Dr. Kim Dang is the Co-Founder of American University of Health Sciences and she held the CEO/President interim role at AUHS for 19 years. Dr. Dang developed, managed and established AUHS operational processes in the areas of student services, registrar, admissions, financial aid, career services, institution publications, and finance.
In 2002 Dr. Dang was given an Honorary Doctorate in Medical Education by St. Luke School of Medicine in Liberia. In 2016, Dr. Dang was honored with the Humanitarian Award by the Council of Black Nurses for her many works with the underserved communities in the U.S. and abroad.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner, American University of Health Sciences
BSN, American University of Health Sciences
Bio
Mikko Angela Arceno, BSN, RN, is a dedicated Registered Nurse and clinical educator with a strong foundation in both bedside care and nursing education. Currently pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP), Mikko is passionate about equipping future nurses with practical, hands-on clinical skills, with a particular focus on IV therapy and acute care.
Her clinical background encompasses orthopedic and neuro care, along with observation care, at Long Beach Memorial, where she gained expertise in managing complex patient needs. Besides her clinical work, Mikko contributes to the clinical nursing courses at the American University of Health Sciences, where she motivates and guides students on their path to becoming skilled and compassionate nurses.
Mikko is committed to advancing nursing practice through a blend of education, empathy, and innovation, empowering the next generation of nurses to deliver safe, evidence-based, and patient-centered care.
Ph.D. Health Sciences, Liberty University, Lynchburg
MBA, University of Illinois, MS in Human Biology, Liberty University, Lynchburg
Bio
Dr. Jose is a Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic West, San Jose. Holds a Master of Science in Human Biology Degree and Masters of Education in Higher Education Educational Technology and Instruction from Liberty University. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Health Sciences at Liberty University, and his MBA at University of Illinois.
MPIA, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
BA, University of California, Riverside
Bio
Maher Oueida holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Affairs from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master's degree in Public and International Affairs with a focus on Security Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. His experience includes collaborating with the United States Space Force to identify threats to American security in air and space, as well as partnering with the Department of State to develop diplomatic engagement strategies for Central Asia through the C5+1 platform.
BA in English, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY, USA
Bio
Steve Ryan holds a Master’s degree in English from City College of New York and a Bachelor’s degree in English from the College of Staten Island. With a diverse career spanning journalism, publishing, and academia, he has served as a journalist and editor at the New York Post, an editor at LFP Publishing Inc., and a Program Development Manager at Upper Deck. Currently, he is a professor at AUHS, AURA, Stanbridge University, University of Phoenix, and American Military University, where he has been teaching since 2010. He also serves as the Assistant Program Director for the General Education program at Stanbridge University.
BA, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Music Performance
MA, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Music Pedagogy
MA, Lugano Conservatoire (Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana), Music Performance
Bio
Since 2014, Grygorii Koval has been permanently teaching classical guitar in Switzerland, gaining experience working with students of all levels and age categories. Grygorii graduated from the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance and a Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy in 2017. In addition to his solo performances, Grygorii often plays chamber music with various instruments and is a regular participant in some of the world’s most prestigious masterclasses, including the Summer Guitar School with Prof. Oscar Ghiglia in Siena, Italy. He has studied with renowned artists such as Pablo Marquez, Marcin Dylla, Aniello Desiderio, and Pepe Romero. In June 2021, Grygorii received his second Master’s degree in Music Performance at the Lugano Conservatoire (Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana), studying under Prof. Lorenzo Micheli. Grygorii is currently completing his doctoral program in classical guitar performance and serves as a teaching assistant at USC Thornton School of Music in the class of Grammy nominee Prof. Bill Kanengiser.
Kate Lyons Landry is an accomplished educator and practicing representational fine artist with expertise in both traditional and contemporary media. At American University of Health Sciences, Professor Landry is dedicated to helping students develop strong visual communication skills that support learning, professional practices and patient care. Kate has worked as an art educator, internationally and locally, and published articles in Arts and Activities magazine. Professor Landry serves on the board of the Wyland Foundation and has extensive experience in Instructional Design and Instructional teaching module development. Kate is a professional member of the Association of Medical Illustrators, NAEA, and earned her Master of Fine Arts from Laguna College of Art and Design, Masters of Education, and her undergraduate degree from College of the Holy Cross. Her artistic sensibility and restrained compositional aesthetic are inspired from the natural world. Originally from Maine, Kate has a passion for the outdoors and travel. By encouraging her students to visually communicate anatomical and scientific concepts, her teaching practice fosters observation, critical thinking and creativity.
Subject Matter Expertise
Medical Illustration
Publications/Presentations
“The Next Wave: New Masters of Fine Art,” Laguna Beach Art Museum 2020
Guest Speaker, Laguna Beach Arts Commission 2020
Solo Exhibition, “Azul,” Pez Gordo Gallery, Mexico 2023
“Embrace,” Flora Farms, San Jose del Cabo 2020
Published Article, Arts and Activities Magazine, 2018, 2019
“Curiosities,” Cynthia Sitton’s Studio, Santa Ana, CA, 2019
MS, Management and Leadership, Western Governors University
BS, University of Santo Tomas, Mathematics, Actuarial Science
Bio
Dr. Ivy Javaluyas has been a dedicated member of the American University of Health Sciences for over 23 years and currently serves as the Vice President of Operations. In this leadership role, Dr. Javaluyas oversees a broad range of institutional functions, bringing a strategic and integrative approach to operational excellence, student services, and compliance.
Throughout her tenure at the University, Dr. Javaluyas has demonstrated unwavering commitment to student success, institutional growth, and operational effectiveness. Previously serving as the Executive Director of Student Affairs, she led initiatives that advanced student engagement, academic achievement, and holistic development. Her leadership in refining and implementing student services policies has contributed significantly to the University's supportive and mission-driven learning environment.
In addition to her role as the VP of Operations, she serves as the University’s Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), where she actively participates in institutional and programmatic accreditation processes. She contributes to regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and strategic planning efforts, helping ensure alignment with accrediting bodies as well as state and federal requirements.
Dr. Javaluyas has over two decades of experience in higher education administration and operations in student affairs. She is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, operational insight, and ability to align institutional resources with strategic priorities. Her portfolio includes oversight of cross-functional teams, process optimization, policy development, and data-informed decision-making to support sustainable growth and service excellence.
Subject Matter Expertise
Educational Leadership
Management and Leadership
Scholarly Presentations
Professional Learning Community for Peer Tutors
Lester Belo, MSN, RN, PHN
Adjunct Faculty of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Lester Belo is an Adjunct Faculty member at the American University of Health Sciences (AUHS) School of Nursing and a Public Health Nurse Supervisor with Los Angeles County, bringing over a decade of diverse nursing experience across acute care, community health, and leadership roles. His clinical background spans medical-surgical, telemetry, step-down ICU, and telehealth services, with a strong emphasis on holistic, patient-centered care for underserved populations.
Currently serving as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve Nurse Corps (Inactive Ready Reserve), Lester has prior experience in military medical operations, personnel readiness, and training. His leadership philosophy is grounded in servant leadership and mentorship, and he is deeply committed to guiding future nurses through evidence-based practice and real-world clinical insight.
Lester is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), with research focused on improving mental health literacy and reducing stigma among undergraduate nursing students. He is dedicated to advancing health equity, resilience, and compassionate care through a multidisciplinary, community-focused approach.
Subject Matter Expertise
Medical Surgical, Geriatrics
Research Interests
Mental health literacy among undergraduate nursing student, Quality of elder care in assisted living settings, Implementation of telehealth services in underserved communities, Health transitions and resilience among military veterans
David Omut, RN, BSN, MBA
School of Pharmacy, Nursing, and future School of Medicine
Director of Simulation and Interprofessional Education
David Omut, MBA, is the Director of the Simulation Laboratory and Interprofessional Education at the American University of Health Sciences. He has over 13 years simulation experience and has helped to develop the simulation and interprofessional education programs at AUHS. Before coming to AUHS, Mr. Omut had experience in with other Allied Health and Nursing schools, helped develop simulation programs for CTE programs in high schools, and worked for Laerdal Medical, the leader in medical simulation. Mr. Omut is passionate about using evidence-based practice to improve learning through simulation and interprofessional education. His goal is to make a high level of training possible by providing scenarios and manikins for interprofessional education.
Subject Matter Expertise
Medical Simulation
Interprofessional Education
Standardized Patients
Selected Publications and Scholarly Presentations
Islam, M. A., Uvero, M., Omut, D., & Dutta, A. (2024). A Longitudinal and Deliberate Interprofessional Education Program in a Pharmacy School. Health Professions Education, 10(1), 9.
Doctor of Medicine, University of Santo Tomas, College of Medicine, Philippines, 1993
Master of Science in Nursing, Charles R. Drew University, School of Nursing, California, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/FNP), 2018
Pediatric Residency, Chinese General Hospital, Manila, Philippines, 1995-1997
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), University of La Salette, College of Medicine, Philippines, 1993
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Santo Tomas, College of Science, Philippines, 1989
Biography
Girlielyn S. Tiu, MSN, APRN, FNP-C is an assistant professor for American University of Health Sciences’ Graduate Program School of Nursing. She is a board-certified Family nurse practitioner with vast clinical experience in Family and Primary Pediatric Health Care as well as an additional 28 years of experience in varied clinical settings such as ICU, NICU, PICU, and other outpatient settings.
With nearly 30 years of experience in teaching academia, Professor Tiu is committed to advocating and ensuring the advancement of both clinical education and the wellbeing of future advanced practice nurses as they strive to become respective leaders within their fields of expertise. By primarily focusing on evidence-based principles with an emphasis on combining and incorporating the theoretical and practical aspects of patient care within and beyond the clinical setting, Professor Tiu seeks to emphasize the importance of patient-physician relationships to ensure lasting beneficial changes for their future patients. As both an active practicing healthcare provider and a clinical educator, Professor Tiu aspires to develop a nurturing yet academically rigorous environment to help current students become more confident in their abilities as they transform themselves into life changing practitioners in their respective fields of study.
In addition to Professor Tiu’s clinical occupation, Professor Tiu has also served as a religious educator for the youth and as an active Eucharistic Minister in Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. As a result, Professor Tiu’s values center on compassion, understanding and mentorship in accordance with faith-based principles as these guiding principles are what transform an individual not only into a more well-rounded, complete physician, but an equally holistic individual. It is Professor Tiu’s goal to help others truly understand that healthcare and patient care is not just an occupation, but a way of life.
Subject Matter Expertise
Primary Care of the Pediatric Patient in Advanced Practice
Primary Care of the Pediatric Patient in Advanced Practice Clinical
Primary Care of Women in Advanced Practice Clinical
Primary Care of Adults and Older Adults in Advanced Practice Clinical
Scholarly Contributions
Diya, J., & Magno, J. & Placencia, T. & Tiu, G. (2018) Increasing Incidence of Clostridium Difficile infection Among ICU Parents: Association with the Use of Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy. Los Angeles, California, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science
DNP with Specialization in Psychiatric and Mental Health (University of Massachusetts Global, Marybelle & S. Paul Musco School of Nursing, Irvine, CA) Doctor of Medicine (De La Salle University of Medicine, Philippines) MSN-FNP (Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA) BA Psychology (University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA)
Biography
Dr. Elynita N. Arella serves as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Nursing. She is a board-certified nurse practitioner with expertise in family and primary health care, as well as hospice and palliative care.
Dr. Arella is a dedicated and compassionate clinician who brings extensive experience delivering high-quality, patient-centered care across diverse healthcare settings. Currently practicing at Luis M. Blando MD Inc. in Port Hueneme, CA, she provides comprehensive assessments, performs detailed physical examinations, interprets diagnostic studies, and initiates evidence-based therapeutic interventions for patients with both acute and chronic conditions.
Her commitment to coordinated, holistic care is evident in her collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and community agencies. Dr. Arella’s previous roles include serving Veterans at Loyal Source – VA Disability, where she conducted comprehensive disability examinations and offered objective medical evaluations, and leading care transitions as an Outpatient/Community Case Manager with Regal Medical Group.
Earlier in her career, she honed her skills as a hospice case manager, emphasizing patient advocacy, education, and support for patients and families. Skilled in chronic disease management, patient education, and quality improvement, Dr. Arella excels at fostering trust and empowering patients to achieve optimal health outcomes.
Subject Matter Expertise
Health Systems and Nursing Informatics for APRN Primary Care of Adult and Elderly, and Family
Scholarly Presentation
Western Institute of Nursing, 2017 WIN Conference: Denver, CO- Public Health Partnership: Engaging Nursing Students to Protect the Vulnerable
Dr. Jeazale Julian, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PHN
Clinical Affiliations Coordinator of the Graduate Nursing Programs
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
BSN, Mount St. Mary’s University
BS Psychology, Miriam College, Philippines
Bio
Dr. Julian has been a dedicated healthcare professional since 2008, bringing over 17 years of nursing experience across various settings, including ambulatory and acute care, hospitals, and nursing education. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Grand Canyon University and her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner from Charles R. Drew University.
Currently, Dr. Julian practices as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), where she delivers high-quality, evidence-based care to underserved and uninsured populations. Her clinical focus centers on accessible, patient-centered primary care that addresses the unique needs of vulnerable communities.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Julian has served in academia since 2022, playing a pivotal role in supporting and shaping graduate-level clinical education. She is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of Family Nurse Practitioners by overseeing and facilitating clinical placements, particularly in outpatient care settings. Her responsibilities include collaborating with external healthcare partners, coordinating clinical schedules, ensuring alignment with program outcomes, and guiding students through their hands-on training.
Through her dual roles as educator and practitioner, Dr. Julian bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world clinical application—fostering professional growth, clinical competence, and a strong foundation in compassionate care.
Subject Matter Expertise
Nutrition (BSN), Primary Care of the Adult and Older Adult in Advanced Practice (FNP), Advanced
Pharmacology (FNP), Advanced Physical Assessment (FNP), Leadership, Ethics and Interprofessional
Collaboration for Advanced Practice (MSN), Healthcare Delivery, Informatics and Innovation (DNP)
Research/Scholarly Activities
Improving diabetes self-management and fasting blood glucose through text messaging [Doctoral direct improvement project, Grand Canyon University]. Phoenix, AZ.
IRB regulation, process, and policies[Seminar presentation]. Charles R. Drew University, Los Angeles, CA.
Jeanetta K. Mastron is a California licensed CPhT, with a BS Chemistry, currently working on a MS Clinical Research from AUHS and is a designated subject credentialed educator. She was the AUHS Pharmacy Technician Program Director (1999 – 2012), and BS Pharmaceutical Sciences educator (2012 – 2014). She currently works as the AUHS Library/Teaching Assistant, tutors nursing dosage calculations and presents APA and study skills workshops.
Rachel Friedman received her Master’s degree in Information and Library Science from USC. She received her BA from UCR, specializing in Ancient and Medieval History. She currently works as the librarian at AUHS. Some of her specialties include academic research, cataloging, book repair, and library programs.
Ms. Alma Pineda has been a valued American University of Health Sciences (AUHS) member since 2012. She currently holds a dual role as Assistant Director of Student Services and University Registrar, where she plays a key role in supporting both student success and academic operations.
In her position, Ms. Pineda manages the day-to-day functions of the Student Services and Registrar’s Offices. Her responsibilities include implementing academic policies, overseeing course registration, maintaining accurate student records, conducting degree audits, and certifying graduation. She works closely with university leadership and cross-functional teams to improve administrative processes and provide high-quality student support.
In addition to her primary responsibilities, Ms. Pineda also serves as Coordinator for the General Education Department, supporting academic coordination and scheduling.
She is also instrumental in planning and executing major university events such as graduation ceremony, the pinning ceremony, and the white coat ceremony, which celebrate significant milestones in students’ academic journeys.
Dr. Hesamedine Gharavi actively teaches both didactic and clinical courses in the Bachelor of Science Nursing Program at the School of Nursing. After earning his Doctor of Medicine degree in Iran, he further advanced his nursing career by completing the Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner track at the American University of Health Sciences in California.
With over 15 years of hands-on medical experience, Dr. Gharavi delivers expert care across multiple specialties, including physical assessment, fundamentals, medical-surgical, intensive care (ICU), and emergency medicine. He also practices as a Registered Nurse in medical-surgical telemetry and gerontology settings.
Dr. Gharavi leverages his comprehensive clinical background and board certification to educate and mentor future nurses, equipping them to excel in diverse healthcare settings.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner, American University of Health Sciences
BS, California State University, Los Angeles
Bio
Dr. Cabatingan was born, raised, and educated in Manila, Philippines. After completing medical school, she trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where she later served as a training officer for residents following her fellowship with the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.
In 2013, Dr. Cabatingan moved to the United States and began working as a charge and staff nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Trinity Hospital in Minot, North Dakota. She also served as a NICU flight nurse, providing critical care during neonatal transports.
In 2021, Dr. Cabatingan relocated to California, where she currently lives and continues to work in the healthcare field. Her diverse background in both medicine and nursing reflects her dedication to delivering compassionate, high-quality care across various clinical settings.
Subject Matter Expertise
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Healthcare, Healthcare Communication
Dr. Dave M. Usman, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PHN
Adjunct Faculty of the Master of Science in Nursing Program
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
BSN, University of Phoenix
ADN, West Coast University
LVN, American Career College
Biography
Dr. Usman, DNP, FNP-C is an adjunct faculty member in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, bringing over 17 years of comprehensive nursing experience, including advanced practice in primary care. He earned his Master of Science in Nursing in 2017, became a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and completed his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2022.
Dr. Usman has served as a Family Nurse Practitioner since 2018, with clinical experience in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), where he provided care to underserved and uninsured populations. He currently practices family medicine at Kaiser Permanente and serves as a family health provider at the Student Health Center at Keck Medicine of USC. His foundational nursing experience includes a decade in preoperative care, with roles in telemetry, step-down units, intensive care, and emergency departments.
His academic and clinical interests focus on advancing primary care through evidence-based practice, patient empowerment, and health promotion. Dr. Usman is committed to fostering patient-centered care and improving health literacy through proactive engagement and education.
In recognition of his clinical excellence, Dr. Usman was named a finalist for the 2024 Advanced Practice Provider of the Year at Kaiser Permanente Southern California.
Subject Matter Expertise
Family Nurse Practitioner, Telemetry, Preoperative Nursing, Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Published Work /Published Education
Usman, D. M. (2022). Implementation of the CDC’s PrEP practice guideline to improve PrEP prescribing (Publication No. 29261518) [Doctoral dissertation, Grand Canyon University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Chamberlain College of Nursing, Chicago, IL
Master of Science in Nursing – Health Care Management / Nurse Executive Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY
Bachelor of Science in Nursing The Family Clinic College of Nursing, Manila, Philippines
BIO
Dr. Jennifer Obsania, DNP, MSN, RN, is a distinguished clinical nurse leader and healthcare executive with more than 25 years of progressive experience in nursing, case management, and healthcare operations. She is currently the RN Department Clinical Manager for Ambulatory Care Management at UCLA Faculty Practice Group, where she leads strategic initiatives related to staff onboarding, policy development, performance evaluation, and compliance with NCQA and CMS standards.
Her academic foundation includes a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing (Summa Cum Laude, 2018), a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Health Care Management – Nurse Executive from Long Island University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Family Clinic College of Nursing in the Philippines.
Dr. Obsania has held pivotal leadership roles, including Director of Outpatient Case Management and the Renal Program at Regal Medical Group, and Clinical Director of the Emergency Department at Kaiser Permanente. In these roles, she spearheaded critical initiatives to reduce readmission rates, improve patient outcomes, and ensure audit readiness across complex regional systems.
She is also a dedicated nurse educator, serving as an adjunct professor in BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. She teaches courses in advanced medical-surgical nursing, leadership, theoretical frameworks, and global healthcare policy at institutions such as West Coast University and the American University of Health and Sciences.
Throughout her career, Dr. Obsania has been recognized for her ability to lead interdisciplinary teams, develop innovative care delivery models, and mentor future nurse leaders. She is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Nurses Association (ANA), American Case Management Association (ACMA), America’s Physician Group (APG), and the Philippine American Case Management Association.
Intellectual Contribution
Poster Presentation | April 2024 Title:Promoting Wellness and Reducing ED and Hospital Admissions in a High-Risk Primary Care Patient Population through a Nurse-led Proactive Care Integrated Care Management Model, UCLA Event: ACMA, Health Poster Presentation Location: Nashville, Tennessee Overview: This scholarly presentation showcased the effectiveness of a nurse-led, proactive care model designed to reduce emergency department utilization and hospital admissions among high-risk patients. The integrated care management approach emphasized early intervention, interdisciplinary coordination, and wellness promotion in primary care settings.
Post Grad APRN-FNP, American University of Health Sciences
MSN, University of Phoenix
BSN, St. Jude College, Philippines
BS Biology, Far Eastern University, Philippines
Bio
Dr. Arvin Torres is a practicing Nurse Practitioner specializing in urgent care and a dedicated educator with a strong clinical and academic background. He has over four years of experience teaching in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, with a focus on medical-surgical nursing and pharmacology. In addition, he has taught nurse practitioner students in advanced pharmacology and pathology.
Subject Matter Expertise
Medical Surgical & Pharmacology
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MS, Management and Leadership, Western Governors University
BS, University of Santo Tomas, Mathematics, Actuarial Science
Bio
Dr. Ivy Javaluyas has been a dedicated member of the American University of Health Sciences for over 23 years and currently serves as the Vice President of Operations. In this leadership role, Dr. Javaluyas oversees a broad range of institutional functions, bringing a strategic and integrative approach to operational excellence, student services, and compliance.
Throughout her tenure at the University, Dr. Javaluyas has demonstrated unwavering commitment to student success, institutional growth, and operational effectiveness. Previously serving as the Executive Director of Student Affairs, she led initiatives that advanced student engagement, academic achievement, and holistic development. Her leadership in refining and implementing student services policies has contributed significantly to the University's supportive and mission-driven learning environment.
In addition to her role as the VP of Operations, she serves as the University’s Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), where she actively participates in institutional and programmatic accreditation processes. She contributes to regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and strategic planning efforts, helping ensure alignment with accrediting bodies as well as state and federal requirements.
Dr. Javaluyas has over two decades of experience in higher education administration and operations in student affairs. She is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, operational insight, and ability to align institutional resources with strategic priorities. Her portfolio includes oversight of cross-functional teams, process optimization, policy development, and data-informed decision-making to support sustainable growth and service excellence.
Subject Matter Expertise
Educational Leadership
Management and Leadership
Scholarly Presentations
Professional Learning Community for Peer Tutors
Greg De Grano
MD, DNPc, APRN, FPN-C, MSN DEAN, SON Graduate Programs
Gregorio L. De Grano, DNP(c), MSN, APRN, FNP-C is the Dean of Nursing Graduate Program for the School of Nursing. Dr. De Grano graduated with a Medical Degree from the Philippines and completed his MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track from Charles R. Drew University of Health and Science in Los Angeles California. He is a board-certified nurse practitioner with vast clinical experience in Family and Primary Health Care, Hospice, and Palliative Care, and has over 20-year experience in various clinical settings including ICU, PCU, Emergency Room, Medical Surgical, Acute, and Intra-operative Hemodialysis. With over 8 years of experience in academia, he has made significant contributions to developing and advancing nursing education and practice. As the Dean of the Nursing Graduate Program, Dr. De Grano is dedicated to shaping the next generation of advanced practice nurses and nursing leaders in advancing the profession through evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration. His commitment to fostering excellence in nursing education is evident in his collaborative approach to curriculum development with an emphasis on incorporating the latest advancements in healthcare and ensuring the integration of cultural competence, ethics, and leadership skills. Beyond his role as a Dean, Dr. De Grano is a compassionate nurse leader who believes in the power of mentorship and empowerment as he actively mentors students and faculty, supporting their professional growth and personal development.
Nicole Lesher, PhD
Vice President of Institutional Research and Assessment (IRA)
Dr. Lesher is an accomplished professional with nearly 35 years of invaluable experience in the field of higher education. With a diverse range of roles under her belt, including Chief Operating Officer, Provost, Director of Assessment, Academic Dean, and Faculty, Dr. Lesher has honed her skills and acquired comprehensive knowledge across the higher education landscape. Her extensive experience enables her to navigate the complex challenges faced by educational institutions effectively.
Notably, Dr. Lesher has played a pivotal role in helping numerous schools secure and maintain accreditation, while ensuring compliance with state regulations. Her dedication to the accreditation process is evident through her involvement as an evaluator for the Distance Education and Training Council and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). As an active member of the WASC Substantive Change Committee, she contributes to shaping educational standards and policies.
Dr. Lesher’s academic background further strengthens her expertise. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from San Diego State University, a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration with a focus on Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Additionally, she is a distinguished graduate of the WASC Assessment Leadership Academy. Beyond her impressive credentials, Dr. Lesher’s passion for higher education and commitment to fostering excellence make her an asset to any institution she serves. Her ability to blend strategic thinking with practical implementation has consistently yielded positive outcomes for the organizations she has worked with.
In summary, Dr. Lesher’s extensive experience, leadership roles, and unwavering dedication to educational quality and compliance make her a highly respected professional in the field of higher education. Her contributions in accreditation, educational consulting, and assessment of student learning have positively impacted numerous institutions, positioning her as an exceptional leader in the realm of higher education administration.
Professioanl Summary
As a highly effective leader in higher education with 35 years of experience, I possess a proven track record of success in strategic planning, faculty development, assessment, and accreditation. With a deep understanding of the intricacies and challenges that come with leading an academic institution, I am committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, academic excellence, collaboration, and innovation. My ability to build strong relationships with faculty, staff, and external stakeholders has enabled me to implement successful initiatives that have positively impacted institutional effectiveness and student outcomes. I am a visionary leader with a passion for creating and implementing strategic plans that support the mission of the institution and align with the changing landscape of higher education.
Professional Experience
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES (January 2023 – Present) Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness Provides direction and oversight for institutional assessment, assessment of student learning, institutional research and strategic planning initiatives. Responsible for informing and facilitating continuous improvement across the University by providing a broad array of research and reporting services to internal and external stakeholders.
LAGUNA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN (Januaru 2017 – Novvember 2022) Provost/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer (July 2021 – November 2022) Served as the Chief Academic Officer for the college. Provided strategic leadership for curriculum development, academic program delivery, assessment activities, and program quality. Responsible for the on-going development, enhancement and measurement of learning outcomes for the College and participated in the creation of new academic programs and policies in alignment with the College’s mission and goals. Functioned as liaison between the Board of Trustees and Academic Affairs.
Managed $4.5M instructional budget with transparency.
Led new program development, quality curriculum, academic policies and retention efforts.
Supported comprehensive DEI initiatives including professional development, policy creation, curriculum and programming.
Advocated for faculty with a commitment to shared governance and academic excellence.
Maintained open and honest communication with accreditors and regulators.
Associate Provost/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer (Febuary 2020-June 2021) Established collaborative strategies with the provost to ensure the College achieved its stated mission. Supported the Academic Affairs department in assessment, accreditation, student code of conduct, diversity, equity and inclusion, regulatory compliance and faculty development.
Supported the development of faculty in effective teaching and learning pedagogy, assessment practices and diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
Evaluated, investigated and adjudicated all allegations against faculty as well as violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
Participated in the creation of new academic programs and policies in alignment with the College’s mission and goals.
Director of Assessment and Accreditation/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer (January 2017-January 2020) Led faculty and staff in the creation and implementation of comprehensive assessment plans and worked with the institutional research staff to transform data into information that supports institutional and program improvement. Responsible for planning and execution of all accreditation activities, initiatives, and visits.
Led faculty in development and articulation of learning outcomes for all departments.
Ensured the alignment of curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment with learning outcomes.
Supported the collection and analysis of assessment data to determine areas of improvement.
Developed and implemented a formal institutional effectiveness plan and program review process for all units.
CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY (May 2013 – December 2016) Director of Institutional Research and Assessment/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer Member of the senior management team, responsible for managing the assessment department and all activities related to strategic planning, assessment, student success and compliance.
Developed and implemented student, academic and administrative policies in accordance with applicable regulations, accreditation standards, internal policies and best practices in assessment.
Built collaborative relationships between university departments to better coordinate and focus institutional assessment efforts on a learner-centered approach to student success.
Managed all new program development and substantive changes, leading program chairs in the process.
Guided university assessment activities to support planning and budgeting.
Provided training, support and resources for assessment of curricular, co-curricular and institutional effectiveness.
Analyzed legal and regulatory developments, disseminated information to appropriate departments and provided guidance on potential impacts to educational operations.
Prepared and reviewed all federal, state, accreditation and other reports and correspondence relating to institutional approvals, new programs, program modifications, and new locations as required by respective agencies. (Achieved initial accreditation with WSCUC and submitted seven substantive change reports).
HENLEY-PUTNAM UNIVERSITY (April 2006 – May 2013) Director of Educational Compliance/WSCUC Accreditation Liaison Officer Responsible for ensuring compliance with WASC and DETC accreditation standards, as well as California state regulations. Was responsible for oversight of all assessment and accreditation activities. Led WASC self-study committee for initial accreditation visit.
Chaired university assessment committee.
Gained initial DETC accreditation and approval for a new doctorate program.
Gained to VA approval, DANTES affiliation and SOC membership.
Maintained university catalog and all policy manuals.
SELF-EMPLOYED (June 2003 – April 2006) Education Consultant Consultant in the field of education. Specializing in accreditation support, student success, policy development, training, course/program development, assessment, strategic planning and retention.
Developed Distance Education Business Plan to determine feasibility of new program.
Created student retention and motivation plan for distance education.
Prepared analysis of state and accreditation standards for a national accreditor.
Worked with schools to perform critical self-analysis to prepare for accreditation and state site visits.
Performed mock-site visits for schools preparing for accreditation.
Represented educators in meetings with state licensing officials and CA state teacher credentialing agency.
AVIATION & ELECTRONICS SCHOOLS OF AMERICA (April 1998 – June 2003) Accreditation & Compliance Manager Responsible for ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements for the school.
Designed and wrote School Catalog and Policy & Procedure Manual.
Attained DETC and COE accreditations, VA approval as well as DANTES affiliation for school.
Prepared & submitted ACE, CA BPPVE, INS, & JTPA applications.
HEALD BUSINESS COLLEGE ( September 1996 – January 1998) Dean of Instruction/Instructor Responsible for overall operations of evening classes for private business college.
Counseled and advised students on academic, attendance and conduct matters.
Supervised faculty to ensure productive classroom activity through evaluations and follow-ups.
Created Master Schedule, instructor schedules and student program plans.
Taught college level courses in Student Success, Essential Language Skills and Keyboarding.
CALIFORNIA COLLEGE FOR HEALTH SCIENCES (Febuary 1991 – July 1996) Chief Operating Officer (1995-1996) Managed the administration of business operations including strategic planning, budgeting, human resources and contracting.
Formulated and administered $2 million operations budget; met all targets.
Orchestrated successful five-year re-accreditation and California state license re-approval.
Worked closely with the Marketing department to set targets and formulate marketing strategies.
Lead successful initiatives in education planning and retention to meet college targets.
Director of Student Services (1991-1995) Managed all Student Services departments, including Admissions & Records, Faculty, Student Advisement, Communications, Mailroom, Shipping/Inventory and Financial Aid.
Developed and implemented student motivation program to increase completion rates.
Co-authored college publications such as catalogs, orientation manuals, & company policies.
Developed successful Total Quality Improvement (TQI) Program to improve customer service; overall complaints decreased 73% in first year.
Coordinated student support program from admissions to graduation.
FASHION INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND MERCHANDISING ( May 1988 – Febuary 1991) Education Coordinator/Instructor Provided academic advisement, admissions screening, and junior college level individual tutoring.
Interviewed and tested high risk and ATB students.
Instructed four semesters of college level Introduction to Computers.
Instructed three semesters of college level English Composition, developing curriculum, training aids and grading criteria. Received outstanding rating on 100% of student evaluations.
Developed and presented numerous campus training workshops improving retention rates by 30%. Topics included: public speaking, time management, note-taking and study skills.
Education/Training
Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration: Educational Leadership
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY, 2022.
Dissertation: The Relationship between Game Art Students’ Achievement and Their Perceived Quality of Assessment
VALUE Institute Certified Scorer
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, 2018.
WASC Assessment Leadership Academy
WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, Oakland, California, 2015.
Master of Arts, Organizational Management
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX, San Diego, California, 1995.
Bachelor of Arts, English
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, San Diego, California, 1988.
Teaching/Training
Guest Lecturer: Pedagogy + Professional Studies, Laguna College of Art and Design MFA Course, 2018- 2022.
Trainer: Writing Course Learning Outcomes, Laguna College of Art and Design Dept. Chair Residency, 2018.
Trainer: Aligning Learning Outcomes, Laguna College of Art and Design Faculty Senate Training, 2017.
Trainer: Introduction to Assessment, California Southern University Faculty Retreat, 2014-2016.
Instructor: Student Success, Keyboarding, English Composition, Heald Business College, 1996-1997.
Instructor: English Composition, Student Success, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, 1990-1991.
Presentations and Publications
Connection to Evidence: Methods for Learning and Knowing, WASC Academic Resource Conference, 2023.
Intersection of PLO Assessment and Advancement Review; WASC Academic Resource Conference, 2019.
Assessment in Context: Showcasing the WSCUC Community of Practice Project, Panel member; WASC Academic Resource Conference, 2019.
Assessment in the Arts Special Interest Group; WASC Academic Resource Conference, 2018, 2019, 2021and 2022.
Organized and led Assessment in the Arts collaboration session with multiple institutions, 2017.
Co-Presenter: Measuring Student Learning in the Visual and Performing Arts; WASC ARC, 2017.
Publication: Assessment, A Mouse, and a Cookie, AAHLE Intersection, Summer 2016.
Podcast: Understanding the Fundamentals of Assessment, CalSouthern Sun, August 2015.
Publication: Assessment 101, CalSouthern Sun, April 2015.
Interview: An Emphasis on Assessment, CalSouthern Sun, February 2015.
Presentation: Competency Based Education, WASC Academic Resource Conference, 2013.
Presentation: Outcomes Assessment and Program Review, DEAC Annual Meeting, 2013.
Sandy Sarge, MACC, has over 26 years of collaborative financial, operational, and technical leadership experience. Her previous experience includes 10+ years in higher education where she owned her own consulting firm specializing in finance and financial aid compliance, accounting operations, and strategic leadership. Sandy is an accomplished public advocate, speaker, and a newly selected WASC Peer Reviewer. Most recently, she was appointed to the US Department of Education’s Gainful Employment Negotiated Rulemaking Committee as a primary negotiator. Ms. Sarge holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of South Carolina, and Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University and was an actively licensed CPAV for over 10 years (currently inactive, in good standing).
Noble A. DraKoln has been involved in multiple tech startups as a consultant, investor and C-suite executive. As an NFT/blockchain game developer over the past two years he has been deeply involved helping assist new blockchain projects come to life and has created an innovative music NFT/blockchain project called BANDRoyalty.com with his co-founder Barnaby Andersun.
He began is tech investing adventure during the early days of the conversion from paging to full digital cellular networks, from TDMA to CDMA, he successfully ran a venture that made mergers and acquisitions in the 900mHz, 150mHz, and 450mHz spectrum’s.
At the introduction of DVDs he successfully ran and sold off a VHS to DVD conversion studio, and he has been a part of guiding, consulting, and assisting in financing internet startups in both Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 phases.
Mr. Drakoln started out as a futures/commodities broker at the age of nineteen trading the E-mini S&P, gold futures contracts, and treasury bond strips. Since that time he has authored the Wiley & Sons published best-selling books Winning the Trading Game and Trade Like a Pro.
Over the span of his twenty year career he has traded S&P 500 contracts, various options, and futures for himself and clients. His books have been translated into multiple languages, he has been a keynote speaker around the world, contributing writer to Forbes, Futures Magazine, along with dozens of other financial magazines, and a radio and T.V. financial commentator on Bloomberg and Fox Business News.
Dr. Carol Ryan is an accomplished hands-on leader with more than 24 years of experience in higher education serving in executive, administrative, academic, and instructional capacities. She has been instrumental in developing and launching new academic programs, and has successfully lead numerous accreditation efforts with regional, national, and programmatic accrediting bodies. She was appointed by the AUHS Board of Trustees in 2017 to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Ryan is active in several professional organizations. She has served on numerous accreditation teams as an educational standards evaluator and subject matter expert for DEAC and was a member of the Research and Educational Standards sub-Committee and the Appeals Panel. She chairs WASC accreditation visits. Dr. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at Fullerton, a Master of Arts from Azusa Pacific University, and a PhD from Northcentral University.
Dr. Marilyn Uvero’s professional career as an education executive expands over 30 years and includes holding several positions as provost, Dean of student affairs, member of the academic senate, and Chair of nursing programs. Dr. Uvero has been successful in establishing strategic and operational plans, developing new programs, and strengthening competitive market positions. She has been inducted by Walden University as selected Honoree Member by Pi Alpha Alpha, National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration based on her academic performance and professional contributions. Dr. Uvero holds a PhD in Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a MS in Nursing Education from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy and Administration at Walden University in the School of Public Policy, completing her dissertation.
Song Tan holds a Doctor degree of Medicine and is the co-owner of Karing Pediatrics Medical Group. He has 33 years’ experience in healthcare field. Mr. Tan has active involvement in the Cambodian community, and his experience will be a great supplement to AUHS’s Mission in healthcare field and outreach to the community in Cambodia.
Dr. Kim Dang is the Co-Founder of American University of Health Sciences and she held the CEO/President interim role at AUHS for 19 years. Dr. Dang developed, managed and established AUHS operational processes in the areas of student services, registrar, admissions, financial aid, career services, institution publications, and finance.
In 2002 Dr. Dang was given an Honorary Doctorate in Medical Education by St. Luke School of Medicine in Liberia. In 2016, Dr. Dang was honored with the Humanitarian Award by the Council of Black Nurses for her many works with the underserved communities in the U.S. and abroad.
With decades of experience in higher education, research, and scholarly contributions to the nursing profession and practice, Dr. Betty Williams has a strong interest and passion in leading the advancement of nursing programs stemming from her exemplary experience as an educator, consultant, and scholar. Dr. Williams was the founding dean of the American University of Health Sciences (AUHS) School of Nursing in 2006. Dr. Williams holds a Doctor of Public Health and an M.S. in nursing from the University of California, Los Angeles; an M.N. in nursing from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; and a B.S. in zoology from Howard University, Washington, D.C. She currently resides in Los Angeles.
Pastor Gregory A. Johnson brings practical experience in operating an institution of higher education though his years of working consulting services as well as over 20 years of leadership in managing numerous eclectic private propriety schools, colleges and universities as Chief Operating Officer or Vice President. As the Co-Founder of AUHS, his extensive experiences regarding the business management perspective in health care education and services are invaluable. This process has been augmented by creating successful startups of educational facilities and the enhancement of excellence in education both of which are ingrained in the mission and vision of AUHS.
Suzanne Richards is currently serving as the CEO of SMR Healthcare Management, Inc. working as a healthcare consultant focusing primarily on hospital operations; owns and operates two home care companies in CA and NV; and owns and operates an ambulatory surgery center in CA. Prior to owning her own businesses, Ms. Richards had six years of successful leadership as the Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Operations for KPC Healthcare, overseeing a group of seven acute care hospitals. She also serves as Chief Executive Officer during that time for its Southern California-based flagship hospital and regional trauma center, Orange County Global Medical Center. Prior to her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of KPC Healthcare, Ms. Richards served as the Chief Clinical Officer for Prime Healthcare.
Named Businesswoman of the Year in 2017 by the Orange County Business Journal, Ms. Richards is an accomplished healthcare executive with a diverse background in management and direct patient care. Throughout her career spanning more than twenty-five years, she has added significant value to the organizations and people she has served. She is now providing innovative leadership and a strategic vision to KPC Health and its system of community hospitals. KPC funds approximately $47 million in Medi-Cal/Medi-Cal Managed Care, and another $40 million in charity/indigent costs annually. In addition to her duties as a corporate and hospital CEO, in 2014 Ms. Richards was appointed by the CalOptima Board of Directors as the Hospital Representative to the Provider Advisory Committee, an agency ranked California’s top Medi-Cal Plan by NCQA for 2014-15 with $3 billion in revenues serving over 500,000 members. In 2014, she was elected by her peers to serve as the Orange County Area Representative on the Board of Directors for the Hospital Association of Southern California and is currently its chairwoman. In 2015, Ms. Richards was selected by the Orange County Board of Supervisors to serve on an Ad Hoc Committee tasked with developing policy reforms to address Emergency Department overcrowding and the need for expanding Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization services.
She has served as CEO, COO and CNO at for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals in Orange and Los Angeles counties. Ms. Richards has extensive experience with diverse medical groups, health plans, IPAs, workers’ compensation, case management, Medi-Cal, and healthcare legal consultation. She has contracted with the county during COVID-19 pandemic to write and implement Alternative Care Sites.
A licensed Registered Nurse, Ms. Richards graduated from the California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and spent the majority of her clinical career as an intensive care unit nurse. She earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) with an emphasis in Biostatistics from Loma Linda University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California, Irvine in the Healthcare Executive Program. Ms. Richards is also a former surveyor for The Joint Commission and has conducted accreditation surveys of healthcare entities throughout the United States since 2005.
Ms. Richards is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), a Certified Healthcare Executive (CHE), a Diplomat and Fellow of the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (CHCQM), a Certified HIPAA Professional (CHP), a Fellow of the American Institute of Healthcare Quality (FAIHQ), and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).
Ms. Richards is a member and/or leader of multiple associations including the March of Dimes LA Market and the Chair of the Board of Trustees for American University of Health Sciences. She currently teaches strategic planning and population health for the graduate program at California State University Long Beach. She is frequently a featured speaker on healthcare issues and trends.
Gene Jose Dillague is currently a Senior Clinical Research Associate at one of the top global Clinical Research Organizations and an adjunct professor at the School of Clinical Research at AUHS since 2013. After he completed his MSCR from AUHS, he worked as a clinical research coordinator for the Transplant Research Institute in Los Angeles and was then hired as a Clinical Research Associate at Naurex in Evanston, IL. He has extensive experience in handling Phase I-III clinical studies and performing both site start-up and clinical research monitoring activities on behalf of major pharmaceutical companies. His clinical research experiences are on indications such as transplant research, rare diseases, psychiatric, and general medicine clinical trials.
Dr. Dillague is a Certified Clinical Research Associate in the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) and a certified Family Physician in the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP).
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery’ (M.B.B.S.), Terna Medical College, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Mumbai
Bio
Dr. Khushbu Singh earned a ‘Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery’ (M.B.B.S.) medical degree from Terna Medical College, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, in the city of Mumbai, India. Dr. Singh has extensive knowledge in medical sciences and patient care along with experience in global clinical trials management, both in academia and the private sector. Dr. Singh has passed ECFMG exams and is also certified as a Clinical Research Professional. She started her professional journey by serving as a physician at Holy Spirit Hospital in Mumbai, and also completed Post-Graduate training and received the Diplomates of National Board (DNB) form from one of the prestigious hospitals in the country. She continued her education in the U.S. and transitioned into the field of clinical research that provided her the opportunity to use her medical knowledge, experience and passion, and make her contribution in the field of clinical research. Dr. Singh began as a clinical research coordinator in pediatrics in the private sector at Ohio Pediatrics Group and then moved on to Pediatric Oncology as a clinical research associate at Stanford School of Medicine. She has also worked on the Endocrinology and Metabolic disorders clinical trials and has managed a busy clinical research site at Stanford School of Medicine. She currently holds a position as a Clinical Research Project Manager in Oncology at Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center at UC San Diego, which is one of the top 10 Hospitals and Oncology care providers in the United States and the only comprehensive cancer center in Southern California.
Dr. Singh is a highly motivated individual who strongly believes in continuing to learn without any means to stop while at the same time, wants to give back to the clinical research student community by providing them with the support, tools and resources that she can. She believes that a robust clinical research education program and mentorship is crucial in building the student’s foundation.
Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, PhuTho Technical Center/Saigon University
Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Bio
Mr. Tien Phuc Nguyen holds over 45 years of experience in medical devices, engineering research and development, project management, and process design improvement. As an engineering professional, he has worked in operations and the manufacturing of new and existing medical device products. In addition, he believes that innovation and dependency are several key components to becoming a successful professional in the clinical research field. Mr. Nguyen earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the PhuTho Technical Center/Saigon University and his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Professor Nguyen also received a total of 5 patents from the United States Patent Office through all companies. Professor Nguyen likes to teach Biomedical device classes to MSCR students.
Medical Degree at Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam, India.
Bio
After receiving her medical degree from Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam, India, Dr. Buddha worked as a Research Assistant at Saint Louis University. During her tenure at Saint Louis, Dr. Buddha treated patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Many had elevated liver enzymes, for which few treatments were available. This always challenged her to the necessity of transformational clinical research that would determine new treatments for her NASH patients.
Dr. Buddha’s project “Activation of Insulin-PI3K/Akt-p70S6K Pathway in Hepatic Stellate Cells Contributes to Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis”, has provided insights into the genetic and genomic factors involved in gene amplification. She also gained more knowledge regarding human genetic variation and genome evolution, topics that are important for understanding the complexity of the human genome.
The high prevalence of chronic Hepatitis C among veterans (especially Vietnam War veterans) led to a study to develop safe and efficacious direct acing anti-viral medications. The large number of veterans needing this treatment stressed the resources of the Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Senator Burr specifically requested Dr. Daniel Chao to serve as PI on a study to provide a comparison of VA and non-VA (choice) care. With Dr. Chao, Dr. Buddha was also tasked to determine whether care provided through choice is timelier, cost-effective, and of better quality than care provided by the VA. We submitted an abstract to Digestive Disease Week and won an award for poster of distinction. Dr. Buddha has also worked at Loma Linda VA Hospital and conducted private sector sponsor funded clinical studies as well.
Working as a Clinical Research Program Manager at the University of California in Riverside, Dr. Buddha is providing support, coordination and leadership for industry sponsored along with government sponsored, and investigator initiated clinical research. Study management, preliminaries, protocol development, budget submittal and study start-up preparation for different types of phase II thru phase IV clinical trials in adult subjects are Dr. Buddha’s expertise. Dr. Buddha would like to teach MSCR students how to coordinate and conduct study initiation tasks such as preparation of study binders, study start-up documents in TMF, and sending out to multiple sites, review and file site approval documents, continuing communication with clinical sites regarding documentation issues and discrepancies, just to name a few.
Dr. Buddha also has enriched experience in assisting in external audits from regulatory bodies and undertaking other duties as delegated by senior management. Additionally, training medical students, graduate students, residents, new clinical research coordinators, the recruiters and schedulers, and other support personnel, coordinating research meetings and acting as a valuable resource are also part of Dr Buddha’s ongoing job description.
In summary, armed with expertise in both the concepts (cancer biology, human genetics and molecular evolution) and methodology (molecular biology, cell biology and genomics), Dr. Buddha is dedicated to teaching and the development of interventions for human diseases using diagnostic tools and treatments.arch.
Doctor of Philosophy in Genetics at the University of Madras in Chennai, India
Bio
Dr. Chandrasekhar Kesavan completed his Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Genetics from Dr. ALM Post-Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Madras in Chennai, India on January 2002. Upon completing his Ph.D., Dr. Kesavan joined Dr. Subburaman Mohan’s lab and Dr. David J. Baylink’s Musculoskeletal Disease Center Group for his Post-Doctoral training in January 2002. In due course of time, Dr. Kesavan became a research associate and then, as a scientist at VA Loma Linda Healthcare Center, joined Loma Linda University in 2010 as an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Medicine. In 2016, Dr. Kesavan joined Dr. Richard Strong M.D., a group in the Gastroenterology Department at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare system as clinical study staff/investigator.
Dr. Kesavan’s research is focused on bio-medical basic science and clinical research. In the bio-medical field, Dr. Kesavan has 18 years of research experience in skeletal biology. His goal is to improve a patient’s quality of life by developing therapeutic agents and/or strategy to improve bone mass where bone development and maintenance are compromised (osteoporosis, fracture healing, bone metastasis, traumatic brain injury). Towards this goal, Dr. Kesavan has optimized and used various state-of-the-art technologies to study skeletal growth and maintenance using in vitro and in vivo models that translate most effectively into clinical situations. His research works led to publish more than 35 papers in the field of bio-medical science, in which his works presented several of his findings as oral, plenary and poster in the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research. As an independent investigator, Dr. Kesavan guided several students from diverse background towards their research project and has obtained extramural funds from the National Institute of Health and Department of Defense. Additionally, Dr. Kesavan has taught molecular genetic labs to post-graduate genetic students during his Ph.D. program and microbiology labs at Crafton Hills Community College. Dr. Kesavan also taught skeletal biology, drug designing and testing, and 3-D bio-printer application to diverse students of various levels (high school students, undergraduate, post-graduate and medical students) who are involved in the research project work at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare system. In clinical research, Dr. Kesavan has 4 years of experience focused on understanding how existing therapies are efficient in treating patients and identifying key elements associated with disease, which are critical towards developing precision medicine and to improving quality of life in patients. In view of this, Dr. Kesavan has collaborated with physicians involved in the prospective, observational, and retrospective studies of infectious disease and gastroenterology (angiodysplasia using endoscopy vs. endocuff assist, chronic diarrhea in the population of veterans) at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare system. Lastly, Dr. Kesavan also has 10 years of experience in serving as a member at the Institutional Biosafety Committee at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare system.
Basic and clinical research go together, and as scientific knowledge is increasing at an ever-expanding rate, new technologies, their applications and regulatory are constantly being developed. Based on his experience in the field of bio-medical science and clinical research, Dr. Kesavan would like to teach students how to develop study hypothesis, study design, study pitfalls and alternate strategies, writing an IRB protocol and SOP, research safety protocol, executing a study involving planning and resources, data collection and organization, data analysis and interpretation, and good clinical practice. Dr. Kesavan is also well-appreciated, teaching in skeletal biology, microbiology, in 3-D scaffold bio-printer applications in clinics, and he provides students bio-medical basic science project (drug testing on cells) work that are translated to pre-clinical studies. In summary, Dr. Kesavan would like to share the experience and expertise that he gained in his journal of life to students by teaching and training them in the field of bio-medical basic science and clinical research.
B.S., College of Basic Sciences, Maharaja Sayajirao University, India
M.S., Medical Sciences, Medical College, Maharaja Sayajirao University, India
M.S., Pharmacology, Medical College, Maharaja Sayajirao University, India
Ph.D., Clinical Pharmacology, Medical College, Maharaja Sayajirao University, India
Bio
Dr. Saral Amarnani currently serves as Dean, School of Clinical Research at the American University of Health Sciences. She brings rich international background intertwined with academia and the private sector, serving in the field of Clinical Research for more than three decades. Dr. Saral has experience coordinating, monitoring, and managing global clinical studies for biochemical, pharmaceutical, biomedical device, and government agencies. Dr. Saral has enriched clinical research experience from Asia, the UK, and the USA, starting with an Asian Congress of Pharmacology Award as a Ph.D. student for her study on ‘Pharmacokinetic Profile of Rifampin and undernutrition in Tuberculosis. Thanks to many mentors, Dr. Saral brings 35 years of academic and private sector Clinical Research experience to AUHS, starting with her first pharmaceutical grant in 1985 from Sarabhai Chemicals, now, SUN Pharma, which is the world’s 4th largest specialty generic pharmaceutical company in Vadodara, India.
Dr. Saral earned her Medical Sciences degree (M.B.B.S. classes) from the Maharaja Sayajirao (MS) University and completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Pharmacology at Baroda Medical College, MS University. Dr Saral migrated to the USA to start as an NIH fellow at the Department of Pathology and Dept of Pharmacology , Washington University in St. Louis, MO and, also conducted clinical research studies as a Narcotic Inspector at Jefferson Barracks VA Hospital. Dr. Saral continued her Clinical Research at J. L. Pettis VA Hospital in the Department of Mineral Metabolism, as well as had earned the Seed Money Academic Grant Award from the Department of Pediatrics at Loma Linda University. Next, Dr. Saral joined as a visiting Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmacology and Department of Ob/Gyn at UCLA, Los Angeles and continued as an Assistant Researcher at UCLA School of Medicine. In 2005, Dr. Saral moved to the private sector and has successfully performed various roles as a Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Trial Manager or a consultant at site management organizations, and Clinical Research Organizations.
Dr. Saral is also a driven professor who is passionate about teaching pharmacology and clinical research. Dr. Saral also believes that it is her time to ‘give back’ and restart in academics full time, so that her students’ foundations of clinical research knowledge and the skills they learn, help them develop into successful clinical researchers while serving the Clinical Research field.
Publications/Certifications
Green tea and the risk of gastric cancer: Epidemiological evidence. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2013 June 28; 19(24): 3713-3722
‘Role of Dendritic Cell Phenotype, Determinant Spreading, and Negative Co stimulatory Blockade in Dendritic Cell-Based Melanoma Immunotherapy’. Journal of Immunotherapy. 2004, Jan 1; 27:354-367.
‘T-cell responses to HLA-A*0201 immunodominant peptides derived from alpha-fetoprotein in patients with hepatocellular cancer’. Clinical Cancer Research. 2003, Dec 1;9(16 Pt .1):5902-8
‘Determinant spreading associated with clinical response in dendritic cell-based immunotherapy for malignant melanoma’. Clinical Cancer Research.2003, Mar; 9(3):998-1008.
‘Immunosuppressive effects of interleukin-12 co expression in melanoma antigen gene-modified dendritic cell vaccines’. Cancer Gene Therapy. 2002, Nov; 9(11):875-83.
‘CD40 cross-linking bypasses the absolute requirement for CD4 T cells during immunization with melanoma antigen gene-modified dendritic cells’. Cancer Research.2001, Dec15; 61(24):8787-93.
‘Immune deviation and Fas-mediated deletion limit antitumor activity after multiple dendritic cell vaccinations in mice’. Cancer Research. 2000, Apr 15; 60(8):2218-24
‘Generation of T-cell immunity to a murine melanoma using MART-1-engineered dendritic cells’. Journal of Immunotherapy. 2000, Jan; 23 (1):59-66
‘Effects of selected endothelium-dependent vasodilators on fetoplacental vasculature: physiological implications’. American Journal of Physiology. 1999 Aug; 277(2 Pt 2):H842-7:157-65
‘Autocrine Regulators of MC3T3-E1 Cell Proliferation’. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Volume 8, Number 2, 1993
‘Development of monoclonal antibodies to parathyroid hormone-induced resorptive factors from osteoblast-like cells’. Calcification Tissue International Journal. Mar; 50(3):237-44
‘Insulin-Like Growth Factors and their Binding Proteins: Role in Pre and Post-Natal Growth and Development’. Inland Pediatrics, December, Vol. 6, No 5
Narleski Johnson, PharmD
Associate Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
Doctor of Pharmacy, 1986. University of Southern California Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry, 1983. California State University
Bio
An experienced Clinical Pharmacist with 35 years in practice with clinical skills in oncology, intensive care unit, trauma, and mental health pharmacy. As oncology pharmacist, Dr. Johnson managed pharmacy technicians in preparation of chemotherapy drugs, storage and distribution, in addition to setting up and managing ICU pharmacy for trauma patients. As pharmacist-in-charge, Dr. Johnson managed pharmacy staff in the mental health inpatient pharmacy.
Areas of Expertise
Oncology, intensive care unit, trauma, and mental health
Pharmacy Practice Experience
Oncology Pharmacist Martin Luther King Hospital Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Los Angeles, CA Clinical Pharmacist Managed Oncology Pharmacy with preparation of chemotherapy drugs, storage and distribution.
Intensive Care Unit, and Trauma Center Pharmacist Martin Luther King Hospital Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Center Set-up and managed the ICU satellite for trauma patients in the ICU. Responsible for infectious disease on pharmaceutical investigational drugs.
Mental Health Pharmacist Augustus Hawkins Mental Health Pharmacy Managed pharmacy staff in the mental health in-patient pharmacy part of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.
Halline Uzell Overby, MD
Full Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
Doctor of Medicine (1975): Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C.
Fellowships: Hematology-Oncology:
University of California Los Angeles,
Veterans Administration Hospital, Sepulveda, CA
University of California, Davis
Veterans Administration Hospital, Martinez, CA
Bio
Board Certified Hematologist-Oncologist with over 46 years of experience in hematology, medical oncology, and internal medicine. Dr. Overby’s clinical experiences and expertise over 46 years included leadership positions, academic appointments, and professional presentations in varied health care organizations. In his leadership role, he held a two-term Chief of Staff at St. Francis Medical Center, Chairman of Bioethics Committee, Director of Tumor Board, President of Jason-West Society, and currently he Director of Hematology-Oncology Division, Martin Luther King Jr., Outpatient Center. Adding to his expertise and experience, Dr. Overby held positions as physician-specialist at City of Hope National Medical Center, Martin Luther King Hospital Outpatient and Urgent Care clinic. Physician-owner of Halline Overby, MD Inc., Dr. Overby was also a physician-partner with Pacific Hematology-Oncology, Inc., and holds long-term hospital appointments. A member of Memorial Care Physician Society which drives clinical outcomes and performance for Memorial Care Health System.
Residencies
Internal Medicine:
Martin Luther King, Jr., Medical Center,
Los Angeles, CA
Internship:
Los Angeles County-University of Southern California
Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Areas of Expertise
Hematology – Oncology, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, Hematology
Professional Licensure & Certifications
Doctor of Medicine License (1975): California Board of Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine (1976): Washington, D.C.
American Board of Medical Oncology (1983):
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA
Hospital Appointments
Los Alamitos Medical Center, 3751 Katella Avenue,
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, 2801 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806
St. Francis Medical Center, 3630 E. Imperial Highway, Lynwood, CA, 90262
Professional Societies
Physician for a National Health Program
National Medical Association
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Leadership Positions
Director, Hematology-Oncology Division, Martin Luther King Jr., Outpatient Center
Chairman of Bioethics Committee, St. Francis Medical Center
Director of Tumor Board, St. Francis Medical Center
Chief of Staff, St. Francis Medical Center
President, Jason-West Medical Society, Lynwood, CA
Professional Presentations
Monthly Tumor Board, Martin Luther King Outpatient Center /Charles Drew University
Medical Grand Rounds, “Prostate Cancer Screening”. Charles R. Drew College of Medicine and Science Speaker-Panelist: “Prevention, Treatment, and Control of Cancer In Our Community”.
California Science Center, Los Angeles, CA
Speaker: “Sickle Cell Anemia”, Good News Radio Program, KTYM, Inglewood Ca.
Oncology Lecture: “Use and Administration of Cisplatin Chemotherapy”. St. Francis Medical Center Lecturer: “Lymphoma Overview”. Charles R. Drew College of Medicine and Science.
Speaker-Grand Rounds: “Anemia”. Department of Medicine, Martin Luther King Jr., OutPatient Center.
Speaker: “Risk Factors for Rectal Cancer “. Good News Radio Program.
Speaker: “Cancer Prevention”, Women’s Association of Lynwood. Lynwood, CA.
Speaker: “Palliative Care”, Third Annual End of Life Conference. St. Francis Medical Center.
Speaker: “Medical Futility”, Bioethics Grand Rounds. St. Francis Medical Center.
Speaker: “Hydroxyurea Therapy for Sickle Cell Anemia”. Conference. Charles Drew College of Medicine and Science.
Speaker: “Treatment of Aids”, Allied Health Students. St. Francis Career College, Lynwood, CA.
Speaker: “Single Payer Health Care System”. Los Angeles County Medical Association, District 10. Speaker: “Proposition 185, California Health Security Act”, Medical Staff Quarterly Meeting.
St Francis Medical Center.
Carol Yuan, BS, Pharm.D, BCPP, APH
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical and Administration Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
Doctor of Pharmacy – Western University of Health Sciences
PGY-2 Psychopharmacology & Clinical Psychiatry, Western University of Health Sciences/Aurora Charter Oak Hospital
B.S. Biological Sciences, CSU East Bay
Teaching Certificate obtained from PGY-2 training – Western University of Health Sciences
Bio
Dr. Yuan currently serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Clinical and Administrative Department at the American University of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy. Dr. Yuan comes to AUHS with extensive pharmacy practice and pharmacy consulting experiences in both psychiatric hospital and retail pharmacies, specializing in adolescent and adult clinical psychiatry and psychopharmacology.
As an experienced clinical pharmacist clinician, Dr. Yuan works as a Director of Pharmacy and clinical pharmacist in an inpatient psychiatric hospital for over 11 years. Prior to working as a clinical pharmacist in a hospital setting, she also had many years of experiences working in the retail pharmacies as a pharmacist and pharmacy manager. Dr. Yuan has been precepting pharmacy technician students, Pharm.D. students, and Pharmacy residents from multiple pharmacy schools for over 13 years.
Dr. Yuan is well experienced in pharmacy management, both in the acute care psychiatric hospital setting and retail setting. She is highly proficient in performance management, clinical protocol development, policy and procedure development, best practices implementation, and students/pharmacy residents developments.
Courses Taught
Personality Disorder
ADHD
Glaucoma
Publications
01. Carol Yuan, Ji Haeng Heo, Busuyi Olotu, Annie Hiu, Michael Pondrom, Maria Arredondo. “Comparison of Long-Acting Injectables in the Treatment of Mental Illness to Prevent Hospital Readmission in Less Than 30 days After Discharge: A Retrospective Study. Poster presented in the CPNP Annual Meeting, April 2019. Salt Lake City, NV, USA.
02. Shankar, G.S., Yuan, X.J., “Comparative study of Zolpidem and Hypnotic Benzodiazepines Related Falls in Acute Psychiatric Hospital.” Abstract accepted by CPNP, Florida 2012.
03. Shankar, G.S., Yuan, X.J., “Evaluation of the Substance Detoxification Protocols in an Acute Psychiatric Hospital.” Abstract accepted by CPNP, Florida 2012.
04. Shankar, G.S., Luu, Haiau, Yuan, X.J., “Impact of Pharmacists in Achieving Therapy Goals, Medication Adherence, and Patient Satisfaction in Patients with Psychiatric Illnesses in an Outpatient Setting.” Abstract accepted by CPNP, Florida 2012.
05. Hugo R. Arias, Avraham Rosenberg, Katarzyna M. Targowska-Duda, Dominik Feuerback, Xiaojuan Yuan, Krzysztof Jozwiak, Ruin Moaddel, Irving W. Wainer. “Interaction of Ibogain with Human α3β4-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Different Conformational States.” The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology 42 (2010) 1525-1535
06. Yuan, X.J., Guo, W., Dong, F., Lin, SH., Chu, K., Nate, C., G.S Shankar “A Cross Country Study of the Effect of Three Dibenzodiazepines: clozapine, quetiapine and olanzapine on Thyroid Function in Patients with Schizophrenia.” Published in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice, May 2010.
07. Shankar, G.S., Yuan, X.J., “Monitoring and Counseling of Metabolic Complications and Antipsychotic Pharmacotherapy.” published on Premier Education Solution, 2010.
08. “A Novel Model for Community Pharmacy Practice Residency to Promote Medication Therapy Management.” CAPSLEAD TEAM – XJ Yuan, A Khosho, H Umenoto, S Yang , HT Li, K Mai, L Kaw, B Joy de Guia, J Wong, H.P Nguyen, E Gupta E, K Hess K, S Shimomura, and SF Wong. Poster Presented in:
– California Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting Outlook 2008, February 7-10, 2008 in Sacramento, California.
– 42nd ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting December 2-6, 2007 in Las Vegas, NV.
– CSHP Seminar October, 2007 in Palm Spring, California
09. Yuan, X.J., Arias, H.R., Bhumireddy, P., Glick, S.D., and Kuehne, M.E. “Characterization of the 18-Methoxycoronaridine Binding Site on the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor.” J.Neurochem. 2007; 102, (Suppl.1), 271 (Abs. P.424)
10. Yuan, X.J., Arias, H.R., Bhumireddy, P., Glick, S.D., and Kuehne, M.E. “Characterization of the 18-Methoxycoronaridine Binding Site on the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor.” 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology, San Diego, CA, USA, Dec. 9-13, 2006
Daniel Hoang, PharmD, BCOP, BCSCP, PMP
Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
PG-Y1 Residency Pharmacy Resident (2007): UC Irvine Health Pharmacy Orange, CA
Doctor of Pharmacy (2007): UC San Diego School of Pharmacy, San Diego, CA
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences (2000): UC Irvine, Irvine, CA
Bio
Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist with 10+ year experience including supervision, management and working experience in Pharmacy IT Support and Cancer Center Pharmacy Operations. Also experienced in clinical research pharmacy, and expert in Epic Willow inpatient, and Beacon Subject Matter, designed and implemented EPIC Willow Inpt/Beacon pharmacy/nursing workflows for Infusion Centers. With these expertise and experiences, Dr. Hoang has certifications on the following: EPIC Beacon and Willow Inpatient; PMI Certified Project Management Professional with proven experience in leading multiple successful projects; Allscripts Certified in Medical Logic Module, ObjectPlus, and Sunrise Clinical Manager, and Board-Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist. Strong knowledge with SQL Report, MS Project, MS Visio, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access and Tableau BI.
Areas of Expertise
IT Medicine Management & Oncology, Pharmacy Informatics, Infusion Center Pharmacist
Pharmacy Practice Experience
UC Irvine Health Infusion Center Pharmacy Manager: Orange, CA Pharmacy Services
UC Irvine Health Infusion Center Pharmacy Supervisor: Orange, CA Pharmacy Services
UC Irvine Health IT Med Mgmt & Oncology Supervisor: Orange, CA Informational Services
UC Irvine Health Pharmacy Informatics Specialist: Orange, CA Informational Services
UC Irvine Health Infusion Center Pharmacist: Orange, CA Pharmacy Services
Professional Licensure & Certifications
Advanced Practice Pharmacist APH# 10096: CA Board of Pharmacy
Registered Pharmacist RPH# 59004: CA Board of Pharmacy
Board Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist Board of Pharmacy Specialty
Board-Certified Oncology Pharmacist Board of Pharmacy Specialty
Project Management Professional Project Management Institute
Certified Professional in Health Information and Management Systems HIMSS
BLS/ACLS AHA
EPIC Beacon Certified EPIC
EPIC Willow Inpatient Certified EPIC
MLM/ObjectPlus Allscri
Joseph Kunchandy, MPharm, PhD, RPh
Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
B. Pharm | College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
M. Pharm | Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
Ph.D. in Neuropharmacology | Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Neuropharmacology | UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Medicinal Chemistry & Cell Culture | College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Bio
Dr. Joseph Kunchandy brings forth acute care hospital management, clinical and retail-based pharmacy, professional research experience, and teaching experience to the School of Pharmacy at American University of Health Sciences. His range of clinical and research experiences are based on years of acute care hospital pharmacy management, retail-based pharmacy, and application and knowledge of neuropharmacology research. Dr. Kunchandy also participates as a consultant in the hospital accreditation process in areas of medication, such as the management process.
Jeanne Brady, PharmD
Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
Doctor of Pharmacy University of the Pacific, Thomas J Long School of Pharmacy, Stockton, CA
PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency – St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Stockton, CA Bachelor of Science Rutgers College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ
Bio
An experienced Clinical Manager with over 25 years in practice with pharmacy management, acute care practice, and oncology care management. Prior to joining AUHS, Dr Brady leads clinical programs and productivity at a large community district hospital in Monterey County managing all clinical program development, education, training, and implementation, chairing Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Glycemic, Antimicrobial Stewardship and Medication Safety Committees. She directs and oversees all aspects of medication policy and protocol development, regulatory and best practices standards in Oncology Infusion Center and hospital operations including 340B program standards.
Dr. Brady is actively involved in mentoring and training Pharmacy students in institutional and internal medication rotations and serves as Pharmacy Technician program instructor.
Areas of Expertise
Acute care including Code Blue, Code Stroke, PK, TPN, Infectious Disease, Oncology
Presentations
Implementation of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program ASP managed by an Infectious Disease Physician and Pharmacists in a Community Hospital, ASHP Midyear 2019, Las Vegas, NV
Christine Han, PharmD
Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
BS (Psychobiology) – University of California, Los Angeles
Bio
Dr. Han brings over 10 years of community practice, pharmacy management, and medication therapy management experiences to the AUHS School of Pharmacy. Prior to joining AUHS, Dr. Han was in pharmacy practice working closely with independent pharmacies and physicians in developing procedures for drug management and regulatory compliance. She has managed multiple pharmacies and has taught numerous pharmacist interns and pharmacists who have successfully become pharmacy managers. Dr. Han has been actively involved in educating seniors on medication adherence, chronic disease states, and Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits. She also provides medication management in various senior facilities. Dr. Han currently serves as a member for the California Korean American Pharmacist Association.
Chong MT and Han CSH. “Integration of a Business Plan Project within a Pharmacy Management and Marketing course for Pharmacy Students in a Doctor of Pharmacy Program.” J Am Pharm Assoc 2013;53:2:89-90
Chong MT and Han CSH. “Student’s Perception and Feedback on A Management and Marketing course offered in a PharmD Program.” 11th Asian Conference on Clinical Pharmacy Abstracts Publications, Manila. June 2011,“Target Your Heart,” Target Corporation “Wellness” Business Plan Competition Finalist, University of Hawaii, Hilo College of Pharmacy. Nov 2011,
Boris Zhang, PharmD
Assistant Professor, Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
PharmD – Washington State University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Spokane, WA
Pharmacy Academia Fellowship – Washington State University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Spokane, WA
BS in Chemistry – University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
Bio
Dr. Zhang obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno and his PharmD from Washington State University, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (WSU). Upon graduation, he continued a two-year fellowship in pharmacy academia at WSU before coming to AUHS. His clinical background includes long-term care, home health care, and pharmacy academia. His interests include improving students through soft skill engagement and using learning activities such as games to improve student performance.
Publications
Zhang B., Kim, S., Xiao, Y., Damman, C., Kelly, K., Fitzpatrick, D., Anderson, C., Ritchie, M., Bray, B., Stewart, A., Daoud, S., Remsberg, C. A Student Initiative to Implement Peer-led Study Groups for a Pharmacogenomics Course: Evaluation of Student Performance and Perceptions. CPTL. 2020; 12(5): 549-557. doi: 10.1016/j.cptl.2020.01.013
Dr. Meyer received his BS and PharmD degrees from the University of the Pacific College of the Pacific and School of Pharmacy respectively.
Bio
Dr. Meyer currently serves as Associate Professor in the Clinical and Administrative Department at the American University of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy. Dr. Meyer comes to AUHS with a background of more than 40 years of pharmacy practice experience, specializing in long term care and geriatrics. His experience includes clinical practice as a consultant pharmacist, long term care pharmacy operations and administration in both long term care pharmacy companies and long term care companies providing skilled nursing and residential services.
Dr. Meyer has been active in several pharmacy organizations for many years. He has been a member of the American Society of Consultant pharmacists since 1985 and served on numerous Committees, the Board of Directors and as President and Chairman of the Board. As a long-time member of the California Pharmacists Association, Dr. Meyer has served on multiple committees, is a member for the Academy of Long Term Care and has served on the Board of Trustees. Dr. Meyer has also worked with the Pharmacy Quality Alliance on measurable criteria for pharmacists’ quality measures, and with NCPDP Workgroup 14 on electronic data standards for prescribing in nursing facilities. He is a member of the Medication Safety Officers Society and has been a member of the American Geriatrics Society, California Association for Long Term Care Medicine. He is currently a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for Marshall B. Ketchum School of Pharmacy, and for Chapman University School of Pharmacy until 2020.
Dr. Meyer currently serves as preceptor for an IPPE and APPE practice site involved in projects relating to the role of the pharmacist in transitions of care and medication safety.
Kal Chatto, M.S. Pharm
Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
Co-Founder Genom Global Venture (A Division of Genom LIfe Sciences)
Mr. Kal Chatto, is an entrepreneur and business executive with 30 plus years’ worth of expertise and experience in the biotech & pharmaceutical world. Mr. Chatto is an Adjunct Professor at Chapman University School of Pharmacy. He was also an Adjunct Visiting Professor for 4 years (3/’13-3/’17), Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University ranked #1 in India.
In 2005, as the Co-Founder and Board Member, Mr. Chatto helped in building and shaping Manipal Acunova, which acquired Ecron, a top European Contract Research Organization (CRO) and became Ecron Acunova (EA), one of the most successful international CROs (Privately held). Ecron Acunova won the prestigious Proximire Award and Bio-Excellence Award and EA was acquired by Take Solutions in FY 2015- 2016. In 2007, he became the Co-Founder and Board member of Avitacor, LLC, a CRO focusing on Latin America, which was sold to a private investors group in Mexico.
In 1988, Mr. Chatto was recruited from the Glaxo Pharmaceuticals (now GSK) in Marketing and Sales Leadership Team to be one the first 9 Amgen Founding Marketing and Sales leaders to launch and commercialize a major breakthrough biotech products, Epogen, Neupogen, Aranesp, Neulasta and Enbrel. Mr.Chatto relentlessly contributed to Amgen’s paramount success (market cap from $100 Million to $75.17 Billion in Q4’04) in becoming one the best biotech companies worldwide by improving values for patients, payers & providers, and stockholders.
Mr. Chatto was Co-Chair of the Host Committee for the 2004 FIP World Congress, New Orleans, U.S.A. In 2005, Mr. Chatto was awarded the “FIP Distinguished Service Award” by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in recognition of his exceptional and distinguished contribution to FIP. Recognized globally, the award honors outstanding achievers who inspire others with their vision and leadership. Mr.Chatto also served on the board of leading professional organizations such as Federation of International Pharmacy (FIP) for Education and Research, American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Research Institute as well as key pharmacy schools at the University of Arizona, University of Wisconsin, University of Tennessee, and USC.
Mr. Chatto received his B.Pharm from IIT (B.H.U) and M.S. in Pharmacy Administration from Long Island University, New York. He also completed Executive Management Programs from Marshall School of Business, USC, and Anderson School of Management at UCLA
Thi Minh Dang, PharmD
Assistant Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
Doctor of pharmacy, 2003: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
Certified pharmacy technician, 1998: American Institute of Health Sciences, Long Beach, California
Pre-pharmacy studies: University of California- Irvine, Irvine, California
Bio
An experienced, driven, and accomplished Pharmacy Professional and Leader, with a wealth of experience while working for leading, high-profile companies. Owner of Dang Pharmacy Group, Inc. experienced in managing operations, profit and loss, staff training and development, auditing for assurance of medication use safety, staff performance evaluation, staff succession planning, regulatory compliance, and handling a wide variety of special projects. Serves as Clinical Pharmacist/Pharmacist in Charge for the San Gabriel Medical Pharmacy and Pharmacist in Charge for San Gabriel Compounding Pharmacy. A proven manager and possesses a firm commitment to the timely provision of the highest levels of pharmacy services and support. Strong background in many areas including pharmacy management, best practices implementation, performance management, and patient relations. Highly-experienced in all aspects of pharmacy management, and is thoroughly familiar with pharmacy and healthcare practices, standards, and protocols. Experienced in all areas of pharmacy management, has managed many high-profile pharmacies, and is proven in meeting the highest in profitability and productivity expectations.
Areas of Expertise
Community Practice, Ambulatory Care
Pharmacy Practice Residency Experience
Oncology: Preceptor: Shirley Wong, Pharm. D.
Critical Care Surgical/Trauma: Preceptor: Paul Tan, Pharm.D., FASHP
Neonatology: Preceptor: Bill Renfro, Pharm.D.
Internal Medicine: Preceptors: Sharon Basile, Pharm.D., BCPS, Ben Balto, Pharm. D.
Psychiatry: Preceptor: Elizabeth Eichel, Pharm .D.
Medical Intensive Care Unit: Preceptor: Andrea Williams, Pharm.D.
Community Pharmacy: King Soopers Pharmacy #39, Denver, Colorado – Preceptor: John Kuttler, R.Ph. (2003)
Adult Medicine: Rose Medical Center, Denver, Colorado – Preceptor: Kevin LeBlanc, Pharm.D. (2003)
Investigational Drug Research: Centura Health Hospital, Denver, Colorado – Preceptor: Susan Lottimer, Pharm. D. (2002).
Critical Care Pharmacotherapy: University Hospital, Denver Colorado – Preceptor: Dough Fish, Pharm. D. (2002)
Ambulatory Care: Kaiser Permanente – East Clinic, Denver, Colorado – Preceptors: Erin Vogel and Katie Peterson, Pharm.D (2002)
Drug Information: University of Colorado Health Services Center School of Pharmacy, Denver Colorado Preceptor: Janet Pate, Pharm.D.
Community Pharmacy: Kaiser Permanente of Colorado-East Clinic, Denver, Colorado-Preceptor: Bruce Emerson, R.Ph.
Professional Licensure
Advanced Practice Pharmacist (2016-Present), State of California APH (10195)
Pharmacist, State of California (2004-Present) RPH (56258)
Pharmacist, State of Florida (2004-2005) PS (37880)
Certified Compounding Pharmacist (Since 2013)
Intern Pharmacist (2000-2004), State of California (10901)
Intern Pharmacist (2000-2003), State of Colorado
Pharmacy Technician (1998-1999)
Professional Presentations
In Service: Urinalysis; Presented to psychiatric nursing staff, Shands Jacksonville Medical Center (2004)
In-Service: The Use of Xigris, The Use of Pharmacodynamics to Select and Optimize Antimicrobial Therapy, Presented to critical care nursing staff, Shands Jacksonville Medical Center (2004)
Southeastern Residency Conference: Characterization of Medication Induced Angioedema at Shands Jacksonville (UFJ 2003-0124); presented to pharmacists and pharmacy residents about residency research project that was done at Shands Jacksonville, The University of Georgia, Center for Continuing Education (2004)
Jacksonville (UFJ 2003-0124); presented to pharmacists and pharmacy residents about residency research project that was done at Shands Jacksonville, The University of Georgia, Center for Continuing Education (2004)
In-Service: Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia; Presented to critical care physicians, medical residents, pharmacists, pharmacy residents and others; Shands Jacksonville Medical Center (2004)
Grand Rounds: Palliative Care In Cancer Patients’ Psychological Perspective-Anxiety/Depression; Presented to pharmacists, pharmacy students, and others; Shands Jacksonville Medical Center (2004)
P&T Meeting: Fulvestrant Monograph; Presented to Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee for Formulary Review; Shands Jacksonville Medical Center (2004)
Class Review: Therapeutic Management of Nausea/Vomiting; Presented to Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee for Formulary Review, Porter Adventist Hospital, Denver, Colorado (2003)
Leukemia and Tumor Lysis Syndrome; Presented to pharmacists, Porter Adventist Hospital, Denver, Colorado (2003)
Opportunistic Infections in Post-Renal Transplant; presented to pharmacists and pharmacy students, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Denver, Colorado (2002)
Narcotic Potency Comparison and Cross Allergenicity: Presented to pharmacists, Kaiser-Permanente – East Clinic, Denver, Colorado (2002)
Cancer Cachexia: Presented to pharmacist and pharmacy students, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Denver, Colorado (2020)
Drug Inducted Nutrient Depletion: Presented to pharmacists and pharmacy students, Kaiser-Permanente – East Clinic, Denver Coronado (2002)
Common Mucocutaneous Toxicities Associated with Chemotherapy: Pharm. D. Seminar, presented to faculty and pharmacy students, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Denver, Colorado (2001)
Research Experience
Characterization of Medication Induced Angioedema at Shands Jacksonville (UFJ 2003-0124)
Co-Investigators: Amy M. Petrehn, Pharm. D., June McAdams, Pharm. D, Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, Jacksonville, Florida (2003-Present)
Professional Organizations
California Society of Health System Pharmacists
American Society of Health System Pharmacists
Member, Board of Trustees, American University of Health Sciences, Long Beach, California
American Pharmaceutical Association
Member, PCCA (Professional Compounding Centers of America
Member, CPhA (California Pharmacist Association)
Member, NCPA (National Community Pharmacists Association)
Jimmy Nguyen, PharmD
Assistant Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time)
Bachelor of Science from the University of California in Biological Sciences
Bio
Dr. Jimmy Nguyen graduated with his PharmD from Chapman University as the first inaugural class. Dr. Nguyen graduated his class as Rho Chi, top 10%. While there he was a Board Member of California Health Science Systems and other distinguished groups in the accreditation process of his school. From there, he worked as an outpatient pharmacist for Rite Aid Pharmacy then moved on to CVS Pharmacy. While working with CVS, he was able to lead his own team in COVID vaccine clinics, traveling to different sites every day to administer vaccines. There he learnt the importance of charisma, leadership and organization. Currently he is a part of the Emerging Leader Program with CVS while being an adjunct clinical professor with AUHS.
Leonel Garcia Jr., PharmD
Assistant Professor of Clinical and Administrative Sciences (Adjunct/ Part-time)
Doctor of Pharmacy from Western University of Health Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from California State University, Fullerton
Bio
Dr. Garcia graduated with his PharmD from Western University of Health Sciences. From there, he worked as an outpatient pharmacist for Safeway where he would counsel patients and give vaccinations. He then moved to Apple Valley where he worked as an inpatient pharmacist for St. Mary Medical Center. While working there, he also became a staff pharmacist for Telnet-Rx Telepharmacy where he would help with remote order entry. There he learned many electronic health record software programs and verified medications throughout different hospital systems in California. Now, he works at St. Francis Medical Center where he monitors and doses clinically significant medications such as vancomycin, heparin, aminoglycosides and epoetin.
Invention
While Dr. Garcia was studying at Western University of Health Sciences, he created an invention for extracting liquid from capsules which is still in use in UCI Medical Center. This invention is useful for medications like nimodipine which is used for stroke patients. His invention is published on the UCI Beall Applied Innovation website and patented by UCI. He was featured on Western University’s magazine, RxBound, as the college’s first student published inventor. Below are the links for the invention and interview.
BS (Biochemistry Cell-Bio and Psychology) – University of California, San Diego, CA
Bio
Dr. Kim has practiced as an inpatient pharmacist at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital in Fountain Valley, CA. Later, she joined the faculty at AUHS in the Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences. She practices as an inpatient clinical pharmacist with an acute care focus, specializing in pharmacokinetics, nutrition, emergency medicine, and antibiotic stewardship. She also serves as a preceptor for pharmacy IPPE and APPE students.
Areas of Expertise
Acute care including PK, TPN, ID, emergency medicine
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biological Sciences at University of California, Irvine
Bio
Dr. Tiffany Nguyen received her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from University of the Pacific and Bachelor of Sciences (BS) in Biological Sciences from University of California Irvine. Prior to joining AUHS, Dr. Nguyen practiced pharmacy at a hospice-focused company for five years, working her way up from Pharmacist to Clinical Services Manager to Director of Pharmacy, and ultimately, to Director of Operations. She directed the internal operations of the hospice pharmacy as well as the non-sterile compounding pharmacy, while also serving as the main point-of-contact for clinical and client services. She managed hospice accounts and partner pharmacies contracted with the company’s hospice-focused PBM–an operation that spanned across California and even entered into Texas, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.
Aside from the business administrative and managerial experiences, Dr. Nguyen precepted pharmacy interns and educated hospice nurses and clinical leadership through published monthly newsletters and clinical in-services. She genuinely cares about preparing students to become the best versions of themselves–not only as professionals, but also as individuals and members of the community. She hopes to instill confidence, leadership, professionalism, and humility in the future generations of the pharmacy profession.
Areas of experience: end-of-life or hospice and palliative care (pain and symptom management), nonsterile compounding, pharmacy operations management, client services/account management, drug utilization review and formulary development, business administration and management
PharmD – Loma Linda University, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda, CA
PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency – Dignity Health, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Stockton, CA
Pharmacy Resident Teaching Certification – University of Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, Stockton, CA
BS in Biochemistry – University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Bio
Dr. Rhee obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, CA. She completed an ASHP accredited PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice residency at Dignity Health, St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, CA with an acute care focus, specializing in internal medicine/oncology, infectious disease, emergency services, cardiology, and pharmacokinetics. During her residency training, Dr. Rhee also obtained a pharmacy resident teaching certification at the University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy. She is a member of Phi Lambda Sigma Leadership Society.
Areas of Expertise
Acute Care Services
Course Taught
Integrated Pharmacotherapy VI – Infectious Disease
Youngil Chang, PharmD. M.S.
Assistant Professor, Clinical and Administrative Sciences
Doctor of Pharmacy, Palm Beach Atlantic University, FL
M.S. in Chemistry, Seoul National University, South Korea
B.S. in Chemistry, Seoul National University, South Korea
Bio
Dr. Chang received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University at the west palm beach, FL. After graduation, he joined the graduate research fellowship at Western University of Health Sciences, CA in organ transplantation and pharmacogenomics. During his fellowship he was working with the organ transplant team at St. Vincent Medical Center, Los Angeles for the management of the kidney transplant patients and also performed independent research in pharmacogenomics and antibody mediated rejections on transplanted organ at the HLA laboratory, Los Angeles, which provide essential genetic testing for the transplant donors and recipients. Dr. Chang also had involved in research for drug target identification at Purdue University, IN and anesthesia drug monitoring in animal models at Wester University of Health Sciences, CA. He is interested in improving patient’s outcome through translational research that could be applied in the clinical settings.
Publication
K. Choi, Y. Chang, T. Shah, D. Min, Analysis of genetic and clinical risk factors of post-transplant thrombocytopenia in kidney allograft recipients. Transplant Immunology, 55 (2019) 101206.
Y. Chang, N. Lemp, J. Cicciarelli, D. Min, R. Naraghi, T. Shah, Detecting Glycosylation of Donor Specific Antibodies (DSA) with Single Antigen Beads., Annal. of Transplantation Research. 1 (2018) p1014-5.
Y. Chang, T. Shah, J. Yang, D.I. Min, Association of genetic polymorphisms of angiopoietin-like 4 with severity of posttransplant proteinuria in kidney allograft recipients., Transpl. Immunol. 40 (2017) 35–41.
Chang, Y., Shah, T., & Min, D. I. Association of Genetic Polymorphisms of Macrophage Inhibitory Factor (MIF) and B-cell Activation Factor (BAFF) with Donor Specific Antibodies in Kidney Allograft Recipients. 2017. Human immunology Submitted.
J.C. Cicciarelli, N.A. Lemp, Y. Chang, M. Koss, K. Hacke, N. Kasahara, K.M. Burns, D.I. Min, R. Naraghi, T. Shah, Renal Transplant Patients Biopsied for Cause and Tested for C4d, DSA, and IgG Subclasses and C1q: Which Humoral Markers Improve Diagnosis and Outcomes? (2017). Epub 2017 Jan 15 ahead of printing.
Chang, Y., Shah, T., Min, D. I., & Yang, J. W. Clinical risk factors associated with the post-transplant anemia in kidney transplant patients. Transplant Immunology. 2016, 38, 50–53.
Rose Bagheri, PharmD
Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences
Dr. Bagheri received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Texas, Austin and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from West Coast University, School of Pharmacy, as a member of the inaugural class. After graduation, Dr. Bagheri worked as a clinical pharmacist at Coram CVS/Specialty Infusion Pharmacy. During this time, she provided ongoing clinical monitoring and medication assessment for all infusion patients, including IV antibiotic dosing, TPN formulation, and specialty drugs. Dr. Bagheri currently serves as the CE Committee Chair for the Pharmacists’ Professional Society of the San Fernando Valley chapter of the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA). Her clinical practice interests are in ambulatory care and pharmacogenomics. Dr. Bagheri is passionate about empowering students to strive for excellence and achieving their professional and personal goals.
MS (Clinical Psychology) – California Southern University, CA
MS (Public Health) – University of Northern Colorado, CO
Pharm Clinician Training Ph-C Licensure (2 years) at CMF and Psychiatry at MH
Department, Vacaville. Currently licensed as Advanced Practice Pharmacist (CA).
Bio
Dr. G.S. Shankar Completed his PharmD from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, Master of Science degree from UNC in Public Health, completed Master of Clinical psychology from Calsouthern University and is a PsyD candidate from the same university. He is a registered pharmacist in the state of California and licensed as Advanced Practice Pharmacist as well from the state Board of Pharmacy. He is Fellow of the Australian College of Pharmacy (FACP) and fellows of the Australian college tend to have had training and certification in two clinical specialties and Dr. Shankar completed training and certifications in psychiatry and Geriatrics at the time of the fellowship award. He completed two years of training as a pharmacist clinician and licensed as pharmacist clinician from New Mexico Board of pharmacy up to 2010.
Recently he completed 5 years of experience as Clinical Pharmacy Specialist-Psychiatry at Veteran’s Out-patient’s Clinic with prescribing privileges at Laredo, Texas. Prior to this he worked as Associate Professor at Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California for a period of 13 years and also conducted a successful Psychopharmacology residency program. Prior to his teaching assignment, he worked as treatment review consultant to the department of mental health at Vacaville.
Subject Matter Expertise
Ambulatory, In-Patient Care, Psychiatry and Neurology, and Clinical Psychology
Publications/Presentations
Mehgan Hassanzadah, Adib H. Bitar, Nile M. Khanfar, Fadi T. Khasawne, Kabirullah Lutfy, and Gollapudi S. Shankar, *A Retrospective Cohort Study of the Prevalence of Anxiety and Agitation in Schizophrenic Smokers and the Unmet Needs of Smoking Cessation Programs. Journal of Medicine (Dec 2019)
Molecular Basis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: from Bench to Bedside-A Book Chapter for Publication -Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Research, 2019, Elsevier Series (Sept 2019)
Shankar GS (2015) Role of Autacoids in the Development of Vulnerability and Resilience in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). J Autacoids 4: e126. doi:10.4172/2161-0479.1000e126
Khasawneh F and Shankar G, (2014), Minimizing Cardiovascular Adverse Effects of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs in Patients with Schizophrenia. Cardiology Research and Practice
Shankar GS, Yuan C (2013) Effects of 5HT2c Blockade of Dibenzodiazepines on Thyroid Levels in Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder. J Autacoids 2: 102. doi:10.4172/2161-0479.1000102
Shankar G (2012) Role of Serotonin from Thought and Anxiety to Weight Gain and Metabolic Syndrome. J Autacoids 1:e118. doi:10.4172/21610479.1000e118
Nazer L, Al-Najjar T, Shankar G, “Agranulocytosis Associated with Psychotropic Medications: A Fatal Case”- Literature Survey ‘Journal of American Society of Hospital Pharmacy’ published in July 2012
Shankar G. “Clinical Assessment of Substance Abuse” Clinical Knowledge, Research and Therapeutics section, Spring 2010 California Pharmacist
Shankar G. ‘Conundrum of Bipolar Depression’, California Journal of Hospital Pharmacy May/June 2008; 18-23.
Shankar G, Nate C. “Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale as a long- term outcome measurement tool in patients receiving clozapine ODT- a Pilot Study”. Pharmacy Practice 2007; 5(1): 42-45.
Shankar G, Kelly Lee, Jack Chen. Metabolic Adverse Effects of Atypical Antipsychotic Medications. California Pharmacist Spring 2006; 12-17.
Jun JK, Shankar G, Shapiro K. The Pharmacology of Pain. California Pharmacist 2003; XLX (3):
Book Chapters
Shankar, G and Lutfy, K. Molecular Basis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders: from Bench to Bedside-A Book Chapter for Publication -Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Research, 2019, Elsiever Series (Sept 2019)
Shankar G. “Clinical Psychopharmacology in Correctional settings”, Book: Correctional Mental Health- from Theory to Best Practice, 2010, SAGE Publications, Inc
Shankar, G. “Practical Psychopharmacology: What every mental health professional needs to know – Manual for Mental Health Professionals”, Pesi HealthCare. 2007
Shankar G, Kelly Lee, Jack Chen. “Metabolic, Endocrinology, and Cardiovascular Adverse Effects of Psychotropic Drugs”, Psychiatry, PSAP Program, Fifth Edition 2004, Volume 3, 163-182
Non-Peer Reviewed
Shankar and Yuan, 2010. Monitoring and Counseling of Metabolic Complications and Antipsychotic Pharmacotherapy; Premier Educational Solutions
Shankar, 2007. Efficacy of Polypharmacy with Atypical Antipsychotic Medications in Schizoaffective Patients, Prescription Times
Shankar and Yuan, 2010. Monitoring and Counseling of Metabolic Complications and Antipsychotic Pharmacotherapy; Premier Educational Solutions
Shankar, 2007. Efficacy of Polypharmacy with Atypical Antipsychotic Medications in Schizoaffective Patients, Prescription Times
Research Interests
Psychiatry and Psychology
Ann Chung, PharmD
Chair, Department of Clinical and Administrative Sciences
Pharm.D – Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 2004
PGY-1 Tripler Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii 2005
B.S Human Physiology – University of Los Angeles, CA 2000.
Bio
Dr. Chung’s primary experience is hospital health system for nearly 20 years. Prior to becoming a pharmacist, she worked as an LVN in Long Term Care facility and Home Health Care. Fascinated with medicine, she went back to school. She graduated from UCLA with B.S. in Human Physiology, earned her Pharm.D. at Western University of Health Sciences, completed ASHP accredited PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice at Tripler Medical Center, Honolulu, HI. She had served the country as a Captain in the U.S Army at Fort Leonard Woods Community Hospital in Missouri. Dr. Chung is board certified in Pharmacotherapeutics. Her experiences include hospital pharmacy protocol clinical consultations, non-formulary medication review, antibiotic stewardship, IV preparation of compounded sterile preparations (CSPs) , USP 797, retail pharmacy, remote pharmacy order verification, prior authorization for Pharmacy Benefits Management for insurance company (Prescription Solutions). Dr. Chung is compassionate about teaching and sharing her experiences with students.
Area on interest
Acute care hospital pharmacy with a focus on Pharmacokinetics, Antibiotics Stewardship, TPN, Anticoagulation, and Critical Care.
Bachelor of Science from the University of California in Physics and Psychology
Bio
An experienced Ambulatory Community Pharmacist with 20 years in practice with pharmacy management, community practice, and medication therapy management. Prior to joining AUHS, Dr. Transon Nguyen was in pharmacy practice working with independent pharmacies and non-profit clinics in drug information, developing formularies and procedures for drug management and regulatory compliance. He has managed multiple community pharmacies and has taught numerous pharmacists and interns.
Dr. Transon Nguyen has been actively involved in educating school children and seniors on medication safety, adherence, basic self-care and healthcare. He is an active community volunteer for the Red Cross and the city of Irvine’s Community Emergency Response Team.
Dr. Transon Nguyen currently serves as mentor for the students of the non-profit Orange County Community Health Affiliation and he has an ongoing working relationship with the non-profit Lestonnac Free Clinic since 2005.
Publications
Nguyen, Transon. Apothecary Anecdotes: Old Tales from The Pharm. Amazon Publishing, 2021.
Nguyen, Transon. Nowhere: Steps along the journey from nowhere to now here. Amazon Publishing, 2021.
PPhD in Pharmacy Administration from the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University
BS degree in Pharmacy from Jadavpur University in India
Bio
Dr. Arjun Dutta holds a BS degree in Pharmacy from Jadavpur University in India. He then completed his PhD in Pharmacy Administration from the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Dutta specializes in Outcomes Research including the areas of Pharmacoeconomics, Quality of Life, and Epidemiology. Dr. Dutta has published extensively in Pharmacy Education including assessment of the curriculum, student admissions criteria, progression, and retention. Dr. Dutta has been involved in academic pharmacy for the past 22 years and has successfully started three pharmacy programs as a founding administrator in Oregon, New York, and California. His decanal appointments (over 12 years of administrative experience) include serving as the Interim Dean as well as Sr. Associate/Assistant Dean for Academic & Student Affairs at three new colleges of pharmacy. Prior to joining academia, he was an Outcomes Manager at a health economics firm specializing in Phase IV research for pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Dutta has over 71 publications in the form of research articles, abstracts, and book chapters in various peer-reviewed journals and professional meetings. He has received both federal (AHRQ, HRSA) and private funding and has conducted research in the areas of health services and outcomes assessment. Dr. Dutta has also been invited to speak at both national and international meetings.
Arjun enjoys travelling with his wife and two sons and is an avid reader and NFL-fan. He and his wife used to regularly compete in Ballroom Dance competitions.
Publications
Islam MA., Talukdar RM., Taheri R., and Dutta A. (2019), “Pharmacy relative to other Health Professionals in IPE: A Bibliometric Study.” Journal of National Black Nurses Association: JNBNA, 30 Nov. 2019, 30(2):38-43.
Lakhman S and Dutta A. (2019), “Endocrine Disruptive Chemicals: Silent poison for human health.” EC Pharmacology and Toxicology. 7.11 (2019): 62-63.
Dutta A. (2017) The need to integrate Public Health courses in Health Professions curriculum. [Letter]. JOJ Pub Health 2(1): JOJPH.MS.ID.555576 (2017). Available at: https://juniperpublishers.com/jojph/pdf/JOJPH.MS.ID.555578.pdf
Dutta A. (2016) Strategies to Improve Student Learning of Pharmacology in Pharmacy Curriculum. Pharm Pharmacol Int J 4(3): 00076. DOI: 10.15406/ppij.2016.04.00076 Available at: http://medcraveonline.com/PPIJ/PPIJ-04-00076.pdf
Chen JJ, Horne KE, Dutta AP (2015) “Faith-Based Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy in the United States: A Taxonomic Survey and Results.” Pharm Pharmacol Int J 2(2): 00019. DOI: 10.15406/ppij.2015.02.00019. Available at: http://medcraveonline.com/PPIJ/PPIJ-02-00019.pdf
Addo-Atuah J., Dutta A., Kovera C. (2015), “A Global health Elective Course in a Pharm.D. Curriculum.” American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education: 2014; Volume 78, Issue 10, Article 187. Available online at: http://www.ajpe.org/doi/full/10.5688/ajpe7810187 Accessed February 4, 2015.
Miederhoff P., Dutta A., Koomer A. (2013), “The Fungal Meningitis Tragedy: Implications for Pharmacy Education and the Profession.” [Letter]. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education: 2013; Volume 77, Issue 1, Article 18. Available online at: http://www.ajpe.org/doi/full/10.5688/ajpe77118 Accessed February 14, 2013.
St. Onge E., Suda K., Devaud L., Wilson A., Dutta A., Et al. Approaches to Management of Dilemmas by Leaders in Academic Pharmacy. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning. Apr. 2012: V4 (2):78-83e2.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187712971200010X. Accessed March 30, 2012.
Dutta A. (2011), “Is There a Need for More Research-based Courses in the PharmD Curriculum?” [Letter]. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 2011; 75(5); Article 102. Available online at: http://www.ajpe.org/view.asp?art=aj7505102&pdf=yes
Koomer A., Lourdes M., Coronel C., Dutta A., Et. al. A pilot study highlighting differences in pharmacists’ perceptions regarding use of pharamcogenetic information in their profession. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Health Care (JPRHC) 2011; Vol. 3, Issue 2: 50-61. http://www.jprhc.in/files/0862.pdf
Dutta A., Koomer A. (2011), Survey of new pharmacy schools: insights on structure and planning. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2011:10(1): 34-41. http://journalofpharmaceuticalresearch.org/index.php/kpc/article/view/89037. Accessed: March 31, 2017.
Dutta A. (2010), “Change of the Guard- Are we ready?” [Letter]. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 2010; 74(1); Article 16. Available online at: http://www.ajpe.org/view.asp?art=aj740116&pdf=yes&w=n
Hailemeskel B., Dutta A., Daftary M, Oluwaranti A, Ayuk-Egbe P, Koomer A, Ellis L et al. A Campus-Community Pharmacy Partnership to Foster Awareness and Utilization of MedlinePlusJournal of American Pharmacists Association May-June 2007; 47(3): 385-389.
Ghilzai NK, Dutta A. (2007), “India to Introduce 5-year Doctor of Pharmacy Program” [Letter]. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 2007; 71(2); Article 38. Available online at: http://www.ajpe.org/aj7102/aj710238/aj710238.pdf
Hailemeskel B., Dutta A., Olagbaju F., Ifelowo O., Koomer A. Demographic Differences and Drug Information Resource Preferences of U.S. Pharmacists. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. Oct. 2006; Vol.5, No. 4: 104-107.
Hailemeskel B., Dutta A., (2006), Daftary M., Ayuk P., Et. al. Relationship between pharmacy technician experience and academic performance- A pilot project. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. July 2006; Vol.5, No. 3: 65-68.
Koomer A., Dutta A., Et. Al. To Grade or Not To Grade: Moving away from Grades. U.S. Pharmacist Student Edition Winter 2006:5-7.
Dutta A., (2006), A commentary on stress research in the US. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. March 2006; v13 (3): 117.
Hailemeskel B., Dutta A., and Rose D. (2006), Drug Interactions-Knowledge and attitudes of Hospital Pharmacists. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. January 2006; Vol. 5, No. 1: 1-5.
Dutta A., Oke F., Daftary M., Et al. Geriatric Education in US Schools of Pharmacy. Consultant Pharmacist. 2005; 20(1): 45-51.
Dutta A., Pyles M, and Miederhoff P. Stress in Health Professions Students. Journal of National Black Nurses Association. July 2005; 16(1):63-68.
Reddy R, Daftary MN, Delapenha RD, Dutta AP, Oliver J, Frederick W., Avascular Necrosis and Protease Inhibitor Therapy: 3 Cases. Journal of the National Medical Association 2005; 97(11): 1543 -1546.
Montague M., Nichols S., Dutta A. (2005), Self-Management in African-American women with diabetes. The Diabetes Educator. 2005; v31n5: 700-710.
Sansgiry S., Bhosle M., Dutta, A. Predictors of test anxiety in doctor of pharmacy students: An empirical study. Pharmacy Education. June 2005; v5(2):121-129. Available online at: http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/app/home/contribution.asp?wasp=23190293b2af41218b49270a7592fcd2&referrer=parent&backto=issue,7,11;journal,1,17;linkingpublicationresults,1:300275,1
Wutoh A., Dutta A., et al. Treatment perceptions and attitudes of older HIV-infected adults. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2005; 1:60-76.
Calrke-Taker V. and Dutta A. African-American men and their reflections and thoughts on Prostate Cancer. Journal of National Black Nurses Assoc. July 2005; 16(1):1-7.
Dutta A. (2005), “The FPGEE Curriculum Requirement: An Insurmountable Hurdle?” [Letter]. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 2005; 69(5); Article 105. Available online at: http://www.ajpe.org/aj6905/aj6905105/ajpe105.pdf
Sansgiry S., Dutta, A., Et al. Predictors of Academic Performance at Two Diverse Universities: Effect of Academic Progression. AJPE. Oct. 2004; 68(4); Article 103. Available online at: http://www.ajpe.org/view.asp?art=aj6804103&pdf=yes
Shields K., Dutta A, Daftary M., Et al. NP and CAM education in the US pharmacy schools-Results & Comparisons of two surveys. Journal of Pharmacy Teaching. 2004; 11(2):1-12.
Hailemeskel B, Bullard W, Ayuk-Egbe P, Daftary M, Akiyode O, Dutta A, Bernard D, Olusanya O, Keeys C, and Bwayo S. (2004), Selected non-approved use of recombinant human erythropoietin. Part 2 of 2. Advances in Pharmacy. 2004; 2(3):280-288.
Bullard W, Hailemeskel B, Ayuk-Egbe P, Daftary M, Akiyode O, Dutta A, Bernard D, Belrhiti S, Eze G, and Keeys C. (2004), Selected non-approved use of recombinant human erythropoietin. Part 1 of 2. Advances in Pharmacy. 2004; 2(2):146-155.
Dutta A. In response to the letter entitled, “Pharmacy Graduates from Foreign Countries Flooding US Job Market” [Letter]. AJPE 2004; 68(1), Article 23. Available online at: http://www.ajpe.org/view.asp?art=aj680123&pdf=yes
Dutta A., Miederhoff P, and Pyles M. (2003), Complementary & Alternative Medicine Education: Students’ Perspectives. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. 2003; 67(2), Article 46. Available online at: http://www.ajpe.org/volsIssues/issueView.asp?vol=67&issue=02
Daftary M., Dutta A., Lee E., Olagundoye A., and Xue Z. Patients’ willingness to pay for cognitive pharmacy services in ambulatory care settings in the US. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research. 2003 (December); 33: 265-7.
Dutta A., Bwayo S, Xue X, Et al. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Instruction in Nursing Curricula. Journal of National Black Nurses Association. Dec. 2003; 14(2):30-33.
Dutta A., Daftary M., Ayuk P., and Kang H. State of CAM Education in US Schools of Pharmacy: Results of a National Survey. JAPhA. Jan-Feb. 2003; 43(1):81-83.
Bernard D., Dutta A., Daftary M. A descriptive report of bleeding complications secondary to Warfarin Therapy. Hospital Pharmacy 2003; 38(1):36-39
Hailemeskel B., Dutta A., and Daftary M. SIAR in a university teaching hospital. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy Jan. 2003; vol. 60:194-195.
Dutta A., Wutoh A., Williams C., and Ofosu J. Predictors of Academic Success at a Historically Black School of Pharmacy. Journal of Pharmacy Teaching 2002; 10(2): 1-14.
Dutta A. In response to the letter entitled, “Doctoral Education: A tragedy of the commons” [Letter]. Am. J. Pharmaceutical Education 2002; 66(4):463-464.
Hailemeskel B. and Dutta A. A Review of Internet Based Drug Information Resources and Student Preferences. Journal of Social and Administrative Pharmacy. 2002; 19(3):82-86.
Hailemeskel B, Ayuk-Egbe P, Akiyode O, Dutta A., Olu Ifelowa, Betton T, Kim M, Dillon E, and Fullas F. The effect of Pharmacist’s Herbal Counseling on Patients’ Knowledge and Satisfaction in a Community Pharmacy. Natural Health Partner; 2002:1(15) (On-line Journal) http://www.imakenews.com/entrails/e_article000078191.cfm
Hailemeskel B., Dutta A, Wutoh A., Adverse Reactions and Interactions among Herbal Users. Issues in Interdisciplinary Care, National Academies of Practice, Oct. 2001; V3N4:297-300.
ABSTRACTS AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS
Lu, S., Li, L., S heng, J., Spink, D. and Aldous, K. Comparison of Untargeted Methods using GC-MS and LC-TOF-MS/MS for Analysis of K2/Spice Synthetic Cannabinoids in Herbal 2017 US MSACL (The Association for Mass Spectrometry Applications to the Clinical Lab), Palm Springs, CA.
Ding , S heng, J.J, Wang, Y, Kluetzman K, Zhang Q.Y., and Turesky, R.J. (2016) Transgenic Mouse Development for Studying Human Serum Albumin as a Biomarker of Carcinogenic Exposure. Experimental Biology 2016/ American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, San Diego, CA.
Paul, P. Suwan, J. Sheng, J.J.Linhardt, R.J. Dordick, J. Liu, J. (2012) Assays for enzymes used in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of heparin American Chemistry Society 243rd National Meeting, Philadelphia,
Paul, P. Suwan, J. Sheng, J.J.Linhardt, R.J. Dordick, J. Liu, J. (2012) Assays for enzymes used in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of heparin American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting 2012, Pittsburgh,
Kapoor, and S heng, J. (2008) Studies on the regulatory roles of human estrogen sulfotransferase SULT1E1 in the expression of signal transduction-related genes in human prostate cancer CA-HPV-10 cells. Experimental Biology 2008/American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, San Diego, CA.
Kapoor, and Sheng, J. (2007) DNA microarray analysis suggests a regulatory role of human estrogen sulfotransferase SULT1E1 in the expression of signal transduction-related genes in human prostate cancer CA-HPV-10 cells. Experimental Biology 2007/ American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Washington DC.
Nimmagadda, D. and Sheng, J. (2007) Immunochemical characterization of human sulfotransferase SULT1E1 in HEK293 cells. Poster presented at Experimental Biology 2006/ American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, San Francisco,
Nimmagadda, D., Greiff, A., Gustad, T., and Sheng, J.J. (2005) Overexpression of hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase SULT2A1 enhances the cytotoxicity of N-hydroxy-2- acetylaminofluorene in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Poster presented at Experimental Biology 2005/American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, San Diego, CA.
Greiff, H. and Sheng, J.J. (2004) Quantitative analysis of gene expression of hydroxysteroid/ alcohol sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) and estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1) in normal and malignant human prostate cell lines.Poster presentation at Experimental Biology 2004/ American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Washington, DC.
S heng, J. J., and Duffel, M. W. (2002) Enantioselectivity of human hydroxysteroid (alcohol) sulfotransferase ST2A3 for 1-naphthyl-1-ethanol, a model 1-arylethanol. 16th World Congress of Pharmacology, San Francisco,
S heng, J. J., Saxena, A., Sharma, V., and Duffel, M. W. (2002) Studies on the molecular basis for the stereoselectivity of rat aryl sulfotransferase IV (ST1A1). Poster presentation at Experimental Biology 2002 /American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, New Orleans,
S heng, J. J., and Duffel, M. W. (2001) Expression, rapid purification, and stereoselectivity of recombinant hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase STa (ST2A2). 10th International Society for the Studies of Xenobiotics (ISSX) North American Meeting, Indianapolis,
S heng, J., Hua, Z, and Ding, X. (1997) Cloning and characterization of a human nasal cDNA related to olfactory-specific CYP2G1. 36th Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, OH.
Ding, X., Spink, D. C., Bhama, J. K., Sheng, J., Vaz, N. D., and Coon, M. J. (1995) Metabolic activation of a potent olfactory-specific toxicant, 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCBN), an olfactory-Specific toxicant, by rat, rabbit, and human cytochrome P450: role of 2A and 2E Experimental Biology 1995/American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Washington, DC.
Jonathan Sheng, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Adjunct/Part-time Faculty)
Post-Ph. D. Pharmaceutical Sciences/Medicinal Chemistry
Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry
College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Ph. D. Toxicology/Drug Metabolism
Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Toxicology
School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany, New York
B. M. Medicine
Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
Bio
Dr. Jonathan Sheng received his Ph.D. training in Environmental Sciences and Toxicology at State University of New York at Albany and his post-doctoral training in Medicinal Chemistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Iowa. He currently is a regular member of American Chemical Society (ACS), American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), and International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX).
Dr. Sheng’s research interests and expertise are in the areas of drug and xenobiotic metabolism, drug analysis (both small molecules and biological molecules), enzymology (P450s and cytosolic sulfotransferases), protein chemistry (protein structure/function, molecular mobility, subcellular localization, and stereochemistry), transgenic animal model development, and drug/environmental chemical-protein interaction studies.
Publications
S heng, J.J, Wang, Y, Turesky, R.J., Kluetzman K, Zhang Q.Y., Ding X. (2016) Novel Transgenic Mouse Model for Studying Human Serum Albumin as a Biomarker of Carcinogenic Exposure. Chemical Research in Toxicology 29:797-809
S heng, J.J. and Acquaah-Mensah, G.K. (2011) Subcellular location and molecular mobility of human sulfotransferase SULT1C1 in living human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Drug Metabolism and Disposition 36:1-4.
Kapoor, R. and S heng, J.J. (2008) Transfection of human CA-HPV-10 cells with sulfotransferase SULT1E1 affects estrogen signaling and gene expression. Drug Metabolism and Disposition 36:316-21.
Kapoor, R., Nimmagadda, D. and Sheng, J.J. (2007) Cellular localization studies on human estrogen sulfotransferase SULT1E1 in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Drug Metabolism and Disposition 35:17-20.
S heng, J.J., Saxena, A. and Duffel, M.W. (2004) Influence of phenylalanines 77 and 138 on the stereospecificity of aryl sulfotransferase IV. Drug Metabolism and Disposition 32:559- 565.
S heng, J.J., and Duffel, M.W. (2003) Enantioselectivity of human hydroxysteroid (alcohol) sulfotransferase ST2A3 (SULT2A1) for 1-naphthyl-1-ethanol, a model 1-arylethanol. Drug Metabolism and Disposition 31:697-700.
Shibutani, , Ravindernath, A., Terashima, I., Suzuki, N., Laxmi, Y.R.S., Kanno, Y., Suzuki, M., Apak, T.I., S heng, J.J., and Duffel, M.W. (2001) Mechanism of lower genotoxicity of toremifene compared with tamoxifen. Cancer Research 61:3925-3931.
S heng, J.J., Sharma, V, and Duffel, M.W. (2001) Measurement of aryl and alcohol sulfotransferase activity. Current Protocols in Toxicology 1:4.5.1-4.5.9. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New
S heng, J.J., and Duffel, M.W. (2001) Bacterial expression, purification, and characterization of rat hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase STa.Protein Expression and Purification 21:235-242.
S heng, , Hua, Z., Guo, J., Cagganna, M., and Ding, X. (2001) Identification of a new human CYP2A gene fragment with close linkage to CYP2GP1. Drug Metabolism and Disposition 29:4-7.
S heng, J.,Guo, J., Hua, Z., Cagganna, M., and Ding, X. (2000) Characterization of human CYP2G genes: widespread loss-of-functional mutations and genetic polymorphism. Pharmacogenetics 10:667-678.
Su, , Sheng, J.,Lipinskas, T.W., and Ding, X. (1996) Expression of P450 2A genes in rodent and human olfactory mucosa. Drug Metabolism and Disposition 24:884-890.
S heng, J., and Ding, X. (1995) Identification of human genes related to olfactory-specific CYP2G1. Biophy. Res. Com. 218:570-574.
Ding, X., Spink, D.C., Bhama, J.K., Sheng, J., Vaz, N.D., and Coon, M. J. (1995) Metabolic activation of a potent olfactory-specific toxicant, 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCBN), an olfactory-Specific toxicant, by rat, rabbit, and human cytochrome P450: role of 2A and 2E isoforms. Pharmacology 49:1113-1121.
Kittel, M., S heng, J., Sellinger, O., and Domino, E.F. (1994) Effects of MK-801 and PCP on rat brain cortical respiratory metabolism. Pharmacology Communications 4:258-261.
Domino, E.F., Yao, L.K., Sheng, J., Grekin, R.J., and Malvin, R.L. (1993) Is nitric oxide involved in mediating rat open field behavior? Pharmacology Communications 3:175-178.
Domino, E.F., and Sheng, J. (1993) N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist and dopamine D1 and D2 agonist interactions in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine induced hemiparkinsonian monkeys. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 264:221-225.
Domino, E.F., and Sheng, J. (1993) Relative potency and efficacy of some dopamine agonists with varying selectivities for D1 and D2 receptors in MPTP-induced hemiparkinsonian monkeys. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.265:1387-1391.
El Karib, A.O., Sheng, J., Betz, A.L., and Malvin, R.L. (1993) The central effects of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (N-nitro-L-arginine) in blood pressure and plasma renin. Exper. Hypertension 15:819-822.
ABSTRACTS AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS
Lu, S., Li, L., S heng, J., Spink, D. and Aldous, K. Comparison of Untargeted Methods using GC-MS and LC-TOF-MS/MS for Analysis of K2/Spice Synthetic Cannabinoids in Herbal 2017 US MSACL (The Association for Mass Spectrometry Applications to the Clinical Lab), Palm Springs, CA.
Ding , S heng, J.J, Wang, Y, Kluetzman K, Zhang Q.Y., and Turesky, R.J. (2016) Transgenic Mouse Development for Studying Human Serum Albumin as a Biomarker of Carcinogenic Exposure. Experimental Biology 2016/ American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, San Diego, CA.
Paul, P. Suwan, J. Sheng, J.J.Linhardt, R.J. Dordick, J. Liu, J. (2012) Assays for enzymes used in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of heparin American Chemistry Society 243rd National Meeting, Philadelphia,
Paul, P. Suwan, J. Sheng, J.J.Linhardt, R.J. Dordick, J. Liu, J. (2012) Assays for enzymes used in the chemoenzymatic synthesis of heparin American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting 2012, Pittsburgh,
Kapoor, and S heng, J. (2008) Studies on the regulatory roles of human estrogen sulfotransferase SULT1E1 in the expression of signal transduction-related genes in human prostate cancer CA-HPV-10 cells. Experimental Biology 2008/American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, San Diego, CA.
Kapoor, and Sheng, J. (2007) DNA microarray analysis suggests a regulatory role of human estrogen sulfotransferase SULT1E1 in the expression of signal transduction-related genes in human prostate cancer CA-HPV-10 cells. Experimental Biology 2007/ American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Washington DC.
Nimmagadda, D. and Sheng, J. (2007) Immunochemical characterization of human sulfotransferase SULT1E1 in HEK293 cells. Poster presented at Experimental Biology 2006/ American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, San Francisco,
Nimmagadda, D., Greiff, A., Gustad, T., and Sheng, J.J. (2005) Overexpression of hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase SULT2A1 enhances the cytotoxicity of N-hydroxy-2- acetylaminofluorene in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Poster presented at Experimental Biology 2005/American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, San Diego, CA.
Greiff, H. and Sheng, J.J. (2004) Quantitative analysis of gene expression of hydroxysteroid/ alcohol sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) and estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1) in normal and malignant human prostate cell lines.Poster presentation at Experimental Biology 2004/ American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Washington, DC.
S heng, J. J., and Duffel, M. W. (2002) Enantioselectivity of human hydroxysteroid (alcohol) sulfotransferase ST2A3 for 1-naphthyl-1-ethanol, a model 1-arylethanol. 16th World Congress of Pharmacology, San Francisco,
S heng, J. J., Saxena, A., Sharma, V., and Duffel, M. W. (2002) Studies on the molecular basis for the stereoselectivity of rat aryl sulfotransferase IV (ST1A1). Poster presentation at Experimental Biology 2002 /American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, New Orleans,
S heng, J. J., and Duffel, M. W. (2001) Expression, rapid purification, and stereoselectivity of recombinant hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase STa (ST2A2). 10th International Society for the Studies of Xenobiotics (ISSX) North American Meeting, Indianapolis,
S heng, J., Hua, Z, and Ding, X. (1997) Cloning and characterization of a human nasal cDNA related to olfactory-specific CYP2G1. 36th Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting, Cincinnati, OH.
Ding, X., Spink, D. C., Bhama, J. K., Sheng, J., Vaz, N. D., and Coon, M. J. (1995) Metabolic activation of a potent olfactory-specific toxicant, 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile (DCBN), an olfactory-Specific toxicant, by rat, rabbit, and human cytochrome P450: role of 2A and 2E Experimental Biology 1995/American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Washington, DC.
MD (with distinguish), Lviv National Medical University Medical Faculty
PhD, Lviv National Medical University Medical Faculty
DSc, Lviv National Medical University Medical Faculty
Bio
Oksana Zayachkivska MD, completed of Internal Diseases and Endocrinology residency and obtained her PhD in the Physiology department at the Lviv National Medical University Medical Faculty (LNMU), Lviv, Ukraine, followed by associate professorship of physiology. Subsequently, she as visiting research fellow completed post-doctoral training, at the Physiology Department of Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland where she conducted advanced research in one of the European most prestigious labs of Prof. SJ Konturek. Later, after she completed her DSc in Medicine at LNMU, she was appointment as full Professor (2010) and Head of the Department of Physiology (2016) at LNMU. Her duties included also served as an advisor to doctoral students in the PhD program "Medicine". She was a mentor of research for ten PhD students (2009-2024). Since 2013, she has been a founding faculty member of the International Summer Schools on Stress. She joined the AUHS in 2022, as a professor of physiology and pathophysiology. She has joined appointment at the School of Pharmacy. She was recognized as the 2024 Research Scholar of the Year at the AUHS School of Pharmacy Faculty Awards (2025). She has more than 2 decades of accomplishments in investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms, brain-gut-fat axis in gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders, stress-related diseases, including prenatal programming and diet influence. So far, she has 150 original publications, 25 review articles and 20 book chapters.
Subject Matter Expertise
Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology; Gastroenterology; Endocrinology, Stress Medicine
Selected Publications
Zayachkivska, O. Where Is the place of the modern understanding of obesity in GI problems in Parkinson Disease? Reviewing Traditional Models Through Contemporary View. J Clinical Gastroenterology 59(6): 582, July 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000002207
Szabo S. Zayachkivska O, et al. Long COVID has variable incidence and clinical presentations: our 6‑country collaborative study. Inflammopharmacology, Published online Feb. 21,2025, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-025-01640-1
Chang YI, Kovalchuk I, Savytska M, Zayachkivska O. Building active learning in medical education: How to bridge vision with real practice? Med Sci. 2024; 76 (2). https://doi.org/10.25040/ntsh2024.02.25
Szabo S, Bekesevych A, Zayachkivska O. Integrative medicine – the future of healthcare? Med. Sci. 2024; 76 (2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.25040/ntsh2024.02.24
Zayachkivska O et al. Long COVID prevalence and physiology-centered risks: population-based study in Ukraine. Inflammopharmacol 31, 597–602 (2023).
Szabo S, Gyires K, Zayachkivska O. Introduction to the ‘long COVID’ special issue. Inflammopharmacology. 2023 Mar 28:1
Zayachkivska O, et al. Clinical aspects in translational research on gastric tumorigenesis and development of new treatments. Med Sci. 2023 Dec.22;72(2).
Zayachkivska O et al. What is the role of brown adipose tissue in metabolic health: lessons learned and future perspectives in the long COVID?. Inflammopharmacology. 2023 Mar 21:1-9.
Zayachkivska O, et al. Hydrogen Sulfide Prevents Mesenteric Adipose Tissue Damage, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Redox Imbalance From High Fructose Diet-Induced Injury in Aged Rats. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2021:1995.
Szabo S, Zayachkivska O. Creativity and originality are key elements in medical research: Recent illustration by the 2023 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman. Med Sci. 2023, 72, (2). https://doi.org/10.25040/ntsh
Zayachkivska O., et al. Self-Perception of changes in lifestyle and wellbeing associated with social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic among medical students (the study in Lviv, Ukraine). Med Sci. 2021 Jun 10;64(1).
Zayachkivska O, et al. Integrative physiology as a tool for medical education transformation. Med Sci. 2021 Dec 13;65(2).
Zayachkivska O, et al. H2S Donors reverse age-related gastric malfunction impaired due to fructose-induced injury via CBS, CSE, and TST Expression. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2020 Jul 24;11:1134.
Zayachkivska, O., et al . Physiological basis for novel drug Hydrogen Sulfide-related therapy used to treat oxidative stress in the model of fructose-induced injury. The FASEB Journal, 33, 2019 lb67-lb67.
Zayachkivska, O. Digital technology in teaching medical students. Proceeding of the Shevchenko Scientific Society. Med Sci. 2018, 52(1), 57-64. (Q3)
Zayachkivska, O., et al. Exposure to non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and suppressing hydrogen sulfide synthesis leads to altered structure and impaired function of the oesophagus and oesophagogastric junction. Inflammopharmacology, 2015, 23(2-3), 91-99.
Zayachkivska, O. Inflammatory response in visceral fat tissue and liver is prenatally programmed: experimental research. J Physiol Pharmacol, (2015). 66(66), 57-64. (Q2)
Brzozowski T, Zayachivska O, et al. Grapefruit-seed extract attenuates ethanol-and stress-induced gastric lesions via activation of prostaglandin, nitric oxide and sensory nerve pathways. World Journal of Gastroenterology: WJG. 2005 Nov 7;11(41):6450. (cited by 459)
Zayachkivska OS, Konturek SJ, et al. Gastroprotective effects of flavonoids in plant extracts. J J Physiol Pharmacol, 2005;56(1):219-31.
Research Interests:
Molecular & cellular mechanisms of GI injury and cytoprotection; Adipose tissue; Stress-realated diseases; Stress resilience; Long COVID
The focus of my previous work was centered around biocomplexity and how our immune system communicates with our microbiome, as well as how these interactions affect female reproductive disorders such as endometriosis and preterm birth. Thus, as my next step in my career, I want to continue to focus on using molecular biology techniques in order to gain a mechanistic understanding of the interactions between the immune system and mucosal microbial dynamics.
Bio
Dr. Coffman has been teaching Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics for the last few decades and has supported his students with research, poster presentations and publications. Dr. Coffman has developed several biomedical science programs along with courses in health-care administration, and he has also worked with several institutions on accreditation, programmatic assessments, student recruitment and marketing strategies.
Molecular and Cellular Biological Techniques
Quantitative PCR
ELIZA’s
FACs
Immunohistochemistry
Western Blot
Mammalian Cell Culture
Microbiome Bioinformatics
Education and training
2016 – 2021 Ph.D., Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
2014 – 2016 M.S., Public Health, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
2009 – 2010 M.S., Epidemiology, Washington University in St. Louis
2004 – 2008 B.A., Biochemistry, Westminster College
Education and training
Le N, Cregger M, Brown V, Loret de Mola J, Bremer P, et al. (2021)Association of microbial dynamics with urinary estrogens and estrogen metabolites in patients with endometriosis. PLOS ONE 16(12): e0261362. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261362
Le NXH, Loret de Mola JR, Bremer P, Groesch K, Wilson T, Diaz-Sylvester P, Braundmeier-Fleming AG. Alteration of systemic and uterine endometrial immune populations in patients with endometriosis. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2021 Mar;85(3):e13362. doi: 10.1111/aji.13362. Epub 2020 Oct 29. PMID: 33070438.
Brazel DM, Jiang Y, Hughey JM, Turcot V, Zhan X, Gong J, Batini C, Weissenkampen JD, Liu M; CHD Exome+ Consortium; Consortium for Genetics of Smoking Behaviour, Barnes DR, Bertelsen S, Chou YL, Erzurumluoglu AM, Faul JD, Haessler J, Hammerschlag AR, Hsu C, Kapoor M, Lai D, Le N, de Leeuw CA, Loukola A, Mangino M, Melbourne CA, Pistis G, Qaiser B, Rohde R, Shao Y, Stringham H, Wetherill L, Zhao W, Agrawal A, Bierut L, Chen C, Eaton CB, Goate A, Haiman C, Heath A, Iacono WG, Martin NG, Polderman TJ, Reiner A, Rice J, Schlessinger D, Scholte HS, Smith JA, Tardif JC, Tindle HA, van der Leij AR, Boehnke M, Chang-Claude J, Cucca F, David SP, Foroud T, Howson JMM, Kardia SLR, Kooperberg C, Laakso M, Lettre G, Madden P, McGue M, North K, Posthuma D, Spector T, Stram D, Tobin MD, Weir DR, Kaprio J, Abecasis GR, Liu DJ, Vrieze S. Exome Chip Meta-analysis Fine Maps Causal Variants and Elucidates the Genetic Architecture of Rare Coding Variants in Smoking and Alcohol Use. Biol Psychiatry. 2019 Jun 1;85(11):946-955. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.11.024. Epub 2018 Dec 6. Pubmed PMID:30679032
Erzurumluoglu AM, Liu M, Jackson VE, Barnes DR, Datta G, Melbourne CA, Young R, Batini C, Surendran P, Jiang T, Adnan SD, Afaq S, Agrawal A, Altmaier E, Antoniou AC, Asselbergs FW, Baumbach C, Bierut L, Bertelsen S, Boehnke M, Bots ML, Brazel DM, Chambers JC, Chang-Claude J, Chen C, Corley J, Chou YL, David SP, de Boer RA, de Leeuw CA, Dennis JG, Dominiczak AF, Dunning AM, Easton DF, Eaton C, Elliott P, Evangelou E, Faul JD, Foroud T, Goate A, Gong J, Grabe HJ, Haessler J, Haiman C, Hallmans G, Hammerschlag AR, Harris SE, Hattersley A, Heath A, Hsu C, Iacono WG, Kanoni S, Kapoor M, Kaprio J, Kardia SL, Karpe F, Kontto J, Kooner JS, Kooperberg C, Kuulasmaa K, Laakso M, Lai D, Langenberg C, Le N, Lettre G, Loukola A, Luan J, Madden PAF, Mangino M, Marioni RE, Marouli E, Marten J, Martin NG, McGue M, Michailidou K, Mihailov E, Moayyeri A, Moitry M, Müller-Nurasyid M, Naheed A, Nauck M, Neville MJ, Nielsen SF, North K, Perola M, Pharoah PDP, Pistis G, Polderman TJ, Posthuma D, Poulter N, Qaiser B, Rasheed A, Reiner A, Renström F, Rice J, Rohde R, Rolandsson O, Samani NJ, Samuel M, Schlessinger D, Scholte SH, Scott RA, Sever P, Shao Y, Shrine N, Smith JA, Starr JM, Stirrups K, Stram D, Stringham HM, Tachmazidou I, Tardif JC, Thompson DJ, Tindle HA, Tragante V, Trompet S, Turcot V, Tyrrell J, Vaartjes I, van der Leij AR, van der Meer P, Varga TV, Verweij N, Völzke H, Wareham NJ, Warren HR, Weir DR, Weiss S, Wetherill L, Yaghootkar H, Yavas E, Jiang Y, Chen F, Zhan X, Zhang W, Zhao W, Zhao W, Zhou K, Amouyel P, Blankenberg S, Caulfield MJ, Chowdhury R, Cucca F, Deary IJ, Deloukas P, Di Angelantonio E, Ferrario M, Ferrières J, Franks PW, Frayling TM, Frossard P, Hall IP, Hayward C, Jansson JH, Jukema JW, Kee F, Männistö S, Metspalu A, Munroe PB, Nordestgaard BG, Palmer CNA, Salomaa V, Sattar N, Spector T, Strachan DP; Understanding Society Scientific Group, EPIC-CVD, GSCAN, Consortium for Genetics of Smoking Behaviour, CHD Exome+ consortium, van der Harst P, Zeggini E, Saleheen D, Butterworth AS, Wain LV, Abecasis GR, Danesh J, Tobin MD, Vrieze S, Liu DJ, Howson JMM. Meta-analysis of up to 622,409 individuals identifies 40 novel smoking behaviour associated genetic loci. Mol Psychiatry. 2019 Jan 7. doi: 10.1038/s41380-018-0313-0. Pubmed PMID:30617275
Wetherill L, Agrawal A, Kapoor M, Bertelsen S, Bierut LJ, Brooks A, Dick D, Hesselbrock M, Hesselbrock V, Koller DL, Le N, Nurnberger JI Jr, Salvatore JE, Schuckit M, Tischfield JA, Wang JC, Xuei X, Edenberg HJ, Porjesz B, Bucholz K, Goate AM, Foroud T. Association of substance dependence phenotypes in the COGA sample. Addict Biol. 2015 May;20(3):617-27. doi: 10.1111/adb.12153. Epub 2014 May 16. Pubmed PMID:24832863
Kapoor M, Wang JC, Wetherill L, Le N, Bertelsen S, Hinrichs AL, Budde J, Agrawal A, Almasy L, Bucholz K, Dick DM, Harari O, Xiaoling X, Hesselbrock V, Kramer J, Nurnberger JI Jr, Rice J, Schuckit M, Tischfield J, Porjesz B, Edenberg HJ, Bierut L, Foroud T, Goate A. Genome-wide survival analysis of age at onset of alcohol dependence in extended high-risk COGA families. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2014 Sep 1;142:56-62. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.05.023. Epub 2014 Jun 11. Pubmed PMID:24962325
Wetherill L, Kapoor M, Agrawal A, Bucholz K, Koller D, Bertelsen SE, Le N, Wang JC, Almasy L, Hesselbrock V, Kramer J, Nurnberger JI Jr, Schuckit M, Tischfield JA, Xuei X, Porjesz B, Edenberg HJ, Goate AM, Foroud T. Family-based association analysis of alcohol dependence criteria and severity. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2014 Feb;38(2):354-66. doi: 10.1111/acer.12251. Epub 2013 Sep 9. Pubmed PMID:24015780
Wang JC, Foroud T, Hinrichs AL, Le NX, Bertelsen S, Budde JP, Harari O, Koller DL, Wetherill L, Agrawal A, Almasy L, Brooks AI, Bucholz K, Dick D, Hesselbrock V, Johnson EO, Kang S, Kapoor M, Kramer J, Kuperman S, Madden PA, Manz N, Martin NG, McClintick JN, Montgomery GW, Nurnberger JI Jr, Rangaswamy M, Rice J, Schuckit M, Tischfield JA, Whitfield JB, Xuei X, Porjesz B, Heath AC, Edenberg HJ, Bierut LJ, Goate AM. A genome-wide association study of alcohol-dependence symptom counts in extended pedigrees identifies C15orf53. Mol Psychiatry. 2013 Nov;18(11):1218-24. doi: 10.1038/mp.2012.143. Epub 2012 Oct 23. Pubmed PMID:23089632
Wang JC, Spiegel N, Bertelsen S, Le N, McKenna N, Budde JP, Harari O, Kapoor M, Brooks A, Hancock D, Tischfield J, Foroud T, Bierut LJ, Steinbach JH, Edenberg HJ, Traynor BJ, Goate AM. Cis-regulatory variants affect CHRNA5 mRNA expression in populations of African and European ancestry. PLoS One. 2013 Nov 26;8(11):e80204. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080204. eCollection 2013. Pubmed PMID:24303001
Kapoor M, Wang JC, Wetherill L, Le N, Bertelsen S, Hinrichs AL, Budde J, Agrawal A, Bucholz K, Dick D, Harari O, Hesselbrock V, Kramer J, Nurnberger JI Jr, Rice J, Saccone N, Schuckit M, Tischfield J, Porjesz B, Edenberg HJ, Bierut L, Foroud T, Goate A. A meta-analysis of two genome-wide association studies to identify novel loci for maximum number of alcoholic drinks. Hum Genet. 2013 Oct;132(10):1141-51. doi: 10.1007/s00439-013-1318-z. Epub 2013 Jun 7. Pubmed PMID:23743675
Abstract, Posters, Oral Presentations
Le N, Cregger M, Lynn N, Loret de Mola JR, Ghareeb A, Groesch K, Wilson T, Paula Diaz-Sylvester P, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2019). Alteration of Microbial Communities and Immune Populations in Patients with Endometriosis. The American Society for Reproductive Immunology. Grand Rapid, MI. (oral)
Le N, Cregger M, Lynn N, Loret de Mola JR, Bremer P, Ghareeb A, Groesch K, Wilson T, Paula Diaz-Sylvester P, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2019) Pre- and Postoperative changes in Urinary Estrogen Metabolites in Women with Endometriosis. Illinois Symposium for Reproductive Sciences. Chicago, IL. (oral)
Idusuyi B, Le N, Thompson T, Gong J, Groesch K, Loret de Mola JR, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2019). Maternal Inflammation and Urogenital Microbial Profiling as Predictors of Preterm Birth. ACOG. Nashville, TN.
Portugal A, Le N, Thompson T*, Gong J, Groesch K, Loret de Mola JR, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2019). Association of Fecal Microbial Profiles and Estrogen Metabolism in Patients with Preterm Birth. ACOG. Nashville, TN.
Onyewuenyi T, Le N, Addo J, Groesch K, Loret de Mola JR, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2019). Chronic peripheral inflammation and perinatal depression in high risk pregnancies. ACOG. Nashville, TN.
Ghareeb A, Gibson K, Maxheimer K, Cregger M, Close D, Karr M, Badger T, Le N, Groesch K, Diaz-Sylvester P, Wilson T, Brard L, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2019). Understanding and Diagnosing endometrial cancer using multi-organ microbial taxonomic signatures. Society for Gynecological Oncology. Honolulu, HI.
Gibson K, Ghareeb A, Maxheimer K, Cregger M, Close D, Karr M, Badger T, Le N, Groesch K, Diaz-Sylvester P, Wilson T, Brard L, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2018). Understanding and Diagnosing endometrial cancer using multi-organ microbial taxonomic signatures. Illinois Symposium for Reproductive Sciences. Carbondale, IL.
Acheampong N, Le N, Nicholson K, Idusuyi B, Thompson T, Portugal A, Ghareeb A, Groesch K, Diaz-Sylvester P, Wilson T, Gilber J, Yee A, Loret de Mola JR, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2018). The Impact of Maternal Inflammation on Preterm Birth. Illinois Symposium for Reproductive Sciences. Carbondale, IL.
Le N, Cregger M, Nguyen L, Loret de Mola JR, Groesch K, Wilson T, Diaz-Sylvester P, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2018). Alteration of microbial communities and immune populations in patients with endometriosis. Illinois Symposium for Reproductive Sciences. Carbondale, IL. (poster)
Kendall K, Diaz-Sylvester P, Wilson T, Groesch K, Maxheimer K, Hamilton K, Badger T, Le N, Semaan A, Braundmeier-Fleming A, Brard L. (2018). Potential Biomarkers for Endometrial Cancer. 28th Annual Trainee Research Symposium. SIUSOM, Springfield IL.
Maxheimer K, Cregger M, Close D, Karr M, Badger T, Le N, Groesch K, Diaz-Sylvester P, Wilson T, Brard L, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2018). Understanding and Diagnosing Endometrial Cancer Using Multi-Organ Microbial Taxonomic Signatures. 28th Annual Trainee Research Symposium. SIUSOM, Springfield IL.
Le N, Cregger M, Nguyen L, Loret de Mola JR, Groesch K, Wilson T, Diaz-Sylvester P, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2018). Alteration of Microbial Communities and Immune Populations in Patients with Endometriosis. Society for the Study of Reproduction. New Orleans, LA. (oral and poster)
Loret de Mola JR, Le N, Nguyen L, Diaz-Sylvester P, Wilson T, Groesch K, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2018). Detection of Urinary Estrogen Metabolites in Women with Endometriosis. European Congress on Endometriosis. Vienna, Austria.
Le N, Roy S, Diaz-Sylvester P, Wilson T, Groesch K, Braundmeier-Fleming A. (2017). The impact of maternal inflammation on preterm birth. Society for the Study of Reproduction. Washington D.C (poster)
PhD University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
MBA Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL, USA
BA Southeastern University, Lakeland, FL, USA
Bio
Dr. Coffman has been teaching Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics for the last few decades and has supported his students with research, poster presentations and publications. Dr. Coffman has developed several biomedical science programs along with courses in health-care administration, and he has also worked with several institutions on accreditation, programmatic assessments, student recruitment and marketing strategies.
Published Research
Shaw, G and Coffman, J. Components of an Evidence-Based Analytic Rubric for Use in Medical School Admissions. JAPMA 2017, Vol. 107, No. 1, pp. 65-71.
Noriega B, Sanchez-Gonzalez, M, Salyakina D. and Coffman J. Understanding the Impact of Omega-3 Rich Diet on the Gut Microbiota. Case Reports in Medicine, Volume 2016 (2016), Article ID 3089303.
Whalen D, Molnar D, Milne F., Schwal L., Hackett V. and Coffman J. Flu vaccine experiences and beliefs influence vaccination decision making more than knowledge. F1000Research 2014, 3:224.
Strong T, Dowd S, Gutierrez A and Coffman, J. Amplicon pyrosequencing and ion torrent sequencing of wild duck eubacterial microbiome from fecal samples reveals numerous species linked to human and animal diseases, F1000Research 2013, 2:224
Murray PE, Coffman JA, Godoy-Garcia F. Dentists could be leading bioengineers of 21st century. Today’s FDA. 2005; 17: 17-8.
Murray, P.E., Coffman, J.A. and Garcia-Godoy, F. (2004). Pulp Responses to Remaining Dentin Thickness. Today’s FDA. July. 17-19.
Kathleen H. Cox, Rajendra Rai, Mackenzie Distler, Jon R. Daugherty, Jonathan A. Coffman and Terrance G. Cooper (2000). Saccharomyces cerevisiae GATA Sequences Function as TATA Elements during Nitrogen Catabolite Repression and When Gln3p Is Excluded from the Nucleus by Overproduction of Ure2p. J. Biol. Chem. 275: 17611-17618.
Research and Areas of Interest Vaccination Decision Models Oral and Intestinal Microbiota Studies Opioid Use Order in Medical Education
B.S., Oceanography (Major) and Chemistry (Minor), Pukyong National University, South Korea
M.S., Marine Chemistry, Stony Brook University, New York
Ph.D., Medicinal Chemistry, Chonnam National University, South Korea
Bio:
Dr. Suhui Yang obtained her B.S. in Oceanography (major) and Chemistry (minor) from Pukyong National University, South Korea, in 2004 and her M.S. in Marine Chemistry from Stony Brook University, New York, in 2008. She later switched her interest to Medicinal Chemistry and earned her Ph.D. under the guidance of Prof. Won-Jea Cho from Chonnam National University, South Korea, in 2012. Her doctoral research was focused on the design and development of novel small molecule compounds targeting Androgen Receptor, Topoisomerase, or JAK/STAT pathway for treating cancers. In research, she used to apply computational techniques such as virtual screening or molecular docking, synthesize various chemical libraries, and optimize the active compounds.
Dr. Yang moved to the University of Michigan where she conducted research as postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Nouri Neamati, working on synthesis of bioactive small molecule compounds as anti-cancer agents (2013-2017). Dr. Yang joined the faculty of the American University of Health Sciences as an Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, in August 2018. Her current research interests are the design and development of small molecule compounds as chemotherapeutic agents and the use of photoaffinity probes for identification of the molecular targets of small molecules.
Selected Publications
1. J. Han, HW. Lee, Y. Jin, DB. Khadka, S. Yang, X. Li, M. Kim, WJ. Cho, “Molecular design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of bisamide derivatives as cyclophilin A inhibitors for HCV treatment”, Eur. J, Med. Chem., (2020), 188, 112031.
2. S. Xu, Y. Liu, K. Yang, H. Wang, A. Shergalis, A. Kyani, A. Bankhead, S. Tamura, S. Yang, X. Wang, C. Wang, A. Rehemtulla, M. Ljungman, N. Neamati, “Inhibition of protein disulfide isomerase in glioblastoma causes marked downregulation of DNA repair and DNA damage response genes”, Theranostics, (2019), 9, 2282.
3. S. Yang, A. Shergalis, D. Lu, A. Kyani, Z. Lu, M. Ljungman, N. Neamati, “Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Allosteric Protein Disulfide Isomerase Inhibitors”, J. Med. Chem., (2019), 62, 3447.
4. A. Kyani, S. Tamura, S. Yang (co-first), A. Shergalis, S. Samanta, Y. Kuang, M. Ljungman, N. Neamati, “Discovery and Mechanistic Elucidation of a Class of Protein Disulfide Isomerase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Glioblastoma”, Chem. Med. Chem., (2018), 13, 164.
5. K. Ramkumar, S. Samanta, A. Kyani, S. Yang, S. Tamura, L. Ziemke, J. Stuckey, S. Li, K. Chinnaswamy, H. Otake, B. Debnath, V. Yarovenko, J. Sebolt-Leopold, M. Ljungman, N. Neamati, “Mechanistic evaluation and transcriptional signature of a Glutathione S-transferase Omega 1 inhibitor”, Nature Comm., (2016), 7, 13084.
6. S. Yang, J. K. R., S. Lim, T. G. Choi, J.-H. Kim, S. Akter, M. Jang, H.-J. Ahn, H.-Y. Kim, M. P. Windisch, D. B. Khadka, C. Zhao, Y. Jin, I. Kang, J. Ha, B.-C. Oh, M. Kim, S. S. Kim, W.-J. Cho, “Structure-Based Discovery of Novel Cyclophilin A Inhibitors for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infections”, J. Med. Chem., (2015), 58 (24), 9546-9561.
7. C. Zhao, S. H. Yang, D. B. Khadka, Y. Jin, K.T. Lee, W.-J. Cho, “Computer-aided discovery of aminopyridines as novel JAK2 inhibitors”, Bioorg. Med. Chem., (2015), 23, 985-995.
8. D. B. Khadka, H. Woo, S. H. Yang, C. Zhao, Y. Jin, T. N. Le, Y. Kwon, W.-J. Cho, “Modification of 3-arylisoquinolines into 3,4-diarylisoquinolines and assessment of their cytotoxicity and topoisomerase inhibition”, Eur. J, Med. Chem., (2015), 92, 583-607.
9. H. T. M. Van, H. M. Jeong, D. B. Khadka, S. H. Yang, C. Zhao, Y. Jin, K. Y. Lee, Y. Kwon, W.-J. Cho, “Design, synthesis and systematic evaluation of cytotoxic 3-heteroarylisoquinolinamines as topoisomerases inhibitors”, Eur. J, Med. Chem., (2014), 82, 181-194.
10. Y. Jin, D. B. Khadka, S. H. Yang, C. Zhao, W.-J. Cho, “Synthesis of novel 5-oxaprotoberberines as bioisosteres of protoberberines”, Tetrahedron Lett., (2014), 55, 1366-1369.
11. S. H. Yang, C.-H. Song, H. T. M. Van, E. Park, D. B. Khadka, E.-Y. Gong, K. Lee, and W.-J. Cho, “SAR Based Design of Nicotinamides as a Novel Class of Androgen Receptor Antagonists for Prostate Cancer”, J. Med. Chem., (2013), 56 (8), 3414-3418.
12. C.-H. Song, S. H. Yang (co-first), E. Park, S. H. Cho, Eun-Yeung Gong, D. B. Khadka, W.-J. Cho, and K. Lee, “Structure-Based Virtual Screening and Identification of a Novel AR Antagonist”, J. Biol. Chem., (2012), 287 (36), 30769-30780.
13. T. N. Le, S. H. Yang (co-first), D. B. Khadka, S. H. Cho, C. Zhao, W.-J. Cho, “Synthetic approaches to natural antioxidant Benzastatin E, F and G analogues”, Bull. Korean Chem. Soc., (2011), 32 (12), 4309-4315.
14. S. H. Yang, D. B. Khadka, S. H. Cho, H.-K. Ju, K. Y. Lee, K.-T. Lee, W.-J. Cho, “Virtual screening and synthesis of quinazolines as novel JAK2 inhibitors”. Bioorg. Med. Chem., (2011), 19 (2), 968-977.
15. S. H. Yang, H. T. M. Van, T. N. Le, D. B. Khadka, S. H. Cho, K.-T. Lee, E.-S. Lee, Y. B. Lee, C.-H. Ahn, W.-J. Cho, “Development of 3-aryl-1-isoquinolinamines as potent antitumor agents based on CoMFA”, Eur. J. Med. Chem., (2010), 45 (11), 5493-5497.
16. S. H. Yang, H. T. M. Van, T. N. Le, D. B. Khadka, S. H. Cho, K.-T. Lee, H.-J. Chung, S. K. Lee, C.-H. Ahn, Y. B. Lee, W.-J. Cho, “Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of 3-arylisoquinolinamines as potent antitumor agents”, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., (2010), 20 (17), 5277-5281.
Sandor Szabo, obtained his PhD in the department of Prof. Hans Selye, the ‘father of biologic stress’ at the University of Montreal. Subsequently, he completed 4-years of pathology residency at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School where he remained for an additional 17 years as an assistant professor, followed by associate professorship of pathology, until he was invited to join the Department of Pathology at School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine (UCI), as a professor of pathology & pharmacology. His hospital duties included being chief of Pathology & Laboratory Service for 20 years at the VA Medical Center (teaching base of UCI) , Log Beach, CA, during which he also covered the duties of chief of (medical) staff for 12 years. He joined the School of Pharmcy of AUHS in 2019, as a professor of pharmaceutical sciences. He has more than 4 decades of accomplishments in investigating stress-related diseases, especially gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers, and endocrine diseases. So far, he has 235 original publications, 71 review articles and 40 book chapters. He was also teaching medical students and residents many subjects in these diseases, especially their pathologic and pharmacologic aspects, at Harvard Medical School and UCI.
Subject Matter Expertise
Pharmacology; Pathology; Gastroenterology; Endocrinology; Public health
Selected Publications
Szabo S. et al. Long COVID has variable incidence and clinical presentations: our 6‑country collaborative study. Inflammopharmacology, Published online Feb. 21,2025, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-025-01640-1
Schloss JV, Szabo S. On the origin of cysteamine induced duodenal cytotoxicity and type II ferroptosis. Inflammopharmacology. 2024; 32 (6): 3739-3744. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-024-01551-7
Szabo S, Bekesevych A, Zayachkivska O. Integrative medicine – the future of healthcare? Med. Sci. 2024; 76 (2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.25040/ntsh2024.02.24
Szabo S. The post‐COVID stress syndrome: From the three‐stage stress response of Hans Selye to COVID‐19. Inflammopharmacology. 2023, 31, 2799-2806. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-023-01179-z
Szabo S, Gyires K, Zayachkivska O. Introduction to the ‘long COVID’ special issue. Inflammopharmacology. 2023, 28:1-2.
Szabo S, Zayachkivska O. Creativity and originality are key elements in medical research: Recent illustration by the 2023 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman. Med. Sci. 2023, 72, (2). https://doi.org/10.25040/ntsh
Szabo S, Tache Y, Somogyi A. The legacy of Hans Selye and the origins of stress research: A retrospective 75 years after his landmark “letter” in Nature. Stress, 2012;15:472-478. https://doi.org/10.3109/10253890.2012.710919
Deng X, Szabo S, Khomenko T, Tolstanova G, Paunovic B, French SW, Sandor Z. Novel pharmacologic approaches to the prevention and treatment of ulcerative colitis. Curr. Pharm. Des. 2013; 19:17-28. https://doi.org/10.2174/13816128130105
Glavin G, Szabo S. Experimental gastric mucosal injury: laboratory models reveal mechanisms of pathogenesis and new therapeutic strategies. FASEB J. 1992; 6:825-831. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.6.3.1740232
Szabo S, Nagy L, Plebani M. Glutathione, protein sulfhydryls and cysteine proteases in gastric mucosal injury and protection. Clinica Chimica Acta 1992; 206:95-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-8981(92)90010-n
Crum R, Szabo S, Folkman J. A new class of steroids inhibits angiogenesis in the presence of heparin or a heparin fragment. Science 1985; 230:1375-1378. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.2416056
Szabo S, Horvath E, Kovacs K, Larsen PR. Pyrazole-induced thyroid necrosis: a distinct organ lesion. Science 1978; 199:1209-1210. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.628835
Lichtenbrger LM, Szabo S, Trier JS, Reynolds ES. Duodenal ulcerogens, cysteamine and propionitrile, stimulate serum gastrin levels in the rat. Gastroenterology 1977; 73:1305-1308. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-5085(19)31505-7
Selye H, Szabo S. Experimental model for production of perforating duodenal ulcers by cysteamine in the rat. Nature 1973; 244:458-459. https://doi.org/10.1038/244458a0
Research Interests
Molecular & cellular mechanisms of GI ulceration; Stress-realated diseases, Preventive medicine; Long COVID
Alamdar Hussain, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admission / Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Ph.D., Pharmaceutics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX B.S. in Pharmacy, Kakatiya University, Warangal, India
Bio
Dr. Hussain received his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo, TX, and his B.S. in Pharmacy from Kakatiya University in India. Prior to joining AUHS, Dr. Hussain worked as Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Universities of Louisiana and Oklahoma. He has taught both professional pharmacy and graduate students various courses including but not limited to Pharmaceutics, Compounding Pharmacy, Pharmacokinetics, Physical Pharmacy, Advanced Drug Delivery and Targeting, Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical Microbiology, and Biotechnology. He has also mentored several M.S. and Ph.D. students throughout his career.
Dr. Hussain’s research interest primarily focuses in the field of inhalation protein and peptide drug delivery. He is currently investigating ways to improve absorption of drugs by non-invasive routes in laboratory animals and understand mechanisms of macromolecular drug transport in vitro. Dr. Hussain is also passionate about student learning and implements novel methods of teaching and learning in classroom and laboratory. He is actively pursuing the arena of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning after joining AUHS in 2020.
With regard to his leadership experience, Dr. Hussain is a former Chair of the Department of General Education at AUHS. Currently, he serves as the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admission for the School of Pharmacy.
Selected Publications (Since 2014)
E. Nguyen, S. Kim, M. Islam, Y. Chang, J. Aoyagi, A. Hussain (2022). An entrepreneurial activity implementation and assessment among pharmacy students amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Pharmacy Education, 22(1):16-22.
A. Hussain, H. Chau, H. Bang, L. Meyer, M. Islam (2021). Performance of pharmacy students in a communications course delivered online during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 85(10): Article 8617.
A. Hussain (2021). Implementation of online assignment submission with instant feedback in a pharmacy course. Pharmacy Education, 21(1):45-50.
D. Raghuvanshi, G. Nkepang, A. Hussain, H. Yari, V. Awasthi (2017). Stability studies on an anticancer drug 4-(3.5-bis (2-chlorobenzylidene)-4-oxo-piperidine)-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid (Clefma) using a stability indicating HPLC method. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis, 7(1):1-9.
G. Rao, A. Hedrick, V. Yadav, J. Xie, A. Hussain, V. Awasthi (2015). The brain metabolic activity after resuscitation with liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin in a rat model of hypovolemic shock. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow Metabolism, 35(9):1528-36.
K. Amancha, A. Hussain (2015). Effect of protease inhibitors on pulmonary bioavailability of therapeutic proteins and peptides in the rat. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 20(68):1-10.
V. Yadav, A. Hussain, J Xie, S. Kosanke, V. Awasthi (2015). The salutary effects of diphenyldifluoroketone EF24 in liver of a rat hemorrhagic shock model. Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, 23:8.
V. Yadav, A. Hussain, K. Sahoo, V. Awasthi (2014). Remediation of hemorrhagic shock-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction by treatment with diphenyldihaloketones, EF24 and Clefma. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 351(2):413-422.
K. Amancha, S. Balkundi, Y. Lvov, A. Hussain (2014). Pulmonary sustained release of insulin from microparticles composed of polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer assembly. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 466(1-2)96-108.
Mohammed A. Islam, PhD, RPh
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor
PhD and MPhil (Toyama University, Japan) and BS and MS in Pharmacy (University of Dhaka, Bangladesh)
Bio
Dr. Islam currently serves as the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the American University of Health Sciences (AUHS) School of Pharmacy. Dr. Islam has more than 20 years of academic research, teaching, pharmacy practice, and administrative experiences. Prior to joining AUHS in February 2019, he served as Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Pharmacology at West Coast University School of Pharmacy.
Dr. Islam went to Toyama University in Japan where he earned MPhil and PhD degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences. He earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in pharmacy from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Dr. Islam has extensive research experience with more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and 55 conference abstracts. His current research interests include pharmacy curriculum, global pharmacy education, and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Dr. Islam’s research has been published in leading pharmacy education journals and presented at national and international conferences.
Published Education
Islam MA, Taheri R, McBane S, Talukder R. Faculty assessment of scholarship of teaching and learning among United States pharmacy programs. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning (in press), 2020.
Rashid M, Rahman M, Nounou M, and Islam MA. Speed and accuracy of pharmacy students’ response to calculation problems with or without formula prompts. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching & Learning. (in press 2020).
Islam MA, Bagheri R, Lung L, Park SY, Talukder R. Status of Teaching Certificate Programs Offered by US Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy. Health Professions Education. 6 (1): 105-114, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpe.2019.04.001
Islam MA, Talukder RM, Taheri R, Dutta A. Pharmacy Relative to Other Health Professions in Interprofessional Education: A Bibliometric Study. J Natl Black Nurses Assoc. 30(2):38-43, 2019.
Islam MA, Khan SA, Gunaseelan, S, Talukder R. Physician Perceptions of Integrating Pharmacists into Healthcare in Bangladesh. J Pharm Pract and Res (2018). https://doi.org/10.1002/jppr.1401
Islam MA, Sabnis G, Farris F. The trilayer approach of teaching physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology concepts in a first-year pharmacy course: the TLAT model. Adv Physiol Educ. 2017 Sep 1;41(3):395-404, 2017.
Islam MA, Talukder R, Taheri R, and Blanchard, N. Integration of basic and clinical science courses in US PharmD programs. Am J Pharm Educ. 80 (10) Article 166, 2016.
Islam MA, Khan SA, Talukder RM. Status of Physiology Education in US Doctor of Pharmacy programs. Adv Physiol Educ. 2016 Dec; 40(4):501-508,
Islam MA, Chen G, and Talukder RM. Specialty Tracks in PharmD Curricula of US Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning. 8(6):774-781, 2016.
Islam MA, Khan SA, Gunaseelan S, and Talukder RM. Specialty education for student pharmacists and PharmD graduates in US Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning. 8:184-190,
Islam MA and Schweiger TA. Students’ Perception of an Integrated Approach of Teaching Entire Sequence of Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Pharmacotherapeutics Courses in PharmD Curriculum. Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 28(2):220-6, 2015.
Islam MA, Gunaseelan S, Talukder RM, Khan S. Current Challenges in Pharmacy Education in Bangladesh: A Roadmap for the Future. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning. 6:730–735, 2014.
Islam MA, Gunaseelan S, Khan SA. A Research Elective Course on Dietary Supplements to Engage PharmD Students in Primary Literature Evaluation and Scholarly Activity. Journal of Pharmacy Practice 1-8 DOI: 10.1177/0897190013516510; 2014.
Islam MA, Schmidt RW, Gunaseelan S, Sanchez A. An Update on the Cardiovascular Effects of Quercetin, a Plant Flavonoid. Current Nutrition & Food Science 10:36-48, 2014.
Islam MA, Schmidt RW, Gunaseelan S, Sanchez A. An Update on the Cardiovascular Effects of Quercetin, a Plant Flavonoid. Current Nutrition & Food Science 10:36-48, 2014.
Islam MA. An Elective Course on the Basic and Clinical Sciences Aspects of Vitamins and Minerals. Am J Pharm Educ77: Article 17. 2013.
Downing L and Islam MA (corresponding author). The Use of Calcium Supplements and Cardiovascular Adverse Effects: An Update. Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 70:1132-1139, 2013.
Islam MA. Cardiovascular effects of green tea catechins: progress and promise. Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery 7: 88-99, 2012.
Islam MA. Soy Isoflavones and Cardiovascular Health: An Update. Current Nutrition and Food Science 7:108-121, 2011.
Islam MA. Pharmacological Modulations of Cardiac Ultra-rapid and Slowly Activating Delayed Rectifier Currents: Potential Antiarrhythmic Approaches. Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery, 5: 33-46, 2010.
DeSantiago J, Islam MA, Ziolo MT, Bers DM, and Pogwizd SM: Arrhythmogenic effects of beta2-adrenergic stimulation in the failing heart are due to enhanced SR Ca load. Circulation Research,
Despa S, Islam MA, Pogwizd SM, Bers DM: Intracellular [Na+] and Na+pump rate in rat and rabbit ventricular myocytes. J Physiol539: 133-143, 2002.
Despa S, Islam MA, Pogwizd SM, Bers DM: Intracellular Na+concentration is elevated in heart failure, but Na/K-pump function is unchanged. Circulation;105:2543-2548, 2002.
Kimura I, Islam MA, Ritsu H, Nojima H, Tezuka Y, and Zhao W: Blood pressure lowering, positive chronotropy and inotropy by the veratrum alkaloids germidine and germerine but negative chronotropy by veratridine in mice. J Asian Natural Product Research, 2: 133-144, 2000.
Islam MA, Nojima H, and Kimura I: Acetylcholne-induced biphasic effect on the maximum upstroke velocity of action potential in mouse isolated right atria: Interaction with b-adrenergic signaling cascade. Jpn J Pharmacol. 78: 181-190, 1998.
Islam MA, Nojima H, and Kimura I: Muscarinic M1receptor activation reducesmaximum upstroke velocity of action potential in mouse right atria. Eur J Pharmacol. 346: 227-236, 1998.
Chowdhury AKA, Islam MA, Rashid A, and Ferdous AJ: Therapeutic potential of the volatile oil of Nigellasativaseeds in monkey model with experimental shigellosis. Phytotherapy Res. 12: 361-363, 1998.
Kimura I, Islam MA, Nojima H, Mizumoto J, Tezuka Y, Weijie Z: Blood pressure-lowering, positive chronotropic and inotropic effects of the veratrum alkaloids, germidine and germerine in mouse. J of Traditional Medicines, 15: 254-255, 1998.
Kimura I, Islam MA, and Kimura M: Potentiation by higenamine of the aconitine induced positive chronotropic effect in isolated right atria of mice: The effects of cholera toxin, forskolin and pertussis toxin. Biol Pharm Bull. 19: 1032-1037, 1996.
Kimura I, Islam MA, and Kimura M.: Cholera toxin accentuates the antagonism by acetylcholine of higenamine-induced positive chronotropy in isolated right atria of mice. Biol Pharm Bull. 18: 1509-11512, 1995.
Kimura I, Makino M, Takamura Y, Islam MA, and Kimura M: Positive chronotropic and inotropic effects of higenamine and its enhancing action on the aconitine-induced tachyarrhythmia in isolated murine atria. Jpn J Pharmacol. 66: 75-80, 1994.
Kimura I, Hata Y, Islam MA, and Kimura M: Diabetes mellitus-induced enhancement of prostaglandin F2a-response is inhibited by lipoxygenase-but not cyclooxygenase-inhibitors in mesenteric veins and arteries of mouse and rat. Jpn J Pharmacol. 64: 65-70, 1994.
Reza S, Khan OF, Islam MA, Rashid A, and Chowdhury AKA: In vitro antibacterial activity of Ipomoea fistulusa. Fitoterapia LXV: 465-466, 1994.
John V. Schloss, PhD
Chair of Pharmaceutical Science / Associate Dean of Research, Professor
BS (University of Tulsa, 1973), PhD (University of Tennessee-Knoxville/Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1978), NIH Postdoctoral Fellow-University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1978-81
Bio:
Dr. Schloss brings a perspective on pharmacy education to AUHS based on 10 years as a professional scientist in DuPont’s Central Research Department; 9 years as Professor at the University of Kansas, School of Pharmacy; 6 years in pharmacy-related biotech; and 10 years helping to build the basic science and research components of two domestic and one foreign pharmacy programs. He has remained active in both research and the education of graduate and undergraduate students, while securing research funding from international, federal, state, and private sources. Dr. Schloss was an NIH-postdoctoral fellow at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Tennessee for work conducted at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Tien Truong, a mathematics professor, earned his Teaching Credential, M.A. and B.A. Degrees in Mathematics at California State University of Fullerton. He worked as a teacher associate for two years while working on his Master Degree in 2008 at CSUF. After graduation, he started to teach secondary education for Anaheim Union High School District, working as a short term and long-term substitute, from 2010-2015.
Tien Truong is also a private tutor from 2008 to the present. He tutors many subjects ranging from elementary algebra to calculus. He has taught many students with different levels from elementary to college. Currently, Tien Truong is teaching at Golden West College as an adjunct instructor for the math department. He has taught Statistic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-calculus and Calculus.
Currently, Tien Truong is also teaching as a part time professor at American University Health Sciences. He teaches Elementary Algebra, Quantitative Reasoning, and Statistics. Tien Truong joined AUHS since Summer 2014. He is also a member of the General Education Department at AUHS.
Duane Carter's journey into education was shaped by a series of meaningful experiences and a deep sense of purpose - what he describes as “meant to be.” Although he initially intended to follow in his father's footsteps as a real estate broker and attorney, a profound moment during an education course altered his path. A professor’s words - “The greatest thing a person can do with their life is to be a teacher” - resonated so deeply that Duane committed his life to the field of education.
Over the years, Duane has taught at various levels, beginning in grade school and eventually teaching graduate students pursuing their MBAs. His long and fulfilling career has allowed him to impact students across generations and disciplines.
Outside the classroom, Duane has a deep appreciation for the arts. Through his involvement with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, he has enjoyed countless performances—from ballets and Broadway productions to orchestral concerts. However, his favorite pastimes include traveling with his wife, especially on cruises, which he fondly calls the “perfect escape” and a cherished way to pause the demands of everyday life.
Dr. Davis is an experienced ESL teacher (PhD Speech Science & Technology, M.A. in Applied Linguistics) with a background in Psychology (M.A., B.A.). Dr. Davis also has training in Biblical Studies and coordiantes the Campus Ministry: Salt & Light.
Subject Matter Expertise
English as a Second Language
Ethics
Bible
Selected Publications and Scholarly Presentations
Davis, B. (2009). Providing feedback on the pronunciation of short I using acoustic phonetics. In Proceedings of the International Conference “Building Cultural Bridges”. Suleyman Demirel University.
Davis, B. M. (2013). Building bridges through understanding worldviews: An approach to area studies. In N. Bakić Mirić & D. E. Gaipov (Eds.), Building cultural bridges in education (pp. 27–33). Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Doganay, Y., Ashirimbetova, M., & Davis, B. M. (2013). Making culture happen in the English language classroom. English Language Teaching, 6(10), 11–16. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v6n10p11
Freischlad, D., Ospanova, N., & Davis, B. (2005). Teacher’s guide to Let’s read business articles. Orken.
Freischlad, D., Fast, S., Dosanov, B., & Davis, B. (2002). Let’s read business articles. Orken.
Freischlad, D., Davis, B., Kuanaeva, M., & others. (1996). Let’s talk: Phrasebook. Oner.
Keynotes
“Keynote Speaker,” 15th London International Conference, London, U023
“Keynote Speaker,” 2nd London International Conference, London, UK – April 2021
Pursuing his goals passionately, JOSEPH A. FRANCISCO delves into a combination of clinical practice and academic mentorship in his professional life as a nurse practitioner. At present, he imparts his expertise at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Sciences and at the American University of Health Sciences as an assistant professor. His determined and engaging way of conducting classes have gained the reciprocal enthusiastic reaction of his appreciative students. He has firsthand experience as family nurse practitioner at the Angeles Community Health Center, a continuation of his consistency in this field from various previous establishments in this country.
Dr. Francisco obtained his Doctorate in Nursing Practice in 2019 from the University of Massachusetts Global. He holds a double Masters in Nursing from the US and the Philippines in 2017 and 2009 respectively. In addition, he was an accomplished Medical Doctor and has a Iuris Doctor degree from his native Philippines. Prior to sharing his professional proficiency abroad, he worked in government-run Manila Health Department for 15 years, developing an intense and major understanding of community health exigencies and challenges.
PhD in School Leadership and Management (St. Dominic College, Philippines)
Doctor of Medicine (De La Salle University of Medicine, Philippines)
MSN-FNP (Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA)
BSN (Makati Medical Center College of Nursing, Philippines)
Bio
Dr. Gregorio L. De Grano serves as the Dean of the Nursing Graduate Program and is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years of clinical experience. He has worked extensively in Intensive Care (ICU), Progressive Care (PCU), Emergency Room, Medical-Surgical, Acute, and Intra-operative Hemodialysis settings. He specializes in Family and Primary Health Care, as well as Hospice and Palliative Care.
For over a decade, Dr. De Grano has shaped nursing education through his academic work. He prepares advanced practice nurses and future nursing leaders by emphasizing evidence-based care, interprofessional collaboration, and integrating ethics, cultural competence, and leadership into the curriculum.
Dr. De Grano leads with compassion and strongly believes in the power of mentorship. He actively supports the personal and professional development of students and faculty. Through his collaborative approach to curriculum development, he keeps nursing education innovative, relevant, and responsive to the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
Subject Matter Expertise
Health Systems and Nursing Informatics for APRN, Nursing Leadership, Ethics and Management, Primary Care of Adult and Elderly, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology
Scholarly Presentation
Continuing Education Speaker (CE/CME): Philippine Medical Alumni Association of Southern California – Challenges and Alternatives for Foreign Medical Graduates: Navigating the Transition to Advanced Nursing Practice Pathway
Brent Aspiras is an adjunct instructor in the school of nursing where he has been teaching for 6 years. He is the lead instructor for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Care. Brent holds a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the American University of Health Sciences and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from California State University, Long Beach.
Dr. Modina is the Executive Dean, Professor, and Assistant Chief Nurse Administrator at the School of Nursing. She is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner and a highly regarded nurse executive with over 30 years of experience in clinical practice, academia, and leadership. Dr. Modina holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from UMass Global (formerly known as Brandman University) and advanced nursing degrees from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA).
Her diverse nursing background includes ICU, ER, telemetry, primary care, women’s health, oncology, hospice, and palliative care. She is highly skilled in curriculum design, program assessment and development, accreditation, operations management, advising, and faculty development.
She is currently serving as a CCNE Evaluator for AACN and as an advisor and past president of the Philippine Nurses Association, Orange County chapter. A passionate advocate for student success, professional advancement, and team building, she is dedicated to creating inclusive, high-impact learning environments that empower individuals and transform the landscape of healthcare education.
Subject Matter Expertise
Leadership, Education, Transitions to Professional Practice, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care, Curriculum Design, Program Assessment and Development, Advising, Mentorship, Strategic Planning
Selected Publications and Scholarly Presentations
2025 April. Poster Presentation. NCLEX Style Questions in Nursing Simulation Leading to Student Success WASC Senior College and University Commission Conference. Garden Grove, CA
2025 March. Poster Presentation. Breast Cancer Screening Among Filipino Americans: Attitudes, Barriers, and Cultural Insights. The National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations Annual Summit. Los Angeles, CA.
2023 June. Poster Presentation. Creating a Diversity Task Force for a Professional Ethnic Minority Nursing Association Using the Roy Adaptation Model as a Guide. 2023 Roy Adaptation Association International Conference at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles, California.
2022, May. Guest Speaker Panelist. How do Nurse Leaders in Practice and Nurse Education Manage Diversity and Inclusivity for LGBTQI+ + Members? Philippine Nurses Association of America, Southern California Spring Educational Conference at Monterey Park, California
