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Pharmacology and Toxicology Theses and Dissertations

This collection contains theses and dissertations from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, collected from the Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Effects of Acetylenic Tricyclic Bis-(Cyano Enone) on Cell Migration , Eddie Chan

Regulation of Cardiac Hypertrophy and Metabolism by Regulator of G Protein Signalling 2 (RGS2) , Katherine N. Lee

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Bisphenol A on Fetal Lung Development , Ayten Hijazi

Regulation of E2F1 in Keratinocytes During UV-Damage and Differentiation , Randeep K. Singh

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Quantitative Estimation of P-glycorptein-Mediated Drug Transport by Mechanistically Modeled Intrinsic Clearance , Alex D. Morgan

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Joint Health and Osteoarthritis , Michael A. Pest

Regulation of Hepatic Drug Metabolizing Enzymes in Chronic Kidney Disease , Thomas J. Velenosi

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

American Ginseng Modulation of Immune Function and Phytochemical Analysis , Chike G. Azike

Analysis of the Vascular Phenotype of the ENT1-null mouse , Keisha A. Best

Cortisol and Testosterone in Hair as Biological Markers of Systolic Heart Failure , Justin Chan

Regulation of the High-Affinity Choline Transporter Activity and Trafficking in Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Pathological Conditions , Leah K. Cuddy

Erythropoietin and Chronic Kidney Disease Alter Hepatic Expression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Drug Transport Proteins , David A. Feere

The Role of c-Kit Receptor Tyrosine Kinase in Beta-Cell Proliferation, Function and Survival , Zhi Chao Feng

The Effects of Atypical Protein Kinase C on TGFβ Signalling , Adrian D. Gunaratne

Investigating Risk Factors for Pediatric Opioid Morbidity and Mortality , Lauren E. Kelly

Role Of Nitric Oxide In Embryonic Heart Development And Adult Aortic Valve Disease , Yin Liu

The ATP2C2 Gene as Transcribed from a Novel Transcriptional Start Site in Pancreatic Acinar Cells , Caitlin M. Sullivan

Effect of Ascorbate on Coagulation and Fibrinolytic Factors in the Septic Microvasculature , Scott Swarbreck

In Vitro Functional Analysis Of Novel Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In OATP1B1 And Potential Clinical Relevance , Zhiyuan P. Yin

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Role of iNOS in septic pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell activation , Zahra Asad

ER stress coupled pannexin channel activation via STIM proteins , Ankur Bodalia

Pharmacogenetics of Oral Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets , Inna Gong

N-acetylcysteine as a chemoprotectant against ifosfamide nephrotoxicity; from mechanism to prevention , Lauren Hanly

Fetal and Neonatal Exposure to Nicotine Augments Hepatic Fatty Acid Synthesis in Rat Offspring Long-Term , Noelle L. Ma

Reorganization of inhibitory synapses in experimental epilepsy , Emily J. Pollock

Mechanism of Ascorbate Protection Against Sepsis-Induced Capillary Blood Flow Impairment , Dan Secor

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Statin Transport by Hepatic Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptides (OATPs) , Marianne K. DeGorter

The Role of Drug Transporters in Statin-Induced Myopathy , Michael J. Knauer

The role of GRK2 in hypertension and regulation of GPR30 , Bonan Liu

Human Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter Subtype 1: Structure-Function Analysis Using Cysteine Mutagenesis and Thiol Modifying Techniques , Jamie Park

Methodological Challenges and Clinical Applications of Hair Cortisol Analysis , Evan W. Russell

Intestinal and hepatic drug transporters and their role in the disposition of lipid-lowering drugs , Ute I. Schwarz

Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Migration Inhibition by Synthetic Triterpenoids , Ciric Chi Wing To

Characterization of EIF2Be and Its Interaction with RGS2 , William H. Xue

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Purine Transport and Metabolism in Microvascular Endothelial Cells , Derek B J Bone

Predicting Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions: Mechanistic and Clinical Implications , Abdelbaset A. Elzagallaai

Regulation of G Protein Signaling by GoLoco Motif Containing Proteins , Peishen Zhao

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Uses of Mesna , Murray J. Cutler

Regulation of DNA Damage Processing by Covalent Modification of Thymine DNA Glycosylase , Ryan D. Mohan

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Recent Pharmacology Theses

Here is a list of students who have recently defended their Ph.D. Thesis in Pharmacology, along with a brief description of their thesis work.

3/14/24 Jianan Zhang - “Structural and Biophysical Regulation of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinases dROS1 and ErbB3”

03/10/2023 Joel Sexton - Disentangling Sequence Constraints on the Coflin N-terminal Phosphorylation Site

Mar 2023 Iris van Alderwerelt van Rosenburgh - Kinase Dynamics Underlie Mechanisms of Sensitivity and Resistance of EGFR with LUAD Mutations to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

Feb 2023 Zechen Wang (Anderson Lab) - Tackling FGFR Fusion-Positive Cancers with a Novel Synergistic Combination of FGFR and HDAC Inhibitors

Mar 2022 Chun Hu - Understanding distinct roles of EGFR family mutations in different cancers

Feb 2022 Michael Bond - Towards Tumor-Cell Specific Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras: Identification of first-in-class degraders of oncogenic KRASG12C, DcpS, and MAGE-A3

Jan 2022 Joshua Sheetz - The Dead Receptor Paradox: Insights into Receptor Tyrosine Kinases with Intracellular Pseudokinase Domains

Jan 2022 Joseph Fowler - Inflammatory stress disrupts endothelial cell cholesterol homeostasis and increases SREBP2-dependent gene expression to amplify the acute inflammatory response

Aug 2021 Courtney Smith - Regulation of TIM-3 by Phosphatidylserine

Jul 2021 Brian Shi - Proteome-wide screening for mitogen-activated protein kinase docking motifs and interactors

03/02/2021 Eunice Cho - PPP6C Regulation of ERK Signaling in Melanoma

02/15/2021 Ban Edani - Structural Elucidation of the cis-prenyltransferase NgBR/DHDDS Complex Reveals Novel Insights in Regulation of Protein Glycosylation

12/14/2020 Shanique Alabi - Mutant-selective Degradation by BRAF-targeting PROTACs

11/20/2020 Valerie Su - Serine Phosphorylation of ICAP1 Inhibits its Nuclear Accumulation

11/04/2020 Vincent Duong - Evaluation of NRTI-mediated toxicity through the human mitochondrial polymerase PrimPol

08/04/2020 Victor Ruiz - Computer-Aided Discovery of New Inhibitors of C. hominis Thymidylate Synthase-Dihydrofolate Reductase

01/15/2020 Keith Weise - Regulation of activity and localization of the budding yeast kinases Kin1 and Kin2

01/10/2020 Eric Rosenberg - Perturbing the activities of chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CXCR5

11/25/2019 Yasmin Kadry - Biochemical and functional characterization of kindlin interactions

09/23/2019 Ashley Sizer - O-GlcNAc transferase-dependent regulation of serum response factor and vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype

03/01/2019 Zachary Gannam - Exploring the allosteric inhibition of a MAPK phosphatase linked to Duchenne muscular dystrophy

01/24/19 William Gray - Nucleoid Size Scaling and Intracellular Organization of Translation Across Bacteria.

01/14/19 Lee Ying - Epigentic Approaches to Understanding Adipogenesis, and Translational Approaches to Treating Obesity.

10/05/18 Molly Ryan - Understanding the Consequences of Oncogenic FGFR Mutations on Drug Resistance, Signaling, and Tumorigenesis

09/27/18 Daniel Iwamoto - Structural basis of the filamin A actin-binding domain interaction with F-actin

09/12/18 Lie Ma - Elucidation of the Activated State of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor

09/10/18 David E. Puleo -Targeting the Mutant JAK2 V617F Tyrosine Kinase by Small Molecules that Bind to its Pseudokinase Domain

03/01/18 Tomoaki Sasaki - Characterization of APOBEC3 Family Proteins as Potent DNA Mutators in Human Cancers

02/12/18 Elizabeth Mo - Augmentors are in vivo ligands to the ALK family of receptor tyrosine kinases: function and evolution

09/26/17 Chad Miller - Comprehensive Profiling of a Kinase Family Defines Features Essential for Selective Substrate Targeting

11/30/2016 Amelia Luciano - The Role of Akt1 & Clock S845 phosphorylation in Circadian Regulated Transcriptional Rhythms

09/23/2016 Allison Goldberg - An Exosite Required for Efficient Targeting of MAP Kinase Kinases by the Metalloproteinase Antrax Lethal Factor

08/12/2016 Yagmur Muftuoglu - Mechanisms of substrate specificity and insights into activation of phosphatidylionositol phosphate kinases

06/02/2016 Andrea Mislak - Insights into the Activity, Resistance, and Toxicity of Antivirals Targeting HIV Reverse Transcriptase

02/23/16 Phillip Murray - Discovery and Characterization of Ligands for the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase ALK: AUG-alpha, AUG-beta and Heparin

12/10/15 Yifei Yang - Molecular basis for Polycystin- 2 channel regulation and assembly its C-terminal tail

12/08/15 Jacqueline Heiss - Prion Protein Regulates Amyloid- Beta Dendritic Spine Pathology in a Mouse model if Alzheimer's Disease

10/15/15 Celeste Greer - Histone Deacetylases Positively Regulate Transcriptional Elongation

2/24/15 Oriana Fisher - Structural studies of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations 2 (CCM2) reveal the basis for its interactions with protein binding

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UKnowledge > College of Pharmacy > Theses & Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Investigating a New Drug Target in Alzheimer’s Disease: NOX2 , Tiffany Adams

Design of Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonists for Potential Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis , Lindsay Kornberger

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Self-Assembled Ternary Polypeptide Nanoparticles With Improved Biostability For Drug Delivery In Cancer Therapy , Preye Mike Agbana

Investigation of Folate-Poly(Glutamic Acid)/Polyethylenimine/DNA Complexes for in vitro Gene Delivery , Caleb Akers

POPULATION-BASED EVALUATION OF TREATMENT PATTERNS, DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS, AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC CASTRATION-RESISTANT PROSTATE CANCER , Yue Cheng

An Epidemiological and Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic Investigation into the Impact of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales , Justin Clark

STRIVING FOR APPROPRIATE ANTIBIOTIC USE: A BIOMARKER INITIATIVE, AND OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH AZITHROMYCIN EXPOSURE , Amanda Gusovsky

New Tools for Biocatalysis: Studies on the Carminomycin 4-O-Methyltransferase DnrK , Elnaz Jalali

Optimization of Orally Bioavailable Inhibitors of Defective in Cullin Neddylation 1 (DCN-1) , Leah Kovalic

Genetic and Pharmacogenetics Associations of Cancer Disparities in Appalachia , Nan Lin

Design and Synthesis of Small Molecular Inhibitors of DCN1-UBE2M Interaction , Tucker J. Moseley

Effectiveness of a long-acting cocaine hydrolase in metabolizing cocaine and its physiologically active metabolites , Linyue Shang

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Highly Selective Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) Inhibitors , Madeline Stewart

INVESTIGATING THE USE OF mPGES-1 INHIBITORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS , Lauren M. Weaver

DEVELOPING A BIOCATALYTIC TOOLBOX TO AID IN UNDERSTANDING NUCLEOSIDE ANTIBIOTICS , Jasmine Brianna Woods

BIOINFORMATIC ANALYSIS OF PROTEOMIC AND GENOMIC DATA FROM NSCLC TUMORS ON PROGNOSTIC AND PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF IMMUNOTHERAPY TREATMENT , Mark Wuenschel

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Response of Dopaminergic System to Cocaine Exposure, Recovery after Cocaine Abstinence, and Impact of a Long-acting Cocaine Hydrolase , Jing Deng

ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL FACILITATORS TO USE OF HIV PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP) IN A YOUNG TRANSGENDER POPULATION , Noah Dixon

Studies Toward the Development of an Improved Countermeasure for Synthetic Opioid Overdose , Sidnee L. Hedrick

Development of zafirlukast derivatives active against Porphyromonas gingivalis , Kaitlind C. Howard

Investigating the Physical Stability of Amorphous Pharmaceutical Formulations , Travis W. Jarrells

THE RELATIVE CONTRIBUTION OF LIVER AND INTESTINE IN REVERSE CHOLESTEROL TRANSPORT , Rupinder Kaur

LIPOSOMAL TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE GENE DELIVERY , David Nardo Padron

DEVELOPMENT OF ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT COMPUTATIONAL METHODOLOGIES FOR PREDICTING PROTEIN-LIGAND AND PROTEIN-PROTEIN BINDING FREE ENERGIES , Alexander Hamilton Williams

BUILDING TOOLS FOR IMPROVED MODULATION OF THE HUMAN GABAA RECEPTOR, A CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TARGET FOR THE TREATMENT OF ANXIETY , Garrett Edward Zinck

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Phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of some medicinal plants

Downloadable content.

• Habtemariam, Solomon
• Strathclyde Thesis Copyright
• University of Strathclyde
• Doctoral (Postgraduate)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• This thesis describes phytochemical and biological/pharmacological studies on six medicinal plants. Plant materials were extracted by ethanol, tested for their biological activity and then subjected to "bioassay-guided fractionation" to yield active and inactive compounds. The compounds were identified by standard physico-chemical techniques including UV, IR, NMR and ElMS. The crude ethanol extract of the leaves of Premna shcimperi was found to be antibacterial against gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). An antibacterial bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract resuited in the isolation of the active principle, (5R,8R,9S,10R)-12-oxo-ent-3,13(16)- clerodien-15-oic acid (SHM-l). This novel compound was bactericidal against S. aureus and B. subtilis at concentrations of 25 and 50 µg ml⁻¹. Studies on the structural-activity relationship of SHM-l showed that the α, β-unsaturated moiety played a major role in its antibacterial activity. Investigation of the inactive fractions of P. schimperi extract afforded three flavonoid aglycones: luteolin, quercetin and kaempferidej three flavonoid glycosides: luteolin-4" -,β-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-,β-D-galactoside and quercetin-α-L-arabinopyranoside and five cinnamate and benzoate derivatives. The ethanol extract of the leaves of Premna oligotricha was also found to be antibacterial against a range of gram-positive bacteria. A bioassay-directed isolation afforded three novel active principles, two diterpenes: 16-hydroxy-clerod- 3,13(14}-diene-15,16-olide (SHM-3) and ent-12-oxolabda-8,13(16}-dien-15-oic acid (SHM-S) and a sesquiterpene, 7-α-hydroxy-2-oxo-6,11-cyclofarnes-3(15)-ene (SHM-19). While the activity of SHM-5 and SHM-19 was marginal that of SHM-3 was good, almost comparable with streptomycin. The antimicrobially inactive fractions of P. oligotricha extract yielded a novel diterpene, ent-8,β,12α-epidioxy- 12,β-hydroxylabda-9(11), 13-dien-15-oic acid γ lactone and two novel flavonoids: 3,5,5'-trihydroxy-6,7 ,3' ,4'-tetramethoxyflavone and 3,5,7 ,5'-tetrahydroxy-6,3',4'- trimethoxyflavone. Investigation of the leaves of Premna recinosa afforded six flavonoids: quercetin, luteolin, pachypodol, chrysosplenol-D, naringenin and eriodictyol and three lignans: {+)-8-hydroxy-pinoresinol, {+)-lariciresinol and {-)-seco-isolariciresinol. Portulaca oleracea and Pentas schimperiana are used in the folk medicine as local anaesthetics. Studies on the isolated nerve and/or muscle preparations showed that extracts do block nerve conduction in these excitable tissues. A subsequent systematic bioassay-guided fractionation of crude extracts showed that excess potassioum ions in the extracts were responsible for the in vitro pharmacological activity of P. oleracea and P. schimperiana. Extracts from the leaves of Leonotis ocymifolia var raineriana showed no antibacterial activity. Three novel diterpenes: ent-{13S)-9,13α-epoxylabda- 6{19),β,16{15)-diol dilactone, (13R)-6,β-acetoxy-9, 13α-epoxylabda-19(20),8,16{ 15)- diol dilactone and 20,8-acetoxy-9a,13e-dihydroxy-15(16)-epoxy-Iabd-14-en-6,19,β- O-lactone together with a known compound: {13S)-20,β-acetoxy-9,13a-epoxylabda- 6(19),β,16{15)-diol dilactone were isolated. Investigation of the root afforded two known compounds 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-{ trans)-cinnamaldehyde and 3-methoxy- 4-hydroxy-bezaldehyde.
• Doctoral thesis
• 10.48730/jv1z-9484
• uk.bl.ethos.296130

Pharmacology, PhD

School of medicine.

The Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences hosts the Pharmacology Graduate Program, which offers a program of study and research leading to the Ph.D. degree. Research training opportunities within the program cover a broad spectrum of biomedical sciences including chemical biology, immunology, virology, cancer, and neuroscience. The mission of departmental research is to understand the molecular processes underlying physiology and pathology, and to apply this knowledge to discovering new drug targets and developing novel therapeutics. Within the program, students may choose to focus their efforts in any of a large number of specific research areas including signal transduction, structural biology and drug design, NMR spectroscopy, molecular genetics, cancer chemoprevention, viral immunosuppression, cancer immunology, cell-mediated immunity, mechanisms of HIV infection, vaccine development, glycobiology, biomedical mass spectrometry, clinical pharmacology, drug delivery, anti-parasite drug development, histone acetylation and gene regulation, melatonin and circadian rhythm, drug metabolism, Vitamin D pharmacology, natural product biosynthesis, telomerase and chromosome stability, T cell activation and tolerance, DNA repair, DNA topoisomerases, molecular imaging, and the clinical pharmacology of cardiovascular agents. The department is also pleased to host students and award doctoral degrees to M.D./Ph.D. degree candidates and students in other Ph.D. graduate programs in which Pharmacology faculty participate (Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Immunology, Neuroscience, and Pathobiology).

Financial Support

Financial support covering normal living costs, individual medical insurance, and tuition is provided.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a B.A. or B.S. degree with a major in any of the biological or physical sciences. Entering students are expected to have completed college-level courses in chemistry (inorganic, organic, and physical), calculus, and physics; a strong background in biochemistry is particularly desirable. A completed application form, at least three letters of recommendation, undergraduate transcripts, and a statement of interest must be received by December 8th.

Program Requirements

Students in the Pharmacology program must successfully complete the following courses:

Students must also take two advanced elective courses selected from those offered by this or other departments. Students are able to select a course of studies uniquely suited to their own career goals.

During their first year of study, students will complete ~10-week research rotations in addition to their coursework. They will initiate dissertation research by the end of their first year and complete elective courses relevant to their developing interests in subsequent years of training.

During the second year of study, students will be required to pass a qualifying examination conducted as prescribed by the Doctor of Philosophy Board of the University. This examination will probe the depth and breadth of the student’s knowledge of the biomedical subjects taught in the core courses.

The candidate is required to present a written dissertation based on original research undertaken while in residence as a graduate student and to present a departmental seminar describing the thesis research.

Combined M.D.-Ph.D. Degrees

Students seeking admission to or who are already participating in the M.D. program in the School of Medicine may participate in a program leading to both the M.D. and the Ph.D. degrees.

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Home > Eppley Institute > Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations: Cancer Research

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Novel Spirocyclic Dimer (SpiD3) Displays Potent Preclinical Effects in Hematological Malignancies , Alexandria Eiken

Therapeutic Effects of BET Protein Inhibition in B-cell Malignancies and Beyond , Audrey L. Smith

Identifying the Molecular Determinants of Lung Metastatic Adaptation in Prostate Cancer , Grace M. Waldron

Identification of Mitotic Phosphatases and Cyclin K as Novel Molecular Targets in Pancreatic Cancer , Yi Xiao

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Development of Combination Therapy Strategies to Treat Cancer Using Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors , Nicholas Mullen

Overcoming Resistance Mechanisms to CDK4/6 Inhibitor Treatment Using CDK6-Selective PROTAC , Sarah Truong

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Omics Analysis in Cancer and Development , Emalie J. Clement

Investigating the Role of Splenic Macrophages in Pancreatic Cancer , Daisy V. Gonzalez

Polymeric Chloroquine in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer Therapy , Rubayat Islam Khan

Evaluating Targets and Therapeutics for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer , Shelby M. Knoche

Characterization of 1,1-Diarylethylene FOXM1 Inhibitors Against High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma Cells , Cassie Liu

Novel Mechanisms of Protein Kinase C α Regulation and Function , Xinyue Li

SOX2 Dosage Governs Tumor Cell Identity and Proliferation , Ethan P. Metz

Post-Transcriptional Control of the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Ras-Driven Colorectal Cancers , Chaitra Rao

Use of Machine Learning Algorithms and Highly Multiplexed Immunohistochemistry to Perform In-Depth Characterization of Primary Pancreatic Tumors and Metastatic Sites , Krysten Vance

Characterization of Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Immunosuppressed Patient , Megan E. Wackel

Visceral adipose tissue remodeling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cachexia: the role of activin A signaling , Pauline Xu

Phos-Tag-Based Screens Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets in Ovarian Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer , Renya Zeng

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Functional Characterization of Cancer-Associated DNA Polymerase ε Variants , Stephanie R. Barbari

Pancreatic Cancer: Novel Therapy, Research Tools, and Educational Outreach , Ayrianne J. Crawford

Apixaban to Prevent Thrombosis in Adult Patients Treated With Asparaginase , Krishna Gundabolu

Molecular Investigation into the Biologic and Prognostic Elements of Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma with Regulators of Tumor Microenvironment Signaling Explored in Model Systems , Tyler Herek

Utilizing Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras to Target the Transcriptional Cyclin-Dependent Kinases 9 and 12 , Hannah King

Insights into Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Pathogenesis and Metastasis Using a Bedside-to-Bench Approach , Marissa Lobl

Development of a MUC16-Targeted Near-Infrared Antibody Probe for Fluorescence-Guided Surgery of Pancreatic Cancer , Madeline T. Olson

FGFR4 glycosylation and processing in cholangiocarcinoma promote cancer signaling , Andrew J. Phillips

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Cooperativity of CCNE1 and FOXM1 in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer , Lucy Elge

Characterizing the critical role of metabolic and redox homeostasis in colorectal cancer , Danielle Frodyma

Genomic and Transcriptomic Alterations in Metabolic Regulators and Implications for Anti-tumoral Immune Response , Ryan J. King

Dimers of Isatin Derived Spirocyclic NF-κB Inhibitor Exhibit Potent Anticancer Activity by Inducing UPR Mediated Apoptosis , Smit Kour

From Development to Therapy: A Panoramic Approach to Further Our Understanding of Cancer , Brittany Poelaert

The Cellular Origin and Molecular Drivers of Claudin-Low Mammary Cancer , Patrick D. Raedler

Mitochondrial Metabolism as a Therapeutic Target for Pancreatic Cancer , Simon Shin

Development of Fluorescent Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles for Intraoperative Tumor Detection , Nicholas E. Wojtynek

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

The role of E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXO9 in normal and malignant hematopoiesis , R. Willow Hynes-Smith

BRCA1 & CTDP1 BRCT Domainomics in the DNA Damage Response , Kimiko L. Krieger

Targeted Inhibition of Histone Deacetyltransferases for Pancreatic Cancer Therapy , Richard Laschanzky

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Class I Molecule Components and Amyloid Precursor-Like Protein 2 (APLP2): Roles in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Migration , Bailee Sliker

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

FOXM1 Expression and Contribution to Genomic Instability and Chemoresistance in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer , Carter J. Barger

Overcoming TCF4-Driven BCR Signaling in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma , Keenan Hartert

Functional Role of Protein Kinase C Alpha in Endometrial Carcinogenesis , Alice Hsu

Functional Signature Ontology-Based Identification and Validation of Novel Therapeutic Targets and Natural Products for the Treatment of Cancer , Beth Neilsen

Elucidating the Roles of Lunatic Fringe in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma , Prathamesh Patil

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Metabolic Reprogramming of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells in Response to Chronic Low pH Stress , Jaime Abrego

Understanding the Relationship between TGF-Beta and IGF-1R Signaling in Colorectal Cancer , Katie L. Bailey

The Role of EHD2 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Tumorigenesis and Progression , Timothy A. Bielecki

Perturbing anti-apoptotic proteins to develop novel cancer therapies , Jacob Contreras

Role of Ezrin in Colorectal Cancer Cell Survival Regulation , Premila Leiphrakpam

Evaluation of Aminopyrazole Analogs as Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors for Colorectal Cancer Therapy , Caroline Robb

Identifying the Role of Janus Kinase 1 in Mammary Gland Development and Breast Cancer , Barbara Swenson

DNMT3A Haploinsufficiency Provokes Hematologic Malignancy of B-Lymphoid, T-Lymphoid, and Myeloid Lineage in Mice , Garland Michael Upchurch

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

EHD1 As a Positive Regulator of Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor-1 Receptor , Luke R. Cypher

Inflammation- and Cancer-Associated Neurolymphatic Remodeling and Cachexia in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma , Darci M. Fink

Role of CBL-family Ubiquitin Ligases as Critical Negative Regulators of T Cell Activation and Functions , Benjamin Goetz

Exploration into the Functional Impact of MUC1 on the Formation and Regulation of Transcriptional Complexes Containing AP-1 and p53 , Ryan L. Hanson

DNA Polymerase Zeta-Dependent Mutagenesis: Molecular Specificity, Extent of Error-Prone Synthesis, and the Role of dNTP Pools , Olga V. Kochenova

Defining the Role of Phosphorylation and Dephosphorylation in the Regulation of Gap Junction Proteins , Hanjun Li

Molecular Mechanisms Regulating MYC and PGC1β Expression in Colon Cancer , Jamie L. McCall

Pancreatic Cancer Invasion of the Lymphatic Vasculature and Contributions of the Tumor Microenvironment: Roles for E-selectin and CXCR4 , Maria M. Steele

Altered Levels of SOX2, and Its Associated Protein Musashi2, Disrupt Critical Cell Functions in Cancer and Embryonic Stem Cells , Erin L. Wuebben

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Characterization and target identification of non-toxic IKKβ inhibitors for anticancer therapy , Elizabeth Blowers

Effectors of Ras and KSR1 dependent colon tumorigenesis , Binita Das

Characterization of cancer-associated DNA polymerase delta variants , Tony M. Mertz

A Role for EHD Family Endocytic Regulators in Endothelial Biology , Alexandra E. J. Moffitt

Biochemical pathways regulating mammary epithelial cell homeostasis and differentiation , Chandrani Mukhopadhyay

EPACs: epigenetic regulators that affect cell survival in cancer. , Catherine Murari

Role of the C-terminus of the Catalytic Subunit of Translesion Synthesis Polymerase ζ (Zeta) in UV-induced Mutagensis , Hollie M. Siebler

LGR5 Activates TGFbeta Signaling and Suppresses Metastasis in Colon Cancer , Xiaolin Zhou

LGR5 Activates TGFβ Signaling and Suppresses Metastasis in Colon Cancer , Xiaolin Zhou

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Genetic dissection of the role of CBL-family ubiquitin ligases and their associated adapters in epidermal growth factor receptor endocytosis , Gulzar Ahmad

Strategies for the identification of chemical probes to study signaling pathways , Jamie Leigh Arnst

Defining the mechanism of signaling through the C-terminus of MUC1 , Roger B. Brown

Targeting telomerase in human pancreatic cancer cells , Katrina Burchett

The identification of KSR1-like molecules in ras-addicted colorectal cancer cells , Drew Gehring

Mechanisms of regulation of AID APOBEC deaminases activity and protection of the genome from promiscuous deamination , Artem Georgievich Lada

Characterization of the DNA-biding properties of human telomeric proteins , Amanda Lakamp-Hawley

Studies on MUC1, p120-catenin, Kaiso: coordinate role of mucins, cell adhesion molecules and cell cycle players in pancreatic cancer , Xiang Liu

Epac interaction with the TGFbeta PKA pathway to regulate cell survival in colon cancer , Meghan Lynn Mendick

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Deconvolution of the phosphorylation patterns of replication protein A by the DNA damage response to breaks , Kerry D. Brader

Modeling malignant breast cancer occurrence and survival in black and white women , Michael Gleason

The role of dna methyltransferases in myc-induced lymphomagenesis , Ryan A. Hlady

Design and development of inhibitors of CBL (TKB)-protein interactions , Eric A. Kumar

Pancreatic cancer-associated miRNAs : expression, regulation and function , Ashley M. Mohr

Mechanistic studies of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) , Xiaming Pang

Novel roles for JAK2/STAT5 signaling in mammary gland development, cancer, and immune dysregulation , Jeffrey Wayne Schmidt

Optimization of therapeutics against lethal pancreatic cancer , Joshua J. Souchek

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Immune-based novel diagnostic mechanisms for pancreatic cancer , Michael J. Baine

Sox2 associated proteins are essential for cell fate , Jesse Lee Cox

KSR2 regulates cellular proliferation, transformation, and metabolism , Mario R. Fernandez

Discovery of a novel signaling cross-talk between TPX2 and the aurora kinases during mitosis , Jyoti Iyer

Regulation of metabolism by KSR proteins , Paula Jean Klutho

The role of ERK 1/2 signaling in the dna damage-induced G2 , Ryan Kolb

Regulation of the Bcl-2 family network during apoptosis induced by different stimuli , Hernando Lopez

Studies on the role of cullin3 in mitosis , Saili Moghe

Characteristics of amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2) in pancreatic cancer and Ewing's sarcoma , Haley Louise Capek Peters

Structural and biophysical analysis of a human inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase polymorphism , Peter David Simone

Functions and regulation of Ron receptor tyrosine kinase in human pancreatic cancer and its therapeutic applications , Yi Zou

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Coordinate detection of new targets and small molecules for cancer therapy , Kurt Fisher

The role of c-Myc in pancreatic cancer initiation and progression , Wan-Chi Lin

The role of inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA) in maintanence [sic] of genomic stability in human cells , Miriam-Rose Menezes

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Thesis proposal

In Pharmacy, the MSc thesis proposal and the PhD thesis proposal are required courses (PHARM 601 and PHARM 616A/B, respectively). The objective is for students to learn how to use the literature to stimulate in-depth thinking about the basis of their thesis research project and to encourage the development of their scientific oral presentation skills, to best prepare and present their research objectives in written and oral form.

In addition to preparing a written and oral presentation of their proposed research, students must complete the following course requirements:

• Involves completing online modules as well as participation in an in-person session co-hosted by the Pharmacy Liaison Librarian and an Advisor from the Writing and Communication Center.
• Provides background on literature searching, citation and proper management of references as part of the preparation of the thesis proposal.  
• The workshop is offered once per term, as needed. 
• Students should attend in their first term, before they register in the thesis proposal course
• Workshop dates are communicated via email and/or Outlook calendar invitation.
• Attend a one-on-one appointment with the Pharmacy Liaison Librarian to discuss. research strategies and reinforce academic integrity.
• Attend two thesis proposals (or one thesis proposal and one thesis defence) by other students in Pharmacy, before their own thesis proposal examination.
• MSc students must hold the thesis proposal examination before the end of their second term.
• PhD students must hold their thesis proposal examination within their first year of the PhD program, before the end of term three.
• Any student requiring more time must request an extension, subject to the approval of the Graduate Officer.

The advisory committee appointment must be approved and the first meeting of the committee held before the proposal examination can take place.

Thesis proposal guidelines

The thesis proposal should outline the reasons for undertaking the project, concisely survey the relevant literature, present a detailed description of the methodology to be used, and outline any preliminary results.

Generally, a report of 30-40 pages is required, not including figures, legends, or references. Excess pages may be removed or disregarded.

Additional material including raw data may be included in appendices if there is a need for it to be included.

The completed thesis proposal should be double-spaced with 1-inch margins and size 12 font.  

The style of the report should follow conventions familiar to the area of research of the student.  At minimum, the written thesis proposal report should include the components indicated in the following table.

Students may wish to follow the  preparation of the thesis organization and formatting requirements, set by the Graduate Studies Office, to help prepare them for the final thesis submission.

Scheduling the thesis proposal examination

Follow the steps below when you are ready for your proposal examination:  

• Select two possible dates and times and ask your committee to save those dates until the exam is confirmed.
• Refer to "what to expect at the thesis proposal" to determine how much time you should book for your proposal (two hours is generally enough time for an examining committee with three examiners; additional time may be required for deliberation).
• If you did not sign up for the appropriate course (Pharm 601 or Pharm 616A/B) during the course enrolment period, complete and submit the Graduate Studies course drop/add form at the same time as submitting the meeting request form. 
• The grad coordinator will arrange the examination chair, prepare the proposal examination report, and set up IT support for the day of your exam (for in person and hybrid exams only).
• This is to ensure IT has the equipment/adapters necessary for the exam and not scrambling on the day of your exam.
• It will take approximately 15-30 minutes to go over everything.
• Your email request should be sent no sooner than one week prior to the test/training date.
• Submit an electronic copy of the (written) thesis proposal to each member of the examination committee and cc the grad coordinator at least 10 business days ahead of the proposal examination date.

What to expect at the thesis proposal examination

The oral examination will take approximately 2 hours and should consist of a 25-30 minute PowerPoint presentation, followed by questions from the examination committee.  Due to time limitations for the oral examination, it may not be possible to cover all aspects of the proposal in the presentation.

The question period will involve a first round of questions from the committee lasting 10-15 minutes per committee member, followed by a second round of questions in the same format but usually only 5-10 minutes each. Questions may be taken from the audience and the student's response to questions from the audience may be considered in the evaluation of the student. 

Thesis proposal examinations are not ‘public’ in the same sense that thesis defences are and are not announced throughout the Faculty of Science.  The administrative coordinator will inform pharmacy graduate students of upcoming proposal presentations so they may attend toward fulfillment of the thesis proposal course requirements.  External friends and relatives are not permitted to attend. 

Following the oral examination, the audience and students are excused so the committee can deliberate. All examiners should be present for deliberation.  After deliberation, the student is invited back into the room to hear the results of their exam. Students will receive a summary of their final grading assessment once the report has received approval. 

Assessment of the thesis proposal

Assessment of the thesis proposal is twofold:  The written proposal report and the oral presentation and discussion are each marked separately and independently by three or more committee members (the examining committee) using the thesis proposal grading sheet, following the grading scheme below. The final course grade is calculated by averaging the total scores of all examining committee members; t he assessment of whether or not the student has met the standards for the proposal and for progress in their graduate program overall, is recorded on the thesis proposal examination report . All members of the thesis proposal examination committee participate in grading and in the assessment of the student's overall progress.

Thesis proposal grading scheme

Students must complete all graduate courses with a final mark of 70% or greater, as noted in the Academic Calendar.

Thesis proposal examination report

The decision as to whether standards for the proposal and progress to date are met is made by the committee, recorded by the chair, and reported to the Faculty of Science usingthesis proposal examination report. Committee members assesses the student's position by indicating 'excellent', 'satisfactory', or 'unsatisfactory', in the following areas:

• Understanding of the material: Candidate shows adequate depth and scope of knowledge for the current stage of the project;
• Ability to handle discussion: Candidate is able to understand the pitfalls and interpretation of the project;
• Research progress: Student demonstrates a general level of progress considering the complexity of the work and practical difficulties.

Performance and standards of research concerning expectations for the degree level as well as they pertain to timely completion of the degree are indicated with a yes/no response.  Any questions, concerns, difficulties or corrective measures required by the student must be recorded in the comments sections of the report; the committee must specify an action plan outlining what the student is expected to do by a specified date. 

Pharmacy blackout dates

Pharmacy has blackout dates during which thesis proposals and PhD comprehensive exams are not be held unless special arrangements have been made and confirmed in advance by the pharmacy graduate office. Blackout dates exist to allow maximum participation in the Pharmacy program and to minimize scheduling conflicts for examination chairs and committee members. 

Blackout dates are also noted on the Pharmacy Graduate Studies Outlook calendar. 

• Thesis formatting
• Thesis information
• Academic Calendar - School of Pharmacy

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Recent research project titles in Part II Pharmacology

The department offers a wide range of research projects, which are undertaken during the Lent Term. Below are a selection of projects offered recently. The subheadings are fairly arbitrary – many projects have clear impact in a range of areas – but hopefully convey the breadth of research topics available.

Understanding receptors

• The role of intracellular loop 1 of the adenosine A2a receptor in mediating signalling bias
• Biased agonists of the Apelin receptor
• RAMP-directed signalling bias of the calcitonin-receptor-like receptor
• Visualizing activation-induced structural changes in ionotropic glutamate receptors using AFM imaging

Intracellular signalling

• Repurposing known drugs as inhibitors of the store-operated calcium entry pathway
• How do intracellular Ca 2+ stores refill?
• Calcium responses underlying Insulin-like peptide 5 signalling in mouse colonic epithelium
• Effects of fluoride on ion transport in epithelial cell monolayers

Neuropharmacology

• Characterisation of sensory neurones using retrograde tracing
• Role of Ca 2+ signals in chemotaxis of glioma cells

Cardiovascular pharmacology

• The effect of shear stress on the prothrombotic responses of the endothelium
• Cl - -sensing properties of WNK4 modulates K + homeostasis in the distal nephron
• ‘Surfing the PHOME ’: extending and probing the druggable platelet proteome
• Elucidating the mechanisms underlying neutrophil recruitment to the vascular endothelium
• Novel vasoactive peptides and cardio-metabolic function

Cancer pharmacology

• Novel approaches for the inhibition and degradation of intracellular protein targets associated with pancreatic and colorectal cancers
• Investigating the biology of BCL11A in basal-like breast cancer
• Searching for modifiers of Aurora kinase stability using tandem fluorescent protein tags

Antibacterial pharmacology

• Evaluating the intrinsic mammalian toxicity of some molecules that inhibit lipoteichoic acid synthase of Gram-positive bacteria
• Transport mechanism of a multidrug transporter from Vibrio cholera

Recent pharmacology dissertation titles offered in Part II BBS

The department offers a wide range of dissertation titles for students taking Part II BBS. Below are a selection of titles offered recently. The subheadings are somewhat arbitrary, but hopefully convey the wide scope of themes on offer and the huge importance of pharmacology to biomedical science.

New therapeutic strategies

• Therapeutic potential of intrabodies
• Targeting protein-protein interactions as a therapeutic strategy
• The use of pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine
• Quantitative systems pharmacology – is this the future of drug discovery?
• Is germline CRISPR editing ready for the clinic?
• Impact of big data on drug R&D and healthcare
• Targeting virulence as a potential strategy for combating pathogenic bacteria
• Pharmacological chaperones and their application in treating diseases

Challenging the dogma

• Is aspirin a useful anti-thrombotic?
• Are SSRIs really competitive inhibitors of SERT?
• What are the mechanisms of drug entry in cells and tissues?
• The relative significance of drugs and diet in influencing plasma lipid levels?

Understanding disease to guide therapy

• The amyloid hypothesis and potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases
• Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes
• The role of neutrophils in arterial thrombosis
• What are the links between hypoxia and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease)?
• Is chronic visceral pain a manifestation of central or peripheral processes?
• Bacterial host interactions in the development of chronic visceral pain: does early life exposure to pathogen influence pain sensitivity in adulthood?
• Bacterial host interactions in cystic fibrosis

From molecular mechanism to drug target

• Targeted degradation of CFTR: prospects for therapeutic interventions in CF
• Duel glucagon and glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists as new treatments for type II diabetes
• The structure of the exocytotic fusion pore
• How do SNAREs mediate membrane fusion?
• Trapping pain with TRPs: are TRP channels good targets for alleviating pain?
• Pharmacological intervention in the cell cycle
• Lipid transporters in health and disease
• Store-operated calcium entry pathway as a potential therapeutic target
• Cellular functions of Bax inhibitor-1
• Can the naked mole-rat cure cancer?

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