From the AAPS Newsletter:
AAPS Student Chapter: Oregon State University
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists’ (AAPS) Student Chapter at Oregon State University was founded in 2010. The 25 initial members included graduate, professional, and undergraduate students, postdocs, and faculty. All are spread out between the two campuses of Oregon State University (OSU) College of Pharmacy in Corvallis, Ore. and Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) in Portland.
The chapter exists as an independent and completely student-run organization between both campuses, which seeks to increase the interaction and improve communication between the multifaceted disciplines in the pharmaceutical sciences. Another goal is to provide a unique opportunity for students to develop and build valuable leadership, organizational, public speaking, and interpersonal skills that are essential the professional development of members.
The chapter holds monthly meetings that are open for participation to all students at OSU and OHSU. “AAPS has given me the opportunity to interact with students from other programs that I normally would not have the chance to meet,” remarked pharmacology graduate student Diana Eng.
In April, 2011 the chapter hosted a talk by Professor Raymond J. Andersen, Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Chemistry and Joint Professor of the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences. His talk was entitled: “Bioactive Marine Natural Products: Potential Drug Leads and Cell Biology Tools.” Dr. Andersen presented recent potential lead compounds isolated from marine invertebrates (mainly sponges) and bacteria collected from the world’s oceans. Results from bioassays used to identify mechanisms of action of these novel compounds and their structure activity relationships (SAR) that can result in development of new anticancer compound and novel antibiotics were also presented. To prepare for the speaker, chapter members held a special journal club to familiarize them about research published by Andersen’s lab group; discussing the isolation techniques and bioassays utilized. Chapter members also arranged breakfast and luncheon sessions, giving attendees the chance to ask questions to Dr. Anderson in person.
“The opportunity to meet and talk to Dr. Andersen gave me insight to the drug discovery and development process that you could not receive in a classroom setting,” commented professional pharmacy student Lauren Harry.
Members also arranged for Dr. Andersen to have individual meetings with the faculty of the Pharmacy and Chemistry Departments of OSU and OHSU. Future goals of the chapter include membership growth and expanding its mission to include more hosted talks by members of the scientific and clinical research community.
“We intend to develop the communication and provide networking opportunities of its members by attending professional and scientific conferences, tour facilities of regional pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and participate in community outreach programs benefiting the local community,” stated Chapter Chair, Adam Campbell.
For more information about the Oregon State University AAPS Student Chapter, please visit the chapter’swebsite, or contact the chapter members directly through e-mail, at AAPS@oregonstate.edu.
Oregon State University – AAPS Student Chapter
Left to Right
Front row: Chelsea Smith (Treasurer), Lauren Harry, Robin Josh, Adam Campbell (Chair), Diana Eng, Hsiao-Yen Ma, Justyna Sikorsika (Vice Chair)
Back Row: Jeff Serrill, Jason Phillips, Jun Xu, Oliver Vining, Andrew Hau
