Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Redefining Skincare For Sensitive Lives, Ashlyn G. Sierra Ms

Honors College Theses

This study outlines how a skincare company that is both ethically and effectively developed for people suffering from eczema could create accessible, affordable products as well as maintain its commitment to being inclusive. The study uses scientific data regarding eczema in order to examine why certain aspects of skin care are helpful or dangerous when it comes to individuals who suffer from eczema, in addition, it provides an assessment of current skin care product offerings that are designed for people with eczema. Using the Wise Leadership Framework, the study presents a hypothetical business plan for a new, eczema-based skin care …

The Influence Of Prosthetic Obturators On Quality Of Life In Individuals With Maxillectomy Defects, Minseok Kim

Oral Health

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, there has been a growing focus on understanding the impact of oral cancer on patients' quality of life. Prosthetic rehabilitation techniques, such as maxillary obturators, often in conjunction with reconstructive surgery, have emerged as interventions to address the challenges posed by post-maxillectomy abnormalities.

Objective: This study aims to systematically review and evaluate the effectiveness of maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation using obturators in enhancing the quality of life of patients following maxillectomy.

Methodology: Systematic review of identified literature spanning the timeframe from 2000 to 2020 was used. The comprehensive search encompassed widely recognized databases including PubMed, …

Investigating The Effects Of Cannabichromene On Different Modalities Of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain, Anna F. Weimer

Honors Theses

Chemotherapy is the predominant treatment for a variety of cancers, but throughout its history of use, many side effects have been reported. One of the most common side effects is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This side effect subjects an estimated 60% of patients to pain for months to years following chemotherapy. This symptomology is due tothe upregulation of ion channels such as TRPV1, which leads to the release of TNF-α, causing inflammation. These changes manifest in the intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENF), in which chemotherapy damages nociceptors, leading to an overall reduction in density. Current therapeutics, historically limited to opioids or …

Quantifying Black Carbon Concentrations In Georgia And Analyzing Associated Public Health Risks, Khloe R. Osborne

Honors Theses

Quantifying Black Carbon Concentrations in Georgia and Analyzing Associated Public Health Risks

One of the most daunting challenges of the industrial world is air pollution. Within this broad spectrum, there is an inhalable particle group named PM2.5, which contains black carbon. Black carbon has evidence that supports the generation and worsening of adverse health impacts, which may include birth complications, cognitive deficits in children, pulmonary aggravation, asthma, cardiovascular issues, neurological degenerative patterns, and cancer risk. This is especially seen in vulnerable populations, like children, elderly, and those who already suffer from weakened health, many of which reside in the southern …

"First, Do No Harm": Ethical Failures And Preventive Solutions In The United States Pharmaceutical System - A Narrative Review, Rebekah R. Bailey

Honors Theses

The United States pharmaceutical system is highly advanced but faces growing ethical concerns related to drug development and marketing, overprescription, and high drug costs. This thesis examines how pharmaceutical marketing, regulatory practices, and prescribing behaviors may conflict with the ethical principle of “first, do no harm.”

Using a narrative review of interdisciplinary literature in public health, medical ethics, and applied ethics, this thesis analyzes patterns in drug development, marketing strategies, and regulatory oversight. The findings suggest that ethical issues are systemic, driven by commercial incentives, inconsistent regulatory standards, and an increasing reliance on pharmaceutical solutions. These factors contribute to overmedicalization, …

The Impact Of Patient Navigation On The Hepatitis C Care Continuum In Underserved Populations: A Scoping Review, Deauntaye Jones

Honors Theses

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant public health concern and is a leading cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation when left untreated. Although direct-acting antiviral therapies have made HCV curable for most patients, many underserved populations continue to experience barriers to diagnosis, linkage-to-care, treatment completion, and sustained virologic response (SVR). This study evaluated how patient navigation programs influence progression through the HCV care continuum among underserved populations. Relevant studies published between 2014 and 2025 were identified through searches of PubMed and Embase using terms related to HCV, patient navigation, linkage-to-care, underserved populations, and treatment outcomes. Following title, …

Rational Design And Efficacy Evaluation Of A Novel Solid Dispersion-Based Bempedoic Acid–Ezetimibe Fixed-Dose Combination Tablet Versus Nexlizet®, Mohamed A. Heikal, Wael Ali, Mahmoud A. Mahdy, Eman Gomaa

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Background/Objectives: For hyperlipidemic patients with statin resistance, a fixed-dose combination of a non-statin drug such as ezetimibe (EZT) and bempedoic acid (BA) provides a significant benefit. Although both drugs exhibit poor aqueous solubility, the oral bioavailability of EZT is more critically limited by dissolution, whereas BA maintains adequate absorption due to its high intestinal permeability. With regard to the reference product, Nexlizet® (180/10 mg), our study focused on developing a novel tablet with superior in vitro performance without incorporating sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), as it may potentially alter BA absorption. Methods: The solid dispersion technique (co-precipitation) was applied using the …

Tale Of Two Pharmacies, Katie R. Jadin

Honors Theses

Community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare providers in the United States and play an increasingly important role in improving patient outcomes. This study observes whether geographical distance and demographic differences influence patient healthcare needs within community pharmacy settings. Communities in Wisconsin and Mississippi, approximately 800 miles apart, were compared due to differences in population demographics, socioeconomic factors, and disease burden.

A survey was distributed to community pharmacy employees, including pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians, to assess common disease states, medication patterns, pharmacy workload, and patients' barriers to care. Twelve responses were collected from pharmacy employees.

Despite the …

Brief Review: Does Red Hair Phenotype Affect Propofol Pharmacokinetics Or Pharmacodynamics?, James Espinosa, Frank Wheeler, Robin Lahr, Sergey Medlenov, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: A persistent belief within Emergency Medicine and perioperative culture suggests that individuals with red hair require altered anesthetic dosing. While early studies demonstrated increased requirements for certain volatile anesthetics in red-haired individuals, this association is frequently generalized to propofol without clear supporting evidence.

Objective: To review current literature regarding the relationship between red hair phenotype (and MC1R variants) and propofol pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD).

Methods: A focused narrative review of controlled human studies and relevant clinical outcome data evaluating propofol PK and PD in red-haired individuals.

Results: Evidence supporting altered anesthetic requirement in red-haired individuals primarily derives from …

The Complex World Of Emergency Department Medication Dosing: Weight Scalars, Dose And Area Under The Curve (Auc) In Medication Dosing--Areas For Future Research, James Espinosa, Alan Lucerna

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Weight-based dosing is foundational to emergency medicine practice. With modern ED beds capable of automatic patient weighing, inaccuracies in estimated weight have largely diminished. However, medication misalignment persists, particularly in patients at extremes of body weight and in high-stakes clinical contexts such as rapid sequence intubation (RSI), antimicrobial therapy, and anticoagulation. Emerging pharmacokinetic literature emphasizes total drug exposure—represented by the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC)—as a stronger correlate of efficacy and toxicity than single-point serum levels. This review explores where weight precision most likely matters in the ED, examines weight scalars, and reframes dosing decisions through an exposure-centered paradigm. …

The Comparative Efficacy Of Perioperative Pharmacological And Non-Pharmacological Strategies In Reducing Post-Anesthesia Cognitive Impairment Among Elderly Patients: A Literature Review, Mehnaz Islam Khan, Natalie Santos De La Torre, Christine Cherian, Shreya Shah

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Older adults (≥65 years) are at increased risk for postoperative cognitive impairment, including postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), which contribute to prolonged recovery, increased morbidity, and mortality. Preventive strategies include pharmacological interventions and non-pharmacological approaches such as cognitive training; however, these approaches are typically studied in isolation. The purpose of this literature review was to compare the effectiveness of perioperative pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in reducing postoperative cognitive impairment in elderly surgical patients. A review of six studies, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies, was conducted in patients undergoing cardiac, spinal, and noncardiac surgeries. Cognitive outcomes, …

Implementation Of Wellness Activities In An Experiential Rotation To Promote Pharmacy Student Well-Being, Neeloufar Fakourfar, Brenda Kilzi, Reza Taheri, Richard Beuttler, Hindu Rao

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Educational activity

Herbularyo (Folk Healer): An Herbal Medicine Card Game, Maryjane T. Magsino, Inah Marie Q. Rivera, Armando M. Guidote, Genejane M. Adarlo

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Herbularyo, a card game teaching about herbal plants (HPs), was created and evaluated as a viable educational card game based on Tuomisto and Aksela’s criteria. A quasi-experiment was performed on 81 Grade 8 students from a private high school and 50 Grade 11 from a public high school. Independent t-test revealed that the control group (CG) and experimental group (EG) (p=0.386), and EG1 (played ≤5) and EG2 (played >5) (p=0.681) are not comparable with each other. Paired t-test showed EG performed better (p=0.001) than CG (p=0.901) whereas ANCOVA showed that playing Herbularyo improved students’ information retention (p=0.006). EG1 and EG2 …

Evidenced-Based Practice Guideline Development: The Addition Of Adjunctive Dexmedetomidine In Brachial Plexus Blocks For Upper Arthroscopic Surgery, Mylene Louail

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist increasingly studied as an adjunct in brachial plexus blocks (BPBs) to enhance postoperative pain management. This project examines the efficacy of DEX as an adjunct in BPBs for upper extremity arthroscopic surgeries, focusing on its ability to extend analgesia duration, reduce opioid use, and enhance patient satisfaction. With analgesic and sedative properties, DEX can improve postoperative pain management with minimal side effects, providing shortened hospital stays, decreased costs, and better patient outcomes. Using the Iowa Model for evidence-based practice, baseline data on postoperative pain, analgesia duration, and opioid use will be collected from …

A New Generation Of Inhaled Vaccines, Clark Chapman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Vaccines have stood the test of time as being one of the greatest developments in health history. Delivery of these life-saving vaccines has primarily remained reliant on intramuscular administration, which has its own collection of shortcomings. When considering what vaccine formulation is best suited to be a widely accessible and effective tool in the fight against respiratory pathogens, current data and science points to a number of improvements available to us. These improvements include:

• An inhaled formulation, uniquely stimulating mucosal immunity

• A dry powder formulation to improve long-term stability

• A live attenuated vaccine to increase immunogenic response …

May 2026, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

Rural Rocks

Helping to build a better community by building each part of Rural Health Services

As we look ahead to an exciting summer, preparations are well underway for the transition into the new Jerry and Margaret Hodge Pharmacy & Rural Health Center. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for innovation, education, and expanded access to care across rural Oklahoma. Within the Jerry and Margaret Hodge Building will be the College of Pharmacy, the Rural Health Department, the Center for Health and Well being, as well as the Doctorate of Community Health Program. The Custer County Health …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Antihypertensive Therapy Chosen Through Maternal Hemodynamic Profile Analysis, Margaret Weimer

Honors Theses

Medication choice is tightly regulated in most situations, but in the field of obstetric medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends both labetalol and nifedipine as oral treatments for emergent hypertension, with no preference shown between the two. Studies have suggested that consideration of hemodynamic profile may be an effective way to determine medication, but have not considered the Rule of 55, a simple calculation to predict hemodynamic profile. The goals of this study were to determine whether tailoring the oral hypertensive medication to a patient’s hemodynamic profile is associated with better blood pressure control within 72 …

Synthetic Explorations Towards Phenyl Benzazepine-Inspired Scaffolds And Synthesis Of Minor Cannabinoid Derivatives, Vishwashiv Kumar Emogaje

Theses and Dissertations

D1R is a compelling therapeutic target for correcting dopaminergic imbalances. However, existing ligands exhibit suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties. As such, we synthetically explored untouched structural modifications to the phenyl benzazepine scaffold. Cannabinoid-based molecules also display potential to treat neurological maladies and cancer. We synthesized Cannabichromene derivatives and uncovered enhanced anticancer activities.

Navigating The Gray Area: The Unregulated Surge Of Unique Glp-1 And Glp-1/Gip Products, Jordyn Belcourt, Amy Sapowadia, Charles Michael White

Honors Scholar Theses

Purpose: To identify unique compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide products that existed after the shortage grace period ended and to assess their characteristics.

Methods: Researchers searched for compounding pharmacies using specific terms on Google. They collected the formulation, ingredients, dosage, and monthly cost of products. Researchers also contacted compounding company websites with available information to ascertain further information about products.

Results: Researchers identified 26 sites selling a total of 86 semaglutide or tirzepatide products. Of the included products, 33 were unique, and 41 products were essentially copies of FDA-approved products. Unique formulations included sublingual solution (n=9), sublingual tablets (n=5), and orally …

Association Between Cholinesterase Inhibitor-Overactive Bladder Antimuscarinic Prescribing Cascade And Risk Of Delirium And Falls Among Individuals Living With Dementia, Sarah Beth Tucker, Bryan L. Love Pharm D., Chijoke M. Okeke, Erin D. Zwick, Chengwen Teng Pharm.D., Ph.D., Jingkai Wei, Ibraheem M. Karaye, Saud Alsahali, Krithika Rajagopalan, Ismaeel Yunusa Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Background

Prescribing cascades occur when cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI)-induced urinary incontinence is misinterpreted as a new condition, leading to overactive bladder (OAB) antimuscarinic initiation. We evaluated whether the ChEI-OAB antimuscarinic prescribing cascade was associated with delirium or falls compared with mirabegron in older adults living with dementia.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Anlitiks All-Payor Claims database (2015–2020). Participants were adults aged ≥ 65 years with dementia newly prescribed a ChEI with no prior ChEI or OAB therapy (180 days). A 60-day window identified OAB treatment initiation after ChEI therapy. Exposures were OAB antimuscarinics or mirabegron. Outcomes were …