While we welcomed in a host of new students to the College of Pharmacy this semester, we also are pleased to announce new faculty and staff as well!  Joining the PharmDawg Nation are:

• Nick Castillo, Community Practice Experience Coordinator (Athens)
• Eunice Kim, CAP Assistant Professor (Athens)
• Amanda McPherson, CAP Clinical Assistant Professor (Augusta)
• Liz Newlin, DAR College Engagement Coordinator (Athens)
• Smita Rawal, CAP Assistant Professor  (Athens)
• Santosh Karnewar, Assistant Professor (Augusta)
• Sarah Thompson, CAP Clinical Assistant Professor (Athens)
• Christen Wilhight, CAP Clinical Assistant Professor (Athens)
• Lei Zhang, PBS Assistant Professor (Athens)

In addition, Dr. Daniel Chastain, CAP Clinical Associate Professor, transferred from the Albany campus to Augusta.

We asked each of our new members to answer a Q&A. Get to know them below!

Nick Castillo, Community Practice Experience Coordinator (Athens)

• Where are you from originally? What brought you to Athens and UGA?
  • I am originally from Toccoa, Ga. I came to UGA for pharmacy school back in 2020, and I’ve now returned to work in the Experiential Department at the college.

• Where did you receive your training/education?
  • I received my PharmD in 2024 from UGA. After graduation, I completed a fellowship year at an independently owned provider clinic, where I delivered ambulatory care services to Medicare patients.

• How did you become interested in your chosen field/profession? What are your areas of interest and expertise?
  • I was initially drawn to healthcare through my father’s family dental practice and once imagined taking over the business. However, as I explored different health care careers, I realized dentistry was not the right path for me. After carefully considering my options, I chose pharmacy for its strong clinical foundation and meaningful patient impact. 
  • My areas of interest include community pharmacy, ambulatory care pharmacy, and independent pharmacy ownership. During my fellowship year, I specialized in chronic care management, focusing on hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.

• What previous, relatable job experiences do you bring to your new position at CoP? Did you work at other locations on campus?
  • During my fellowship year, I worked closely with the Chancy organization where I learned the ins and outs of community and independent pharmacy ownership. The organization is also involved in many cutting edge pharmacy practices, including chronic care management. This experience, along with my involvement in professional pharmacy organizations, has helped me develop forward-thinking ideas for the future of community pharmacy.

• Why were you interested in applying for this position and coming to CoP/UGA? What drew you to this job?
  • I have always had an interest in academia since my undergraduate years, when I worked as a teaching assistant in a genetics lab. That experience sparked my passion for working with students, and it has stayed with me ever since.
  • I was drawn to the job because it combines my two main interests: working with students and advancing community and independent pharmacy. 

• What will you be responsible for in your new position?
  • I will oversee the organization, development, implementation, and delivery of community-based IPPEs and simulated patient events. I will also serve as the APPE Regional Coordinator for the Columbus APPE region.

• Personal information you would like to share (optional):
  • Town in which you currently reside: Athens, Ga
  • Outside interests/hobbies: Snowboarding, Disc golf, Golf, Travel, Fishing, and Fitness.

• Contact info at the College: (email address, office room number, office phone number).
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Room: Pharmacy South 120-H
  • Phone: 706-542-1402

Santosh Karnewar, Assistant Professor (Augusta)

• Where are you from originally? What brought you to Athens and UGA?
  • I was raised in a small remote village called Karanji T in the Adilabad district of Telangana state, India. My parents are farmers, and I grew up in modest circumstances. My village had schooling only up to the 5th grade, after which I was selected through an entrance exam to attend a government residential school with free education until 12th grade. I would visit my family only three times a year—during the rainy, winter, and summer breaks.
  • After finishing high school, I attended Nizam College in Hyderabad, the top life sciences college in Telangana, where I studied biotechnology. I went on to complete my Master’s degree in Biochemistry at Osmania University, where inspirational professors like Dr. Jonnalagadda Shobhanditya and Dr. Beedu Shashidhar Rao fueled my passion for science. A guest lecture by Nobel laureates Drs. Elizabeth Blackburn and Carol Greider on telomeres and aging further inspired me to pursue biomedical research. 
  • Although I initially dreamed of becoming a medical doctor, my academic path led me to a Ph.D. in cardiovascular science at CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad, under Dr. Srigiridhar Kotamraju. My research focused on telomeres and age-related atherosclerosis, resulting in 6 patents (some licensed to multinational companies) and more than 20 publications.
  • In 2017, I joined the University of Virginia as a postdoctoral fellow under Dr. Gary Owens, a world-renowned expert in vascular biology. That was my first-ever flight, and I will always be grateful to Dr. Owens for his support. During my 8 years at UVA, I worked on inflammation, aging, and cardiovascular disease, submitted multiple grants, and learned valuable lessons in resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • I chose UGA College of Pharmacy because it aligns with my expertise in cardiovascular pharmacology as well as my passion for training the next generation of scientists. The opportunity to contribute to the growth of this department truly excites me.
• Where did you receive your training/education?
  • • Bachelor’s in Biotechnology: Nizam College, Hyderabad
    • Master’s in Biochemistry: Osmania University, Hyderabad
    • Ph.D. in Cardiovascular Research: CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad
    • Postdoctoral Research: University of Virginia, Cardiovascular Research Center
• How did you become interested in your chosen field/profession? What are your areas of interest and expertise?
  • My fascination with aging and cardiovascular diseases began during my Master’s program, thanks to inspiring faculty and guest lectures from global experts. I was especially drawn to the connection between inflammation, aging, and chronic diseases. My lab focuses on “inflammaging” and its role in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases using murine models, senolytic drugs, and single-cell techniques.
• What previous, relatable job experiences do you bring to your new position at CoP?
  • I bring more than a decade of academic research experience, including leading NIH-funded studies, mentoring students, and collaborating across disciplines. My strengths include dedication, perseverance, a “can-do” mindset, and compassion in mentoring. I’ve also worked closely with NIH and AHA grants and gained valuable experience in translating science from bench to bedside.
• Why were you interested in applying for this position and coming to CoP/UGA?
  • UGA, being the first public university in the U.S., stands for excellence and public service. The Department of Pharmacology at the College of Pharmacy was looking for someone with cardiovascular expertise, and I felt this was the perfect match for my background, passion, and goals to make an impact through both teaching and research.
• What will you be responsible for in your new position?
  • I will lead a research lab focused on aging and cardiovascular disease, teach pharmacology to students, and mentor the next generation of biomedical researchers. I hope to inspire my students to become leaders in the field. I am open to collaborative research with chemists to test small molecules in cardiovascular and cancer therapeutic effects.
• Personal Information:
  • Current Residence: Augusta, GA
  • Family: My wife Vaishnavi and our son Agastya (3 years old)
  • Interests/Hobbies: Parks and recreation with my family
  • Fun Fact: Our son Agastya was born at 26 weeks during the pandemic and spent 89 days in the NICU. He came home as our Christmas miracle. Balancing science and personal life during that period was incredibly challenging, but it made our family stronger and deepened my sense of purpose.
• Contact Information at UGA:
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Office: HM-118, Augusta Campus
  • Phone: 706-721-6760
• Anything else you’d like to share with your new PharmDawg colleagues?
  • I’m honored to be part of the PharmDawg family. Everyone here has been so warm and welcoming—it already feels like home. I look forward to contributing and collaborating with all of you.

Eunice Kim, CAP Assistant Professor (Athens)

• Where are you from originally? What brought you to Athens and UGA?
  • I am originally from Atlanta. School brought me to the Athens area, and now a job 🙂
• Where did you receive your training/education?
  • I’m a graduate of the UGA Pharm.D. program, and I received my Ph.D. in Learning, Design, and technology at the UGA Mary Frances Early College of Education.
• How did you become interested in your chosen field/profession?  What are your areas of interest and expertise?
  • I worked as a pharmacy technician throughout college and was fortunate to meet great mentors who showed me how I could positively impact my community as a pharmacist. I eventually became a pharmacy manager, mentored future pharmacists, and then returned to UGA to study how people learn and solve problems in their everyday practice.
  • My research focuses on promoting effective collaboration and problem-solving among healthcare professionals in real-world practice settings. 
• What previous, relatable job experiences do you bring to your new position at CoP? Did you work at other locations on campus?
  • I bring pharmacy practice experience as well as expertise in need-based education and training.
• Why were you interested in applying for this position and coming to CoP/UGA?  What drew you to this job?
  • I applied for this position because it allows me to fully integrate both my backgrounds in pharmacy and instructional design while building my research program and identity as a scholar.
• What will you be responsible for in your new position?
  • Teaching, research, service—with a focus on leveraging novel & immersive technologies in health professions education.

• Personal information you would like to share (optional):
  • Town in which you currently reside: My body is here in Athens, but my soul and stomach yearn for the Duluth/Doraville area. 
  • Outside interests/hobbies: PC gaming with friends, trying new restaurants & cafes, traveling

• Contact info at the College: (email address, office room number, office phone number).
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Office: RC Wilson 270D

Amanda McPherson, CAP Clinical Assistant Professor (Augusta)

• Where are you from originally? What brought you to Athens and UGA?
  • I am originally from Georgia (Gwinnett area!), but was primarily raised in Kentucky. As I matriculated through pharmacy school and post-graduate pediatric residency training, I always had academia on my radar and hoped to progress my career in that direction. When I started looking for post-residency jobs, I was elated to see an open pediatric faculty position at UGA! I was already familiar with UGA College of Pharmacy’s impressive legacy and felt it would be the perfect place for me professionally–and I knew I would love living in Georgia! Returning to Georgia after all these years feels very full circle!

• Where did you receive your training/education?
  • I received my PharmD from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (Go CATS! Go DAWGS! Talk about confusing…). I then completed both my PGY1 and PGY2 at Children’s Hospital Colorado, finishing in June 2025!

• How did you become interested in your chosen field/profession?  What are your areas of interest and expertise?
  • Clinically, I always tell people that pediatrics is what brought me to pharmacy, not the other way around. In middle school, I had a friend who was diagnosed with and survived cancer. I had the privilege of attending a medical summer camp for children with hematologic and oncologic diagnoses as her “sister” for the week, and the experience was life-changing. Seeing the campers enjoying “normal” camp activities is not at all what I pictured these “sick kids” doing, especially at the time. I immediately became interested in understanding how these medication therapies allowed these kids the ability to be just that–kids. I believe that no patient should be defined by their diagnosis–especially a child who is busy simply growing up. To me, being a part of the healthcare team that ensures the health of our smallest patients is beyond rewarding.
  • As for teaching, during residency at a large academic medical center, I had numerous opportunities to precept students and visiting residents, as well as teach within the pediatric pharmacy elective at the local school of pharmacy. I quickly developed a passion for sharing my love of pediatrics and its many clinical nuances that come with it, particularly with learners who often had little to no prior experience with pediatric patients. This motivated me to complete a teaching certificate through University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and pursue a job with a strong teaching component. 

• What previous, relatable job experiences do you bring to your new position at CoP? Did you work at other locations on campus?
  • I have not worked at any other locations on campus, but I believe my recent residency training has prepared me not only as an educator and clinician, but also as a mentor for students considering pursuing post-graduate residency training. Pharmacy residency has evolved dramatically over the past decade, and having just completed my own, I am excited to share insight and guidance with students who may be considering the same path. 

• Why were you interested in applying for this position and coming to CoP/UGA?  What drew you to this job?
  • Pediatric faculty positions are rare, so the opportunity to join such a prestigious institution as a pediatric pharmacy faculty member was an opportunity that I could not pass up. UGA CoP’s strong reputation in research, innovation, and student success were immediate draws. However, during my interview, it was the welcoming and supportive community within the College of Pharmacy that stood out. I felt strongly that I would be both well supported and appropriately challenged as a junior faculty member here.

• What will you be responsible for in your new position? 
  • I will be teaching a variety of pediatric topics throughout the curriculum, with the larger goal of reintroducing a pediatrics elective for students interested in pursuing this speciality or simply learning more about this often-overlooked patient population. Clinically, I will be practicing at Wellstar MCG’s Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta. The current plan is to work in antimicrobial stewardship, but the specifics are still being finalized!

• Personal information you would like to share (optional):
  • Town in which you currently reside: Augusta, Georgia
  • Outside interests/hobbies: Reading, off-roading, and I am hoping to pick women’s rugby back up – I played in college, but took a break during residency to fully focus on my clinical training!
  • Family, including animals and pets: My husband, Mike, and I have a dog–a 1-year-old blue staffy named Finley
  • Memberships in clubs, organizations, etc.: Pediatric Pharmacy Association (currently a member of the membership committee and several special interest groups, as well as co-chair of the social media subcommittee), Lambda Kappa Sigma Alumni Member, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society member

• Contact info at the College: (email address, office room number, office phone number). 
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Office: HM Building (Augusta), Office #106
  • Phone Number: (706)721-1392

Liz Newlin, DAR College Engagement Coordinator (Athens)

• Where are you from originally? What brought you to Athens and UGA?
  • I am from Braselton, GA but recently moved to Monroe, GA. I came to Athens right after I graduated college for a job here at UGA.

• Where did you receive your training/education?
  • I attended Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA.

• How did you become interested in your chosen field/profession?  What are your areas of interest and expertise?
  • I have always been a creative person and loved marketing and design-oriented projects! That led me to get my undergraduate degree in Mass Communications with a Minor in Marketing.

• What previous, relatable job experiences do you bring to your new position at CoP? Did you work at other locations on campus?
  • I started my UGA career at the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences for a little over a year before coming to the College of Pharmacy.

• Why were you interested in applying for this position and coming to CoP/UGA?  What drew you to this job?
  • In my previous role at CAES, I was planning events and leading communication to students in the college. I was ready for a change and wanted to work with alumni to bring them back to their roots and engage them with the college again.

• What will you be responsible for in your new position? 
  • I am responsible for engagement between alumni and the college, as well as digital engagement and events. I am so excited to learn about the history of the college and better ways to connect and serve the alumni of the college.

• Personal information you would like to share (optional):
  • In my free time I enjoy painting, playing around with interior design, and traveling! I recently took a UGA Community art school course on Interior Design, and loved it! 
  • I love to help coordinate and plan weddings for friends and family. I have a lot of connections in the wedding world!
  • I have a chocolate lab named Judah and a mini longhaired dachshund named champ!
  • My younger sister, Amelia, is a sophomore here at UGA and loves to stop by my office for study breaks and snacks.

• Contact info at the College: (email address, office room number, office phone number).
  • My email is [email protected] and I am located in RC Wilson DAR suite!

Smita Rawal, CAP Assistant Professor  (Athens)

• Where are you from originally? What brought you to Athens and UGA?
  • I am originally from Kathmandu, Nepal. I chose Athens for its four seasons and greenery, which somewhat remind me of home, with nearby mountains like Brasstown Bald offering landscapes more similar to those I grew up around.
  • I selected the University of Georgia for its strong academic reputation across diverse fields, commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and emphasis on research and community engagement. These qualities align well with my professional goals to contribute to impactful health services research while benefiting from a supportive, multidisciplinary environment.

• Where did you receive your training/education?
  • I completed my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Health Services Outcomes and Policy at the University of Georgia. I earned my Pharm.D. degree from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Pakistan.

• How did you become interested in your chosen field/profession?  What are your areas of interest and expertise?
  • My interest arose from the opioid crisis impacting the U.S. and the potential for pharmacy services to improve medication access and safety. My expertise includes designing and implementing pharmacy-based interventions targeting opioid safety and medication access, applying qualitative and quantitative research methods, and engaging in community-based public health program development and evaluation to improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

• What previous, relatable job experiences do you bring to your new position at CoP? Did you work at other locations on campus?
  • I bring experience designing and managing research projects focused on pharmacist services related to opioid safety and community health initiatives. My work involves collaboration with pharmacists and local communities, including partnerships with the UGA Archway Partnership to address health needs in rural Georgia. These efforts have helped me develop skills in community engagement, data collection, and translating research into practical interventions that improve health outcomes.

• Why were you interested in applying for this position and coming to CoP/UGA?  What drew you to this job?
  • The College of Pharmacy’s mission to advance pharmacy practice through teaching, research and community involvement strongly resonates with me. This position offers a valuable opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative pharmacy services and enhance patient care, while also supporting teaching and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals and scientists.
• What will you be responsible for in your new position? 
  • I will lead research projects focused on substance use disorders, medication access, and health services delivery, emphasizing opioid safety. I will contribute to grant development, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, support student mentorship and teaching, and disseminate our work regionally and nationally while representing the UGA-College of Pharmacy.

• Personal information you would like to share (optional):
  • Town in which you currently reside: Athens, GA
  • Outside interests/hobbies: Enjoy hiking and community engagement
  • Family, including animals and pets: Husband, and one middle-schooler who’s already mastered the art of selective hearing

• Contact info at the College: (email address, office room number, office phone number).
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Office: R.C. Wilson, Room 270H
  • Phone: 706-542-5321

Sarah Thompson, CAP Clinical Assistant Professor (Athens)

• Where are you from originally? What brought you to Athens and UGA?
  • I am originally from Texas and came to Athens for my PGY2 in Ambulatory Care due to the large academic and diverse clinical components offered through the program.

• Where did you receive your training/education?
  • I went to pharmacy school at the University of Texas at Tyler and graduated in 2023. I then completed a general PGY1 at Baylor Scott and White in Temple, Texas. For my second year of training, I came to the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy where I completed my PGY2 in ambulatory care.

• How did you become interested in your chosen field/profession? What are your areas of interest and expertise?
  • I grew up in a small town in Central Texas where I worked as a pharmacy technician in our local pharmacy. I immediately enjoyed building relationships and being so accessible to patients. Through pharmacy school, I was introduced to the clinical side of pharmacy and knew I wanted to work closely with the healthcare team. It was also in pharmacy school where I had the opportunity to teach my first lecture and absolutely loved it! Combining my interests of clinical pharmacy, direct patient care, and academia, I knew a career as a clinical faculty was right for me.

• What previous, relatable job experiences do you bring to your new position at CoP? Did you work at other locations on campus?
  • Completing my PGY2 here at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy provided me valuable skills in managing patients in the ambulatory care setting while also navigating the academic world. I am excited to continue building on the skills I learned in my residency in this new position.

• Why were you interested in applying for this position and coming to CoP/UGA? What drew you to this job?
  • My experiences last year as a PGY2 ambulatory care resident with UGA in both the clinic setting and college led me to apply for this position. While looking for a PGY2, I was originally drawn to the people here. After spending a year with the wonderful people here at UGA, I knew I wanted to stay!

• What will you be responsible for in your new position?
  • As clinical assistant faculty, I will be responsible for teaching PharmD students both inside the classroom and at my clinic site. I will also be practicing as an ambulatory care pharmacist at Piedmont Oconee Health Clinic, one of the sites I was located at as a PGY2 resident, so I am excited to continue working with the same team and patients. Additionally, I am also involved in a number of pharmacy organizations where I serve on committees and continue growing as a new practitioner. Finally, I will be involved in conducting research here at the college and clinic site!

• Personal information you would like to share (optional):
  • Town in which you currently reside: Athens, GA
  • Outside interests/hobbies: I enjoy drawing and have recently gotten back into it since graduating residency. I have also picked up painting this past year. I enjoy playing tennis, have recently gotten back into readings, and try to garden (however, I am not great but hope to be one day)
  • Family, including animals and pets: I am recently engaged to my lovely fiancé, Ryan, who moved to Athens with me last year. I also have a dog, named Denver, who has been with me since pharmacy school!
  • Memberships in clubs, organizations, etc.: I have been an active member of APhA since pharmacy school. Last year I joined ACCP where I now serve on a committee with the Ambulatory Care PRN and have even more recently have become involved in AACP. I am excited to continue being involved and growing as a new practitioner!

• Contact info at the College: (email address, office room number, office phone number).
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Office number: 260J
  • Office Phone: 706-542-4042

• Anything else you would like to share with your new PharmDawg colleagues??
  I am so excited to continue my journey with the UGA College of Pharmacy – GO DAWGS!

Christen Wilhight, CAP Clinical Assistant Professor (Athens)

• Where are you from originally? What brought you to Athens and UGA?
  • I’m originally from Westchester, IL, a western suburb of Chicago located just 15 miles from downtown.
  • What brought me to Athens was the exciting opportunity to join the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy as a clinical professor. UGA’s strong commitment to engagement and excellence in education, especially within the College of Pharmacy, combined with its dynamic academic environment and supportive professional community, made it an ideal place to continue growing both professionally and personally.

• Where did you receive your training/education?
  • I earned my Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from Purdue University in 2022. Following graduation, I completed a PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2023. I then returned to Purdue to complete a two-year Academic and Ambulatory Care Fellowship, which I completed in 2025.

• How did you become interested in your chosen field/profession?  What are your areas of interest and expertise?
  • My interest in pharmacy began in high school when I attended a Pharmacy and Science Career Camp at the University of Toledo in Toledo, OH. During that experience, I shadowed an ambulatory care pharmacist and was inspired by the meaningful, patient-centered care she provided. She had real, honest conversations with her patients, provided them education, and connected them to vital community resources. That early exposure showed me the impact of pharmacists extends far beyond medication therapy. It not only solidified my interest in ambulatory care but also gave me a clear sense of direction as I entered pharmacy school. 
  • During residency, I had numerous teaching opportunities, which sparked a passion for education and ultimately led me back to Purdue to pursue an Academic and Ambulatory Care Fellowship. 
  • My areas of interest include working with vulnerable and underserved populations, chronic disease state management, and improving medication access and affordability. I also have a newfound interest in aesthetics and exploring how pharmacists can be integrated into this evolving area of practice, as well as complementary and alternative medicine approaches that support holistic patient care.

• What previous, relatable job experiences do you bring to your new position at CoP? Did you work at other locations on campus?
  • During my Academic and Ambulatory Care Fellowship at Purdue University, I received balanced training in education, research, and service, specifically designed to prepare me for future clinical faculty roles.
  • I was actively involved in didactic teaching and small group facilitation within the College of Pharmacy. I had the opportunity to provide instruction across all years of the pharmacy curriculum (P1–P4), including lectures, pharmacy skills laboratories, and active learning modalities. I also had the opportunity to coordinate and facilitate Vulnerable and Underserved Patient Care, a pharmacy elective, as well as serve as a primary preceptor and mentor for student projects.
  • I provided clinical pharmacy services at the Family Health Clinics, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in rural Indiana, and at the Center for Health Living, a primary care clinic for Purdue employees. At the Family Health Clinics, I served as an ambulatory care pharmacist, delivering patient-centered care to vulnerable and underserved patients. Under collaborative practice agreements, I managed chronic disease states and worked to improve medication access and affordability, including assisting patients through insurance navigation, medication assistance programs, and prescription savings programs.
  • The fellowship program also emphasized clinical research and scholarship of teaching and learning. I had the opportunity to complete numerous research projects and collaborate with faculty, clinicians, PharmD students, and graduate students.
  • These experiences have prepared me to contribute meaningfully to my new role at UGA, both in educational settings and in clinical practice. I look forward to bringing this foundation to UGA, where I can support student learning and help expand access to care through the development of a new ambulatory care practice site.
• Why were you interested in applying for this position and coming to CoP/UGA?  What drew you to this job?
  • Over the last few years, my career goal has been to serve as a clinical professor specializing in ambulatory care, with a focus on chronic disease management for vulnerable and underserved patients. The opportunity to build a new practice site through UGA’s College of Pharmacy allows me to provide individualized care and address the unique challenges faced by patients in these communities. In my growing teaching philosophy, I want to create an inclusive and engaging learning environment where students feel empowered to view mistakes as opportunities for growth. UGA’s commitment to serving diverse student and patient populations mirrors my own values, and I’m excited to contribute to a culture of excellence.

• What will you be responsible for in your new position?
  • My role at UGA will be centered around advancing pharmacy education, clinical practice, and scholarly contributions, with a strong emphasis on teaching, research, and service. I will be establishing a new clinical practice site alongside Dr. Sharmon Osae at Athens Neighborhood Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving the Athens community. While the specific clinical focus is still being developed, the overarching goal is to provide clinical services and chronic disease state management under collaborative practice agreements and expand access to care. I will also be involved in teaching, experiential education, and mentoring student pharmacists in both didactic and practice-based settings. I also look forward to contributing to scholarship and collaborative research that supports innovation in pharmacy education, patient care, and my areas of interest.

• Personal information you would like to share (optional):
  • Town in which you currently reside: Athens, GA
  • Outside interests/hobbies: Digital creation! I love being able to create things to enhance events – designing custom invitations, itineraries, calendars, booklets, banners, stickers, and more!

• Contact info at the College: (email address, office room number, office phone number).
• Email: [email protected]
• Office: R.C. Wilson Pharmacy Building, 260H
• Office Phone: 706-542-6153

• Anything else you would like to share with your new PharmDawg colleagues??
  • I’m excited to embark on this new journey at UGA and look forward to incorporating my strengths and interests into this role. I’m eager to continue learning and growing, both personally and professionally, within the College of Pharmacy’s dynamic and collaborative environment. Go PharmDawgs!

Lei Zhang, PBS Assistant Professor (Athens)

• Where are you from originally? What brought you to Athens and UGA?
  • I’m originally from China. I joined UGA as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences to build my research lab in geroscience drug discovery. I was drawn to UGA by its strong pharmacology program, collaborative academic culture, and yes, much milder winters compared to Minnesota.

• Where did you receive your training/education?
  • It’s been a cross-disciplinary journey. I got my PhD in drug design and medicinal chemistry at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado Boulder, where I broadened into biochemistry and chemical biology. I later expanded into aging research at Scripps Research, and soon after relocated with the group to help establish the Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism at the University of Minnesota. I was eventually promoted to Research Assistant Professor and served as the Drug Discovery Core Manager before coming to UGA.

• How did you become interested in your chosen field/profession? What are your areas of interest and expertise?
  • I’ve always been fascinated by the mysteries of life. My original career goal was to cure at least one disease in my lifetime. It wasn’t until after my first postdoc that I came across the field of aging research. The more I explored, the more I became convinced: aging is the greatest risk factor for most chronic diseases, and more importantly, aging is malleable and targetable through drug discovery. That realization changed everything. I shifted my career focus from treating individual diseases to targeting the underlying biology of aging itself.
  • My lab is driven by two simple but ambitious questions: Why do we age, and how can we intervene with therapeutics? We develop pharmaceutical drugs, known as gerotherapeutics, using diverse approaches such as drug screening, medicinal chemistry, drug design, and AI/machine learning. To understand how these drugs work and to uncover new mechanisms of aging, we also use interdisciplinary strategies by integrating chemical, cellular, and molecular biology with multi-omics and bioinformatics.

• What previous, relatable job experiences do you bring to your new position at CoP? Did you work at other locations on campus?
  • Before joining CoP, I led several aging-focused drug discovery projects targeting senescent, or “zombie”, cells, and served as the Drug Discovery Core Manager at the Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism at the University of Minnesota. My work involved phenotypic drug screening, drug design, and machine learning-aided senotherapeutic drug discovery using both cell and mouse models.
  • At UGA, I am also affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (ILS) graduate program. I always welcome opportunities for cross-department collaborations and student mentoring.

• Why were you interested in applying for this position and coming to CoP/UGA? What drew you to this job?
  • First, I’ll admit, I was looking for a warmer place! (Kidding… sort of) More seriously, I was drawn to CoP because of its strong reputation in pharmacology, and welcoming, collaborative colleagues. UGA also provides a supportive environment for both research and professional growth. Athens is quiet and charming, yet close to the vibrant city life of Atlanta. For me, it is the perfect place to build both my lab and my life.

• What will you be responsible for in your new position?
  • I am building my own research lab focused on geroscience drug discovery, mentoring students, contributing to teaching, and serving the department and community in any way I can.

• Personal information you would like to share (optional):
  • Town in which you currently reside: Athens, GA
  • Outside interests/hobbies: I enjoy hiking, running, cooking, and playing tennis. In my spare time, I also have fun trying to make my cats famous by sharing their antics on social media.
    Family, including animals and pets: I have three cats who love treadmill running, which I like to call their “longevity training”.
  • Memberships in clubs, organizations, etc.: I am actively involved in professional networks related to aging research and drug discovery. I am also the founder of a non-profit pet-welfare organization.

• Contact info at the College: (email address, office room number, office phone number).
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Office: R.C. Wilson Pharmacy Building, Room 356 (office); 342D (lab)
  • Phone: 706-542-2148

• Anything else you would like to share with your new PharmDawg colleagues??
  • The biology of aging is incredibly complex, so we are continually expanding our technological toolkit to meet the challenge. In my lab, we embrace innovation, emerging technologies, and interdisciplinary approaches to accelerate discovery. We value bold ideas and collaborative science that push boundaries. If you share our passion for transforming the science of aging, let’s work together!