Research

The James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati is located within the academic health center which is comprised of the colleges of medicine, nursing and allied health sciences.

Our close proximity to these other health-related colleges, as well as to the University Medical Center Hospital, the Cincinnati Veteran's Affairs Hospital and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, facilitates our long-standing history of interdisciplinary collaborations across academic departments/colleges, hospitals, industry and government.

Our faculty conduct cutting-edge translational research encompassing discoveries in basic and applied science and advances in patient care. Our research efforts seek to further our understanding of:

  • Cellular mechanisms of human disease
  • Drug penetration of biological membranes and barriers
  • Targeted drug delivery
  • Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of therapeutic agents
  • Pharmaceutical economics
  • Health outcomes and policy

The research enterprise of the College of Pharmacy is undergoing historic growth with the addition of new, talented and accomplished faculty in our focus areas of research and scholarship that include:

An interdisciplinary research group with interests in design and development of new investigational and interventional tools for human diseases, from cancer to infections. This group combines the principles of pharmacology, chemical biology, nanoscience, molecular biology, nuclear imaging and medicine to find exciting ways to solve biomedical challenges.

Headshot of Pankaj Desai

Pankaj Desai

Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences Division
Professor
, Research

3005 H Medical Sciences Building

513-558-3870

Pankaj B. Desai is currently Professor and Director, Drug Development Graduate Program, College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. His research interests include pre-clinical and clinical studies on drug metabolism, transport and pharmacokinetics. The current focus of his laboratory is on the regulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes and its relevance to clinical pharmacology of anti-cancer and antiretroviral drugs. Dr. Desai directs a vigorous, extramurally-funded research program and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications. His research has been funded by NIH, Komen Foundation, American Cancer society and various pharmaceutical companies. He has mentored over 20 MS/Ph.D. students and was the principal architect for the novel graduate curriculum in drug development program at UC College of Pharmacy. Dr. Desai is an active member of several organizations including American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, where he served as the chair of the Drug Metabolism Focus Group of AAPS from 2001-2003. He is currently a member of the Shulman Associates Institutional Review Board and of the Transitional Research and Drug Development (TRADD) Committee and Phase I /Early Clinical Pharmacology sub-committee of the Adults AIDS Clinical Trials Group. He also serves as a member of the Experimental Therapeutics Study Section for Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. Dr. Desai has received numerous teaching and research excellence awards at both University of Louisiana and University of Cincinnati. These include the Researcher of the Year Award at ULM in 1994 and the President’s Excellence Award at UC in 2006.
Headshot of Joan Garrett

Joan Garrett

Associate Professor, Research

3207 Medical Sciences Building

513-558-0741

The overarching aim of my research program is to better understand signal transduction pathways involved in cancer. I am personally committed to a career in mechanism-based translational research so that I can impact the lives of cancer patients. Our work covers the gamut of basic cancer biology through translational studies in mouse models and human tissues, and interfaces with clinical trials. Our lab uses a variety of technologies including mammalian tissue culture, molecular analyses of gene and protein expression, gene expression microarrays, next-generation DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, protein microarrays, mass spectrometry, mouse models, and live animal imaging.
Headshot of Gary Gudelsky

Gary Gudelsky

Professor, Research

513-558-5735

The primary research projects being undertaken in the lab involve those that focus on the mechanisms and consequences of MDMA (Ecstasy)-induced serotonin neurotoxicity. With regard to MDMA neurotoxicity, it is our hypothesis that long term depletion of brain 5-HT occurs as a result of oxidative and/or bioenergetic stress induced by this drug of abuse. Moreover, such long term depletions of brain 5-HT are accompanied by functional consequences evident in disruptions of 5-HT neurotransmission. An additional area of interest is the neuropharmacology of second generation atypical antipsychotic agents. Current investigations focus on the differences in interactions of typical and atypical antipsychotics with glutamatergic neurotransmission.
Headshot of Daniel Healy

Daniel Healy

Professor, Research

287 Kowalewski Hall

859-609-0487

Daniel P. Healy, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, Professor, Division of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, Winkle College of Pharmacy: has an established research program involved the preclinical/clinical pharmacology and experimental therapeutics of antimicrobials and biologic response modifiers used in the treatment of serious infections in burned hosts. 
Headshot of Nalinikanth Kotagiri

Nalinikanth Kotagiri

Associate Professor, Research

3109B Medical Sciences Building

(513) 558-6161

Research in my laboratory will aim to develop innovative and advanced solutions to treat human disease through a highly multidisciplinary approach. We are interested in manufacturing novel molecular probes using small molecules as well as nanoparticulate systems for imaging disease processes and therapeutic applications. Particular emphasis is on activation of therapeutic events in targeted tissues with a high degree of spatiotemporal precision and control using photons and ionizing radiation. We involve the entire bench-bedside spectrum of chemical biology research, from bio-chemical probe synthesis to their evaluation in cell systems and animal disease models, including development of microfluidic and lab-on-chip approaches for optimization. The eventual goal is to bring together diverse yet complimentary technologies to develop useful technology platforms for basic science and clinically translatable work.
Headshot of Timothy Phoenix

Timothy Phoenix

Associate Professor, Research

3005M Medical Sciences Building

513-558-7749

Brain tumors are now the leading cause of cancer related deaths in children. Leveraging our expertise in developmental neurobiology, genomics, and tumor microenvironment interactions, projects in the Phoenix lab span multiple areas. These include 1) the development of novel animal models of pediatric brain tumors for preclinical studies; 2) defining mechanisms that regulate vascular and blood-brain barrier heterogeneity in pediatric brain tumors; 3) using our brain tumor modeling platform to investigate the function and mechanism of novel oncogenes identified in patient samples. 
Headshot of Matthew Robson

Matthew Robson

Assistant Professor, Research

3202 Medical Sciences Building

513-558-0333

Headshot of Georg Weber

Georg Weber

Professor, Research

3310 Medical Sciences Building

513-558-0947

Dr. Georg F. Weber has made contributions to metastasis research by discovering the interaction between the molecules osteopontin and CD44 and by defining the physiologic role of metastasis genes as stress response genes. While he continues to address fundamental questions, he is researching new venues for diagnosis and therapy of cancer progression.
Headshot of Yuhang Zhang

Yuhang Zhang

Professor, Research

3005G Medical Sciences Building

513-558-0740

Research in the lab focuses in three major directions. The first project aims at elucidating the roles of different fibroblast populations in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions (EMIs) that drive skin homeostasis, hair follicle induction, and growth and to translate these findings to the clinic and hair care products for a healthy skin. Acquisition of this knowledge is critical for the effective treatment of a variety of hair growth disorders, for the regeneration of hair follicles in cases of absence or loss of hair, and for improving the functionality of tissue-engineered skin substitutes. The second project focuses on exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor-stroma interactions in malignant melanoma. The goal of this project is to discover and develop novel and effective therapeutic approaches that target the tumor microenvironment for melanoma treatment. The third project consists of two on-going collaborations with Procter & Gamble beauty and skin research groups, including a skin biomarker project and a zinc pyrithione (ZPT) metabolism project. The goals of two projects are to develop/validate human skin explant model as a pre-clinical screening tool for  testing natural moisture factors (NMFs) and the safety of ZPT metabolism in human skin and for determining the comprehensive mechanisms underlying the cleansing process in order to develop new skincare products. 

Basic research in Biomembrane Sciences encompasses the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying development, growth, and barrier properties of biological membranes as relevant to the etiology and treatment of disease.

Applied research in this area covers drug delivery technology and also measurement and/or prediction of the barrier properties of biological membranes. Areas of strength include development and experimental assessment of mathematical models underlying membrane transport, molecular pharmaceutics leading to innovative drug formulations, and the rational design of nanocarriers.

The College has particular expertise in the areas of skin, hair and nail. This includes developmental biology, topical and transdermal delivery, prediction of skin barrier function, and safety and efficacy evaluation of cosmetic products. This research overlaps with the broader program carried out campus wide by the Skin Science & Technology Center at UCRI and also aligns with the teaching program in Cosmetic Science. Other campus partners include the College of Medicine Department of DermatologyShriners Burns Institute, the Ohio Center for Microfluidic Innovation, and the Center for Advanced Design and Manufacturing of Integrated Microfluidics.

Headshot of Kavssery Parameswaran Ananthapadmanabhan

Kavssery Parameswaran Ananthapadmanabhan

Professor, Research

265 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-5856

Dr. K.P. Ananth (Ananthapadmanabhan) is a professor and the director of the Cosmetic Science Programs at the James L Winkle College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati.  Ananth obtained his B. Tech from Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai in 1974.  He obtained his MS and D. Eng. Sci. degrees in 1976 and 1980 respectively from Columbia University in New York, specializing in surfactants and colloids.  Ananth spent 3 years as a post-doctoral fellow and adjunct faculty at Columbia University and then joined Union Carbide Corporation, at their Surface Chemistry Skill Center in Tarrytown, New York.  In 1990, Ananth moved to Unilever R & D, initially in Edgewater, NJ and then in Trumbull CT and spent the next 26+ years in various capacities in the personal care area including leading their longer-term skin cleansing research.  He is an author/co-author in 125+ publications and 35+ patents.  He also co-edited a book titled, “Interactions of surfactants with polymers and proteins: with Dr. Desmond Goddard.  Career achievements include Unilever's Lifetime Achievement Award for Contributions to Science in 2016.  After retiring from Unilever in 2016, Ananth joined the College of Pharmacy as a professor and director of their Cosmetic Science programs.     
Headshot of Greg Hillebrand

Greg Hillebrand

Associate Professor - Educator, Research

271 Kowalewski Hall

616-425-1462

Greg is currently Associate Professor of Cosmetic Science in the James L Winkle College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati.  He has 36 years of experience as a senior researcher and manager in the cosmetic industry with 26 years at Procter & Gamble followed by 10 years at Amway.  Over his career he has developed platform technologies that have helped build mega brands such as Olay, SK-II, Artistry and Santinique.  Perhaps most notable is the facial imaging system for objectively quantifying skin wrinkling and other features now marketed globally at VISIA®.  He brings an expertise in skin/hair science including the human microbiome and its role in skin/hair health and disease, skin aging and photoaging and clinical testing.  Greg received his BS from Michigan State University, his PhD from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and Post-Doctoral training at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana, all in biochemistry.  Greg is past president and currently an emeritus member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists.  He is a current member of the Personal Care Products Council International Cosmetic Ingredient Nomenclature Committee, the Society of Investigative Dermatology and International Society for Biophysics and Imaging of the Skin.  Greg is the author of over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, 5 book chapters and inventor on several key patents (29 h-index).  Greg currently lives in Whitehall, MI with his wife Debi and dogs Maestro and Pintxo.  Greg is an avid gardener and saxophonist. 
Headshot of Gerald Kasting

Gerald Kasting

Professor, Research

3109E Medical Sciences Building

513-558-1817

Dr. Kasting is Professor of Pharmaceutics and Cosmetic Science at the University of Cincinnati’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy.  He teaches in the College’s graduate and professional programs and serves as chair of the Divison of Pharmaceutical Sciences.  His research is in the area of percutaneous absorption.  Prior to beginning an academic career in 1999, he served as a senior scientist with the Skin Beauty Care Technology Division of Procter & Gamble's Miami Valley Laboratories, working on the development of improved skin care products.  He received his B.A. in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1975 and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from MIT in 1980.  He has published over seventy papers in the above areas and holds eight patents associated with his work.  He is a two-time recipient of the Shaw Mudge Award from the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and was the 2005 chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Barrier Function of Mammalian Skin.  He serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Research and Development andas a referee for several other major pharmaceutical journals.  His current research is focused on the development of improved computational models for topical delivery and dermal risk assessment based on a mechanistic understanding of the percutaneous absorption process.  Projects include development of microstructural models for transport through the stratum corneum and hair follicle, prediction of solvent and pesticide absorption and evaporation rates from skin, estimation of the epidermal bioavailability of contact allergens and iontophoretic drug delivery to the nail.
In 2013 Dr. Kasting received the Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring Award from the University of Cincinnati for his work with graduate students.
 
Headshot of Kevin Li

Kevin Li

Professor, Research

3109F Medical Sciences Building

513-558-0977

Headshot of Yuhang Zhang

Yuhang Zhang

Professor, Research

3005G Medical Sciences Building

513-558-0740

Research in the lab focuses in three major directions. The first project aims at elucidating the roles of different fibroblast populations in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions (EMIs) that drive skin homeostasis, hair follicle induction, and growth and to translate these findings to the clinic and hair care products for a healthy skin. Acquisition of this knowledge is critical for the effective treatment of a variety of hair growth disorders, for the regeneration of hair follicles in cases of absence or loss of hair, and for improving the functionality of tissue-engineered skin substitutes. The second project focuses on exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor-stroma interactions in malignant melanoma. The goal of this project is to discover and develop novel and effective therapeutic approaches that target the tumor microenvironment for melanoma treatment. The third project consists of two on-going collaborations with Procter & Gamble beauty and skin research groups, including a skin biomarker project and a zinc pyrithione (ZPT) metabolism project. The goals of two projects are to develop/validate human skin explant model as a pre-clinical screening tool for  testing natural moisture factors (NMFs) and the safety of ZPT metabolism in human skin and for determining the comprehensive mechanisms underlying the cleansing process in order to develop new skincare products. 

The Health Outcomes Research Team conducts research that will enable government, industry, managed care, and academia to improve the effectiveness of health care and the management of health care systems, health care policy and the effective use of medication.

We assess health care delivery from an economic, clinical and humanistic view and disseminate this research widely. We are a highly energetic group of faculty and graduate students committed to high-quality research in pharmacy operations, health outcomes, quality, pharmaceutical economics, healthcare and drug policy, pharmacoeconomics, pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacovigilance and drugs of abuse.

We are an interdisciplinary group with backgrounds in pharmacy, medicine, industrial engineering, economics, finance, and quantitative analysis. We have studied drugs for cancer, end-stage renal disease, HIV/AIDS, hypertension and heart failure, hypercholesterolemia, asthma, diabetes, migraines, and ulcers, among other diseases.

Our research track encourages collaboration with faculty and students across the Academic Health Center. Additionally, the Carl H. Lindner College of Business offers graduate training in operations and business analytics, finance, economics, marketing, accounting, management, and information systems.

Headshot of Jill Boone

Jill Boone

Director of Interprofessional Education
Interim Co-Curricular Director
Clinical Professor
, Research

391 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-3703

Jill E. Martin Boone is Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati with a recent focus on chronic pain management and practice based outcomes research.  Prior to her current role, Dr. Boone practiced in both inpatient and ambulatory clinical pharmacy practice in transplantation and served as the Director of Transplant Outcomes at the University Hospital where she has extensive involvement in outcomes management, assessing resource utilization, and quality of life measurements for over 15 years.   She has been active on many local, state, national, and international committees addressing pharmacy, quality and outcomes issues.  She has been recognized for sustained contributions to hospital pharmacy practice with the Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacists Walter A. Frazier Award.  Dr. Boone is Past President of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Past Co-Chair of the International Pharmaceutical Federation Working Group on Collaborative Practice, and currently FIPeD Domain Co-Lead for Interprofessional Education.
Headshot of Jeff  Guo

Jeff Guo

Professor, Research

281 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-8613

Jeff J. Guo, PhD, is a Professor at College of Pharmacy and Dept of Public Health Sciences at College of Medicine.  He has been teaching multiple courses, e.g., Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety, Clinical Trial Phase III & IV, Evidence-based Pharmacotherapy, and Pharmaceutical Economics & Policy.  He has mentored 10 PhD and numerous MS and PharmD students.  Prior to joining UC, he worked at the US Pharmacopeia, the Degge Group Ltd. and at the China Food & Drug Administration.  He is a Co-Editor for Value-in-Health Regional Issues, and sits on multiple editorial boards like Research in Social Administrative Pharmacy and American Health & Drug Benefits. He is a founder and the past Chair for ISPOR Asian Consortium.  He has extensive project experience on Medicaid drug utilization reviews and health policy research, the U.S. Pharmacopeia Drug Information, and the U.S. national medication error report system (MedMARx®).  He published numerous papers and textbook chapters, including JAMA, Lancet, Ann Intern Med, Pharmacoepidemiology Drug Safety, J Clin Psych, Pub Health Reports, Stroke,  Pharmacoeconomics, Value in Health and Ann Pharmacotherapy. His research areas include drug utilization review, drug price, market competition, rare disease and orphan drugs, drug-induced diseases, drug safety surveillance, cost-benefit analysis, as well as an evaluation of health outcomes for children and adolescences.
 
Headshot of Ana Hincapie

Ana Hincapie

Associate Professor, Research

361 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-7808

Dr. Hincapie has an established background in medication safety and quality improvement in health care. In addition to her faculty position, she is the coordinator for ambulatory pharmacy resources for St. Elizabeth Physicians. She has co-authored two book chapters related to medication safety and quality improvement. She teaches in the following  programs:  Doctor of Pharmacy , Pharmacy Leadership, and PhD/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences-Health Outcomes Track
Headshot of Alex Lin

Alex Lin

Associate Professor, Research

387 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-0980

My research interests include: (1) evaluating and improving medication use systems, (2) applications of automation and advanced technologies to improve patient care quality and efficiency, and (3) implementation of innovative patient care systems.

The University of Cincinnati defines the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning --SoTL in short-- as the practice of rigorously testing the effectiveness of various teaching approaches in the college classroom. The goal is to provide faculty with "evidence-based" teaching tools that can transform their pedagogy and tremendously enhance student learning.

The faculty at the James L Winkle College of Pharmacy are actively engaged in this type of scholarship as we strive to discover the most effective methods of teaching both the science of pharmacy but also the art of practice. Our research foci include broad pedagogical topics as curricular assessment, active-learning strategies, and experiential learning to more specific areas of interest such as cultural awareness, interprofessional team work and self-care. We apply the same rigorous standards to our methodology as other scientific research practices leading to evidenced based teaching.

Headshot of Bethanne Brown

Bethanne Brown

Professor, Research

283 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-8872

Bethanne Brown is a Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University Of Cincinnati College Of Pharmacy.  She received her B.S in Pharmacy from Purdue University in 1989 and her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Cincinnati in 2004.  Dr. Brown is a registered pharmacist in both Indiana and Ohio. She is a board certified ambulatory care pharmacist  (BCACP) and Tobacco treatment specialist (TTS). Prior to starting her academic career in 2000, she worked in a variety of practice sites within the pharmacy profession including: community, acute patient care focusing on intensive care and operating room practice, and home infusion.  In 2000, she joined the College of Pharmacy to help in the development of a skills based, practice focused sequence of courses titled: Pharmacy Practice Skills Development.  Current teaching responsibilities include: Motivational Interviewing, PREP: Patient Relationship Enhancement Process, and Capstone Course.  Her current practice site is at the Primary Health Solutions in Hamilton, Ohio. She is part of an interprofessional team providing chronic disease state management within a federally qualified health center.   She currently serves as residency preceptor director for the University of Cincinnati PGY1 Community-Based and PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice Residency programs. 

Her research interests include motivational Interviewing,  pharmacist integration into Primary Care and supporting resident lead clinical based research. 
Headshot of Kelly Epplen

Kelly Epplen

Associate Dean for Admissions & Student Affairs
Associate Professor
, Research

135G Kowalewski Hall

513-558-0713

Dr. Kelly Epplen is the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions at the University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy.  She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1997 and began her career at the former Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati where her primary role was the development and implementation of ambulatory clinical pharmacist services. She has been instrumental in developing pharmacist-managed anticoagulation clinics and pharmacotherapy clinics at UC Health, as well as St. Elizabeth Healthcare of Northern Kentucky.  In addition, she was actively involved in residency training and has served as program director for both PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residency programs.  She joined the University of Cincinnati faculty in 2009 and established a practice within the Family Practice Center of St. Elizabeth Healthcare where she was responsible for direct patient care as well as student and resident training.  In 2019, Dr. Epplen assumed the role of Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions.  She was an advisory board member for the Ambulatory Care BCACP examination review course and has several publications in the area of ambulatory pharmacy practice.  She has co-authored the business plan development chapter in ASHP's publication:  Building a Successful Ambulatory Practice and is a contributing author for ASHPs revision of the Minimum Practice Standards for Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice.  She is a member of the ASHP Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners, Section of Pharmacy Educators, and has served on a number of professional committees within ASHP.  Dr. Epplen obtained board certification as an ambulatory care pharmacist in 2011 and serves on the Board of Faith Community Pharmacy.
 
Headshot of Michael Hegener

Michael Hegener

Director, Wuest Family Pharmacy Practice Skills Center
Associate Professor
, Research

273 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-7806

Dr. Hegener is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy and Director of the Wuest Family Pharmacy Practice Skills Center at the University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University Of Kentucky College Of Pharmacy in 2005 and completed a residency in pharmacy practice with an emphasis in community care at the University Of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College Of Pharmacy in 2006. 

In addition to directing the Skills Center, Dr. Hegener currently coordinates and teaches the Pharmaceutical Calculations and Pharmacy Law courses at the college. He also serves as faculty advisor for the National Community Pharmacists Association at the College. 

Dr. Hegener is currently a member of the AJPE Editorial Board, Awards Commitee Chair for the AACP Laboratory Instructors SIG, and Secretary of Knowledge Management for the AACP History of Pharmacy SIG. 

He has received numerous awards for his teaching including the AACP Crystal APPLE Award, Rho Chi Faculty Excellence Award, and several First Professional Year Faculty Excellence Awards.

Areas of Responsibility Include:
- Course Director for all 3 Skills Lab courses
- Provide oversight and guidance so that Skills Lab content is streamlined and sequenced to best aid student learning
- Integrate and align learning modules with therapeutics and other concurrent courses
- Modify learning modules to remain relevant for ever-changing pharmacy practice
- Schedule the practitioners who teach in the Skills lab
Headshot of Brad Hein

Brad Hein

Associate Dean for Professional Education & Assessment
Associate Professor
, Research

145G Kowalewski Hall

513-558-4702

Dr. Hein graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy in 1996 with his BS degree and in 1998 with his PharmD degree. He then completed a residency specializing in internal medicine with the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Dr. Hein currently practices as an internal medicine clinical pharmacy specialist at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. Dr. Hein teaches in a variety of courses and is the content expert for gastrointestinal and renal therapeutics. Dr. Hein's research interests include: inpatient glucose control, palliative care and pain management, treatment of electrolyte disorders, geriatric patient care, infectious disease and the scholarship of teaching, learning and assessment. Dr. Hein has published over 40 papers and abstracts. 
In Dr. Hein's current role as associate dean, his office supports the college, faculty, staff and students in the areas of the curriculum, assessment, accreditation, interprofessional education, co-curricular activities, instructional design, information technology and continuing education.
Headshot of Patricia Wigle

Patricia Wigle

Professor, Research

285 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-4670

The goal of the clinical research program is to optimize the use of medications. The clinical research program spans work from the bench to bedside and beyond. We have laboratory-based researchers, clinical scientists working in phase 1 trials and practitioners engaged in practice-based research in hospital, community and ambulatory settings. Often, many common chronic illnesses are studied; however, we have specialists who focus in therapeutic areas such as oncology, psychiatry, infection disease and others. We have many practice partners who collaborate with us. Students are able to participate in the research with faculty and practice partners. All students are required to do an outcomes project at the end of their fourth year. Approximately, one third of students choose to do a research elective. Our program is rich with research opportunities.

Headshot of Jill Boone

Jill Boone

Director of Interprofessional Education
Interim Co-Curricular Director
Clinical Professor
, Research

391 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-3703

Jill E. Martin Boone is Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati with a recent focus on chronic pain management and practice based outcomes research.  Prior to her current role, Dr. Boone practiced in both inpatient and ambulatory clinical pharmacy practice in transplantation and served as the Director of Transplant Outcomes at the University Hospital where she has extensive involvement in outcomes management, assessing resource utilization, and quality of life measurements for over 15 years.   She has been active on many local, state, national, and international committees addressing pharmacy, quality and outcomes issues.  She has been recognized for sustained contributions to hospital pharmacy practice with the Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacists Walter A. Frazier Award.  Dr. Boone is Past President of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Past Co-Chair of the International Pharmaceutical Federation Working Group on Collaborative Practice, and currently FIPeD Domain Co-Lead for Interprofessional Education.
Headshot of Bethanne Brown

Bethanne Brown

Professor, Research

283 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-8872

Bethanne Brown is a Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University Of Cincinnati College Of Pharmacy.  She received her B.S in Pharmacy from Purdue University in 1989 and her Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Cincinnati in 2004.  Dr. Brown is a registered pharmacist in both Indiana and Ohio. She is a board certified ambulatory care pharmacist  (BCACP) and Tobacco treatment specialist (TTS). Prior to starting her academic career in 2000, she worked in a variety of practice sites within the pharmacy profession including: community, acute patient care focusing on intensive care and operating room practice, and home infusion.  In 2000, she joined the College of Pharmacy to help in the development of a skills based, practice focused sequence of courses titled: Pharmacy Practice Skills Development.  Current teaching responsibilities include: Motivational Interviewing, PREP: Patient Relationship Enhancement Process, and Capstone Course.  Her current practice site is at the Primary Health Solutions in Hamilton, Ohio. She is part of an interprofessional team providing chronic disease state management within a federally qualified health center.   She currently serves as residency preceptor director for the University of Cincinnati PGY1 Community-Based and PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice Residency programs. 

Her research interests include motivational Interviewing,  pharmacist integration into Primary Care and supporting resident lead clinical based research. 
Headshot of Kelly Epplen

Kelly Epplen

Associate Dean for Admissions & Student Affairs
Associate Professor
, Research

135G Kowalewski Hall

513-558-0713

Dr. Kelly Epplen is the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions at the University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy.  She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1997 and began her career at the former Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati where her primary role was the development and implementation of ambulatory clinical pharmacist services. She has been instrumental in developing pharmacist-managed anticoagulation clinics and pharmacotherapy clinics at UC Health, as well as St. Elizabeth Healthcare of Northern Kentucky.  In addition, she was actively involved in residency training and has served as program director for both PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residency programs.  She joined the University of Cincinnati faculty in 2009 and established a practice within the Family Practice Center of St. Elizabeth Healthcare where she was responsible for direct patient care as well as student and resident training.  In 2019, Dr. Epplen assumed the role of Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions.  She was an advisory board member for the Ambulatory Care BCACP examination review course and has several publications in the area of ambulatory pharmacy practice.  She has co-authored the business plan development chapter in ASHP's publication:  Building a Successful Ambulatory Practice and is a contributing author for ASHPs revision of the Minimum Practice Standards for Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice.  She is a member of the ASHP Section of Ambulatory Care Practitioners, Section of Pharmacy Educators, and has served on a number of professional committees within ASHP.  Dr. Epplen obtained board certification as an ambulatory care pharmacist in 2011 and serves on the Board of Faith Community Pharmacy.
 
Headshot of Daniel Healy

Daniel Healy

Professor, Research

287 Kowalewski Hall

859-609-0487

Daniel P. Healy, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, Professor, Division of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, Winkle College of Pharmacy: has an established research program involved the preclinical/clinical pharmacology and experimental therapeutics of antimicrobials and biologic response modifiers used in the treatment of serious infections in burned hosts. 
Headshot of Michael Hegener

Michael Hegener

Director, Wuest Family Pharmacy Practice Skills Center
Associate Professor
, Research

273 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-7806

Dr. Hegener is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy and Director of the Wuest Family Pharmacy Practice Skills Center at the University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University Of Kentucky College Of Pharmacy in 2005 and completed a residency in pharmacy practice with an emphasis in community care at the University Of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College Of Pharmacy in 2006. 

In addition to directing the Skills Center, Dr. Hegener currently coordinates and teaches the Pharmaceutical Calculations and Pharmacy Law courses at the college. He also serves as faculty advisor for the National Community Pharmacists Association at the College. 

Dr. Hegener is currently a member of the AJPE Editorial Board, Awards Commitee Chair for the AACP Laboratory Instructors SIG, and Secretary of Knowledge Management for the AACP History of Pharmacy SIG. 

He has received numerous awards for his teaching including the AACP Crystal APPLE Award, Rho Chi Faculty Excellence Award, and several First Professional Year Faculty Excellence Awards.

Areas of Responsibility Include:
- Course Director for all 3 Skills Lab courses
- Provide oversight and guidance so that Skills Lab content is streamlined and sequenced to best aid student learning
- Integrate and align learning modules with therapeutics and other concurrent courses
- Modify learning modules to remain relevant for ever-changing pharmacy practice
- Schedule the practitioners who teach in the Skills lab
Headshot of Alex Lin

Alex Lin

Associate Professor, Research

387 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-0980

My research interests include: (1) evaluating and improving medication use systems, (2) applications of automation and advanced technologies to improve patient care quality and efficiency, and (3) implementation of innovative patient care systems.
Headshot of Andrew Metzger

Andrew Metzger

Research

Headshot of Rowena  Schwartz

Rowena Schwartz

Professor, Research

385 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-5978

Dr. Schwartz received a Bachelor of Science at the College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois and a Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Texas.  She completed a fellowship in oncology drug development at the University of Texas. 
Dr. Schwartz spent much of her oncology pharmacy career in clinical practice at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.  She was Director of Oncology Pharmacy Services at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and maintained an active clinical practice at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. Dr. Schwartz was Vice President of Clinical Content and Pharmacy Operations at McKesson Specialty Health and worked closely with The US Oncology Network. 
Dr. Schwartz has taught and lectured extensively including the pharmacy schools at University of Cincinnati, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, University of Maryland, Charleston College of Pharmacy, University of Houston and Misr International University in Cairo, Egypt.
Rowena is an active member of the American Society of Health System Pharmacist, Hematology and Oncology Pharmacy Association, Oncology Nursing Society and the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practice.
Headshot of Patricia Wigle

Patricia Wigle

Professor, Research

285 Kowalewski Hall

513-558-4670

Both UC and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center house numerous core facilities where services are provided at a reduced cost for UC researchers. View the Academic Health Center Facilities.

The UC College of Medicine houses a number of core facilities designated as core service centers for use by the research community. The service center designation signifies that the rates charged by each of these facilities have been reviewed and approved by the UC government cost compliance office, thus the service fees can be cross-charged to grants and contracts. View the College of Medicine Facilities.

GESC is a fee-for-service, one-stop core facility that provides genomics- and epigenomics-related services to researchers at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. It also provides services to other institutions and organizations on contract bases.

Mass Spectrometry Facility is dedicated to inorganic, organic and biological mass spectrometry analyses. View protocols for purified proteins.

Faculty in the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy collaborate extensively with investigators from other departments/colleges through existing centers of excellence and institutes, including those listed below:

The Researcher’s Gateway at UC is a secure, password-­protected portal for faculty to access specific information regarding research at UC. This is separate from public accessible information available through the UC Research website.

The mission of the UC Office of Research Integrity is to provide services to ensure compliance while facilitating research. Office of Research Integrity provides services in the following areas:

  • Animal Care and Use
  • Biosafety
  • Radiation Safety
  • Human Subjects Research

The UC Institution Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a federally mandated committee that oversees and evaluates all animal use in research and/or teaching, as well as all animal facilities. All faculty who plan to submit a new application for animal use or a revised application containing new species or techniques should meet with the administrator of IACUC to go over the application. To maintain AAALAC accreditation and maintain federal funding, all investigators must be compliant with the most recent edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

Regulatory mandates, IACUC policies, Training, Instructions, and Forms can be found at the IACUC website.

Animal use and key card access to vivaria require:

  1. An approved animal use protocol
  2. Appropriate training, including IACUC training and facility training

The UC Biosafety Office assures compliance with regulations pertaining to the possession, use and disposal of all bio hazardous agents. These include select agents and toxins, recombinant DNA, viral constructs, etc. Also included are any human-­derived materials. 

The UC Radiation Safety Office (RSO) oversees the purchase, use and disposal of all radioactive materials (RAM) and radiation-­generating equipment on the campuses of UC, Children’s Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital, and Hoxworth Blood Center. The UC Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) must review and approve all activities involving the use of RAM and radiation-­generating equipment. 

All human subjects research is conducted according to Federal-­wide Assurance (FWA), unless exempt. FWA requires review and approval of such research by an IRB.

As described in Human Research Protection Policy III.01 REVIEW BY THE INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD OF HUMAN SUBJECTS RESEARCH, in order to approve human subjects’ research, the IRB shall determine that "Scientific or Scholarly Review by qualified individuals(s) has demonstrated that (a) the research uses procedures which are consistent with sound research design; (b) the research design is likely to answer the proposed scientific questions, and (3) the importance of the knowledge expected to result justifies approval of the research. Such review shall be certified by the academic department chair or responsible administrator."