From uncovering the antimicrobial properties of statins to evaluating protein administration in premature neonates to preventing falls in the elderly, University of the Sciences will showcase the diversity and growth of research pursuits on campus during its 9th Annual Research Day on Thursday, April 14, 2011 (43rd St. and Woodland Ave.), starting at 11 a.m.
Research Day recognizes and highlights the research efforts of faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students to encourage and promote communication and collaboration among researchers. The University is unique in that it offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research early on in their academic careers.
The diverse research activity on display spans several aspects of the University’s scholarly pursuits, including:
- Biological Sciences: Graduate student Faraz Zaidi is researching the cholera toxin which affects the gastrointestinal system if left untreated.
- Chemistry: Due to the wide spectrum of medicinal properties of heterocyclic sulfones, Dr. James McKee’s group is synthesizing new classes of heterocyclic sulfones as potential targets against diabetes and heart disease.
- Health Policy: To better understand the economic impact of homelessness, Dr. Stephen Metraux has been studying the income and employment trends in a cohort that entered the shelter for the first time in New York City.
- Pharmaceutical Sciences: Dr. Clyde Ofner’s lab is refining gelatin-doxorubicin conjugates for their therapeutic advantages of enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity for the treatment of cancer.
- Physical Therapy: Dr. Lora Packel and student Claire Martins are analyzing the literature in order to create an effective intervention program for urinary incontinence in patients experiencing this problem.
- Social Sciences: Dr. Amy Janke is exploring the impact of co-morbid pain and obesity on dietary behavior and physical activity.
- Pharmacy Practice: Doctor of pharmacy students Annette Lista and Susan Youssef are studying the impact of lifestyle counseling to increase awareness of high sodium foods in patients with hypertension.
The day of activity commences with four podium research presentations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Athletic/Recreation Center and continues with presentations representing approximately 160 research abstracts on display from 1 to 3 p.m. The day concludes with the 24th Annual John C. Krantz, Jr., Distinguished Lecture by Charles Bosk, PhD, from the Department of Medical Ethics at University of Pennsylvania on "Defending Rights or Defending Privileges: Research Ethics and Research Governance" from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in the McNeil Science and Technology Center. For more information on Research Day, visit www.usp.edu/research/researchday.
The week of April 11 has been declared "Undergraduate Research Week" by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) of which USciences is an institutional member. The University is unique in that it offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research early in their academic careers. More than 60 research posters will be presented by undergraduate researchers on the University’s Research Day.
At University of the Sciences, students embark on a challenging learning experience in a proving ground for successful professionals in the science and healthcare-related fields. A private institution dedicated to education, research, and service, and distinguished as the nation’s first college of pharmacy, the University has produced leaders in the science and healthcare marketplaces since its founding in 1821. Students in USciences’ five colleges learn to excel in scientific analysis and to apply their skills to improving healthcare in the lives of people worldwide through such disciplines as pharmacy, biology, physical therapy, healthcare business, and health policy. For more information, visit
usciences.edu.