In January 2024, 51直播 rolled out an ambitious strategic plan roadmap at its annual State of the College Address including five strategic pillars that support our mission, vision and core values:

• Academic Excellence
• Quality Student Experience
• People and Culture
• Engaging with Communities
• Financial Strength & Stewardship听

Each pillar below includes SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-based) that will guide our actions in the years ahead. Altogether, there are 18 goals and 108 underlying objectives.

As the College enters year three of this plan, a new report featuring the progress of year two is now available.

鈱尓听Strategic Plan Year Two Progress Report

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As America celebrates its 250th anniversary,听51直播 contributed its story to the recognitions on the digital听AIHP Atlas of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical History. AIHP is the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, based at the University of Wisconsin鈥擬adison.

51直播 appears among more than 2,500 key events in America鈥檚 pharmacy heritage cited on the atlas, located at听 Each of the virtual global map pins tells a bite-sized story. Zoom in on the map and learn about both scientific history and popular culture.

Located on the first floor of 51直播鈥� O’Brien Building, the Throop Museum visualizes life more than a century ago. The various pieces in the collection combined with the prescription and business records kept by meticulous shopkeepers give a glimpse into life in rural America during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

History of the Throop Museum

The Throop Drug Store was established in 1800 in Schoharie, NY (40 miles SW of Albany), and run by the Throop family for the next 136 years. In 1938, 51直播 acquired the Throop Drugstore as an historical museum. It was moved to the College in its entirety where it was reconstructed using the original contents and materials that were available. It has remained a source of pride ever since.

To improve the facility and give it a prominent location, the Museum was moved to the first floor of the O’Brien Building in 2001. During the move, attention was given to maintain the integrity of the original structure. The tin ceiling, tile floor, and even the paint colors were thoroughly researched to ensure they were appropriate to the period.

The expanded Throop Museums includes collections of:

• Show globes
• Porcelain, wooden, and metal mortars and pestles
• An extensive collection of apothecary bottles and jars

Lee Anna Obos, RPh, is the curator of the听Throop Pharmacy Museum at the 51直播.

Founded in 1881, 51直播 remains one of America鈥檚听earliest schools听of pharmacy. It is consistently ranked for value and return-on-investment both in New York state and across the country.

Learn more by visiting the Throop Museum online.

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These grants support scholarly activity that expands knowledge within an investigator鈥檚 field. Projects may be scientific, clinical, historical, cultural, literary or interdisciplinary. The goal is to encourage research that results in peer-reviewed presentation, publications and successful application for external funding.听

鈥淓ach of these proposals offers a glimpse of the creative, forward-looking research being done by 51直播 faculty, and the College is glad to support it,鈥� said Director of Research and Sponsored Projects, Joseph Carreno鈥�10, PharmD, MPH. 鈥淭hese awards are intended not as an endpoint but as a launchpad, and we look forward to seeing how this seed investment grows into the next chapter of each researcher’s work.鈥�听

Characterizing the Development of Antibiotic Resistance in Natural Environments听

Kelly Hallstrom, PhD, Life Sciences听

We all rely on antibiotics to treat everything from common infections like strep throat to more serious conditions like pneumonia. But bacteria continue to develop resistance to these lifesaving medications and contribute to the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).听听

鈥淎MR is so pressing that the World Health Organization lists it as a top threat to global public health that could cause an estimated 40 million deaths globally by 2050 without any significant changes,鈥� said Dr. Hallstrom.听

In addition to needing new antibiotics, it is critical for us to understand the range of natural processes that lead to AMR, which this project addresses. While soil is known to be an important environment for the development of AMR, why this happens, especially in soil with limited human involvement, is not fully understood. Knowing how soil bacteria naturally develop AMR is important for developing better ways of using existing drugs and for developing new drugs that are less likely to exacerbate the problem.鈥�听

Role of SAMD9 Protein in Flavivirus Replication听

Eric Yager, PhD, Life Sciences听

Though most infections are mild, mosquito-transmitted Zika and Dengue viruses can cause serious health issues such as birth defects, miscarriages, Guillain-Barr茅 syndrome, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and death. An estimated 3-6 billion people live in regions globally suitable for Zika virus or Dengue virus transmission, making large-scale outbreaks a significant threat.听

Currently, there is no approved antiviral or vaccine for Zika. Though a Dengue vaccine exists, it is only recommended for children 9-16 years of age and it can increase the risk for severe disease and hospitalization in children who have no prior DENV infection.听

鈥淚ncreased understanding of how human cells naturally defend themselves against Zika and Dengue virus infections has the potential to reveal new antiviral strategies and lay the foundation for future research aimed at developing host directed therapies against other emerging flaviviruses,鈥� said Dr. Yager.听听

Developing Endocannabinoid Biomarkers from Skin Surface for Eating Disorders听

Andy Zheng, PhD, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Ross Krawczyk, PhD, Life Sciences鈥�听

Eating disorders (EDs)鈥痑re鈥痗haracterized by disturbances in eating behavior and body image and have some of the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric disorders. They are primarily understood as鈥痯sychiatric鈥痠ssues, but are heavily associated with鈥痬etabolic disorders, either causatively or consequentially.鈥�听

Endocannabinoids (eCBs)鈥痙irectly moderate appetite, reward circuits, and eating behavior. Circulating eCBs have been shown to be related to disordered eating鈥痠n both animal models and human clinical trials.听听听

Establishing circulating eCBs as biomarkers will enable clinicians and patients to know their 鈥渆ndocannabinoid tone鈥� and confirm their metabolic subtypes/disorder, so personalized therapies can be prescribed more precisely for optimized clinical outcomes.鈥�����听

Researchers, clinicians, and patients鈥痺ould benefit from a better understanding of the relationship between eCBs and EDs and using validated lipidomic methods to study more similar biomarkers for related diseases.听听

鈥淲e have been doing鈥痚ndocannabinoid research鈥痜or years at 51直播,鈥� said Dr. Zheng. 鈥淭his translational collaboration is timely and needed to confirm our hypothesis by clinical diagnosis with practical approach, to guide proper, precise and personalized usage of cannabinoid-based products, including identifying the populations and individuals that are not suitable for cannabis-use, because it can worsen their condition with additional risks.鈥澨�听

Read the full research abstracts below.

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The event serves as a vehicle for听facilitating听inter-disciplinary collaborations and provides students with the opportunity to build and grow a professional network of research peers that will serve them well throughout their time at 51直播 and beyond.

Following this event, the College was pleased to share the recipients of the 2026 51直播 Student Research Award Program (SRAP) designed to promote student engagement in diverse research and scholarly activities; encourage mentoring relationships between students and faculty; and provide students with practical research skills and experience.

鈥淲e are excited by the breadth of this year’s funded projects 鈥� from basic and applied scientific research to work in the humanities 鈥� and by the meaningful mentoring relationships these awards will help cultivate,鈥� said Director of Research and Sponsored Projects, Joseph Carreno 鈥�10, PharmD.

This year’s cohort represents a versatile range of projects spanning the sciences and humanities, including:

• Eric Gayne, Microbiology with Dr. Tim Larocca

Effects of ginsenoside 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol on the hyperglycemic shift of apoptosis to necroptosis

• Donovan Gioia, Microbiology and Molecular Biosciences with Dr. Vir Singh

Induction of NRF2 signaling by RTA-408 may allow differential regulation of NF-kB and interferon signaling pathways and control HIV latency

• Nytik Jaiswal, Public Health with Dr. Stacy Pettigrew

Measuring the Urban Heat Island Effect and the Impact of Tree Cover

• Samantha Lozier, Biotechnology with Dr. Binshan Shi

Impact of Biological Factors on Host Innate Immune Response by Regulating Cell-to-Cell Transmission of HIV-1

• Dylan Mattison, Pharmaceutical Sciences with Dr. Marcel Musteata

Development of Microextraction Probes for In Vivo Analysis of Pembrolizumab

• Julie Park, Health Sciences, with Dr. Maria Rovito

History of Laparoscopic Technology and its Application to Endometriosis

• Fabiana Pinos Sarmiento, Pharmaceutical Sciences with Dr. Kideok Jin

CCL5 and Engolin as Therapeutic Targets in ER positive Breast Cancer

• Benjamin Rounds, Microbiology and Molecular Biosciences with Dr. Payel Datta

Production and Analysis of Purified Recombinant Cas9 Nuclease

• Kacia Scott, Microbiology and Molecular Biosciences with Dr. Anne McCabe

Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Collateral Sensitivity in Gentamicin-Resistant Klebisella pneumoniae

Read about all of the s from both the 2025 and 2026 symposiums.

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GARDP is an international nonprofit organization established by WHO and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative to address the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. They work with governments, academic institutions, industry and global health partners to advance and accelerate the development of, and access to, innovative treatments for serious drug-resistant bacterial infections.听Its portfolio includes the global Phase 3 development program for the novel antibiotic zoliflodacin, as well as initiatives focused on neonatal sepsis and pediatric antibiotic development.听

The SAC comprises听scientists with internationally recognized experts in infectious diseases, microbiology, and related disciplines. The committee provides independent scientific and medical guidance to GARDP’s Board and leadership, helping to evaluate research and development priorities, assess ongoing programs, and inform strategic direction.听

鈥淚 am honored by the opportunity to contribute to this important work and to represent 51直播 through this external international service role,鈥� said Lodise. 听

An internationally recognized expert in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), health economics and outcomes research, comparative effectiveness, and advanced clinical trial design, he is also the Rudolph and Dorothy Blythe Endowed Research Chair for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at 51直播.听听

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Michelle Parent, PhD

Associate Professor Michelle Parent, PhD, has been named the chair of the Department of Allied Health Sciences. This department includes bachelors and master鈥檚 programs in clinical laboratory sciences, cytotechnology and molecular cytology, nursing and public health, as well as our impending MS in Physician Assistant Studies with anticipated enrollment in Fall 2027, and our humanities faculty. She joined 51直播 in 2017.

Working in the field of Medical Laboratory Science for more than 25 years, Dr. Parent previously served as a tenured Associate Professor and Department Chair at the University of Delaware, where she educated Medical Laboratory Science students and students pursuing health professions careers.

Since arriving at 51直播, Michelle has played a central role in advancing the Clinical Laboratory Sciences programs through her leadership in program development, accreditation preparation, student mentorship, and clinical laboratory education. She has also taken an active role in faculty governance and is currently serving as the Faculty Chair-Elect.

Her experience across higher education, clinical microbiology, and healthcare workforce development continues to strengthen the School鈥檚 clinical and applied education mission.

Eric Yager, PhD

Eric Yager, PhD,听will serve as chair of the Department of Life Sciences which encompasses bachelor and master鈥檚 programs in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, forensic psychology, forensic science, health data science, health sciences, microbiology, molecular biosciences, and psychology. Dr. Yager joined 51直播 in 2011.

Most recently, he has served as the Chair of the Department of Allied Health Sciences, Director of our Pre-Pharmacy Program, and in major governance roles including Faculty Senate Chair and Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee. Prior to joining the College, Dr. Yager spent nearly 15 years as a research associate for Albany Medical Center, the Trudeau Institute, and the New York State Department of Health

His contributions at 51直播 have spanned curriculum development, faculty governance, virology research, student advising, and public science communication. Through his teaching, research, leadership and public engagement, Dr. Yager has made sustained and meaningful contributions to the academic mission of 51直播 and to the broader scientific and public health communities.

Many across the Capital Region also recognize Dr. Yager as a trusted virologist and public voice on infectious diseases through his longstanding community outreach and media engagement.

“Both Drs. Parent and Yager’s extensive contributions to the College’s mission will play an integral part in helping The School of Health Sciences achieve its goals,” said Dean of The School of Health Sciences, Meenakshi Malik, PhD. “We are so pleased to welcome them to these new leadership roles.”

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Attendees mingled while enjoying light refreshments and delicious desserts. A short program followed, emceed by Vice President of Communications and Marketing, Diane O鈥機onnor.

Board of Trustee, Hugh Johnson; Russell Sage College President, Matthew Shaftel; and the President鈥檚 husband, Dr. Alfred Tofade, shared moving remarks about the President鈥檚 impact on the 51直播 community.

Marion Morton, former Board of Trustee Chair, presented President Tofade with a commemorative plaque that read:

In Grateful Appreciation to

Toyin Tofade

For Outstanding Leadership and Dedicated Service as

President of

51直播

July 2022 鈥� June 2026

Your vision and commitment will leave a lasting legacy. Thank you听for guiding us to engage, learn, lead and serve.

A visibly moved President Tofade, approached the podium to express her gratitude for all in attendance. She also reflected on her four-year journey and shared her appreciation for the opportunity to serve the 51直播 community.

鈥�As we reflect on the past four years,听滨鈥檓听extremely proud of what听飞别鈥檝别听built together at 51直播,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t has been my honor to听serve the 51直播 community as the 10th president during an era of unprecedented growth and evolution.鈥�听听听

President Tofade will end her service to 51直播 on June 29, 2026 and become 51直播 President Emeritus, effective July 1, 2026.

View our from the event.

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HIV remains one of the most urgent infectious disease challenges of our time. An estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally at the end of 2024, and 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes that year.听听

Seeking to turn this tide, 51直播 Associate Professor, Vir Singh, PhD, is working with researchers from the University of Rochester and George Washington University to find new ways to drive the virus into a deeper, more stable latent state is a critical step toward an HIV cure.听

The findings from this research could lay out the groundwork for a novel approach to achieve sustained drug-free viral remission and a functional cure for HIV. This approach is also commonly referred to as 鈥楤locking and Locking of HIV.鈥�听

The work, which commenced on June 1, is supported by a three-year, $493,213 National Institute of Health Research Enhancement Award grant. The R15 grant will also include undergraduate and graduate students to conduct hands-on biomedical research.听听

听The Science Behind the Research听

While antiretroviral therapies have transformed HIV into a manageable condition for many, a functional cure remains elusive 鈥� largely because HIV can hide in a dormant state within the body, beyond the reach of current treatments while retaining the potential to be reactivated due to interruption in antiretroviral therapy. The research explores the use of sulforaphane, a natural compound, to stimulate the body’s own defenses as a means of pushing HIV into deep latency, rendering HIV incapable of reactivation.

鈥淒espite significant progress, only 73% of people living with HIV have achieved suppressed viral loads, leaving millions still vulnerable to disease progression and transmission,鈥� explained Dr. Singh.听听

In collaboration with the University of Rochester researchers, Dr. Meera Singh and Dr. Giovanni Schifitto, will combine rigorous laboratory research with real-world human samples by recruiting study volunteers who are living with HIV.听 The volunteers will have blood drawn, and researchers will isolate CD4T cells to test the hypothesis.听听

Dr. Singh explains that latently infected cells will be resistant to HIV reactivation in the presence of Sulforaphane, an NRF-2 inducer. 鈥淥ur Rochester colleagues will send these unidentified cell samples to us to perform these experiments,鈥� he said.听

The collected blood samples will be tested in Dr. Singh鈥檚 lab to determine whether the laboratory findings hold up under near real-world conditions 鈥� either validating his experimental model or revealing new directions for the research.听

听Dr. Alberto Bosque from George Washington University will then perform a highly sensitive ELISA on cell Supernatants to quantify an HIV protein as a marker of reactivation.听

听Dr. Singh has an extensive scientific background in studying molecular mechanisms associated with HIV infection and pathogenesis.听听

His laboratory focuses on reactivating latent HIV-infected cells to make them susceptible to both the body’s natural immune system and existing drugs. Additionally, his team explores alternative strategies like鈥�“block and lock,”鈥痺hich put latent HIV cells into such a deep “coma” that they can never wake up or reactivate, preventing the virus from returning if a patient stops taking daily medication.听听

His work also explores the “shock and kill”鈥痬别迟丑辞诲, a prominent experimental HIV鈥�cure strategy鈥�designed to eradicate latent virus reservoirs from the body that current medications cannot reach.听

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Approximately 270 students were named to this honor, awarded to full-time, undergraduate students who have successfully completed their coursework with a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 score.

The students honored study programs across 51直播鈥� array of 11 academic offerings in both its School of Health Sciences and School of Pharmacy including include Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Forensic Psychology, Forensic Science, Health Sciences, Microbiology, Nursing, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Psychology and Public Health.

The students come from various cities throughout New York State, as well as:

• Approximately 20 additional states across the country, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Vermont.
• One U.S. territory 鈥� Puerto Rico
• Five countries including the Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, South Korea and the U.S.

View a full list of the听Spring 2026 Dean鈥檚 List recipients below.

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The main feature however, was special recognition from Human Resources Director Heather Erwin and enthusiastic rounds of applause for employees achieving the milestones noted below.

2026 Retirements:

• 39 years: Laurie Briceland ’83, Professor, Pharmacy Practice

• Seven years: Insong 鈥淛ames鈥� Lee 鈥� Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Five Year Milestones:

• Robert Coleman, Head Coach Men鈥檚 Basketball, Athletics and Recreation
• Payel Datta, Assistant Professor, Life Sciences
• Bowen Meng, Instructor, Life Sciences
• Anne McCabe, Assistant Professor, Life Sciences
• Daniel Woods, Adjunct Instructor, Life Sciences
• Rebecca Jackson, Administrative Specialist, Pharmacy Practice
• Nana Le ’20, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Kaylee Stewart ’24, Manager, Collaboratory
• Ariana Barlas, Tutor, Center for Student Success
• Michael Goodman, Tutor, Center for Student Success
• Julia Huston, Teaching Technician, Allied Health Sciences
• Nicoy Pusey, Associate Director of Admissions, Admissions
• Sara Clark, Administrative Assistant, Life Sciences
• Emily Bonneau, Associate Director of Enrollment, Enrollment Management
• Calista Lloyd, Pharmacy Technician, Student Operated Pharmacy

10 Year Milestones:

• Kristen Ruby, Assistant Director Admin Operations (11 Yrs – 2025)
• Kelly Quinn, Senior Associate Registrar, Registrar
• Katie Palmer, Director Pharmacy Admissions, Pharmacy Practice
• Nick O鈥橠onnell, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Jacqueline Cleary, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Megan Krajewski, Associate Director for Student Life, Residence Life
• Christine Banewicz, Director Student Accounts, Student Accounts
• Sarah Ohnsman, Sr. Associate Director of Admissions, Admissions

15 Year Milestones:

• Joseph Lanni, Physical Plant Supervisor, Physical Plant
• Katherine Cabral, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Donald Stringle, Adjunct Instructor, Life Sciences
• Eric Yager, Associate Professor & Chair, Allied Health Sciences
• Binshan Shi, Associate Professor, Life Sciences
• Lauren Purington, Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences听

20 Year Milestones:

• Michele Vien, CFO-Sr. VP Finance & Administration, Finance
• Katie Cardone ’06, ’08, Professor, Pharmacy Practice
• Marijeanne Broadwell, Assistant Comptroller, Finance
• Paul Schneider, Mailroom Specialist, Mail Room
• Robert Carter, Senior Network Administrator, Network and Telecommunications
• Trudy Thomas-Smith, Tutor, Center for Student Success

25 Year Milestone:

• Michael Brodeur, Professor, Pharmacy Practice
  

35 Year Milestone:

• Martha Hass, Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences & Faculty Senate Chair

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