Winners in UF College of Pharmacy research showcase display diversity of research topics

Eight pharmacy students took top honors for presentations on topics in pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry and pharmacy health-care administration at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s 16th Annual Research Showcase.

Three students were named winners in the oral competition. Yaning Wang (senior division) discussed a comparison of drug chemical effects in asthma control. Hao Zhu (junior division) presented his findings on an enhancer to increase nonviral gene transfer efficiency, and Soo Yeon Kwon (Levitt division) compared three scientific scales used to measure disability resulting from stroke. Each received a $600 cash award.

Five winners in the poster competition presented their research on topics ranging from appetite control to antihypertensive responses.

Representing the college’s medicinal chemistry department, graduate student division winners Christine Joseph and Aleksandar Todorovic each received a $300 cash award, and undergraduate division winner Krista Renner received a $200 award. Postdoctoral division winners Amber Beitelshees, Pharm.D., and Issam Zineh, Pharm.D., representing the pharmacy practice department, each received a $200 cash award.

Funding for the research competition was contributed by UF alumni Robert Bell, Ph.D. (Barr Laboratories); Francisco Alvarez, Ph.D. (Andrx Corp.); and Robert A. Levitt, Ph.D., and his wife, Phyllis. The competition was held April 10 at the UF Health Science Center.