Graduate Students
Seyedeh Melika Akaberi
PharmD, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
BPSCI
Office: 758A
Sam and Aline Skaggs Health Science Center
Meridian Campus
Dr. Akaberi is a Research Assistant Professor and Lecturer in the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Idaho State University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences under the mentorship of Dr. Marvin Schulte and Dr.Kavita Sharma. Her research focuses on the interaction between viral proteins and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, aiming to advance understanding of virus-mediated neurological disorders and support the development of preventative therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Akaberi earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences, where she conducted research on biologic therapies for dermatologic and wound healing applications. Her multidisciplinary research portfolio spans molecular pharmacology, neuropharmacology, skin biology, and drug development, and she has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications in both clinical and basic science journals.
Sina Dehestani
Xiaohan Fu
Biwash Ghimire
PhD Student, Advisor: Dr. Ali A. Habashi
Office: Eames Complex
Thesis Title:
A comprehensive study on synthesis, formulation, characterization, and therapeutic potential of a novel Angiotensin 1-7 analogue.
Research Interests:
My research interests include drug formulation and delivery of peptidomimetics. My study focuses on the improvement of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic properties of small molecules and peptides by formulation of liposomes and lipid nanoparticles, with an emphasis on Renin Angiotensin System.
Pradeep Giri
PhD Student, Advisor: Dr. Ali A. Habashi
Research Interests:
Drug formulation and Delivery, Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study, 3D Bioprinting in tissue engineering and disease modeling.
Elizabeth Kara
PhD Student, Advisor: Dr. Danny Xu
Research Interests:
Early phase drug discovery and development, as well as behavioral neurosciences.
Jamison Lee
PhD Student, Advisor: Dr. Jesse Jones
Research Interests:
Zebrafish PTSD Behavioral Studies, Neuroscience
Sameena Mateen
PhD Student, Advisor: Dr. Srinath Pashikanti
Research Interests:
Drug Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, Design and Synthesis, in Vivo Screening, and Instrumental Analysis.
Christopher Nicolet
PharmD
Lecturer
PPRA
Office: 750
Sam and Aline Skaggs Health Science Center
Meridian Campus
Dr. Christopher Nicolet is a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences at the L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy in Meridian.
He earned his BS in Chemistry in 2017 and taught introductory chemistry laboratory courses at the University of Alaska Anchorage before pursuing a career in pharmacy. In 2019, he was accepted into the UAA/ISU Doctor of Pharmacy program and enrolled in the dual PharmD/PhD program in pharmaceutical sciences under the supervision of Dr. Danny Xu. After graduating from the PharmD program in 2023, he moved to Meridian to continue his PhD research, focusing on identifying lead compounds that could be used to prevent drug-induced hearing loss. Through this work, he has gained experience in AI-driven protein modeling, machine learning, molecular dynamic simulation, drug repurposing, and biomedical informatics.
In addition to his research, he helps coordinate the Intro to Pharmacotherapy and Problem-Based Learning courses and delivers various lectures to student pharmacists throughout the didactic portion of the PharmD curriculum. His professional interests include drug discovery, the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and interdisciplinary education in pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences.
Anyauba A Nmaju
PhD student, Advisor: Dr. Sarah Hobdey
Thesis Title:
Characterizing a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infections caused by Group A Streptococcus.
Research Interests:
Our lab is at the forefront of developing novel immunotherapeutic approaches to manage Necrotizing soft tissue infections. Our research is concentrated on several areas of expertise such as Infectious diseases, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, Bioinformatics, and Pharmacokinetics. We are determined to find a breakthrough solution that will revolutionize the treatment of this debilitating condition.
Nikole O’Neal
PhD Student, Advisor: Research-Dr. Jared Barrott, BYU: Academic-Dr. Ali Habashi
Thesis Title:
Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) for enhancing diagnostics and genetic research for patients with cancer and germline diseases.
Research Interests:
Pharmacogenomics, pathology, cancer biology, biospecimen management, laboratory sciences.
Jordan Oman
PhD Student, Advisor: Dr. Srinath Pashikanti
Thesis Title:
Synthesis of Vitamin C Analogs as Positive Allosteric Modulators (PAMs) of a9a10 Nicotinic Cholinergic Receptors for the Treatment of Hearing Loss
Research Interests:
Synthesis of natural products, Synthesis of small molecules targeting nicotinic receptors, Drug discovery
Liliana Rodriguez
Pooja Sapkota
PhD Student, Advisor: Dr. Marvin Schulte
Thesis Title:
Discovery of Positive Allosteric Modulators of alpha9/alpha 10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors for the treatment of hearing loss.
Research Interests:
Our lab specializes in neuroscience research, primarily focusing on the investigation of ligand-gated ion channels, with a particular emphasis on nicotinic receptors. My study is directed towards examining modulators of these receptors, aiming to identify potential therapeutic targets, in conditions such as Hearing Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease. My areas involve electrophysiology, binding assays, and protein extraction.
Janhabee Shrestha
Master’s Student, Advisor: Dr. Solomon Zeleke
Research Interests:
Drug discovery
Ethan Wood
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Angelina(Jiemin) Yuan
PhD Student, Advisor:
Research Interests: