People

I am Nkafu Bechem Ndemazie (MD/MPH), a foreign medical graduate from the University of Buea Cameroon, with a Public Health background from the University of Nottingham (United Kingdom). I joined Dr. Agyare’s lab in the fall of 2018; it was a great moment full of great researchers in a supportive environment with loads of mentorship. ​ Though a young researcher’s lab, many unimaginable research projects are designed on daily bases. We meet fortnightly with our advisor for discussions and presentation of data which prepares us for national and international conferences. I have been able to design and conduct research in pharmaceutical and basic sciences. Learning to use and troubleshoot different machines has been very interesting. During my stay and study period, I attended national conferences where I presented the results of my research projects, published with colleagues in the lab, and, most importantly, defended my dissertation protocol. ​ My research focuses on synthesizing fluoropyrimidines, in vitro assessment of their anticancer activities, and optimizing drug delivery techniques for pancreatic cancer. I also had a supportive environment to prepare and take on the United States Medical License Exams (USMLE) steps 1 and 2. I am interested in defending my Ph.D. in the spring of 2023 and look forward to applying for residency into a Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) with an interest in becoming a gastrointestinal oncologist.

I am Raviteja Bulusu, a Ph.D. student with a bachelor’s from GITAM University (2013-2017) and a master’s from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (2017-2019) with a major in pharmaceutics. Previously, I worked in an industry specializing in solid-state and amorphous dispersions.​ In the fall of 2021, I joined Dr. Agyare's lab at FAMU. Currently, in the research domain, I am working on understanding how pancreatic and colorectal cancer cell lines respond to different drug treatments by performing cell viability, western blotting, and cell migration studies.​ My research interest is developing and characterizing a novel formulation to target and deliver the anticancer drug. I am eager to learn new techniques and focus on diverse skill sets to advance my professional career.

I am Esther Kesewaah Frimpong, a Ph.D. student and Graduate Research Assistant at the Agyare Lab. I hold a bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, and a Master of Public Health degree from the East Tennessee State University. My research focuses on modifying existing pancreatic cancer drugs to enhance targeted drug delivery using nanotechnological methods.​ I joined Dr. Agyare’s lab in the fall of 2021. Joining this lab has been an awesome experience, as the lab has created a conducive environment for me to thrive as a student and researcher. I have developed valuable skills in nano delivery of various pancreatic and colorectal cancer drugs. The mentorship and constant feedback I receive from Dr. Agyare and my senior colleagues has been very impactful to the success of my research journey so far.​ I look forward to the vast number of opportunities and successes ahead in my Ph.D. journey​

I am Joy Okoro, a Ph.D. student and Graduate Research Assistant at the Agyare Lab. I am a Foreign Pharmacy graduate from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria. I obtained a Master of Public Health (with a concentration in Epidemiology)degree from East Tennessee State University. My seven years of pharmacy working experience have spanned different fields, such as industries, hospitals, and community pharmacy practice settings.​  I joined Dr. Edward Agyare’s lab in the Fall of 2022. Currently, my research is geared towards optimizing and modifying existing pancreatic cancer medications to enhance targeted drug delivery in treating pancreatic cancer.​  I am grateful for the conducive environment provided by Agyare’s Lab, which allows me to thrive as a student and researcher. I am presently inculcating valuable skills in nano delivery of various pancreatic cancer medications. Also, I am excited to characterize new compounds with potential cytotoxic effects and to treat tumor-inoculated animals with these compounds. ​ I look forward to the various opportunities and successes in my Ph.D. journey.

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), FDA, Silver Spring, Maryland.

nter for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) FDA, Silver Spring, Maryland

ORISE Fellow - Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) FDA, Silver Spring, Maryland