From Indonesia to Rhode Island: Exploring Seaweed’s Potential for Skin Health to Human Impact Graduate student Chalissa Dibya Iranisha, working in Hang Ma’s lab, explores how local seaweed could advance skincare “Coming from Indonesia, I have always been fascinated by seaweeds and marine natural products. Studying seaweeds from the Rhode Island coast gives me the […]

Long before modern pharmaceutical laboratories existed, many of the world’s most important medicines began in nature. Aspirin traces its origins to willow bark. Digitalis, used to treat heart conditions, comes from foxglove. Even cancer therapies such as vincristine and vinblastine were first derived from compounds found in plants. At the University of Rhode Island College […]

Angela Slitt, professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Fabian Fischer, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, study how PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called “forever chemicals,” affect human health. While PFAS contamination is often discussed in the context of environmental and water systems, Slitt […]

Many cancer drugs are highly effective at killing cancer cells in laboratory settings, but are less effective once they enter the human body. Often, the challenge is not the drug itself; it is the effectiveness of how the drug is delivered, whether enough of the drug reaches the right place at the right time, or […]

As health care systems search for ways to improve outcomes and reduce costs, pharmacists are increasingly recognized as key members of patient care teams. At the University of Rhode Island, Joseph Nardolillo, Pharm.D., assistant professor, is helping advance this shift in care. A board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist, he focuses on improving medication management and chronic […]

Expanding the Reach of HIV Prevention Ashley Buchanan studies how social networks can amplify the impact of HIV prevention strategies Despite major advances in HIV treatment and prevention, young Black men who have sex with men continue to face one of the highest risks of HIV infection in the United States. Addressing this disparity requires […]

Expanding the Impact of Cancer Innovation Ami Vyas studies how access, affordability and real-world use influence cancer outcomes Over the past two decades, advances in cancer biology have transformed how many cancers are treated. Breakthroughs in targeted therapies and immunotherapies have opened new possibilities, allowing physicians to harness the body’s immune system to attack cancer […]

The Community First Responder Program (CFRP) is a community-based public health initiative developed through the College of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island to address the ongoing opioid overdose crisis through education, training, and the distribution of naloxone. The program delivers scalable, low-barrier overdose-response education through brief online modules, live seminars, and continuing education […]

At the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, research and education extend far beyond campus, reaching across borders to build partnerships that strengthen discovery and expand opportunity. A recent university delegation to Seoul, South Korea, highlighted URI’s long-standing global engagement and commitment to growing international collaborations. The visit brought together alumni, academic partners, industry […]

At the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy and the George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, Associate Professor Jaime Ross and Research Assistant Professor Giuseppe Coppotelli are investigating two of the most pressing questions in brain health today: how cellular energy systems influence aging and how environmental toxins may accelerate neurodegenerative disease. Their […]