Project PI: Thomas Edwards, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Thomas Edwards, Ph.D. (Professor, College of Biomedical Sciences)
Email: tedwards@larkin.edu
Project Details: Zoonotic RNA viruses (such as Coronavirus, ‘Flu, Ebola etc) are a constant threat to human health as the next potential global epidemic. Nucleocapsid proteins from these viruses control both viral genome replication and viral transcription and translation. The control of protein expression involves the corruption of normal cellular proteins for virus specific translation. Understanding the structure and function of these complexes could lead to the discovery of anti-viral drugs. We will express and purify proteins from recombinant E. coli (bacteria) to investigate protein structures and interactions.
Key skills to be learned: Biochemistry, molecular biology and protein purification
Project PI: Kristal Potter, Pharm.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Kristal Potter, Pharm.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: kpotter@larkin.edu
Project Details: This study examines the prevalence and characteristics of racist discourse directed at Black physicians in digital spaces. While representation of Black healthcare professionals on social media has increased, so too has exposure to online harassment and racism. Despite growing scholarship on racism in healthcare systems, few studies have quantitatively analyzed racism targeting Black physicians in public social media comment sections.
The study will use a content analysis design to evaluate approximately 13,000 publicly available Instagram comments from a single viral post featuring Black physicians. Comments are extracted, de-identified, and systematically coded using a structured schema (racist, supportive, neutral, or ambiguous), with classification informed by established anti-racism and hate speech research. Both manual coding and computational tools (e.g., sentiment analysis, hate speech classifiers) may be employed to enhance rigor and reliability.
Primary outcomes include the proportion of racist comments, thematic patterns in discriminatory language (e.g., stereotypes, coded language, credential questioning), and temporal trends in engagement. Anticipated findings are expected to demonstrate measurable levels of digital racism, highlighting the emotional labor and psychological burden imposed on Black healthcare professionals in public-facing roles.
Key skills to be learned:
• Understanding the principles of qualitative content analysis and how it differs from quantitative research
• Applying a structured coding framework to large textual datasets derived from social media
• Understanding ethical considerations related to social media research, racism-related content, and sensitive topics involving marginalized populations
• Importing coded qualitative data into statistical software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, or R)
• Generating and interpreting descriptive statistics (frequencies, distributions)
Project PI: Taraman Kadayat, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Taraman Kadayat, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: tkadayat@larkin.edu
Project Details: We utilize computational tools to accelerate drug design and discovery processes. By employing techniques such as molecular modeling, virtual screening, molecular docking, and QSAR studies, we aim to efficiently identify hits and optimize them into lead compounds. Our research explores how these tools can predict drug-target interactions and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) properties, enhance the understanding of structure-activity relationships, and streamline lead optimization and drug repurposing efforts.
Key skills to be learned: Literature Search, Computational Drug Design, Synthesis of Molecule, Exploration of tools for Drug Discovery and Development, Manuscript Writing
Project PI: Taraman Kadayat, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Taraman Kadayat, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: tkadayat@larkin.edu
Project Details: We synthesize and characterize small molecule drug candidates targeting cancer, metabolic disorders, and neglected diseases, and develop biochemical assays to evaluate their biological activity. Our research focuses on the development of novel synthetic schemes to access structurally diverse compounds with therapeutic potential. We employ techniques such as flash chromatography, HPLC, NMR, and LC-MS for the purification and characterization of new chemical entities. Our current targets include nuclear receptor modulators, epigenetic regulators, and E3 ligase inhibitors, with the goal of advancing these compounds toward therapeutic applications.
Key skills to be learned: Literature Search, Computational Drug Design, Synthesis of Molecule, Exploration of tools for Drug Discovery and Development, Manuscript Writing
Project PI: Emmanuel Adediran, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Emmanuel Adediran, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: eadediran@larkin.edu
Project Details: According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the United States is estimated between 2.4 and 3.1 million people. Patients suffering from this disease display symptoms ranging from abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The different modalities that have been used in the management of IBD associated pain involve complex interplay of psychological, physical, dietary and pharmacology intervention with limited success. For example, conventional analgesics such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and opioids are less effective, associated with adverse side effects and can even worsen gastrointestinal diseases. The goal of this project is to develop a mucoadhesive nanocarriers decorated with an ionic liquid to enhance the oral delivery of drug across the intestinal lumen. This project proposes a novel delivery platform designed to enhance oral bioavailability for the treatment of abdominal pain associated with inflammatory bowel disease, addressing a critical unmet clinical need.
Key skills to be learned: Cell based assay, nanoprecipitation, particle size characterization, presentation skills
Project PI: Amit Subedi, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Amit Subedi, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: asubedi@larkin.edu
Project Details: Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is an age-associated expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells harboring recurrent somatic mutations and is strongly associated with hematologic malignancy, cardiovascular disease, and increased mortality. Mutation-bearing clones exhibit heightened inflammatory signaling, particularly cytokine-mediated macrophage activation, creating a feed-forward loop that promotes clonal expansion and systemic inflammation. Targeting the inflammatory macrophage axis in mutation-driven CH represents a novel strategy to mitigate disease progression prior to overt malignancy.
Preliminary data from my prior work demonstrate that an FDA-approved metabolic agent suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production and inflammatory signaling in macrophages under chronic inflammatory conditions. These findings provide a mechanistic rationale for evaluating repurposed pharmacologic modulation of inflammation as a strategy to limit mutation-driven clonal expansion. We hypothesize that targeted suppression of inflammatory signaling in mutation-bearing macrophages will reduce clonal expansion and downstream disease risk.
Key skills to be learned:
Research Design and Critical Thinking
Ability to formulate research questions, understand study rationale, and critically evaluate primary literature relevant to the project.
Experimental and Technical Skills
Hands-on experience with relevant laboratory techniques (e.g., cell culture, molecular assays such as RT-PCR, data acquisition), with emphasis on accuracy, reproducibility, and good laboratory practices.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Skills in organizing, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data, including recognizing limitations, sources of variability, and biological significance.
Scientific Communication
Development of written and oral communication skills through preparation of abstracts, figures, short reports, and presentations tailored to scientific and professional audiences.
Teamwork and Professionalism
Experience working collaboratively in a research setting, including time management, accountability, and ethical conduct of research.
Career and Research Awareness
Exposure to the research process in an academic setting, fostering understanding of translational science and potential career paths in research, academia, or clinical sciences.
Project PI: Arun Kumar Kotha, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Arun Kumar Kotha, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: akotha@larkin.edu
Project Details: During the summer research program, student going to work on development and characterization of anti-cancer drugs loaded liposomal drug delivery systems to treat non-small cell lung cancer. We are going to utilize different techniques such as ethanol injection method, dynamic light scattering, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry to formulate and characterize developed nanoparticles.
Key skills to be learned: Measuring particle size and charge of nanoparticles using dynamic light scattering, drug release studies, drug loading and drug entrapment studies
Project PI: Arun Kumar Kotha, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Arun Kumar Kotha, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: akotha@larkin.edu
Project Details: During the summer research program, student going to work on development and characterization of anti-cancer drug loaded inhalable polymeric drug delivery systems to treat lung cancer. We are going to utilize different techniques such as desolvation method, dynamic light scattering, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry to formulate and characterize developed polymeric nanoparticles.
Key skills to be learned: Measuring particle size and charge of nanoparticles using dynamic light scattering, drug release studies, drug loading and drug entrapment studies
Project PI: Sandeep Sheth, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Sandeep Sheth, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: ssheth@larkin.edu
Project Details: This research project is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills as laboratory researchers. Based on their personalized interest and expertise, the students will be engaged in various types of research activities, which include but are not limited to laboratory work, literature review, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, and presentation.
Key skills to be learned: Cell culture technique, cell-based assays, data collection, data analysis, presentation skills, etc.
Project PI: Sandeep Sheth, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Sandeep Sheth, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: ssheth@larkin.edu
Project Details: This research project is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills as laboratory researchers. Based on their personalized interest and expertise, the students will be engaged in various types of research activities, which include but are not limited to laboratory work, literature review, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, and presentation.
Key skills to be learned: Cell culture technique, cell-based assays, data collection, data analysis, presentation skills, etc.
Project PI: Dedeepya Pasupuleti, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Dedeepya Pasupuleti, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: dpasupuleti@larkin.edu
Project Details: Brain metastases affect up to 50% of patients with Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, severely impacting survival and quality of life. Tumor cells that colonize the brain activate stress-driven survival pathways, including alterations in Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-Bisphosphate 3-Kinase Catalytic Subunit Alpha (PIK3CA), a key initiator of PI3K-AKT signaling that promotes cell growth, survival, and stress tolerance. These alterations, often enriched in brain metastases, allow tumor cells to evade therapy and develop resistance even at subtherapeutic drug levels. Protein Phosphatase 1D (PPM1D) suppresses p53-mediated stress responses, reduces apoptosis and DNA damage responses, further supporting tumor survival in the CNS. Although current HER2-targeted therapies show promise, limitations drug delivery to the brain restrict their efficacy, enabling tumor cells to engage stress-response mechanisms and acquire resistance. Tucatinib, a selective and blood–brain barrier–permeable HER2 inhibitor, overcomes this limitation, allowing effective targeting of brain metastases. To further enhance delivery and sustain drug exposure, this project employs ligand-functionalized nanoparticles designed to target the brain epithelium. This strategy suppresses stress-induced resistance mechanisms and enables investigation of PIK3CA- and PPM1D-mediated survival pathways under therapeutically relevant conditions. By integrating ligand-switching nanoparticles, 3D brain organoids, and BBB-on-a-chip models, this organoid-guided adaptive nanoparticle platform provides a robust framework for studying how delivery efficiency influences tumor biology. This approach generates critical preliminary data to advance translational nanomedicine for CNS metastases and informs strategies to overcome therapy resistance in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer.
Key skills to be learned: Students participating in this project will gain hands-on experience in modern biomedical research techniques and critical thinking. They will learn how to design and plan experiments to investigate drug resistance in HER2+ brain metastases, including formulating hypotheses and analyzing experimental variables. They will gain practical skills in cell culture, studying gene and protein expression, and performing assays to assess cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis. Students will also learn how to work with nanoparticles, including making and modifying them for targeted drug delivery, measuring their size and stability, and testing how drugs are released over time. Additionally, they will develop an understanding of how drugs behave in the body, especially in the brain, and how to analyze and interpret data to draw meaningful conclusions. Throughout the project, students will strengthen their problem-solving, teamwork, and scientific communication skills, preparing them for future studies or careers in biomedical research.
Project PI: Dedeepya Pasupuleti, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Dedeepya Pasupuleti, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: dpasupuleti@larkin.edu
Project Details: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with potential utility in ischemic stroke, provided efficient brain delivery can be achieved. Its antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects arise from cyclooxygenase inhibition within the arachidonic acid–prostaglandin pathway. However, conventional oral and intravenous administration are limited by poor blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration and systemic adverse effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding, which constrain its use in acute settings. These limitations underscore the need for targeted delivery strategies to enhance CNS accumulation while minimizing systemic exposure. In this context, we also explore noninvasive administration routes to enable effective and safer delivery, particularly in patients with impaired consciousness. This project also aims at determining the off-target drug accumulation in various vital organs and pharmacokinetic profile in a mice model.
Key skills to be learned:
Project PI: Umar-Farouk Mamani, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Umar-Farouk Mamani, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: umamani@larkin.edu
Project Details: Digoxin shows promising anticancer effects, particularly against prostate cancer, but its clinical use is constrained by a narrow therapeutic index and dose-limiting cardiotoxicity. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a transmembrane protein overexpressed in most prostate cancers, serves as an effective target for the high-affinity urea-based ligand DUPA, as validated in imaging and preclinical models. We hypothesize that encapsulating digoxin within PSMA-targeted DUPA-decorated nanoparticles (DUPA-NPs) will promote selective tumor accumulation through PSMA-mediated endocytosis, thereby reducing systemic free digoxin levels and cardiac exposure. This strategy could outperform free digoxin by widening the therapeutic window. Recent PSMA-targeted conjugates have demonstrated enhanced efficacy and lower off-target toxicity in prostate cancer xenografts, supporting this targeted nanoparticle approach.
Key skills to be learned: Solid phase peptide synthesis, bioconjugation, cell culture and cell-based assays.
Project PI: Sukhwinder Lakhman, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Sukhwinder Lakhman, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: slakhman@larkin.edu
Project Details: This project will systematically investigate whether cannabinoids directly inhibit—or induce—the catalytic activities of key Short chain dehydrogenase reductases (SDRs); whether they alter enzyme expression via NRF2 signaling; and whether they regulate these enzymes expression through miRNA-mediated epigenetic mechanisms. Understanding these interactions is clinically meaningful for cancer patients who increasingly use cannabinoids while receiving anthracyclines and other SDRs-metabolized drugs.
Also, we speculate cannabinoids alter drug metabolism by modulating SDR enzymes through three mechanisms: (1) direct catalytic inhibition/induction, (2) transcriptional regulation via NRF2, and (3) epigenetic control through miRNA modulation. These changes impact the pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and therapeutic outcomes of SDR’s-metabolized drugs, particularly anthracyclines used in cancer treatment. We use several techniques such as PCR, RT-PCR, cloning, and gene expression to look into the possible changes in the cannabinoid’s mediated drug metabolism.
Key skills to be learned: Cell culturing, total RNA extraction, RT-PCRs, agarose gel electrophoresis etc
Project PI: Prashant Sakharkar, Pharm.D., M.P.H.
Mentor’s Profile: Prashant Sakharkar, Pharm.D., M.P.H. (Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: psakahrkar@larkin.edu
Project Details: Student will explore and assess health outcomes in patient with chronic disease using a publicly available health data.
Key skills to be learned: Literature Evaluation, Data abstraction, Data analysis, abstract writing
Project PI: Prashant Sakharkar, Pharm.D., M.P.H.
Mentor’s Profile: Prashant Sakharkar, Pharm.D., M.P.H. (Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: psakahrkar@larkin.edu
Project Details: Student will learn how to synthesize evidence from published literature by performing literature search, abstracting, managing and analyzing data.
Key skills to be learned: Literature Evaluation, Data abstraction, Data analysis, abstract writing
Project PI: Farisai Chiwanza, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Farisai Chiwanza, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: fchiwanza@larkin.edu
Project Details: Many young people learn about medications through social media, but not all online information is clear or accurate. In this project, students will study medication-related posts on social media to see how easy they are to understand and whether they match trusted medical sources.
Students will learn how to check health information for accuracy, measure how readable it is, and identify whether important safety details are included. This hands-on research experience will help students build critical thinking, research, and communication skills while exploring an important public health issue.
Key skills to be learned: Through this scoping review project, students will develop critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making skills by formulating research questions, conducting literature searches, screening and synthesizing evidence, and extracting and thematically analyzing data. The project will enhance students’ understanding of health literacy and patient-centered care within pharmacist practice, while strengthening scholarly writing, professional communication, teamwork, and research collaboration skills, with a focus on the role of pharmacists in improving health literacy and medication-related outcomes.
Project PI: Farisai Chiwanza, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Farisai Chiwanza, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: fchiwanza@larkin.edu
Project Details: Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being used to answer health and medication questions. But how clear and easy to understand is the information they provide?
In this project, students will analyze AI-generated explanations of common medications to see whether they are written in clear, simple language and include important safety information. Using basic readability tools and health communication guidelines, students will measure how understandable the information is. This hands-on research experience will help students develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis, and evaluating health information in the digital age.
Key skills to be learned: Through this scoping review project, students will develop critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making skills by formulating research questions, conducting literature searches, screening and synthesizing evidence, and extracting and thematically analyzing data. The project will enhance students’ understanding of health literacy and patient-centered care within pharmacist practice, while strengthening scholarly writing, professional communication, teamwork, and research collaboration skills, with a focus on the role of pharmacists in improving health literacy and medication-related outcomes.
Project PI: Heqin Yang, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Heqin Yang, Ph.D., (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: hyang@larkin.edu
Project Details: The research goal is to characterize self-care practices and examine the factors that influence the decisions to initiate, modify, or discontinue self-care behaviors among person with Type II diabetes. The project will begin with a literature review to identify gaps in self-care decision-making research in diabetes management. Findings will inform a mixed-methods study, including qualitative interviews to explore patients’ cognitive processes, followed by survey research to examine patterns and key decision factors within this population.
Key skills to be learned: Study design, Data analysis and interpretation, Report writing
Project PI: Heqin Yang, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Heqin Yang, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: hyang@larkin.edu
Project Details: This study aims to (1) synthesize existing evidence on pharmacist implementation of SDM in type 2 diabetes management through a systematic literature review, and (2) explore the shared decision-making processes of community pharmacists and patients in continuous diabetes care—particularly how information from multiple providers is integrated—using semi-structured interviews and surveys. Findings will clarify current SDM practices and inform strategies to strengthen pharmacist collaboration with patients and healthcare teams to optimize diabetes-related outcomes.
Key skills to be learned: Study design, Data analysis and interpretation, Report writing
Project PI: Priscilla Ryder, Ph.D.
Mentor’s Profile: Priscilla Ryder, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy)
Email: pryder@larkin.edu
Project Details: Using data from the most recent Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System annual survey of health and health behaviors of adults, we will examine the factors that influence receipt of age-specific recommended immunizations. We will compare those factors for older adults living in Florida to nationwide data. The major research skills involved are literature review, operationalization of concepts into risk factors, using secondary data, cleaning and preparing data for analysis, data analysis and interpretation of results.
Key skills to be learned: Literature searching and data analysis
