levels. The purpose of this grant is to quantify NRTI-TP concentrations
ex vivo in CD4 lymphocyte depleted PBMCs and in CD4 lymphocytes
purified from PBMCs. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Johnson &
Johnson-AFPE-AACP Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
CHRISTINA L. AQUILANTE, PHARM.D. |
University
of Colorado Health Sciences Center |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor |
| Project
Title: |
“The Effect
of Rosiglitazone on Resistin Levels in Nondiabetic Patients with
the Metabolic Syndrome.” |
| Project
Description: |
The metabolic
syndrome increases the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular
disease. The present epidemic of the metabolic syndrome necessitates
the elucidation of ancillary effects of available drugs to modulate
disease processes in this population. Modulation of the adipocyte-derived
cytokine, resistin, is a potential target for altering the pathogensis
of this syndrome. The primary objective of this study is to determine
if treatment with the thiazolidinedione, rosiglitazone will modulate
plasma resistin concentrations and improve insulin sensitivity
in nondiabetic patients with the metabolic syndrome. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Pfizer-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
ALICIA S. BOULDIN, PH.D. |
University
of Mississippi School of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Research
Assistant Professor for Instructional Assessment and Advancement |
| Project
Title: |
“Toward an
Understanding of Personal Involvement and Intrinsic Motivation
to Learn Among Pharmacy Students.” |
| Project
Description: |
The motivation
to learn has both situational and ongoing implications. Students
may learn just to pass a test, or they may learn deeply with the
intention of retaining that information for a lifetime. A variety
of attitudinal factors have been suggested to contribute to that
motivation, among them the construct of “involvement” (defined
and measured as a person’s perceived relevance of an object based
on inherent needs, values, and interests [Zaichkowsky, 1985]).
This study investigates educational process variables, personal
involvement, and intrinsic motivation to learn among pharmacy
students. A conceptual framework describing the relationships
between these attitudinal constructs is proposed and those relationships
will be measured with the help of existing surveys currently in
use in other contexts. |
| AFPE
Award: |
AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
ROBERT M. CISNEROS, PH.D. |
Campbell
University School of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor, Pharmacy Practice |
| Project
Title: |
“The Impact
of a Pharmacy Curriculum on Measures of Critical Thinking and
Self-Directed Learning.” |
| Project
Description: |
This project
is a measure of the impact of the first (PI), second (P2), third
(P3), and fourth year (P4) pharmacy curricula at Campbell University
on three surrogate measures of student achievement: self-directed
learning readiness, disposition for critical thinking, and critical
thinking skills. Three previously validated research instruments
will be administered to consenting P1, P2, P3, and P4 students
before and after the 2005-2006 school year. Changes in instruments
scores and correlations of the scores with other measures of student
achievement will be studied. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Novartis-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
KEVIN W. GAREY, PHARM.D. |
University
of Houston College of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor, Clinical Sciences |
| Project
Title: |
“The Role
of Type III Secretory Proteins and Inadequate Antimicrobial Therapy
in Predicting Mortality in Patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Bacteremia.” |
| Project
Description: |
Retrospective
cohort study to investigate the relationship between inadequate
antibiotic therapy, bacterial virulence factors (type III secretion
proteins), and mortality/morbidity in hospitalized patients with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Clinical isolates of patients with P.
aeruginosa bacteremia will be collected from St. Luke’s Episcopal
hospital (n=100) and analyzed for presence of genes encoding type
III secretion proteins (ExoS and ExoU) by PCR. After obtaining
IRB approval, the patient’s medical charts will be reviewed for
hospital mortality, length of stay antimicrobial therapy, and
important demographic risk factors including APACHEII scores.
The relationship between inadequate antibiotic therapy, presence
of ExoS or ExoU, and mortality or length of hospital stay will
be assessed using a multivariate regression model. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Ortho-Biotech
and Tibotec-AFPE-AACP Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
RICHARD A. HANSEN, PH.D. |
University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor, Pharmaceutical Policy and Evaluative Sciences |
| Project
Title: |
“Predicting
the Switch: Pharmaceutical Promotion, Insurance and Treatment
Costs.” |
| Project
Description: |
Unnecessary
switching from one pharmaceutical product to another can increase
health care costs and decrease patient satisfaction with the healthcare
system. This study seeks to explore the role of various factors
that influence switching from one proton pump inhibitor to another
in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. A retrospective
cohort study will be used to evaluate the relative influence of
insurance benefit design and promotional spending on drug utilization
and spending. |
| AFPE
Award: |
NACDS-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
JAMES S. KALUS, PHARM.D. |
Wayne
State University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor, Pharmacy Practice |
| Project
Title: |
“The Effect
of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System on Atrial Refractoriness
ad Conduction.” |
| Project
Description: |
Two pilot
studies will explore the role of the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone
system in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation in humans.
The first study will test whether the angiotensin-converting enzyme
inhibitor, enalapril, attenuates the reduced atrial refractoriness
that occurs with atrial fibrillation. The second study will test
whether enalapril prevents the changes in atrial conduction velocity
that occur during atrial fibrillation. These pilot data will be
used by the principal investigator to support larger grant applications
for clinical trials testing the efficacy of an inhibitor of the
rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system for the treatment and prevention
of atrial fibrillation. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Novartis-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
KRISTIN C. KLEIN, PHARM.D. |
University
of Michigan College of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Clinical
Assistant Professor |
| Project
Title: |
“Transplacental
Passage of Vancomycin Following Single Dose Administration Prior
to Cesarean Section.” |
| Project
Description: |
The primary
goal of this project is to evaluate maternal serum and fetal cord
blood concentrations of vancomycin in pregnant women undergoing
cesarean section to determine if adequate drug concentrations
are present to prevent Group B Streptococcus infection in the
neonate. Secondary goals for this project are: (1) to measure
concurrent amniotic fluid concentrations of vancomycin in order
to determine if vancomycin may be a viable treatment option for
chorioamnionitis and (2) to determine if the presence of meconium
in the amniotic fluid will affect the reliability of the vancomycin
assay. |
| AFPE
Award: |
AstraZeneca-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
TONGLEI LI, PH.D. |
University
of Kentucky College of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Project
Title: |
“Deciphering
Electronic Structures of the Crystal-Solvent Interface to Unveil
the Formation Mechanism of Polymorphic Molecular Crystals.” |
| Project
Description: |
This project
aims to understand the role of solvents in deciding the formation
of polymorphic structures of molecular crystals. This will be
accomplished by calculating and analyzing the electronic structure
of solvent-crystal interfaces with quantum mechanical methods
and concepts. This study will test the hypothesis that a key-lock
match should exist with respect to electronic properties between
a polymorph and a solvent under which the crystal nucleates and
grow. Fundamental understandings of crystal growth will be obtained. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Ortho-McNeil-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
TIEN M.H. NG, PHARM.D. |
University
of Southern California School of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor, Clinical Pharmacy |
| Project
Title: |
“Pharmacist
Monitoring of QTc Prolonging Drugs in the ICU.” |
| Project
Description: |
Drug-induced
QTc-interval prolongation is a significant problem in critically
ill patients. Patients are not routinely monitored for this proarrhythmic
risk. The purpose of this prospective, parallel-group study is
to evaluate the efficacy of a formal pharmacist monitoring protocol
for QTc prolonging drugs in reducing proarrhythmic risk compared
to standard medical care. A preliminary cost-analysis will e performed
to determine the feasibility of a detailed pharmacoeconomic analysis
in a future multicenter study evaluating pharmacist QTc monitoring
on clinical outcomes. |
| AFPE
Award: |
GlaxoSmithKline-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
RONALD STROHMEYER, PH.D. |
Western
University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Project
Title: |
“C/EBP Transcription
of Factors and Glial Cell-Mediated Inflammation.” |
| Project
Description: |
The single
aim of this proposal is to confirm that C/EBP transcription factors
are necessary components in the expression of inflammatory genes
by glial cells in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other
neurodegenerative diseases. Chronic neuroinflammation in the brain
is widely held to substantially impact neurodegeneration in AD.
To date, numerous acute phase and pro-inflammatory proteins have
been described in the AD brain. However, very little is known
regarding the mechanisms regulating the expression of these factors.
Transcription factors are a fundamental starting point in understanding
any mechanism of gene expression. C/EBP transcription factors
are well known to be involved in inflammatory processes in the
periphery and to co-regulate many of the inflammatory genes expressed
in Alzheimer’s disease. This research seeks to add final cells
and in culture in-brain derived glial cells. Using anti-sense
technology, it should be possible to clearly indicate the role
of C/EBP in the expression of inflammatory proteins by brain glial
cells. A better understanding of these mechanisms will support
pursuit of therapeutic avenues in future C/EBP projects. |
| AFPE
Award: |
AACP Pharmacy
Faculty New Investigator Grant |
DUXIN SUN, PH.D. |
Ohio
State University College of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor, Pharmaceutics |
| Project
Title: |
“Glucose
Transporters and Targeted Delivery of Chemotherapeutic Compounds
for Cancer Therapy.” |
| Project
Description: |
High rate
glycolysis is a fundamental property of cancers due to hypoxia.
In normal tissues, prolonged hypoxia induces apoptosis, while
tumors adapt to hypoxia condition and continue to grow. The switch
from tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to anaerobic glycolysis for
ATP production in cancer cells results in a 19-fold increase of
glucose consumption compared to normal cells. Indeed, this is
the basis for the widely used cancer imaging method positron emission
tomography (PET) using 2-(18F)-fluoro-deoxyglucose. Similar to
the PET, we propose that high levels of glucose transporters and
glycolysis in tumors can be utilized for targeted drug delivery
and cell retention. The purpose of this project is targeted delivery
of chemotherapeutic compound to increase tumor selectivity and
reduce toxicity for cancer therapy. The xenograft model will be
established with colon cancer cells with different expressions
of glucose transporters and hexokinase. The nitrogen mustard will
be conjugated with glucose and glucuronic acid as double targeting
moieties and cell retention mechanism. The tumor selectivity and
cell retention of designed compounds will be evaluated in xenograft
models. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Pfizer-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
CLAY C.C. WANG, PH.D. |
University
of Southern California School of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor |
| Project
Title: |
“Biosynthesis
of the Antitumor Agent Naphthyridinomycin.” |
| Project
Description: |
The goals
of this proposal are to identify, sequence, and characterize the
enzymes responsible for producing the tetrahydroisoquinoline,
naphthyridinomyein in streptomyces lusitanlus AYB-1026 NRRL 8034.
We have proposed a biosynthetic model involving nonribosomal peptide
synthetase for napthyridinomycin, saframycin. The results from
this proposal will provide solid support for our model and will
clarify the sequence of events leading to the formation of this
complex natural product. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Sanofi Aventis
Pharmaceutical-AFPE-AACP Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
JIM Z. WANG, PH.D. |
University
of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor, Pharmacology & Pharmaceutics |
| Project
Title: |
“CaMKII in
Opioid Tolerance and Dependence.” |
| Project
Description: |
One of the
most significant health problems in our country is the inadequate
treatment of pain. While opioid analgesics remain the mainstay
for pain treatment, prolonged use of these drugs leads to tolerance
and dependence. The mechanism underlying opioid tolerance and
dependence is not entirely understood. This research will examine
the role of CaMkII in the development of opioid tolerance and
dependence. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Pfizer-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
CHENGGUO XING, PH.D. |
University
of Minnesota College of Pharmacy |
| Faculty
Position: |
Assistant
Professor |
| Project
Title: |
“Studies
of the Mechanisms of Apoptotic Induction by Inhibitors of Bcl-2
Proteins.” |
| Project
Description: |
Overexpression
of Bcl-2 proteins confers resistance upon cancer cells to apoptosis
and accounts for the development of intrinsic drug resistance.
Bcl-2 inhibitors have been identified recently and were found
to possess diverse biological activities. The focus of this research
is to elucidate the detailed mechanisms of apoptotic induction
by current Bcl-2 inhibitors that account for the differences in
their biological activities. Understanding such mechanisms will
guide the development of more effective Bcl-2 inhibitors that
can selectively induce or sensitize normally drug resistant cancer
cells to apoptosia. |
| AFPE
Award: |
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals-AFPE-AACP
Pharmacy Faculty New Investigator Grant |
