Pharmaceutical Sciences Research

The Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty, in addition to teaching, are actively involved in research. Our current research portfolio includes projects in oncology, unique drug delivery systems, genomics, neuropharmacology, cardiovascular medications and eye diseases. The department has fully equipped research laboratories that are located in the research wing of the Avera Health and Science Center. The research facilities are utilized by faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students and undergraduate researchers. The department has the first endowed faculty position in the college, the Markl Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research.

Faculty Research Interests

The research projects in the department are nationally competitive. They are regularly funded by NIH, USDA and state agencies. Research interests of department faculty include:

  • Cancer
  • Neuropharmacology
  • Cancer pharmacology
  • Ocular diseases
  • Genomics
  • Drug and Vaccine delivery
  • Bioengineering
Faculty and student using lab equipment
Areas of Research: Molecular biology and genetics of human retrotransposons

Student and faculty using microscope
Areas of Research: Cellular and molecular biology of the cornea and lens
Graduate students and faculty in lab
Areas of Research: Chemical modification of natural products and synthesis of medicinally active compounds
Dr. Gunaje and students
Areas of Research: Signal transduction, cancer biology, cancer prevention
Dr. Rahman's Research Group
Areas of Research: Neuropharmacology, drug addiction, therapeutic drug discovery for brain disorders
Dr. Raina
Areas of Research: Cancer prevention
Faculty and graduate student in research lab
Areas of Research: Drug delivery and pharmacokinetics
Dr. Seefeldt and students
Areas of Research: Oxidative stress in cardiovascular disorders
Graduate students using microscope
Areas of Research: Drug delivery and drug targeting, vaccine development