April 5

Professors Meg Malone and George Bailie were invited to speak at the recent Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference and Exhibition (DUPHAT 2013). Dr. Malone gave two presentations: New Drugs for Weight Management and Nutritional Deficiencies after Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Bailie presented on the Toxicities of Intravenous Iron Preparations. Both Drs. Malone and Bailie also moderated sessions and evaluated student and professional posters. Now in its 19th year, the annual DUBPHAT conference attracts 13,000 visitors and participants.

The ACPHS team of Melanie Blais, Dan Corwin, and Alison DeGennaro placed second in the "Quality Compounding Poster Presentation" portion of the 3rd Annual Student Pharmacist Compounding Competition. This national event, which is open to all schools of pharmacy, took place March 22-24 at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy in Gainesville. Pharmacy Practice Lab Instructor Lee Anna Obos helped prepare the team for the event and accompanied them to the competition.

Assistant Professor Nimish Patel recently returned from Kazakhstan as part of a collaboration with researchers at Kazakh National Medical University and the Almaty AIDS Center. Dr. Patel, along with UAlbany Associate Professor Louise-Anne McNutt, is assisting with a multi-phase research study of 1,000 HIV patients, half of whom also suffer from Hepatitis C. The first part of the project will examine the relationships between HIV, Hepatitis C, and Vitamin D levels in the blood. Dr. Patel expects to return to Kazakhstan two more times in the next year to see the study through to completion.

A group of students from the ACPHS Vermont Campus presented a poison prevention program to kindergarteners at the Chamberlin School in South Burlington. The presentation was coordinated by members of the student chapter of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in cooperation with Kinney Drugs. Through the use of rhymes, games, and visual aids, the program seeks to educate young students to "ASK FIRST" when it comes to questions about the safety of medications, plants, insects, and household items.

The e-Pulse has learned that the College is in discussions to purchase 55 acres of land in Rensselaer County at a cost of nearly $40 million. The land is being designated for the construction of a football stadium, a major step in what is believed to be the school's move towards Division I athletics. A source close to the negotiations shared this rendering which shows an initial concept design for the stadium. Director of Athletics and Recreation Ryan Venter would not confirm the rumor, but did say, "The success we enjoyed in just our first year in the USCAA speaks volumes about the potential of ACPHS athletics. I'm not saying we're going D-I, but I'm not saying we're not." Stay tuned.