Ten University of Iowa (UI) College of Pharmacy graduate students have reached the culmination of years of dedicated study, research, and perseverance. Each has made meaningful contributions to their field and to the college community along the way. We congratulate them on this milestone and wish them future success.
| Rachel CrawfordPhD – Human Toxicology |
Research Focus | I study how harmful molecules damage the body at a cellular level and contribute to disease. Specifically, I investigate an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, which produces toxic byproducts, and how those byproducts drive toxicity in the heart. |
Postgraduation Plans | I'll continue working in the Anderson lab as a postdoctoral fellow while searching for my next postdoctoral position. |
How the College | My time at the college gave me hands-on experience in research, grant writing, and scientific manuscript preparation — skills essential for the next stage of my career. I feel well prepared to step into the role of postdoctoral researcher. |
Favorite Memories | The College of Pharmacy's Field Day in fall 2025 stands out — spending time outdoors with peers and mentors in a relaxed setting was a highlight of my time here. |
| Leqi FanPhD – Pharmaceutics |
Research Focus | I’m focused on improving nasal drug delivery — by identifying polymer properties that are crucial to prolong the absorption area residence time and optimizing formulations and dosage forms for improved absorption of delivered drugs. |
Postgraduation Plans | I plan to work in the pharmaceutical industry and contribute to formulation/preformulation, material analysis, or analytical development. |
How the College | The training at the College of Pharmacy not only provided me with scientific knowledge and technical skills but also strengthened my problem-solving and interpersonal abilities. The two most important skills I developed are effective public speaking and the ability to build productive collaborations when tackling complex challenges. |
Favorite Memories | The Hawk Tank competition, where I learned how to pitch business ideas, is particularly special for me. I also TA-ed a variety of courses and had the privilege of mentoring several PharmD and undergraduate students, which was both a joyful and meaningful experience. |
| Rui HePhD – Pharmaceutics |
Research Focus | I’m researching developing cartilage regeneration approaches to help prevent post-traumatic osteoarthritis. |
Postgraduation Plans | I’m heading into the pharmaceutical industry. |
How the College | My training at the College of Pharmacy provided hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulations, characterization, and translational research. It also strengthened my ability to investigate the biological mechanisms underlying disease and therapeutic responses. |
Favorite Memories | I’ve enjoyed collaborating with different research labs, working together across multiple diseases, and focusing on translating scientific discoveries into therapies that could benefit patients. |
| Esra’a KhaderPhD – Health Services Research |
Research Focus | My work looks at the hypertension diagnosis rate in young adults and factors associated with delayed diagnosis using big data. I specifically study how the timing of a diagnosis affects long-term health and how staying within a "target range" for blood pressure can help prevent serious heart issues later in life. |
Postgraduation Plans | I plan to explore opportunities in both academia and postdoctoral fellowships. My goal is to continue my research in real-world evidence and further investigate how we can improve health outcomes. |
How the College | The college provided me a strong foundation in data analysis, research methods, and health outcomes. Through mentorship from my advisor and opportunities to work on diverse research projects, I’ve gained skills needed to lead independent research. |
Favorite Memories | Getting to know faculty and colleagues outside of the classroom. Our Health Services Research annual parties are a particular example. They break down the formality, allowing us to connect in a relaxed setting. Also, presenting my research at college seminars and receiving constructive, encouraging feedback from faculty who truly care about our growth. |
| Kris LukasPhD – Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry (MNPC) |
Research Focus | My research focuses on a novel double-stranded mRNA delivered via lipid nanoparticles. More stable than the single-stranded mRNA used in COVID-19 vaccines, for example, it activates key immune receptors and may support the development of more effective next-generation vaccines. |
Postgraduation Plans | My wife and I are relocating to North Carolina's Research Triangle, where I plan to start a career in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry. |
How the College | The rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum gave me a broad knowledge base across pharmacology, drug development, toxicology, and biochemistry. The mentorship I received sharpened my ability to generate novel ideas and collaborate effectively. |
Favorite Memories | Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) Department Field Day, the Heartlanders hockey game, hosting the Medicinal Chemistry Meeting-in-Miniature conferences, and the MNPC Friendsgiving. |
| Jaison MarksPhD – Biomedical Engineering |
Research Focus | My work centers on understanding novel molecular changes caused by joint injuries that can contribute to the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. |
Postgraduation Plans | I'll continue leading my University of Iowa spinout company, CartilaGen, as chief technical officer, overseeing a Phase 2a clinical trial and advancing next-generation therapies for joint injuries and osteoarthritis. |
How the College | My experiences in Dr. Salem's lab equipped me with the research skills and translational perspective needed to bring scientific findings into meaningful therapeutic strategies. |
Favorite Memories | My favorite memories are from the times our lab gathered outside the lab — usually centered around great food. Those moments built genuine relationships that went beyond experiments and data. |
| Cynthia OkaforMS (en passant) – Pharmaceutics |
Research Focus | I’m exploring the use of bacterial cellulose for biomedical applications. |
Postgraduation Plans | I'm continuing in the pharmaceutics PhD program at the UI College of Pharmacy, and I look forward to diving deeper into my research with renewed focus and energy. |
How the College | The College of Pharmacy has really expanded the way I think about science and research. One of my favorite parts has been weekly PSET seminars, where professors and industry experts share exciting research happening. I leave inspired with new ideas because the college has created such a strong culture of curiosity, learning, and innovation. |
Favorite Memories | The Pharmaceutics Graduate Student Research Meeting (PGSRM) hosted at the college in 2024 stands out — it was exceptionally well-organized, and I felt genuine pride representing the university. |
| Mary SchadMS – Drug Discovery and Experimental Therapeutics |
| Pratishtha VermaPhD – Pharmaceutics |
Research Focus | My research was about using predictive modeling tools to design a modified-release dosage form of phenserine — a promising small molecule for neurodegenerative disorders — overcoming challenges such as poor pharmacokinetics and rapid metabolism. |
Postgraduation Plans | I'm joining Zoetis in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as a senior scientist. |
How the College | The research experience and coursework sharpened my critical thinking and technical skills. Leadership roles like co-chairing PGSRM and mentoring undergraduates rounded me out as a researcher and communicator. |
Favorite Memories | Playing table tennis with fellow graduate students and the teamwork that went into organizing the PGSRM conference are memories I'll carry with me. |
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| Xuanzhen YuanPhD – Pharmaceutics |
Research Focus | I use mathematical models to understand how drugs work in the body and how to dose them more effectively — studying both cancer immunotherapy agents and surgical antibiotics to support smarter drug development and better patient dosing. |
Postgraduation Plans | I aim to work in the pharmaceutical industry in pharmacometrics, quantitative systems pharmacology, or clinical pharmacology. |
How the College | My training gave me a strong foundation in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and quantitative modeling. Through my research projects, I learned to build models, run simulations, and translate results into meaningful insights for drug development. |
Favorite Memories | The PSET retreat, graduate seminars, and American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists student chapter events were highlights. They connected me with students and faculty across the college and reinforced the strong sense of community here. |