AAPS - USC STUDENT CHAPTER
The AAPS University of Southern California (USC) Student Chapter was established in 1996 by graduate students Neil Mathias, Wilson Meng, and Silvia da Costa in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy.
The USC Student Chapter was one of the only four student organizations within AAPS in 1996. While its chapter members have continued to uphold the chapter's reputation for active involvement in speaker programs, social events, and networking, AAPS - USC Student Chapter's main pride lies in the success of its annual "Moving Targets" multidisciplinary symposium.
MOVING TARGETS 2021 - Stem Cell Therapy
Healing the body with regenerative medicine
Alvin Phan is a second-year Ph.D. student at the USC School of Pharmacy. He completed both his Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Master's degree in Pharmacology at the University of California, Irvine. Currently, Alvin is working in Dr. Andrew MacKay's laboratory, where he develops protein-polymers to optimize drug delivery.
Prashil is a second-year Master's student pursuing MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences at USC School of Pharmacy. He has obtained a Bachelors in Pharmacy from Nirma University, Ahmedabad, and is also pursuing a certificate in Regulatory Sciences at USC, working with Dr. Kuo.
Ali Vogelaar is a second-year PhD student at the USC School of Pharmacy. She received a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry at Occidental College in 2019. Ali is currently working on antibacterial peptides in the lab of Dr. Julio Camarero.
Alvin Phan
CHAIR
Brandon Ebright is a second-year Ph.D. student at the USC School of Pharmacy. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Brandon is currently investigating the potential of bioactive lipids to resolve chronic inflammation in the lab of Dr. Stan Louie.
Brandon Ebright
COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR
Liz Aguiniga is the Associate Director for The Office of Graduate Affairs at the USC School of Pharmacy and serves as the Staff Liaison for the AAPS Board. Dr. Aguiniga received her Ph.D. from the Driskill Graduate Program in Life Sciences at Northwestern University. Dr. Aguiniga serves the graduate student population by providing academic and professional development opportunities for the students.
Lizath Aguiniga, Ph.D.
STAFF LIAISON
Prashil Panchal
VICE CHAIR
Saki Watanabe is a first-year Ph.D. student at the USC School of Pharmacy. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Biology at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. Currently, Saki is working in the lab of Dr. Daryl Davies and Dr. Jing Liang, where she is investigating the use of flavonoid compound, dihydromyricetin (DHM) to treat Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, alcohol use disorder, and inflammation.
Saki Watanabe
SOCIAL CHAIR
Houda Alachkar received her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the Ohio State University in 2012 and received a PharmD degree from Ohio Northern University. She completed a fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics at the University of Chicago before she joined the University of Southern California (USC) School of Pharmacy as an Assistant Professor in 2015. Dr. Alachkar's translational research focuses on experimental therapeutics and pharmacogenomics, particularly in acute leukemia.
Houda Alachkar, PharmD, Ph.D.
FACULTY ADVISOR
Alicia Vogelaar
TREASURER
Priyal Dave is a first-year Ph.D. student at the USC School of Pharmacy. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy at NMIMS University, India and Masters in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Southern California. Priyal is currently investigating the use of bioactive lipids as a potential therapy for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the lab of Dr. Stan Louie.
Priyal Dave
SECRETARY