Exceptional Achievements in Pharmaceutical Sciences: Celebrating the Graduation of Four Outstanding Learners from CoPPS, IPH

Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health (CoPPS, IPH) is proud to announce the upcoming graduation of four exceptional learners who have achieved outstanding academic success in the field of pharmaceutical sciences. On May 5th, the university will celebrate the accomplishments of Getinet M. Adinew, Xiao Zhang, Jasmine A. Evans, and Nkafu Bechem Ndemazie.

Getinet M. Adinew, originally from Abrjiha, Gondar, Ethiopia, began his academic journey at Gorgora Senior Secondary School. He earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmacy in 2013 and his Master of Science (M.S.) in Pharmacology from the University of Gondar. In 2019, he joined CoPPS, IPH to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science, specializing in Pharmacology/Toxicology. Under the guidance of Dr. Karam Soliman, Adinew conducted groundbreaking research on "thymoquinone anticancer effects through cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, antioxidant activity, upregulation of NRF2, and downregulation of PD-L1 in triple-negative breast cancer cells." His dedication and hard work resulted in numerous publications, two Kamala Kaur Awards for Excellence in Research, and a second M.S. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Adinew acknowledges the support and diverse learning experiences he gained from CoPPS professors, staff, and learners.

Xiao Zhang, hailing from Jizhou, China, will graduate with a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, specializing in Economics, Social and Administrative Pharmacy (ESAP). After completing his bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Hebei University, Zhang pursued the Pharmacy Administration Program at Northeastern University in Boston. However, he needed a more comprehensive understanding of pharmaceutical science, leading her to enroll in the ESAP program. Zhang’s exceptional academic performance, combined with her research on human microbiome prediction, paved the way for a post-doc position at the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.

Jasmine A. Evans, a native of Fitzgerald, Georgia, embarked on her journey in pharmaceutical sciences during high school, where she became a Certified Pharmacy Technician. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Albany State University, Evans joined CoPPS, IPH, to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, specializing in Pharmacology/Toxicology. Her dissertation focused on the potential therapeutic use of hesperetin, a natural compound found in citrus fruits, for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Evans’ research achievements earned her recognition in Nature magazine, multiple conference presentations, and a Master of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from FAMU. She aspires to continue her research on finding new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Nkafu Bechem Ndemazie, originally from Fontem, Cameroon, began his journey by pursuing an MD degree at the University of Buea. His passion for making a positive impact on communities with limited healthcare access led him to study for a Master's in Public Health at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. After moving to the United States, Ndemazie identified the African American community as his new focus. He joined CoPPS/IPH, where he conducted research on alternative treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer, a disease disproportionately affecting the African American population. Ndemazie’s dedication to both research and clinical practice allowed him to match into the Internal Medicine residency program at Richmond University Medical Center in New York, with future plans to pursue a fellowship in gastroenterology.

The graduation of Getinet M. Adinew, Xiao Zhang, Jasmine A. Evans, and Nkafu Bechem Ndemazie from FAMU CoPPS, IPH is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and academic excellence. The College congratulates these learners on their achievements and wishes them the best as they embark on their future endeavors, contributing to the field of pharmaceutical sciences and making a difference in healthcare and research.