Faculty recognized for research, innovation and service

Jordan Zjawiony, currently a visiting professor in Poland, received the Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. Research Award.

he School of Pharmacy recognized four faculty members for research, instructional innovation and service during its annual fall faculty retreat.

The Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. Research Award was presented to pharmacognosy professor Jordan Zjawiony, who has focused his research efforts on the semisynthesis of potential drug candidates from psychoactive plants (e.g., Salvia divinorum, the most potent natural hallucinogen) and fungi, and the interaction of their secondary metabolites with central nervous system receptors.

His research is funded with two grants from the National Institutes of Health, and he is the author of 90 peer-reviewed journal articles, 34 patents and 33 invited lectures. He was twice a visiting professor at his alma mater in Poland and received an invitation this fall from the Technical University of Bialystok, Poland, to help it explore the idea of building a natural products research center.

"Dr. Zjawiony's esteem in national and international research communities is evidenced by his ability to garner competitive NIH funding, to publish his work in top-tier international journals and by the invitations he receives to present his work at premier research conferences," said Daneel Ferreira, chair of pharmacognosy.

Pharmacy administration's Rahul Khanna received the New Investigator Award for his pharmaceutical outcomes research.

Rahul Khanna (left), Michael Warren and Robert Doerksen were recognized at the fall faculty retreat for their research, innovation and service.

This spring, Khanna was one of 18 recipients of New Investigator awards presented by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. The AACP NIA program provides seed money for new faculty members, so they can establish their first independent pilot research project. Khanna is using his award to study the relationship between the health and well-being of caregivers of autistic children and the emotional and physical stress they experience. He has already published some of his work in peer-reviewed journals, and his research has been cited in such publications as the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"I am proud of Dr. Khanna for his research achievements," said Donna West-Strum, chair of pharmacy administration. "I am confident that he will continue to conduct research aimed at improving the quality of care for cancer patients and for children with autism."

The Faculty Instructional Innovation Award went to Robert Doerksen, who implemented an active learning exercise for students taking his Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I (MEDC 416) course. The exercise provides bonus points to students who attend the department's research seminar series and write reports about what they learned from the speakers, who are industry or academic leaders.

The exercise motivates pharmacy students to attend the seminars and pay attention to how professionals are applying the principles of medicinal chemistry to design, development and evaluation of new chemical entities and drugs. The exercise has been so successful that it has been adopted in MEDC 417 and was shared at a roundtable discussion at an AACP meeting.

"Dr. Doerksen has done a marvelous job in developing his teaching skills," said Stephen Cutler, chair of medicinal chemistry. "His idea to create opportunities for students to be exposed to the variety of career paths can be seen in his seminar program. Additionally, it provides students with the opportunity to gain a better insight into the discovery and development of medications they will be dispensing as health care practitioners."

Michael Warren in pharmacy practice received the pharmacy school's Faculty Service Award. Warren advises more than 100 pre-pharmacy students and spends untold hours helping advisees choose appropriate classes during summer, spring and fall orientation sessions. He interviews students during the school's applicant days, advises professional students on their Pathways projects and fourth-year professional students on their seminar presentations, and is co-adviser of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists student chapter.

Warren has served as his department's representative on the Student-Faculty Relations and External Transitions committees and served on the university's Health Works committee. He also raises money for the Tommy Tosh Scholarship and manages the Student Health Center's Travel Medicine Clinic, which ensures the health and safety of Ole Miss students preparing to study abroad.

"Dr. Warren's service to our students, as well as those of the entire university, demonstrates his commitment to helping students," said Marvin C. Wilson, associate dean for academic and student affairs. "He is making a big difference in their health and well-being and personal and academic success."