Research: My current research efforts are focused in two areas:
(1) the impact of educational technology on teaching and learning
in the scientific component of the professional (PharmD) curriculum;
and (2) the use of computer modeling and computational chemistry
in predicting drug metabolism. The use of technology is being
explored to enhance student understanding of the basic principles
of drug metabolism, including functional group recognition, and
identification of relevant enzymes, reaction classifications,
and metabolic products. Through the use of Flash® technology,
we have developed metabolic simulations for use by faculty in
the classroom and laboratory, and as individual tutorials for
students. We are currently assessing the impact of this technology
in terms of facilitating student understanding of xenobiotic metabolism
and developing the ability to predict logical routes of metabolism
for drug molecules. In our second research area, computer programs
such as ComFA® (Comparative Molecular Field Analysis) are
used to explore predicting both the position(s) of metabolism
on drug molecules (regiospecificity) and the stereochemical outcome,
based on the electronic and steric features present in molecules
within a related series.
Teaching: My major teaching responsibilities in the professional
(PharmD) and graduate program focus on (1) basic principles in
drug metabolism (PHR143M/P), (2) the medicinal chemistry and pharmacology
of antimicrobial agents (PHR375E), (3) vaccines and immunizing
biologicals (PHR275F); and elective coursework in (4) advanced
antimicrobials (PHR384D), (5) emerging infections (PHR280U), and
the Academic Internship for preparing future faculty (PHR693E).
Access to course websites and course materials available on request.
