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School of Pharmacy Alumni, Faculty and Friends,
Now that we have celebrated the completion of another successful academic year, it is the perfect time to reflect on the many accomplishments of our students, faculty and alumni.
In this newsletter, we have included several examples of how our faculty are helping us move the School forward. Highlights of their accomplishments include Snehal Bhatt being recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Michael Angelini receiving the MPhA President's Award, Richard Silvia being appointed to the JACCP Editorial Board and Michele Matthews becoming the Vice Chair of the ASHP Council on Public Policy.
This newsletter also celebrates the accomplishments of our students and alumni. Examples of the students being recognized for their achievements include Karen Mends receiving the MSHP Student of the Year Award, Duy Vu being selected into the AACP inaugural Pharm4Me Student Ambassador Program and Hong Minh Tran participating in the NACDS Emerging Leaders Academy.
Our alumni also received numerous awards and recognitions, examples of which include Ngoc Phuong Mai Le being featured in Pharmacy Today for her work as a Fellow at the University of North Carolina and James Long and Ernie Gates receiving the MCPHS School of Pharmacy at Boston Graduate of the Last Decade and Distinguished Alumni Awards, respectively.
Lastly, this newsletter has many wonderful pictures of your friends and colleagues attending events throughout the year including the Class of 2026 Hooding and Awards Ceremony, BS Program Awards Ceremony, Biopharmaceutical Industry Fellows Graduation and 2026 Reed Conference.
We hope you enjoy reading this newsletter as much as we enjoyed gathering the information for it. As we look forward to another successful year, please know that we are always happy to receive information about your accomplishments, and we encourage you to nominate yourself or other alumni to receive an alumni award at the Reed Conference next March.
Yours in Pharmacy Education, Practice and Research,
Robert DiCenzo, PharmD, FCCP, FAPhA
Associate Provost for Pharmacy Education and Dean of the School of Pharmacy at Boston
| | 2026 Graduation Ceremonies | |
Hooding and Awards:
Celebrating the School of Pharmacy - Boston Class of 2026
| | Left to right: Junhyeok Choi, Donovin Doung, Dania Shoqeir | | |
The School of Pharmacy proudly celebrated the accomplishments of its graduating students during its 2026 Hooding and Awards and BS Program Awards Ceremonies. The BS Program Awards Ceremony was held on April 23, 2026, in White Hall at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) in Boston, followed by the Hooding and Awards Ceremony for PharmD, MS, and PhD graduates on May 3, 2026, at John Hancock Hall.
Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and staff, graduates were recognized for their academic achievements, and the dedication that brought them to this important milestone. The Hooding and Awards ceremony featured a keynote address by clinical pharmacist Dr. Sepideh Amirifeli, PharmD, RPh, of New England Pharmacy & Wellness.
| | Both ceremonies featured inspiring remarks from student speakers chosen by their classmates. Noor Mohamed, BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences '26 and Naga Tata, BS in Pharmacology and Toxicology '26, addressed graduates during the BS Program Awards Ceremony, while Abena Agyei, PharmD '26, delivered remarks during the Hooding and Awards Ceremony. Their reflections celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 and looked ahead to the opportunities that await them. | | Left to right: Ali Chreim, Sarah Petros, Irini Koronios, Aleksandra Frankhauser, Megan Sousa, Melanie Sousa, Riley Crampton, Renil Patel | | |
In addition, 30 School of Pharmacy - Boston graduates received awards from the University and our partners in the life sciences industry recognizing outstanding academic achievement, leadership, service, and professional excellence.
Congratulations to the School of Pharmacy - Boston Class of 2026 as they begin the next chapter of their professional journeys.
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Commencement, Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA
MCPHS organized dual Commencement ceremonies on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA, to recognize the exceptional achievements of approximately 1,500 graduates from both Schools of pharmacy.
| | Snehal H. Bhatt Named a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology | | | | Snehal H. Bhatt was recently elected as a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), one of the most prestigious honors in cardiovascular medicine. The American College of Cardiology is the nation's premier cardiovascular professional society, representing more than 56,000 members worldwide and dedicated to transforming heart health through education, research, and advocacy. Fellowship is awarded to those who have demonstrated sustained clinical expertise, academic contribution, and meaningful service to the cardiovascular community; criteria that speak directly to Bhatt's more than 20 years of dedicated cardiology practice and scholarship at the intersection of clinical cardiology and pharmacy practice. | | Michael Angelini Receives MPhA President's Award | | |
Michael Angelini was the recipient of the MPhA President's Award on June 6th. Mike received this Award because of his commitment to further the profession through educating student pharmacists, residents, colleagues and his recognition as an expert in his field. This award is also recognition for his compassionate care of patients with mental illness and substance use disorders.
| | | Richard Silvia Appointed to the JACCP Editorial Board | | | | Richard Silvia was nominated and selected to serve on the editorial board for the Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (JACCP). ACCP is a prominent organization for clinical pharmacy, and the journal is one of their two supported peer-reviewed journals. In this role, he will help review and recruit manuscripts for publication within the journal. | | Michele Matthews Appointed Vice Chair of the ASHP Council on Public Policy | | Michele Matthews has been appointed Vice Chair of the ASHP Council on Public Policy for the 2026–2027 term. The Council plays a key leadership role in developing policy recommendations that guide ASHP's advocacy efforts on issues affecting pharmacy practice, medication use, patient safety, and healthcare policy at the national level. This national leadership appointment reflects her contributions to pharmacy practice, education, and professional advocacy. | | | Faculty Day 2026 Awardees | | Center for Teaching & Learning Fellow Award | |
Honorable Mention
Center for Research & Discovery Research Mentor of the Year Award
| | Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Research Faculty Mentor Award | | Faculty Scholarship Awards | | Scholarship of Integration | | Scholarship Showcase Awards | | |
Scholarship of Discovery
& Creative Works
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Interprofessional Practice
and Education
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Swati Betharia promoted
to Full Professor
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Anand Sridar promoted
to Full Professor
| | Roseann Donnelly promoted to Full Professor | |
MCPHS Students Represent University
During International Delegation Visit
| | Asian Student Association Meeting Attendees | | |
MCPHS PharmD students Jenny- Nhi Lam and Tiffany Tran recently represented the University as officers of the Asian Student Association during a meeting with a delegation from Taichung, Taiwan, led by Mayor Lu Shiow-yen. Alongside student leaders from several Boston-area institutions, including MIT, Harvard, Boston University, and Northeastern University, they shared their perspectives on student life in Boston and participated in discussions focused on environmental sustainability and collaboration between the two cities. Their involvement highlights the meaningful impact MCPHS students are making on both local and international initiatives.
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Left to Right: Tiffany Tran
and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu
| | MCPHS-Boston Students Shine at APhA Annual Meeting | | |
Back Row - Left-Right: Dr. Spencer Casella, Dr. Amanda Najm, Madison Csogi, Anusha Handa, Duy Vu, Owen Mitchell, Dr. Jian (Eric) Weng, Yunkeon Lee, Jackie Han, Minh Hong Tran, Hyerin Kang
Front Row - Left-Right: Dr. Trisha LaPointe, Dr. Phung On, Dean Robert Dicenzo, Nardeen Sharbatoghlie, Stephanie Schellhaas, Abigail Obbong, Jana Abuhassan, and Dr. Kripali Patel
| | Left to Right: Anusha Handa, Madison Csogi, Emma Cote, Jackie Han, Hyerin Kang, Spencer Casella, Duy Vu | | Students showcased their research through poster presentations at the APhA Annual Meeting, including Madison Csogi, Owen Mitchell, Stephanie Schellhaas, Nardeen Sharbatoghlie, Kinnari Harjivan, and Emma Cote. In addition to these individual accomplishments, MCPHS-Boston ASP chapter was awarded the 2024–2025 Region 1 Award for Operation Reproductive Health, recognizing the chapter’s outstanding commitment to advancing patient care and public health initiatives. | | MCPHS Center for Research and Discovery | | |
2026 Student Research Conference Award Winners
from the School of Pharmacy – Boston
Congratulations to the School of Pharmacy – Boston students who were recognized at the 2026 MCPHS Center for Research and Discovery Boston Student Research Conference. The annual conference featured nearly 200 research presentations from students across MCPHS campuses and disciplines, bringing together more than 400 faculty, staff, alumni, students, and invited guests to celebrate innovation, discovery, and academic excellence. We are proud to recognize our award recipients for their outstanding achievements.
Oral Presentations
JaeYong (James) Kim - Candidate for Doctor of Pharmacy '27
Junhee Lee - Candidate for Doctor of Pharmacy '28
Presentation Title:
Regulatory Implications of miRNA-486-5p–Mediated PDGFRβ–MEK/ERK Signaling in Muscle Regeneration in Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2B.
Ashwini Thirugnanam - Candidate for PhD in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy (PEP) '28
Presentation Title:
Rates and Predictors of Statin discontinuation after colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis in older Medicare Beneficiaries.
Poster Presentations
Alana Laramee - Candidate for Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology '29
Presentation Title:
Targeting PAR1 allosteric site to control TF-driven thromboinflammation in human primary endothelial cells.
Grace McLain - Candidate for Bachelor of Science in Chemistry '27
Rahma Ibrahim - Candidate for Doctor of Pharmacy '28
Presentation Title:
Synthesis of Cyclam-Zinc MOF for targeted drug release of 5-fluorouracil.
Nguyen Nguyen - Candidate for Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences '27
Presentation Title:
Cultural Adjustment and Academic Success Among International Students in Boston.
Yesha Shah - Candidate for Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology '28
Presentation Title:
Decoding the role of CCDC3 in vascular inflammation using gene silencing (siRNA) approach.
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Honors & Awards:
Each year, one student across all pharmacy schools in the Commonwealth is selected for MCPHS Student of the Year Award. This year, MCPHS Boston P3 student Karen Mends received the Student of the Year Award and was recognized during the Honors & Awards Banquet at the Annual Meeting.
| | Left to right: Min Sung Kwon and Jana Abuhasan | |
Poster Presentations:
We also had MCPHS Boston students presenting during the poster session. Jana Abuhasan, Hetil Patel, and Min Sung Kwon presented, “Optimization of Guideline-Recommended Secondary Stroke Prevention Pharmacotherapy in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility".
| | | | Duy Vu has been selected for the inaugural cohort of the Pharm4Me Student Ambassador Program. The Pharm4Me program provides students, parents, and educators with interactive tools, resources, and first-person testimonials that give insight into the exciting and diverse career opportunities that exist within the field of pharmacy. The Pharm4Me program is managed by AACP and is supported by the Pharmacy Career Information Council (PCIC). The purpose of the PCIC is to assist prospective and current student pharmacists in accessing contemporary and accurate information regarding pharmacy education and pharmacy career pathways. | | Fellowship Graduation 2026 | | 2026 Fellowship Graduates | | In May of 2026, the MCPHS Biopharmaceutical Industry Fellowship program celebrated the accomplishments of 43 graduating fellows. The evening was celebrated at the Hyatt Cambridge Boston with leaders, faculty, staff, and friends and family of the graduates. Amee Mistry, Professor and Director of the fellowship program, began the evening with a warm welcome, followed by greetings from Dean and Associate Provost DiCenzo, reflections from Fellowship Alumni, and motivating words from the new President of the MCPHS Fellows Network, Sean Gulledge. The celebration was a wonderful event and is a testament to the growth and success of the program. | | Hong Minh Tran Selected for NACDS Emerging Leaders Academy | | | | Congratulations to Hong Minh Tran (Class of 2027) on being selected to attend the NACDS Foundation Dinner, NACDS Total Store Expo, and Emerging Leaders Academy, taking place August 15–17, 2026. These nationally recognized events bring together leaders from across the pharmacy profession, healthcare, academia, and industry to foster collaboration, celebrate advancements in community pharmacy, and support the future of the profession. As a participant in the Emerging Leaders Academy, Hong Minh will have the opportunity to strengthen leadership skills, expand a professional network, and gain valuable insights into pharmacy advocacy and innovation. | | Alumni Spotlight: Ngoc Phuong Mai Le, PharmD | | |
School of Pharmacy alumna Ngoc Phuong Mai Le, PharmD, was recently featured in Pharmacy Today for her work as a Medical Affairs Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and United Therapeutics. In the feature, Le discusses her journey from pharmacy school to the pharmaceutical industry, sharing how experiences in hospital, community, clinical, and industry settings prepared her for a career focused on drug development and advancing patient care.
Le reflects on the importance of lifelong learning, collaboration, and building strong professional relationships, while describing how her role combines scientific communication, evidence evaluation, and cross-functional teamwork to support the development of new therapies. She also encourages student pharmacists and new practitioners to explore diverse opportunities, stay curious, and embrace experiences that help shape their careers.
Congratulations to Dr. Le on this well-deserved recognition and for representing the School of Pharmacy through her inspiring career journey.
| | 2026 Reed Conference:
A Hub of Learning and Collaboration | | Left to right: Joseph Ferullo, Roseann Donnelly, Ricky Thumar, Susan Krikorian, Paul Kiritsy, Rebecca Couris, Susan Jacobson, Jami Jain, Phung On, Rita El Hachem, Lana Dvorkin-Camiel, Jennifer Goldman, Kathy Grams, Dorothea Rudorf, Michele Matthews, Trisha La Pointe, Yulia Murray, David Schnee, Amy Ricupero, Snehal Bhatt, Judy Cheng, Tim Hudd, Matthew Machado | | The Reed Conference honors the dedication and contributions of Howard L. Reed to the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. This year's event offered in-person learning and networking opportunities. Attendees benefited from five sessions and a total of 5 ACPE-accredited Continuing Education (CE) hours, and all participants received free access to a 1-hour law CE home study program. | | |
Left to right:
Jennifer Goldman, Susan Jacobson, Michele Matthews, Yulia Murray
| | Honoring Excellence: MCPHS Celebrates Two Exceptional Alumnae for Their Contributions to Pharmacy and Healthcare | | Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award | | |
James Long, an MCPHS School of Pharmacy – Boston alum was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award, the University's highest honor for pharmacy graduates within ten years of earning their degree. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding professional achievement, leadership, service to the community, and continued engagement with MCPHS.
| | Distinguished Alumni Award | | Ernie Gates was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award, Boston. A pharmacist, entrepreneur, and healthcare leader, he has made significant contributions to the profession through innovation, business leadership, and public service. As President and CEO of Gates Healthcare Associates, he continues to influence healthcare policy and practice, most recently through his appointment to a Massachusetts Senate commission addressing the public health impact of xylazine and fentanyl. | | | | |
