Arwa Al-Khatib, PharmD, PhD, joined the Manchester faculty as an assistant professor of pharmaceutical and graduate life sciences in Aug. 2023. Dr. Al-khatib's expertise is in change implementation in the community and independent pharmacy settings. Her teaching will be focused on the social and administrative sciences of pharmacy education. Dr. Al-khatib is joining us from the University of Iowa where she recently completed her Ph.D. Prior to that, she was a practicing pharmacist and pharmacy manager in Jordan.

Melissa Bray joined the Manchester University College of Pharmacy in 2016 and currently serves as the Director of Instructional Design. In this role, Melissa teams with faculty to improve their course delivery and design for the benefit of students. Melissa also provides support for the learning management system, as well as conducts training and research on educational technology and social media that can be used in the classroom.

Melissa previously worked as the Instructional Designer at the University of Saint Francis, where she provided support and documentation for faculty in course development and delivery, for both in-person and online courses, including detailed instructions for utilizing the university’s designated learning management system. Melissa has an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Indiana Wesleyan University and a B.A. in French, English Literature, and Secondary Education from DePauw University.

Dr. Brown joined the Manchester University Pharmacy Program in 2011. He received his BS degree in biochemistry from Eastern Michigan University in 2004, and PhD degree in medicinal chemistry from Wayne State University in 2008. Upon completing graduate training, Dr. Brown worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Minnesota from 2008 until 2011. Dr. Brown is responsible for teaching biochemistry and medicinal chemistry in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program.

Courses Taught:

• PHRM 310 Biomedical Sciences I
• PHRM 451 IPT: Nervous System I
• PHRM 452 IPT: Cardiovascular I
• PHRM 453 IPT: Cardiovascular II
• PHRM 454 IPT: Nervous System II
• PHRM 455 IPT: Infectious Disease I
• PHRM 550 IPT: Infectious Disease II
• PHRM 551 IPT: Endocrine and Reproductive
• PHRM 552 IPT: Renal and Urologic
• PHRM 554 IPT: Gastrointestinal
• PHRM 556 IPT: Hematology/Oncology
• PHRM 482: Independent Research
• PHRM 483: Research Techniques in Pharmaceutical Science

Research Interests
Dr. Brown’s research laboratory uses the tools of chemistry to investigate problems at the intersection of neuroscience and the immune system. Current projects include the design, synthesis, and evaluation of dithiolethiones as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective agents. Research in the Brown laboratory regularly incorporates both undergraduate and pharmacy students. Students interested in working with Dr. Brown are encouraged to contact him regarding current opportunities.

Representative Publications:

1. Kuo PC, Yu IC, Scofield BA, Brown D, Curfman ET, Paraiso HC, Chang FL, Yen JH. (2017) 3H-1,2-Dithiole-3-thione as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke through Nrf2 defense pathway. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 62: 180
2. Brown D, Betharia S, Yen JH, Kuo PC, Mistry H. (2016) Further structure-activity relationships study of substituted dithiolethiones as glutathione-inducing neuroprotective agents. Chemistry Central Journal 10: 64
3. Kuo PK, Brown D, Scofield B, Yu IC, Chang FL, Wang PY, Yen JY. (2016) 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 57: 173
4. Brown D, Betharia S, Yen J H, Tran Q, Mistry H, Smith K. (2014) Synthesis and structure–activity relationships study of dithiolethiones as inducers of glutathione in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters 24: 5829
5. Brown D, Mishra M, Zhang S, Biswas S, Parrington I, Antonio T, Reith M, Aloke D. (2009) Investigation of various N-heterocyclic substituted piperazine versions of 5/7-{[2-(4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-propyl-amino}-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-2-ol: effect on affinity and selectivity for dopamine D3 receptor. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 17: 3923
6. Brown D, Kharkar P, Parrington I, Reith M, Dutta A. (2008) Structurally constrained hybrid derivatives containing octahydrobenzo[g or f]quinoline moieties for dopamine D2 and D3 receptors: Binding characterization at D2/D3 receptors and elucidation of a pharmacophore model. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 5: 7806

Dr. Calinski is an Associate Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics.  She teaches in the pharmacy and pharmacogenomics programs (including online pharmacogenomics!).  Her research focuses on cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism, specifically the metabolism of synthetic cathinones.  Dr. Calinski serves as the Chair-elect to the Biological Sciences Section of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.  She is also the secretary of the Board of Trustees to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, a local non-profit organization that enhances the quality of life of those affected by cancer.  Dr. Calinski earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan in 2013 and joined the faculty at Manchester shortly after.  In her spare time, you can find her yogaing about, renovating her 100+-year-old house, or walking her dog, Norman.

Curriculum Vitae
Diane Calinski CV

Classes Taught at Manchester

• PHRM 451 IPT - Central Nervous System I (Pain, Pharmacology of Pain Management, Headaches, and Multiple Sclerosis)
• PHRM 452 IPT - Cardiovascular I (Dyslipidemias)
• PHRM 453 IPT - Cardiovascular II (Ischemic Heart Disease, Angina, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Arrhythmia)
• PHRM 555 IPT - Hematology and Oncology

Areas of interest/Recent projects
drug metabolism, cytochrome P450-mediated reactions, mechanism-based inactivators, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, G protein coupled receptors

Dr. Samantha Champion joined Manchester University in 2023. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from University of Toledo in 2012 after which she managed Meijer Pharmacy in Angola for 10 years. She is passionate about helping the people within her community and students. She precepted students for Manchester for many years before joining the Manchester team and looks forward to having more involvement with the students to share her passion for pharmacy. Samantha is serving as the Experiential Coordinator in the Office of Experiential Education and as part of the lab teaching staff.

Megan Chauncey is from Warsaw Indiana and completed her undergraduate degree from Manchester University in 2020. Her degrees are B.S. in Bio-psychology and Global health. She is currently enrolled in Manchester University’s Masters of Pharmacogenomics (PGx) program. Her position at Manchester is as the graduate admissions advisor. When not in the office or completing school tasks, Megan likes to spend time with family, friends, and her cat (Ricky), read, and be outside.

Michelle Kibiger first joined Manchester University Fort Wayne in March of 2014 in the Pharmacy Office of Experiential Education. She transitioned to the director of assessment for pharmacy and graduate life sciences in 2017 and currently serves as the director of assessment and accreditation for Health Sciences and Pharmacy.

Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University-Purdue University in 1996 and a Master of Education in Measurement, Evaluation, Statistics, and Assessment from University of Illinois at Chicago in 2019. Prior to joining the Manchester team, Michelle worked in the field of early and elementary education and early childhood administration for 20 years.

Dr. DeLellis joined Manchester University after completing a combined PGY1-2 in geriatrics and a faculty development fellowship at UPMC St. Margaret in Pittsburgh, PA.  She is originally from Michigan and received her PharmD from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI.  Her didactic instruction responsibilities primarily center around geriatrics, transitions of care, and patient safety within the pharmacy curriculum, and pharmacy principles in Manchester’s Master of Athletic Training program.  She also precepts an APPE acute care rotation at her practice site of Dupont Hospital, where she has a geriatric transition of care practice and leads the development of geriatric and care transition programs and accreditations for the hospital. 

Dr. DeLellis' current research interests include the effect of epigenetics on pharmacogenomic considerations for geriatric patients; polypharmacy and deprescribing; older adult falls reduction programs; development and evaluation of pharmacist practice models in geriatrics and care transitions; and interprofessional collaboration between pharmacists and athletic trainers.  Dr. DeLellis is an engaged member of several professional and community organizations, and holds leadership roles in the American Academy of Colleges of Pharmacy, Indiana Pharmacists Alliance, Allen County TRIAD, LEARN Resource Center, northeast Indiana Trauma Regional Advisory Committee, and the Foundation for Arts and Music in Elementary Education (FAME).

Dr. Riley Eichenauer returns to Manchester University as a Clinical Instructor of Pharmacy Practice. Dr. Eichenauer received both her undergraduate and professional pharmacy education at Manchester University. Upon receiving her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, she completed her PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at McLaren Greater Lansing in Lansing, Michigan. In her current role, Dr. Eichenauer will provide patient care in the institutional setting back at her residency site at McLaren, while teaching didactics and experiential courses in Manchester’s pharmacy program.

Karen Failor has joined the Pharmacy program's Office of Experiential Education in the role of operations specialist. Karen began at Manchester over nine years ago, serving as webmaster for 7 years and then transferring from the North Manchester campus in September 2015 to serve at first as the Fort Wayne campus receptionist. In her free time, Karen enjoys techie gadgets of all kinds, card playing and bicycling.

Norm Fenn is a Clinical Associate Professor at Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Natural, and Health Sciences, and holds a Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist appointment with Parkview Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. He completed his Pharm.D. degree with Honors from the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2014. He subsequently completed a PGY-1 residency at Children’s National Medical Center in 2015 and continued as a clinical pharmacist the following year. He then completed a two-year Academia & Ambulatory Care Fellowship at the Purdue University College of Pharmacy (2016-18) prior to a clinical assistant professor appointment in pediatrics at UT FCOP (2018-21). Most recently, he was a Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist at the Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa. He is active in many pharmacy organizations including the Pediatric Pharmacy Association, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the American Academy of Colleges of Pharmacy. He enjoys sharing his unbridled enthusiasm for pediatric pharmacotherapy with his students and colleagues alike and spends his limited spare time with his growing family.

Sara joined Manchester University in 2023 as an Administrative Assistant for Health Sciences and Pharmacy. Sara is a graduate of Ball State University. While there, she was President of the National Society for Leadership and Success and was a 4-year Team Captain for Relay for Life. Sara earned a Bachelor of Science in Interpersonal Communication Studies with a Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution minor. Sara has over 10 years of administrative support experience and has a passion for bringing Hoosier hospitality to the workplace. Always taking the time to make faculty, staff, and students feel welcomed, valued, and heard.

Megan joined Manchester University in 2022 as the Student Affairs Coordinator. Earning her BS in Counseling and Sociology and her MA in Higher Education from Grace College, Megan is passionate about helping students learn and grow. Throughout her career, Megan has worked in a variety of student affairs roles including residential life, admissions & enrollment, and financial services. Megan is a South Bend native who enjoys living in Fort Wayne where she recently purchased her first home. In addition to DIY home projects, Megan likes spending time exercising, and being outdoors, and is an avid true crime enthusiast.

Olan Griffiths joined the Pharmacy Program in July of 2013. He manages the Fort Wayne campus' helpdesk where he provides technical support and advice for students, staff, and faculty. Olan has 3 years of previous experience as an IT technician while a student at Manchester University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology.

Diane Gutgsell, PharmD, joins the Manchester University Fort Wayne location as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice. Dr. Gutgsell’s specialty is ambulatory care, and she will provide patient care in this field at Neighborhood Health Clinic in Fort Wayne as well as teaching didactic and experiential courses in the pharmacy program to prepare students to become competent, responsible, and empathetic pharmacy practitioners. She received her doctor of pharmacy degree from Purdue University and completed a community-based pharmacy residency at Michigan Medicine in conjunction with the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy.

Dr. Hanson joined the Pharmacy Program in July 2013. In addition to serving on the Manchester University faculty, she provides ambulatory care for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, where she completed her pharmacy practice residency. Dr. Hanson received her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Iowa and her Bachelor of Arts degree in physiology at the University of Minnesota. She has served on the faculty of Ferris State University College of Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Haley Howard, PharmD, joined the Manchester University Fort Wayne site as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice on July 31, 2023. Dr. Howard’s specialty is internal medicine. She will provide patient care at Cameron Memorial Community Hospital in Angola, as well as, teaching didactic and experiential courses in the Pharmacy Program.

She received her doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She completed her PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at Mercy Health St. Charles Hospital in Oregon, Ohio.While she was there, she developed a novel ambulatory heart failure clinic that was adopted the next year by St. Charles’ sister hospitals: St. Annes and St. Vincent Hospital.

Her PGY2 specialized in internal medicine and academia at University Hospital Geauga and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in Rootstown, OH. While at NEOMED she was co-course director of evidence based medicine and completed academic research regarding impostor phenomenon in PGY1 pharmacy residents. She has her teaching certificates from Ohio Northern University and NEOMED. In her free time, she enjoys being outside, reading, and spending time with her Siamese, Ana.

Dr. Isch joined the Pharmacy Program in August 2015. In addition to his responsibilities as faculty, he has established a practice within the St. Joseph Health System in South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana which focuses primarily on ambulatory care, chronic disease state management, and outpatient infectious disease. Dr. Isch earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Purdue University in 2015 and then completed two years of residency, specialized in ambulatory care, at St. Joseph Health System.

Dr. Sarah Iskander joined Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Natural, and Health Sciences as a Clinical Instructor of Pharmacy Practice. She is originally from Windsor, Ontario in Canada and completed her undergraduate studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She then proceeded to pursue her Doctorate of Pharmacy from Manchester University in Fort Wayne, Indiana and graduated cum laude. Upon graduating, she went on to complete a PGY1 residency at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dr. Iskander’s areas of interest include cardiology and internal medicine. She will be precepting an APPE acute care rotation at her practice site of Lutheran Hospital, where she serves as a clinical pharmacy specialist.

Renee Kiser joined Manchester University in October 2022 as the associate registrar at our Fort Wayne location. She was previously the associate director of graduate student services for the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University. Her background is in student, faculty and administrative support and leadership. Renee and her family have recently moved to the area and are enjoying meeting such warm and welcoming new friends. In her spare time, Renee enjoys the outdoors, gardening and reading.

Laura Kozlowski joined Manchester University in June 2016 and currently serves as the Health Professions, Nursing & Pharmacy Senior Administrative Assistant supporting Department Chairs and Program Directors. Laura has over 30 years of Executive Assistant level administrative experience and was previously part owner of a family business. She received an Associate’s Degree in Business from Robert Morris College in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Wei Lei earned his BS and MS degrees in veterinary sciences and regulatory sciences from Hunan Agricultural University and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. He received his Ph.D. in nutritional immunology from the University of Missouri and finished his postdoctoral training in Pharmacology at the University of Arizona. Prior to joining Manchester University, Dr. Lei was an Assistant Professor at the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy. Dr. Lei’s research goal is to discover novel approaches for improving pain management. By using the animal pain models, Dr. Lei’s laboratory currently focuses on 1) investigating the modulatory activities of some proteins, such as activator of heat shock protein 90 ATPase 1 (Aha1) and glutaminase, on opioid and pain signaling; 2) measuring the analgesic effects of botanicals (i.e., Arnica). If you are interested in Dr. Lei’s research projects, please contact him regarding the available openings.

Selected Publications

• Lei W; Kliebe VM, Chen X. An Investigation into the Impact of a Glutaminase Inhibitor, Compound 968, on Nrf2 Signaling. Future Pharm., 2021, 1, 41–47.
• Smith A, Miles V, Holmes D, Chen X, Lei W. Clinical Trials, Potential Mechanisms, and Adverse Effects of Arnica as an Alternative Medication for Pain Management. Medicines, 2021, 8, 58.
• Chen X, Drew J, Berney W, Lei W. Neuroprotective Natural Products for Alzheimer’s Disease. Cells, 2021; 10(6):1309.
• Miles VN, Patel RK, Smith AG, McCall RP, Wu J, Lei W. The Effect of Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitor on Pain in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicina, 2021, 57(1), 5.
• Vekariya R, Lei W, Ray A, Sainai S, Zhang S, Molnar G, Barlow D, Karlage K, Bilsky E, Houseknecht K, Largent-Milnes T, Streicher J, and Ananthan S. Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of 5’-Aryl-14-alkoxypyridomorphinans: Identification of a Mu Opioid Receptor Agonist/Delta Opioid Receptor Antagonist Ligand with Systemic Antinociceptive Activity and Diminished Opioid Side Effects. Journal of Medical Chemistry, 2020, 63 (14):7663-7694.
• Stine C, Flohrschutz AT, Mishra S, Blagg BS, Lei W, and Streicher JM. Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitors Block Cancer Pain Management by Opioid Drugs in Mouse Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy and Cancer Bone Pain Models. Pain, 2020 Aug;161(8):1798-1807.
• Duron DI, Lei W, Mishra S, Blagg B, and Streicher JM. Inhibition of Heat Shock Protein 90 in the Spinal Cord Strongly Promotes Morphine Anti-Nociception by Increasing ERK MAPK Activation. Science Signaling, 2020, 13: 630.
• Lei W, Duron D, Stine C, Mishra S, Blagg BS, and Streicher JM. The Alpha Isoform of Heat Shock Protein 90 and the Co-Chaperones p23 and Cdc37 Promote Opioid Anti-Nociception in the Brain, Frontier in Molecular Neuroscience, 2019, 12:294.
• Lei W, Vekariya RH, Ananthan S, and Streicher JM. The mu/delta opioid dual agonist SRI22141 demonstrates increased anti-nociceptive efficacy with decreased tolerance and dependence in neuropathic pain models. Journal of Pain, 2019, S1526-5900(19)30745-X.
• Stefanucci A, Lei W, Pieretti S, Novellino E, Dimmito M, Manzoli F, Streicher JM, and Mollica A. On resin click-chemistry-mediated synthesis of novel encephalin analogues with potent anti-nociceptive activity. Scientific Reports, 2019, 9(1):5771.
• Stefanucci A, Lei W, Pieretti S, Novellino E, Dimmito M, Streicher JM, and Mollica A. Novel cyclic biphalin analogues by Ruthenium-catalysed ring closing metathesis: in vivo and in vitro biological profile. ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2019, 10(4):450-456.
• Shah N, Kumar S, Zaman N, Pan CC, Bloodworth JC, Lei W, Streicher JM, Hempel N, Mythreye K, and Lee NY. Regulation of Microtubule Acetylation and Intracellular Transport by TGF-β Activated Kinase 1 (TAK1). Nature Communication, 2018, 9(1):1696.
• Lei W, Mullen N, McCarthy S, Brann C, Richard P, Cormier J, Edwards K, Bilsky EJ, and Streicher JM. Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) Promotes Opioid-Induced Anti-Nociception by an ERK Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Mechanism in Mouse Brain. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2017 292(25): 10414-10428.
• Stefanucci A, Lei W, Hruby VJ, Streicher, JM, and Mollica A. Evaluation of Opioid Peptide Cyclic Analogues of Biphalin and DPDPE with a Fluorescein-Maleimide Linker as Fluorescent Labeled Bioconjugates. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 2017, 9(9): 859-869.
• Olson KM, Lei W (Co-First Author), Keresztes A, LaVigne JE, Streicher JM. Novel Molecular Strategies and Targets for Opioid Drug Discovery for the Treatment of Chronic Pain. Yale Journal of Biology & Medicine, 2017, 90, pp.97-110.
• Lei W, Browning JB Jr, Eichen PA, Rottinghaus GE, Folk WR, Sun GY, Lubahn DB, and Fritsche KL. An Investigation into the Immunomodulatory Activities of Sutherlandia frutescens in Healthy Mice. PLoS ONE, 2016, 11(8): e0160994.
• Lei W, Browning JB Jr, Eichen PA, Rottinghaus GE, Folk WR, Sun GY, Lubahn DB, and Fritsche KL. Immuno-stimulatory activity of a polysaccharide- enriched fraction of Sutherlandia frutescens occurs by the toll-like receptor-4 signaling pathway. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015, 172: 247-253.
• Lei W, Browning JB Jr, Eichen PA, Brownstein KJ, Folk WR, Sun GY, Lubahn DB, Rottinghaus GE, and Fritsche KL. Unveiling the anti-inflammatory activity of Sutherlandia frutescens using murine macrophages. International Immunopharmacology, 2015, 29(2): 254-262.

Dr. Austin Mondloch joined Manchester University's Fort Wayne campus on July 3, 2023, assuming the roles of director of drug information and assistant professor of pharmacy practice. Hailing from Wisconsin, Dr. Mondloch completed his educational journey at Concordia University in Wisconsin, achieving a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, alongside a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences and a Master of Arts in product/pharmaceutical development. Notably, he recently completed a comprehensive two-year fellowship in drug information based in Nashville, Tennessee, where he actively contributed to academia by assisting in the instruction of essential courses, including drug information, biomedical literature evaluation, and informatics. During this fellowship, Dr. Mondloch undertook the responsibility of addressing toxicology drug information inquiries and research for a toxicology company as well as serving as a preceptor for PharmD students. A passionate advocate for academia and the pharmaceutical industry, he earned a board certification in medical affairs, solidifying his commitment to advancing excellence in pharmacy practice and education.

Dr. Mourad joined the pharmacy program in August 2018, and is responsible for developing and teaching didactic, laboratory, and online courses in the pharmacogenomics program. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Cairo University. She also attended Purdue University where she earned both her Master of Science and Doctoral degrees. Dr. Mourad is passionate about pharmacy education and has experience teaching pharmacy students at the undergraduate and graduate level. Dr. Mourad's research interests include the molecular mechanisms and risk factors underlying drug-induced arrhythmias, with a focus on drug-induced QT-prolongation and torsades de pointes. She is also interested in cardiovascular pharmacogenomics.

Jordan Patterson joined Manchester University in June 2022 as an Academic Support Specialist, providing his expertise in Learning Management Systems and Online Examinations for the College of Pharmacy, Natural, and Health Sciences. Jordan will work with Faculty to support their course and exam delivery to students, local and distant. Jordan joins Manchester from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Jordan has spent his career aiding effective educational experiences for faculty and students.

Jordan enjoys spending free time in nature with his family and dogs. He enjoys the arts, so you may find him at a museum, art fair, concert venue, or comedy club. His recent favorite activity is exploring Ft. Wayne and what it has to offer.

Shawn Patterson joined Manchester University in April 2014 and currently serves as the Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacy Executive Assistant. She has over 15 years of administrative support experience in higher education previously serving at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and ITT Technical Institute. Shawn has held a number of positions within pharmacy programs and has a broad knowledge across departments which helps her perform her duties. She received her Associate Degree in Information Processing from Madison Area Technical College.

Kimberli Pike is a Registered Dietitian and Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She has worked in higher education for 18 years, where she has enjoyed teaching students in dietetics, exercise science, athletic training, nursing, and other healthcare professions. In addition to teaching, Kim served as an ACEND program director and provided care in clinical, sports, and public health settings. A highlight of Kim's career was working as a consulting sports dietitian in the National Hockey League. Kim completed her final research in the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program at Rutgers University in the fall of 2022. She completed the required doctoral residency in oncology at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center's Hope Lab in 2021. Her research interests include oncology, dietetics education, clinical and sports nutrition, and nutrition services delivery. In her free time, Kim enjoys spending time with her family (and dog!) at the lake, traveling, hiking and watching ice hockey.

Zehra Ponjevic joined Manchester University in October 2023 as an Operations Specialist for the Office of Experiential Education. She earned her BS in Human Services from Purdue University with minors in Psychology and Sociology. Upon graduation, she worked in the referrals department at a non-profit agency that provided child and family services. She then worked in administration for the nursing management at a hospice facility. Zehra then worked at a home care agency managing the new hire onboarding process and employee files, before landing at Manchester. She is excited to be back in a university setting and assist students in reaching their career goals.

Dr. Shamma Rahman joined Manchester University as a faculty member in June 2024. Dr. Rahman earned her B.Sc. (Hons) and M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. In 2018, she completed her Ph.D. in Cellular and Integrative Physiology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Following her doctoral studies, Dr. Rahman pursued postdoctoral research in neuro-immunology at Stanford University, where her work resulted in the identification of novel brain-homing immune cells in pediatric patients with neuropsychiatric disorder. Before arriving at Manchester, Dr. Rahman has served as a faculty member at San Francisco State University and San Jose State University. In her spare time, Dr. Rahman can be found whipping up some traditional Bangladeshi recipes in her kitchen, or cuddling with her kitty babies Zorro & Oreo, or busy updating her “Hummingbird Cottage” with her husband.

Areas of research interests:

Neuro-immunology; Pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric and related autoimmune disorders; Myeloid cell biology; Immune cell trafficking; Trained innate immunity

Research Publications:

• Shamma S. Rahman; …& Elizabeth D. Mellins. Disease state-dependent myeloid cell phenotypes in pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome include a novel brain-homing monocyte subset. Brain, Behavior and Immunity (2024; submitted).
• Isaac Melamed*; Shamma S. Rahman*; ...& Elizabeth D. Mellins. IVIg response in pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) correlates with reduction in pro-inflammatory monocytes and neuropsychiatric measures. Frontiers in Immunology (2024; revised & re-submitted). (*shared first author)
• Claudia Macaubas; Shamma S. Rahman; ...& Elizabeth D. Mellins. High dimensional analyses of circulating immune cells in Psoriatic Arthritis detect elevated phosphorylated STAT3. Frontiers in Immunology (2022).
• Shamma S. Rahman; ...& Erika I. Boesen. EHD4 is a novel regulator of urinary water homeostasis. FASEB Journal (2017).
• Shama S. Rahman & Erika I. Boesen. Outside the mainstream: novel collecting duct proteins regulating water balance. American Journal of Physiology- Renal Physiology (2016).

Dr. Yousif Rojeab joined Manchester University in July 2022 as Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics. He spent the past 15 years on the faculty at the Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University. Dr. Rojeab earned his B.Sc. in Pharmacy in 1999 from the Jordan University of Science and Technology and Ph.D. in 2007 in Pharmaceutics from the University of Houston, TX. He is also a licensed pharmacist in the states of Ohio and Michigan, and he practices the profession as staff pharmacist at Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, OH. Current research in Dr. Rojeab’s lab involves two main areas. First is the physicochemical characterization, preformulation, formulation and delivery of anti-cancer agents. The second research area involves bioavailability and bioequivalence evaluations of novel and conventional orally administered solid dosage forms in man. In his leisure time, Dr. Rojeab likes to travel the world, watch NBA basketball and plays soccer.

Classes Taught and Coordinated at Manchester

• PHRM 334 Pharmaceutics 1
• PHRM 335 Pharmaceutics 2
• PHRM 337 Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacogenomics
• PGX 512 Advanced Pharmacokinetics

Honors/Awards

• Most Collaborative Outreach Award at Ohio Northern University for 2020-21 academic year, presented to Dr. Rojeab as the faculty advisor for sPMC (student chapter of Personalized Medicine Coalition).
• Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year Award, Ohio Northern University, 2020.
• Student Dedication Award, by Ohio Northern University’s Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society, academic year 2019-20.
• Outstanding PHBS (Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences) Professor of the Year, Ohio Northern University, academic years 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 & 2017-18.
• Sigma Xi Research Award for Poster Competition, University of Houston, TX, twice in 2004 and 2006.
• Goel Academic Achievement Award, University of Houston, TX, 2004.

Affiliations

• American Association of Pharmaceutical scientists (AAPS)
• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
• Sigma Xi Research Society
• Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society
• The Rho Chi Pharmaceutical Honor Society
• Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society
• Ohio Pharmacist Association

Selected Podium Presentations

• 4th International Conference on Pharm Science Research & Development, February, 22-26, 2022, San Francisco, CA. Presentation title: In Vitro Permeation and Pharmacokinetic Evaluations of a Novel Transdermal Formulation of CZ48, Lactone-Stabilized Camptothecin-C20-propionate, for Cancer Treatment (invited speaker).
• Pharma Conference and Expo, May 2-4, 2018, Rome, Italy. Presentation title: In Vitro Permeation and Pharmacokinetic Evaluations of a Novel Transdermal Formulation of CZ48, Lactone-Stabilized Camptothecin-C20-propionate, for Cancer Treatment (invited speaker and poster judge).
• 7th Annual International Symposium of Drug Delivery Systems, July 12-14, 2017, Prague, Czech Republic. Presentation title: Microemulsion Formulations for CZ48, Lactone-Stabilized Camptothecin-C20-Propionate for Transdermal Delivery (invited speaker).

Selected Abstracts, Presentations and Publications:

• Eric Belanger, Shawn Wolf, Steven Zatt, Jeffrey Christoff and Yousif Rojeab. Chemical Stability of Reconstituted Sincalide in Sterile Water under 2 Different Storage Conditions, Journal of Nuclear medicine technology, 2020, 48:174-176.
• Yousif Rojeab, Cal VonStein, Elaina Gollmar, Jessica Fernandez, Alexandria Dingess, Elaine Chiu, Taylor Hoffman and Deirdre Myers. Dissolution Characterization of Compounded Ibuprofen-Containing Tablet Formulations for Potentially Faster Pain Relief: The Effects of Disintegrants. International Journal of Current Research. Vol 10, Issue 12, 2018; 75897-75902.
• Yousif B. Rojeab, Tarek M. Mahfouz, Kelly M. Shields, David H. Kinder, Hannah Lamb, Deirdre L. Myers and Emily Loudermilk. “Evaluation of The Impact of a Novel, Hand-on Basic Science Exercise on Students’ Learning”. Abstract, AACP Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, July 2018.
• Yousif Rojeab, Mohamad Hassoun, Ellen Hazelet and Deirdre Myers. HPLC Method Development and Validation for Simultaneous Quantification of Vitamins C and K₃ in Hard Gelatin Capsules for Their Potential Benefit in Postoperative Total Joint Arthroplasty. Ann Clin Res Trials. Vol 1, Issue 2, 2017, 006.
• Yousif Rojeab, Elizabeth Grubb, Robin White, Susan Montenery and Marjorie Walker. Comparative Pharmacokinetics of a Rapidly Disintegrating Tablet Formulation of Ibuprofen and Enteric-Coated Ibuprofen: Clinical Significance from a Pilot Study. J Clin Res Let. Vol 3, Issue 2, 2012; 41-45.
• Yousif Rojeab, Shane Martin, Robin White, Susan Montenery, Mary McWilliams, Marjorie Walker and David Kisor. In Vitro Dissolution and Pilot Pharmacokinetic Studies of Acetylsalicylic Acid from an Orally Disintegrating Tablet Formulation of Low-Dose Aspirin. Int J Med Clin Res. Vol 2, Issue 2, 2011; 72-77.

Dr. Raylene Rospond joined Manchester University in July 2014 as the Vice President and Dean of the College of Pharmacy.  As the chief administrative and academic officer for the College, she was responsible for uniting and inspiring administrators, faculty, staff, preceptors and students toward achievement of the mission and goals of both the University and College.  She led the pharmacy program through a successful extension of candidate accreditation status, development of a Master’s program in pharmacogenomics, and most recently supporting the President and Board of Trustees through an institutional restructuring process that resulted in her assuming a new role as Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Natural and Health Sciences in July 2015.  She assumed the role of Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs for the University in March 2017 and served in that capacity for 2 ½ years.

She returned to the College of Pharmacy, Natural Health Sciences as Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Outreach and Professor of Pharmacy Practice in May 2020.

Dr. Rospond has over 31 years of academic experience in clinical practice, didactic and experiential teaching, scholarship and administration.  Prior to coming to Manchester University she served as the Deputy Provost at Drake University following ten years as the Dean of Drake’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.  Under her leadership as Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Drake University, the College enhanced its US News rankings, implemented a new degree program, initiated an emphasis on entrepreneurship, committed to enhanced professional involvement, doubled its endowment, renovated half and added an atrium to its physical plant, enhanced resources to support student scholarships, awards and professional travel, established its first endowed chair, and in conjunction with the Iowa Pharmacy Association and the University of Iowa established the Collaborative Education Institute which is committed to continual professional development of practicing pharmacists, students and preceptors.

She began her academic career at Creighton University establishing an innovative oncology practice, an oncology residency program, and an active research agenda through her work as Associate Director of Research at the Creighton Cancer Center.   She has received numerous recognitions including the AACP Innovations in Teaching Award, being recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and receiving the Robert G. Gibbs Distinguished Pharmacy Award by the Iowa Pharmacy Association.  Dr. Rospond earned her B.S. in Pharmacy from Creighton University and her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in conjunction with the completion of her residency in hematology/oncology.

Curriculum vitae

Areas of Interest:  Leadership, Ethics, Online Instructor, Hematology-Oncology, Palliative Care, Pain Management

Ann Savariar joined Manchester University in July 2018 and currently serves as an Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutical and Graduate Life Sciences. She received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Huntington University and her Master of Science Degree in Pharmacogenomics from Manchester University.

At Manchester, she teaches in the Pharmacogenomics, Pharmacy, and Nutrigenomics programs. Her expertise is in the Pharmacogenomics laboratory, from teaching DNA extraction to running PGx instrumentation to generate PGx genotyping reports. Her goal is making PGx accessible and understandable for everyone. She conducts demonstrations and sales for clinical laboratories interested in expanding to Pharmacogenomics testing. She loves volunteering to teach Pharmacogenomics to all ages, particularly at summer camps, to showcase the importance of personalized medicine.

In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, and weightlifting. She values spending quality time with her family and pets.

Classes Taught at Manchester

• PGx-501 Introduction to Pharmacogenomics
• PGx-514 Analytical Technology I
• PGx 524-A: Analytical Technology II
• PGx 534-A: Analytical Technology III
• PGx/NGx 592: Laboratory Techniques Intensive
• PHRM 337: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacogenomics

Brook Schumann joined the Pharmacy Program in July 2015. He divides his time as the Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacy Education coordinator and the Pharmacy Practice Laboratory Coordinator. Prior to joining Manchester, Brook worked for UF Health Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida and at Corum Health Services, a long-term care pharmacy in Saint Louis, Missouri. As a pharmacy technician, Brook has had many years of working with student pharmacists and sharing his expertise in sterile and non-sterile compounding. Brook received his B.S. degree in Personal Financial Management from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

Eric Schwarz joined Manchester University’s Fort Wayne location in 2022 after more than a decade of working in other positions in higher education information technology. His resume includes desktop support, event support, telecom and network operations, and project management. Eric has also served in student life roles and earned both a Master of Science in Information & Communication Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Ball State University.

I was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I graduated from Trine University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. I explored the Criminal Justice field for just a short while until I found my true passion in Higher Education. I currently hold 8 years of experience in Higher Education. The thing I love the most is the journey that lies in changing a life. I am excited to be at Manchester University and looking forward to helping where I can. When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, watching movies, and even getting lost in a good read.

Philip Spann began employment at Manchester University in the summer of 2012 as a University Safety Officer.  Prior to that Spann worked for White’s Residential and Family Services where he learned Therapeutic Crisis Intervention techniques.  During his time in the Safety Department, Spann worked on the creation of the Spartan Coin program.  A way for the University Safety team to recognize students who displayed the University’s core values.  He was trained and certified as a basic EMT for eight years of my time within the Safety Department.  Spann enjoyed putting on small activities for Resident Assistants such as fire extinguisher training and a popular “drunk driving obstacle course” where students would wear special goggles while attempting to maneuver a golf cart through an obstacle course.  Spann departed Manchester University in the summer of 2021 and took a position in the fall of 2021 as a campus safety officer of a local Fort Wayne factory.  There he patrolled their five-building campus and parking lots assisting with OSHA safety requirements.

Following graduation with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Dr. Trovinger spent 6 months as a staff pharmacist at Walgreens. She then moved to hospital practice, first at Select Specialty Hospital and then at Lutheran Hospital, both in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After 2 years precepting PharmD Candidate students at Lutheran Hospital, she joined the Purdue University pharmacy faculty as a co-funded faculty member with both Purdue University and Lutheran Hospital. During her 2.5 years in this cofunded position, she created an emergency department pharmacy service and specialized in cardiac critical care.

While working at both Lutheran Hospital and Purdue University, Dr. Trovinger enrolled in The Graduate School at Purdue University focusing on learning design and technology. She completed her Master’s Degree in Education in May of 2018.

In July of 2015 she moved to full time academia, joining the faculty of Manchester University as their Assistant Director of Experiential Education and an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice. In the summer of 2018, Dr. Trovinger was promoted to Director of Experiential Education. During her time at Manchester University, Dr. Trovinger founded their international experiential education rotations and created a required experiential experience in underserved clinics.

She joined the faculty of Palm Beach Atlantic University in May of 2020 and served there as the Chair of Experiential Education until the Spring of 2021, when she returned to Manchester University.

Dr. Trovinger’s research focuses in the scholarship of teaching and learning, specifically in preceptor development. She speaks both locally and nationally on topics related to experiential education, as well as presenting posters and publishing in peer-reviewed pharmacy education journals and publications. She is deeply involved in the American Academy of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and recently served as the Chair of the Women Faculty Special Interest Group.

Christy Tunnell, MBA, RDN, LD, a seasoned Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and business professional. Her education and research interests include nutrition, wellness, leadership development and coaching to truly engage consumers/patients and move any business to preeminence. She writes/presents seminars and demonstrations focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, comprehensive well-being, employee engagement and development, and customer service. She has worked in higher education, healthcare administration, premiere service organizations and understand both the intricacies and the universalities of each. She serves in board and leadership capacities and is LEAN Six Sigma trained. Christy enjoys reading, being outside, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Customer service is transactional, customer empathy is emotional…be in the laughter and tears business.

Kylie Vestal joined the Department of Pharmaceutical and Graduate Life Sciences in May of 2024 assuming the role of Laboratory Technical Specialist. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Biology and Molecular Biology at Ohio Northern University and her Master of Science in Molecular Genetics from the University of Cincinnati. She comes with five years of lab experience in various fields such as structural biology, cell signaling mechanisms, and drosophila melanogaster genetics.

Wambui Wamburu joined Manchester University in the fall of 2023. As an associate professor of pharmacy practice, she feels honored to have a hand in preparing future pharmacists, thereby shaping our health care. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy with honors from Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga., and her Bachelor of Chemistry from Worcester State University, Worcester, Mass.

Dr. Wamburu has over a decade of distinguished clinical experience and teaching and has served in various roles in the health care spectrum, from teaching pharmacy at Kenyatta University, where she also directed collaborations and partnerships to improve capacity and clinical practice, to serving as the regional director of the World Surgical Infection Society for Sub-Saharan Africa. As a clinical pharmacist with Indiana University Health, she worked with the hospital team to produce patient-centered results while precepting students for clinical pharmacy preparation.

With these experiences and passion for teaching and community she is excited to be part of the Manchester University family.

Sarah Wehrkamp joined Manchester in 2022 as the Director of Student Affairs for Pharmacy Programs. Sarah is a 2007 graduate of the University of Saint Francis. While there, she was a four-year member of the softball team and earned a BA in Communication Management and a Speech minor. In 2013 she earned her MA in Professional Communication from Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW). During her career, Sarah has worked at PFW and Ivy Tech Community College in student service roles within student life and academic advising.  Sarah and her husband Kyle have three children and enjoy living in Fort Wayne. In addition to spending time with family, Sarah enjoys being active, playing cards & games, being outside and watching Notre Dame football.

Dr. Andrea L. Wilhite joined the Pharmacy Program in August 2011 after completing her residency program at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. In addition to her core faculty responsibilities, she assumes clinical responsibilities and practice pharmacy in a local ambulatory clinic. Dr. Wilhite earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Purdue University.

Classes Taught at Manchester

• Nonprescription Therapeutics
• Cardiovascular Therapeutics: hypertension and hyperlipidemia
• Endocrine: Type 2 Diabetes

Honors/Awards

• Manchester University College of Pharmacy Outstanding Service Award, 2013

Rachel Zaremba joined Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Natural, and Health Sciences in 2023 and currently serves as an assistant professor of pharmacy practice and holds a clinical ambulatory care specialist appointment in association with Cameron Memorial Hospital in Anglola, Indiana. She completed her Pharm.D. degree at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2021. She continued as an adjunct faculty at Midwestern for their spring quarter before starting her PGY-1 residency at Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - St. Joseph Campus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She pursued and completed a PGY-2 residency in pharmacotherapy at Community Health Network/Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rachel is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with students and colleagues alike and looks forward to integrating into her new position with Manchester University/Cameron Memorial Hospital.

Kaitlyn Zook is from Fort Wayne, Indiana and completed her undergraduate degrees from Manchester University in 2015. Her degrees are B.S. in Communication Studies and Spanish. She has worked in higher education enrollment for 9 years. When not in the office, Kaitlyn likes to spend time with her husband Phillip and two boys, Emmett and Declan, read, and be outside.