Congratulations to ASPET 2026 Award Winners!

2026 Poster Competition Winners

Behavioral Pharmacology

Undergraduate Students

1^st John Westphal, Hope College, “Behavioral and Pharmacokinetic Implications of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist and Benzodiazepine Co-Administration in C57BL/6 Mice”

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Emily Cronin, Wake Forest University, “Effects of chronic treatment with acetylcholine receptor agonists on ethanol self-administration in male cynomolgus monkeys”

2^nd Simon Tangen, University of Texas at San Antonio, “Economic Determinants of Fentanyl-Methamphetamine Co-Use in Rats”

3^rd Joshua Prete, Wake Forest University, “Bifunctional Agonists with Varying Affinities and Efficacies at Mu Opioid and Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Peptide (NOP) Receptors Decrease Ethanol Drinking in Monkeys”

Postdoctoral Scientists

1^st Cora Smiley, University of South Carolina, “Sex Differences in the Neurobiological Response to Witness Stress and Treatment with N-Acetylcysteine”

2^nd Kwang-Hyun Hur, Mclean Hospital / Harvard Medical School, “Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptor Agonism Attenuates Behavioral and Neural Responses to Conditioned Aversive Stimuli in Squirrel Monkeys”

3^rd Dawn Jessup, University of Michigan, “The mu opioid receptor positive allosteric modulator BMS-986122 attenuates opioid tolerance”

Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Adwoa Amanfo, Texas A&M University, “The Platelet Regulator of G-protein Signaling 16 Negatively Regulates Platelet Function”

2^nd Amanda Ifft, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, “Uncovering a Heart to-Fat Axis: Investigation of Sex Specific Cardiac Signaling in Obesity-Driven Metabolic Stress”

3^rd Renee Stoicovy, Nova Southeastern University, “Contrasting Effects of GLP-1 and GIP Receptors on Lipolysis and Inflammation in Human White Adipocytes”

Cancer Pharmacology

Undergraduate Students

1^st Catherine Schwartz, Emory University, “Reduced Apoptotic Priming, Not Presence of Slow Cycling Cells Is Independent of Therapy Class in the Selection of Drug Tolerant Persistent Cells in Multiple Myeloma”

2^nd Afraz Yousuf, SUNY University at Buffalo, “The Role of KMT2D Knockdown in Advanced Prostate Cancer”

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Ally Su, Emory University, “Targeting the 14-3-3γ/PIKE-A Axis as a Therapeutic Strategy for Glioblastoma”

2^nd Alexander Kritikos, Indiana University School of Medicine, “Spatial Characterization of Tumor Cells and Macrophages in Response to HUNK Inhibition in a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Model”

3^rdXinyu Zhao, Ohio State University, “Circumvention of Acquired Resistance to Topoisomerase II-targeted Anticancer Agents: Abrogation of Intronic Polyadenylation”

Postdoctoral Scientists

1^st John Teibo, University of São Paulo, “Proteomics and Phosphoproteomic Profiling of Early Signaling Mechanisms in Anti-CD19 CAR-T Cell Therapy”

2^nd Xing Gao, Tulane University, “Synergistic Effects of Low-Dose Ethanol and Lacticaseibacillus Rhamnosus GG on Colorectal Tumor Suppression Linked to Taurine Metabolism”

3^rd Anutr Sivakoses, Indiana University School of Medicine, “Functional characterization of FUT8 inhibition on protein-protein interactions in a breast cancer model”

Drug Discovery and Development

Undergraduate Students

1^st Alexander Lu, Cornell University, “Systematic Identification of Ovary/Ovulation Specific Gene Targets Using a Multi-Tissue Murine Transcriptomic Atlas for Non Hormonal Contraception”

2^nd Daniel Carr, California State University, East Bay, “Dual inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase and soluble epoxide hydrolase reduces inflammatory and orofacial pain in rats”

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Luis Forero, Mayo Clinic, “Developing Highly Selective Inhibitors of Mesotrypsin as Cancer Therapeutics”

2^nd Erica Browne, Emory University, “HDAC11 Inhibition Alleviates Neutrophil-driven Pathogenesis in Mucoobstructive Lung Disease”

3^rd Fernanda Fumuso, University of Minnesota, “Tartrolon E: A New Drug Candidate Against Apicomplexan Parasitic Diseases”

Postdoctoral Scientists

1^st Roman Schlimgen, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, “Designed nanobodies to study the structure and function of GPRC5B”

2^nd Simar Singh, University of Washington, “High-throughput Pharmacological Characterization of Anti-carfentanil Monoclonal Antibodies using a µ-opioid Receptor Activation Cell-based Assay”

3^rd Ammar Khalid, Aligarh Muslim University, “Carvacrol synergizes with adapalene to enhance TNBC inhibition and mitigates hepatotoxicity”

Drug Metabolism and Disposition

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Sherouk Tawfik, University of Connecticut, “PCSK9-Dependent Annexin A2 Regulation of Intracellular Trafficking and Disposition Determines siRNA Efficacy”

2^nd Le Tra Giang Nguyen, University of Connecticut, “Glucose-dependent Effects on Intracellular Trafficking and Disposition of ASO Drugs”

3^rd Eimear O’Mahony, University of Washington, “Impact of CYP1A1 Induction on Intestinal Drug Metabolism in Human Enteroid Monolayers”

Postdoctoral Scientists

1^st Chukwunonso Nwabufo, University of Washington, “Demystifying Drivers of SARS CoV-2-mediated Dysregulation of Drug Processing Genes”

2^nd Diksha Manhas, University of Arizona, “Cytochrome P450 mediated xenobiotic metabolism in the brain, effects of 3,3′ dichlorobiphenyl (PCB-11) exposure, and contributions to naphthalene-induced DNA adducts”

3^rd Yeseul Ahn, University of North Carolina, “Application of an in vitro Model to Elucidate Liver Disease mediated Alterations in the Hepatic Localization of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (OATP)2B1”

Molecular Pharmacology

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Kelsey Person, University of Minnesota, “Homology Modeling Indicates that Intracellular NTSR1 Ligands Change G protein Subtype Selectivity by Changing NTSR1-G protein Complex Stability”

2^nd Samantha Boggiano, Vanderbilt University, “Highly Potent, Cell Specific Optical Control of Dopamine D1 Receptors”

3^rd Sabrina Samad Shoily, Boston University, “Universal detection of GPCR-G-protein activity with high fidelity under native cellular and tissue conditions”

Neuropharmacology

Undergraduate Students

1^st Dania Abu-Ghosh, Georgia State University, “Adolescent-adversity induced neuroinflammation reduces hippocampal neurogenesis while impairing cognition and elevating depression and anxiety like behaviors”

2^nd Rachel Allen, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, “Discovery of Next Generation Arrestin Biased Allosteric Modulators for the Neurotensin Receptor 1”

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Ryan Pauly, University of Michigan, “Medullary Raphe Serotonin Neurons are Influenced by Opioids and Improve Breathing”

2^nd Alex Welter, University of Minnesota, “Optogenetic Self Stimulation of VTA Dopamine Neurons Provokes Bidirectional Plasticity in the Prelimbic and Infralimbic Subregions of the Medial Prefrontal Cortex in Mice”

3^rd Emily Kirchner, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, “Targeting One-Carbon Metabolism to Modulate Epigenetic Mechanisms of Memory”

Postdoctoral Scientists

1^st Darius Quansah, University of North Dakota, “Endolysosome Re acidification Rescues Lysosomal Progranulin Deficiency Effects and Cell death”

2^nd Benjamin Clements, University of Michigan, “Enhancement of the Antinociceptive Effects of Non Opioid Analgesics by the Opioid Receptor Modulator BMS-986122”

Toxicology

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Caleb Aguayo, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, “Stem Cell-Derived Neuromuscular Junctions Model Synaptic Dysfunction”

2^nd Mohammad Tuhin Ali, Monash University, “Ferroptosis Plays a Key Role in Polymyxin-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity”

3^rd Thomas Dick, Mercer University, “Target Mechanisms Underlying Xylazine-Induced Skin Lesions in Rats”

Pharmacology Education

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Jenna Stepaneko, Michigan State University, “Student-as Teacher Model Improves High School Understanding of Core Pharmacology Concepts in CNS Disorders”

2^nd Hanniel Park, Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy, “Evaluating Structured Discussion Questions with Peer-Reviewed Case Reports to Enhance Learning of Pharmacology, Pathophysiology and Toxicology in PharmD Program”

3^rd Christina Matalka, California Northstate University, “Embedding Global Cultural Competencies and Enriching DEI through Service Learning to Underserved, Immigrant, and Refugee Communities”

Translational and Clinical Pharmacology

Undergraduate Students

1^st Kangi Zhang, University of Washington, “Defining the Contributions of the Gut-brain Axis to Disease Progression in a Viral Infection-induced Epilepsy Model”

2^nd Peiting Wu, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, “Phenyl-valerolactones preserve barrier function of lung microvascular endothelial cells exposed to Lipopolysaccharide”

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Sushrut Shah, Thomas Jefferson University,“Pharmacological Characterization and Therapeutic Potential of NAM42, a Novel Negative Allosteric Modulator of β-adrenergic receptors”

2^nd Prachi Agrawal, University of Nebraska Medical Center, “Model informed drug development approach for predicting preclinical and clinical therapeutic doses of nortriptyline for brain tumors”

3^rd Abel Daartey, St. John’s University, “Pharmacological Dual Targeting of PI3K and HDAC2 as a Rational Therapeutic Approach for High-Risk Medulloblastoma”

Dolores C. Shockley Poster Competition

Undergraduate Students

1^st Madisyn Moore, Rowan University, “Identifying Non Hormonal Female Contraceptive Candidates Using a Tiered ex vivo Ovulation Screening Pipeline”

2^nd Alida Jimenez, Rowan University, “Selective GABAA Positive Allosteric Modulator MP III-024 as a Combination Strategy to Improve Opioid Safety and Efficacy”

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Miguel Gonzalez Vasquez, University of Wisconsin, Madison, “Therapeutic Potential of investigational benzyl styryl sulfone drug Rigosertib for RDEB-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma”

2^nd Keiann Simon, University of Washington, “Cytochrome P450 Mediated Metabolism and Clearance Pathways of Δ8-THC”

3^rd Ruth-Ann Saddler, State University, New York at Buffalo, “Dopamine Neuron Firing Activity Adaptations following Methamphetamine Self Administration and Abstinence

Postdoctoral Scientists

1^st Kimia Didehvar, Rutgers State University, “Mapping Oprm1 Exon 7-associated Variant Distribution in Mouse Brain with a New Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody: Insights into Their Role in Opioid Pharmacology”

2^nd Deepika Godugu, St John’s University, “From Hits to Leads: High-Throughput Screening Identifies STAT3-Targeted Therapeutics for High-risk Neuroblastoma”

2026 Oral Competition Winners

Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^st Sara Puccini, University of Minnesota, “Mechanistic Basis of EPA Cardioprotective Signaling in Cardiac Myocytes: Ffar4-ChemR23 Signaling”

2^nd Drew Theobald, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, “Pharmacological Blockade of B1R-TLR4 Crosstalk as a Novel Strategy for Hypertension Control”

Postdoctoral Scientists

1^stThaysa Ghiarone, Rowan University, “Combined Opioid and 2-Adrenergic Receptor Antagonists Prevent Respiratory Depression from Fentanyl-Xylazine and Fentanyl-Dexmedetomidine Exposure”

2^ndSiram Sandeep Inavolu, University of Houston, “JC124 inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Preserves Tight Junction Integrity to Prevent TMAO-mediated Endothelial injury”

Molecular Pharmacology

Postdoctoral Scientists

1^stBarnali Paul, Washington University in St Louis, “Efficacy Modulation and Structural Insights of Mu Opioid-Sparing Agents”

2^ndBadr Sokrat, New York University, “Endocytosis and Compartmentalized Intracellular Signaling of the Prostaglandin Receptor EP4 Mediate Pain”

3^rdShawn Flynn, University of Michigan, “Differential antagonism of opioid receptor agonists in vitro”

Neuropharmacology

Postdoctoral Scientists

1^stSaranya Radhakrishnan, National Institute of Mental Health, “A SNX3-dependent Retromer pathway mediates retrograde transport of neuronal glutamate transporter EAAT3”

2^nd Tongzhen Xie, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, “Targeting Histone Deacetylase 1 in the Nucleus Accumbens for the Management of Neuropathic Pain”

3^rdMeredith Bauer, University of Minnesota, “Optogenetic Excitation of Paraventricular Nucleus of the Thalamus to Nucleus Accumbens Neurons During Cue-Driven Alcohol Seeking”

Translational and Clinical Pharmacology

Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Students

1^stMalik Donlic, Washington State University, “An Oregano Essential Oil Supplement Inhibits CYP2C19 Activity Comparable to Known Clinical CYP2C19 Inhibitors”

2^nd Adeboye Bamgboye, University of Minnesota, “EEG-Based Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Ketamine in Patients with Refractory and Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus”

Postdoctoral Scientists

1^st Samuel Krug, Dartmouth Health, “Repurposing Retinoic Acid Receptor Gamma Agonist CD437 to Modulate Immune and Inflammatory Response in Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Lung Infection”

2^nd Aishwarya Anand, University of Maryland Baltimore, “Multifaceted Assessment of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in Sickle Cell Disease Therapy: A Pharmacologic Showdown”