Seminar Schedule

Spring Semester 2026 Weekly Seminars

ECP 8100/PHAR 6160
Wednesday, 12:20 - 1:10 p.m.
Moos Tower 1-451 (TC) and LSci 160 (Duluth) 

See Calendar for Zoom Information

   Date

   Title (tentative)

Presenter

January 21

Introduction to the Department, Program, and Course Requirements.

Welcome!  

Reena Kartha, MS, PhD, Associate Professor

Robert Straka, BSc, PharmD, FCCP, Professor and ECP Department Head

January 28

Identification of Plasma Bacterial Metabolites Predictive of Mycophenolate Pharmacokinetics in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Moataz Mohamed, ECP Graduate Student, Dr. Jacobson’s Lab

February 4

Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology Research In The Context Of Children's Minnesota: Lessons LearnedSam Roiko, PhD, Adjunct Faculty, ECP, Scientific Investigator at Children's Minnesota

February 11

Developing a Methodology to Study Pregnancy-Induced Changes in Anti-Seizure Medication

D'Aaliyah Johnson, ECP Graduate Student, Dr. Birnbaum’s Lab

February 18

CONVERSATIONS: Evaluating The Use Of Technology (Wearable Devices, Ai) to Maximize Smoking Cessation Success (Tentative Topic)

Mike Kotlyar, PharmD, Professor, ECP 

Serguei Pakhomov, PhD, PCHS

February 25

Flucytosine Dose Optimization in Cryptococcal Meningitis Using Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling

Tiffany Chang, ECP Graduate Student, Drs. Hirsch and Nicol’s Labs

March 4

DISCUSSION

 

March 11

Spring Break | No Class 

March 18

Next-Generation Preclinical Science: Integrating Animal and Non-Animal Approaches

Bovornpat Suriyapakom, ECP Graduate Student, Dr. Coles’ Lab

March 25

Mycophenolic acid and the Microbiome: A Clinical Perspective

Gregory Plotnikoff, MD, MTS, FACP, Founder & Medical Director, Minnesota Personalized Medicine

April 1

A Quantitative Modeling Approach To Evaluate The Combination Potential Of A Biologic Cytokine Modulator And Small Molecule Jak Inhibitor In Systemic Lupus PatientsAdeboye Bamgboye, ECP Graduate Student, Dr. Coles’ Lab

April 8

Evaluating the Safety of Drugs and Vaccines in Pregnancy: COVID-19 Vaccines and BeyondAndy Stergachis, PhD, MS, BPharm, Professor of Pharmacy & Global Health, Adjunct Professor of Health Metrics Sciences & Epidemiology, University of Washington
April 15CONVERSATIONS | C.A.R.E | Sex vs Gender in Research 
April 22Understanding Clinical Outcomes & Physiological Impacts in ALDChenwei Yan, ECP Research Emphasis Student, Dr. Kartha’s Lab
April 29Discussion | Last Date of Instruction  

Updated 1/21/26

Contact [email protected] with any questions regarding the seminar schedule