Alumni » Department of Cellular and Systems Pharmacology » College of Pharmacy

Celebrating Our Graduates

The Department of Cellular and Systems Pharmacology has a rich tradition of preparing graduates to be successful pharmaceutical scientists.

Professor Jay McLaughlin, Ph.D. with 2022 graduate Lisa Wilson, Ph.D.

Ariana Figueroa with Dr. Jay McLaughlin, 2025

Morgan Reeves with Dr. Siobhan malany, 2025

YUMA ORTIZ and Dr. Jenny Wilkerson, 2023

Amy Alleyne and Drs. Jason Frazier and Jay McLaughlin, 2023

Ariana Brice-Tutt and Dr. Jay McLaughlin, 2021

Thomas Cirino and Dr. Jay McLaughlin, 2020

Kaley MacFadyen and Dr. Joanna Peris, 2017

Graduation Year: 2023

Amy Alleyne

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: A Mechanistic Interrogation of the Sigma-1 Receptor as a potential Target for Psychostimulant Use Disorder
Advisors: Jay McLaughlin, Ph.D. and Jason Frazier, Ph.D.

Yuma Ortiz

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: An Assessment of the Kratom Alkaloids Mitragynine and Speciogynine for the Attenuation of Cancer Associate Peripheral Neuropathies
Advisor: Dr. Jenny Wilkerson

Graduation Year: 2022

Molly McDougle

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Fats and Sugars Recruit Distinct Gut-Brian Circuits to Control Food Intake and Reward
Advisor: Guillaume de Lartigue, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoc | Dr. Guillaume de Lartigue Lab | Monell Chemical Senses Center

Lisa Wilson

PS/Pharmcodynamics
Dissertation Title: Selective Sigma Receptor Antagonists as Novel Treatments for Chronic Pain
Advisor: Jay McLaughlin, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Researcher | Drs. Tiffany Walls & Nicolas Gilpin | LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans

Graduation Year: 2021

Ariana Brice-Tutt

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Therapeutic and Mechanistic Evaluation of Novel Multifunctional Opioid Ligands: Implications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder and Pain
Advisor: Jay McLaughlin, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Researcher | Dr. John Neubert Lab | Dept. of Orthodontics, University of Florida

Wanhui Sheng, Ph.D.

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Release and action of oxytocin in paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus and thalamus
Advisor: Charles Jason Frazier, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate | Dr. Steven Siegelbaum Lab | Columbia University/Zuckerman Institute

Graduation Year: 2020

Thomas Cirino

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Biological Mediators of Pain, Substance Abuse and Cognitive Impairment in HIV Infection: Sufficiency of the HIV-Tat Protein
Advisor: Jay McLaughlin, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation: Scientist | TrueBinding | Foster City, California

Meera Rath

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Exploring the role of microglia in chronic voluntary binge ethanol consumption mouse model
Advisor: Bin Liu, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation: Postdoctoral Fellow | Dr. Manzoor Bhat Lab | University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
Current Position: Research Scientist | Barshop Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center

Max Russo

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Molecular mechanisms associated with adverse effects of the environmentally persistent organochlorine pesticide dieldrin
Advisor: Bin Liu, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation: Postdoctoral Associate | Harvard University

Graduation Year: 2019

Serene Joseph

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Effects of Maternal Hypercortisolemia on Fetal and Neonatal Metabolism in Heart and Diaphragm
Advisor: Maureen Keller-Wood, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoc | Temple University

Sarthak Singhal

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Oxytocinergic modulation of neurotransmission in the rodent medial prefrontal cortex and lateral septum
Advisor: Charles Jason Frazier, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate | Dr. Thomas Hnasko Lab | University of California, San Diego

Yalun Tan

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: An Interrogation of Brain Oxytocin Signaling: Implications for Dysregulated Social Behavior
Advisor: Eric Krause, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Scholar | Stanford University
Current Position: Scientist | BioMarin Pharmaceuticals | San Rafael, CA, USA

Graduation Year: 2017

Andrew Antolic

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Increased Maternal Cortisol Concentrations in Late Gestation Adversely Affects Fetal and Neonatal Development
Advisor: Maureen Keller-Wood, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Researcher | University of Arizona
Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow | Dept. of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Kyle Kelly

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Age-Related Changes in Glutamate and GABA Receptor Mediated Signaling in the Rodent Medial Prefrontal Cortex
Advisor: Charles Jason Frazier, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation: Postdoctoral Associate | Dr. John Disterhoft Lab | Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

Kaley MacFadyen

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: The role of oxytocin and oxytocin receptors in regulating neurons of the ventral tegmental area, ethanol consumption and other rewarding behaviors
Advisor: Joanna Peris, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation: Animal Technician | Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Current Position: Surgical Tech | Westminister, CO Branch of Inotiv

Graduation Year: 2016

Scott Harden

BMS/Neuroscience
Advisor: Charles Jason Frazier, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation: Postdoctoral Associate | Dr. Charles Jason Frazier Lab | Dept. of Pharmacodynamics | University of Florida College of Pharmacy
Current Position: Research Scientist | Dr. Charles Jason Frazier Lab | Dept. of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida

Justin Smith

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Neuropeptide Plasticity in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus of Salt-Loaded Male Mus Musculus
Advisor: Eric Krause, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Fellow | Boston College, Michigan State University
Current Position: Research Associate | Dept. of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida

Lei Wang

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Brain Renin-Angiotensin System as a Potential Target to Treat Anxiety Disorders
Advisor: Eric Krause, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate | The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard | University of North Texas Health Science Center
Current Position: Senior Data Analyst | Phillips, Healthcare Division

Graduation Year: 2015

Dipanwita Pati

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Tonic Modulation of Central Stress Circuits by Endogenous Oxytocin
Advisor: Charles Jason Frazier, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation: Postdoctoral Associate | Dr. Thomas Kash Lab | Dept. of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina Medicine

Anandharajan Rathinasabapathy

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Novel Therapeutic Intervention for Cardiopulmonary Diseases
Advisor: Michael Katovich, Ph.D.
Current Position: Research Assistant Professor | Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Rajiv Tikamdas

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Novel Mediators of Neuronal Injury-Induced Neuroinflammation
Advisor: Bin Liu, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate | Georgia Regents University
Current Position: Lecturer | The British University in Egypt

Graduation Year: 2014

Haley Carpenter

BMS/Neuroscience
Advisor: Charles Jason Frazier, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Medical Student | University of Florida College of Medicine
Current Position: Plastic Surgeon | Burlington, MA

Graduation Year: 2013

Erin Bruce

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Novel Roles for Angiotensin-(1-7) and Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Activation in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
Advisor: Michael Katovich, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Fellow | Dept of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida
Current Position: Lecturer | Department of Physiology, University of Florida

Xiaodi Feng

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Effects of Increased Maternal Cortisol on Maternal Metabolism and Fetal Development
Advisor: Maureen Keller-Wood, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoc | University of Florida

Graduation Year: 2012

Garima Dutta

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Dopaminergic Cystatin C: A Key Player in Neuron-Microglia Interplay
Advisor: Bin Liu, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate | UCLA

James Kasper

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Characterization of the effects of novel 5-HT2C receptor agonists on neurotransmission and voluntary alcohol consumption in rats
Advisor: Joanna Peris, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation: Post doc | Univ. of Texas Medical Branch
Current Position: Assistant Professor| Univ. of Texas Medical Branch

Yue Liu

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Complex II of the Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Is the Key Mediator of Divalent Manganese-Induced Hydrogen Peroxide Production in Microglia
Advisor: Bin Liu, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate |Northeastern University
Current Position: Senior Scientist |Pfizer

Graduation Year: 2011

Erica Haslach

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Rational Drug Design Approaches Targeting the Mouse and Human Melanocortin Receptors
Advisor: Carrie Haskell-Luevano, Ph.D.
Current Position: Adjunct Professor of Chemistry | Oklahoma City Community College

Jay Schaub

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Effects of Voluntary Exercise on the Central Melanocortin Receptor Knockout Mice
Advisor: Carrie Haskell-Luevano, Ph.D.
Current Position: Veterinarian

Heera Sharma

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Cooperative Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity of Organochlorine Pesticides
Advisor: Bin Liu, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate | Case Western University
Current Position: Co-founder and CEO | Go Laadli

Graduation Year: 2010

Mackenzie Hofmann

BMS/Neuroscience
Advisor: Charles Jason Frazier, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate | Dr. Michael Andresen Lab | Oregon Health and Science University, School of Medicine
Current Position: Senior Scientist | Merck

Casie Lindsly

BMS/Neuroscience
Advisor: Charles Jason Frazier, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate | Dr. Peter Wenner Lab | Dept. of Physiology | Emory University School of Medicine
Current Position: Coordinator of Training and Education | Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Graduation Year: 2009

Chinki Bhatia

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Presynaptic Regulation of Afferent Projections to Hilar Mossy Cells
Advisor: Charles Jason Frazier, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate | Dr. Suzanne Zukin Lab | Dept. of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Current Position: Pharmacist | New York

William Dismuke

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Targeting the Nitric Oxide Signal Transduction Pathway as a Potential Ocular Hypotensive
Advisor: Dorette Ellis, Ph.D.

Melissa Lingis

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Regulation of the Maternal Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis during Pregnancy in the Ewe: Relative Roles of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor and the Serotonergic System
Advisor: Maureen Keller-Wood, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoc | University of Florida
Current Position: Clinical Trials Manager | Dept of Pediatrics, UF College of Medicine

Ben Nahir

BMS/Neuroscience
Advisor: Charles Jason Frazier, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate | Dr. Craig Jahr Lab | Vollum Institute |Oregon Health and Science University
Current Position: Venture Capitalist | Elevate Capital

Yanfei Qi

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Overexpression of Ang-(1-7) or Cardiac-Selective Overexpression of Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor Improves Cardiac Function and Attenuates Left Ventricular Remodeling
Advisor: Michael Katovich, Ph.D.
Current Position: Assistant Professor | Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Vinayak Shenoy Katapadikar

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Cardiopulmonary Protective Role of the ACE2-Ang-(1-7)-Mas Axis in Lung and Heart Diseases
Advisor: Michael Katovich, Ph.D.
Current Position: Assistant Professor & Dean of Assessment | College of Pharmacy at California Health Science University

Graduation Year: 2008

Zhimin Li

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Neuronal Mechanism of Increased Motivation for Operant Ethanol Self-Administration Caused by Intermittent Ethanol Binge Exposures
Advisor: Joanna Peris, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Post doc | Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville

Haoyu Mao

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Organochlorinated Pesticides (OCP) Stimulated Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in Cultured Microglia
Advisor: Bin Liu, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Associate |University of Florida
Current Position: Research Director |Biotech Company

Graduation Year: 2006

Justin Grobe

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Role of Angiotensin-(1-7) in Cardiovascular Physiology
Advisor: Michael Katovich, Ph.D.
Current Position: Associate Professor Physiology and Biochemical Engineering |Medical College of Wisconsin | Director | Comprehensive Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core

Graduation Year: 2005

Caren Beck

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Vascular Reactivity during Pregnancy in Rabbits
Advisor: Michael Katovich, Ph.D.
Current Position: Unknown

Anthony Smith

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Temporal Resolution and Determination of the Mechanism of Ethanol-Induced Taurine Efflux
Advisor: Joanna Peris, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Applied to work for the FBI

Graduation Year: 2004

Evelyn Perez

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Estratriene Neuroprotection through Antioxidant, Non-Estrogen Receptor Mediated Mechanisms
Advisor: Michael Meldrum, Ph.D.

Amanda Shaw

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: Interactions of the Growth Hormone Secretory Axis and the Central Melanocortin System
Advisor: William Millard, Ph.D.
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoctoral Fellow | Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville
Current Position: Medical Liaison | Neurology/Pain, Eli Lilly

Graduation Year: 2003

Feng Li

PS/Pharmacodynamics
Dissertation Title: The Interaction between Increased Estrogen and Increased Cortisol Is Necessary for Normal Blood Pressure Control in Late Gestation
Advisor: Maureen Keller-Wood
Post-Graduation Position: Postdoc | Univ. North Carolina School of Medicine
Current Position: Asst. Professor | Dept of Pathology and Lab Medicine, UNC School of Medicine

Xiaofei Wang

PS/Pharmacodynamics
- Dissertation Title: Protective Effects of Estrogens against Oxidative Stress
- Advisor: Michael Meldrum, Ph.D.