Huimei Wei (Chair) is a fourth-year graduate student in Dr. Zhan’s lab, where her research focuses on preclinical evaluation of an enzyme therapy for treating cocaine use disorder. She graduated from Sichuan University in China with a B.S. in Pharmacy. She plays flag football for fun and is getting married next year!

Claire DeWeese (Vice Chair) is a second-year graduate student on the Medicinal, Bioorganic, and Computational Chemistry track. She is a member of the Tidgewell Lab and works on improving the activity of natural products through the chemical synthesis of molecular analogs. Before coming to UK, she graduated from Wittenberg University in 2022 with majors in Chemistry and Biology. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, working out, hanging out with her roommates and trying new restaurants in Lexington. 

Alexia Alsum (Secretary) is a third-year graduate student in Dr. Turner's lab, where her research utilizes in vivo calcium imaging to examine neurocircuitry alterations present with opioid use disorder. Before attending the University of Kentucky, she graduated in 2021 with a B.S. In Chemical Engineering from Dordt University. She loves to spend time with her dog, Malibu!

Manekya Sumithrarachchi (Treasurer) is a first-year graduate student in the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics track. She graduated from Michigan State University with dual B.S. degrees in Neuroscience and Human Biology, and minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology. In her free time, she likes to learn how to cook and bake and enjoys going swimming!

Leah Schrass (Historian) is a second-year graduate student in the Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Engineering track. Her research is on polymer nanoparticle interactions with proteins in Dr. Pack’s lab. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2022. When she’s not in lab, she enjoys reading and watching her roommates cook.

Emily Prantzalos (Graduate Program Committee Representative) is a fourth-year graduate student in the Turner Lab where she is studying the role of specific receptors and their cross-involvement in both nicotine dependence and schizophrenia. Prior to attending UK, she attended the University of Michigan where she received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Biochemistry. On the weekends she enjoys going fishing with her boyfriend and hanging with her cats!

Diaris Báez Maldonado (Events and Networking Chair) is a first-year graduate student interested in the Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics track. Before attending UK, she graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla Campus with a B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Biomedical in 2023. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, and exploring new restaurants. 

Jaley Adkins (New Student Ambassador) is a first-year graduate student on the Medicinal, Bioorganic, and Computational Chemistry track. Before attending UK, she graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.S. in Public Health. When she's not in lab, she enjoys reading, perfecting her bread recipes, and trying to figure out Taylor Swift's next move.

Dillon Clemmer (Graduate Student Congress Representative) is a second-year graduate student in Dr. Czuba’s lab and conducts research on bile acids in non-acholic fatty liver disease. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2017 with a bachelors degree in chemical engineering and from Tufts University in 2022 with a masters degree in chemical and biological engineering. Dillon enjoys playing soccer and rock climbing. He’s also completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Dr. Björn Bauer, Ph.D. is a Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy. He received a BS in Pharmacy in 1997 and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences/Pharmacology in 2002 from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. From 2002-2007, Dr. Bauer was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the NIH/NIEHS in Research Triangle Park, NC, and in 2007 was appointed Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. In 2014, Dr. Bauer joined the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, where his research is focused on the regulation of blood-brain barrier function in epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain cancer.

Dr. Patrick J. McNamara, Ph.D. received his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1979. He joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky in 1980 and has advanced through the academic ranks to Professor. Dr. McNamara has served as Senior Associate Dean for the College of Pharmacy, as Director (Division of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Analysis; Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics; and Pharmaceutical Sciences), Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Associate Dean for Research and Director of Graduate Studies as well as Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy. Dr. McNamara's scholarly interests are in the areas of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, with a particular emphasis on drug transport into milk and the ontogeny of clearance pathways.   He is a Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS) and American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).  In 2006, he was elected to Member-at-Large of the AAPS Executive Committee where he served on numerous committees including the Strategic Visioning Committee.   Dr. McNamara was also very active from 1989 to 1995 at the AAPS Section level serving numerous roles, including Section Chair.