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Recent Graduates

Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy


Class of 2024

Jieni Li

Dissertation Title: Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of High Efficacy Disease-Modifying Agents and Moderate Efficacy Disease-Modifying Agents in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, UHCOP
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Vaishnavi Tata

Dissertation Title: Clinical prescribing guidelines and treatment outcomes for comorbid mental health and substance use disorders
Current Position: N/A
Advisor: Douglas Thornton

Class of 2023

Precious Anyanwu

Dissertation Title: The Development of the Patient-Reported Outcome Measure: Measuring Opioid Use Disorder-Financial Toxicity (MOUD-FIT)
Current Position: Health Outcomes Researcher
Advisor: Douglas Thornton

Shrey Gohil

Dissertation Title: Safety and Effectiveness of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Older Adults with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Pre-Existing Autoimmune Disease
Current Position: HEOR Manager, Exact Sciences
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Yinan Huang

Dissertation Title: Comparative Effectiveness of Methotrexate-based Combinations for Rheumatoid
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Administration/Research Assistant Professor in Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Mississippi
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Ning Lyu

Dissertation Title: Identifying, Predicting, and Managing Second-Generation Antipsychotics Associated Weight Gain (AAWG) in Children and Adolescents
Current Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Brigham & Women's Hospital
Advisor: Hua Chen

Zahra Majd

Dissertation Title: Initial Combination Therapy Versus Conventional Stepwise Approach for the Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Drug Naïve Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Current Position: Manager, HEOR Strategy, Oncology
Advisor: Susan Abughosh

Ashna Talwar

Dissertation Title: Cumulative Anticholinergic Burden and Associated Outcomes among Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Position: Manager, Global HEOR, Bausch + Lomb
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Russell Wilson

Dissertation Title: cGMP Training Programs: Understanding the Effects of Cognitive Load
Current Position: N/A
Advisor: Sujit Sansgiry

Class of 2022

Suma Gopinathan

Dissertation Title: Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer: Retrospective Analysis Using a Population-based Database
Current Position: Senior Director, Lexicon Therapeutics
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Ravi Goyal

Dissertation Title: Assessment of Trends in Systemic Therapy Utilization, Geographic Variation, and Adherence Outcomes in HR+/HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer in the United States
Current Position: Senior Director, Health Economics, RTI Health Solutions
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Sorochi Iloanusi

Dissertation Title: Non-Antiretroviral Comedications Among PLWH in Texas: Impact on Selected Health Outcomes
Current Position: PSI Associate Intern, Patient Square Capital
Advisor: Ekere Essien

Anjana Mohan

Dissertation Title: Estimating the effect of adherence to direct oral anticoagulants on health outcomes among patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Current Position: Observational Research Manager, Amgen
Advisor: Susan Abughosh

Swarnava Sanyal

Dissertation Title: Monitoring and management of atypical antipsychotics and its impact on prescribing patterns
Current Position: HEOR Scientist, AbbVie
Advisor: Hua Chen

Soham Yande

Dissertation Title: Comparative and cost-effectiveness of Direct Oral Anticoagulants vs Low Molecular Weight Heparins in Cancer Associated Thrombosis
Current Position: Senior Health Outcomes Scientist, RTI Health Solutions
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Class of 2021

Benjamin Lewing

Dissertation Title: Understanding Inadequate Care During Management of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: Examining Patient and Health System Factors
Current Position: Senior Manager, HEOR, Inovalon
Advisor: Sujit Sansgiry

Prajakta Masurkar

Dissertation Title: Adverse Outcome Associated with Individual Cholinesterase Inhibitors in Older Adults with Dementia
Current Position: Payer Outcomes Research Manager, Amgen
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Abhishek Anil Nair

Dissertation Title: Opioid Analgesic Utilization in Pediatric Population with Acute Pain
Current Position: Manager Oncology, Global Evidence & Value Development, EMD Serono, Inc.
Advisor: Hua Chen

Tyler Varisco

Dissertation Title: Disruptions in Pharmacotherapy for Opioid Use Disorder Associated with Changes in Pharmacy
Current Position: Assistant Professor, UH College of Pharmacy
Advisor: Douglas Thornton

Class of 2020

Shweta Bapat

Dissertation Title: Predicting Provider Intention to Prescribe Buprenorphine Using the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Mixed Methods Design
Current Position: Research Associate III, Evidera
Advisor: Douglas Thornton

Soumya Chikermane

Dissertation Title: Association Between Metformin Use And Hormone Receptor-Positive HER2 Negative Breast Cancer
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, UH College of Pharmacy
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Jagadeswara Rao Earla

Dissertation Title: Disease Modifying Agents Use and Associated Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis
Current Position: Associate Director, Oncology Division, Center for Observational and Real-world Evidence (CORE), Merck & Co.
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Rutugandha Deepak Paranjpe

Dissertation Title: Evaluating Adherence and Health Outcomes among Patients on Concomitant Diabetes, Hypertension, & Hyperlipidemia Treatments Using Marginal Structural Modeling
Current Position: Associate Director, Outcomes Research-Oncology, Merck & Co.
Advisor: Susan Abughosh

Sanika Rege

Dissertation Title: Patterns of Lipid Lowering Therapy, Adherence and Up-titration in Older Adults
Current Position: Senior Research Analyst, Pharmerit
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Qingqing Xu

Dissertation Title: Using Machine Learning to Predict Microvascular Complications in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Current Position: Manager - HEOR, AbbVie
Advisor: Sujit Sansgiry

Class of 2019

Aisha Vadhariya

Dissertation Title: Patterns of Lipid Lowering Therapy, Adherence and Up-titration in Older Adults
Current Position: Research Advisor, Value Evidence and Outcomes, Eli Lilly & Co.
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Class of 2018

Ruta Sawant

Dissertation Title: Preventative Behaviors for Cognitive Health Maintenance: Understanding the Role of Message Framing and Involvement
Current Position: Senior Manager, Sage Therapeutics
Advisor: Sujit Sansgiry

Navneet Upadhyay

Dissertation Title: Geographic Access to Providers and Pediatric Mental Health Care
Current Position: Associate Principal Scientist, Merck & Co.
Advisor: Hua Chen

Class of 2017

Archita Bhansali

Dissertation Title: Breast Cancer Chemoprevention Among Women: Effect of Involvement and Message Format
Current Position: Senior Manager, Global Access Market, Philips Respironics
Advisor: Sujit Sansgiry

Farid Chekani

Dissertation Title: Safety of Atypical Antipsychotics in Elderly Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Current Position: Associate Director, Merck & Co.
AdvisorRajender Aparasu

Carmine Colavecchia

Dissertation Title: Effectiveness and Safety of Four-Factor Prothrombin Complex and Fresh Frozen Plasma in Cardiac Surgery
Current Position: Medical Outcomes Specialist, Pfizer
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Mark Hatfield

Dissertation Title: Assessing the Impact of Multiple Levels of Influence on the Use of Hydrocodone Combination Products and Buprenorphine as Opioid Addiction/Dependence Treatment
Current Position: Senior Manager, Global Health Outcomes
Advisor: Marc Fleming

Nandita Kachru

Dissertation Title: Adverse Outcomes of Antimuscarinics in Elderly Dementia
Current Position: Manager, Medical Affairs – HEOR, Gilead Pharmaceuticals
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Ya-Huei Li

Dissertation Title: A Study of the Association Between Social Ecological Contexts and HIV-related Sexual Behaviors Among African-American Adolescents
Current Position: Data Analyst/Scientist, Billing Clinic
Advisor: James Essien

Manvi Sharma

Dissertation Title: The Concomitant Use of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Proton Pump Inhibitors: Prevalence, Predictors and Impact on Survival and Discontinuations of Therapy in Older Adults with Cancer.
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Administration, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Sneha Sura

Dissertation Title: Optimizing Antipsychotic Use across Nursing Homes: Implications for Dementia Care
Current Position: HEOR Researcher, McKesson
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Xin Wang

Dissertation Title: Medication Adherence to Antihypertensive Combination Therapy
Current Position: Consultant, HEOR, Real-World Evidence Solutions, IQVIA
Advisor: Susan Abughosh

Class of 2016

Yasser Saleh A. Almogbel

Dissertation Title: Parenting Stress and Child's Quality of Life on Parents' Expectation/Satisfaction and Medication Adherence with Asthmatic Child’s Therapy
Current Position: Assistant Professor and Vice Dean for Administrative Affairs, Qassim University College of Pharmacy, Saudi Arabia
Advisor: Sujit Sansgiry

Nipun Atreja

Dissertation Title: The Impact of Long-Term Opioid Medication on Oral Antihyperglycemic Medication Adherence and Subsequent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Related Hospitalization Risk Among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Database Analysis
Current Position: Manager, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Alkermes
Advisor: Marc Fleming

Rohan Medhekar

Dissertation Title: The Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pathway to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and its Impact on the Receipt of MDD Treatment
Current Position: Health Economics Manager, Amgen
Advisor: Hua Chen

Pratik Rane

Dissertation Title: Safety Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors Among Community Dwelling Adults with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Current Position: Global Health Economics Manager, Amgen
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Aylin Yucel

Dissertation Title: Physician Patient-Sharing Networks and Prescription of Psychotropic Polypharmacy in the Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Mental Disorders
Current Position: Health Economics Manager, Amgen
Advisor: James Essien

Class of 2015

Erin Ferries

Dissertation Title: Epidemiology of Controlled Substance Prescription Drug Utilization in Texas: An Analysis of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Data
Current Position: Head of Healthcare Economics Outcomes Research (HEOR), MindMed
Advisor: Marc Fleming

Shivani Mhatre

Dissertation Title: Prediction and Evaluation of Medication Non-adherence among Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries with Diabetes
Current Position: Associate Scientist, San Francisco, CA
Advisor: Sujit Sansgiry

Ayush Patel

Dissertation Title: The impact of psychopharmacotherapy on Body Mass Index (BMI) of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder
Current Position: Epidemiologist, Philadelphia, PA
Advisor: Hua Chen

Jeetvan Patel

Dissertation Title: Medication Use Behavior Outcomes among Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients
Current Position: Sr. Director, Franchise Head, US HEOR-Radiogland Therapies, Novartis Oncology
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Class of 2014

Vishal Bali

Dissertation Title: Comparative Effectiveness of Second Generation Antidepressants on Cognition and Dementia in the Elderly
Current Position: Associate Director, Merck
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Parul Gupta

Dissertation Title: Risk of Hospitalization among Elderly Heart Failure Patients Initiating Beta-Blockers or ACE-Inhibitors
Current Position: Senior Research Manager, StatinMed
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Mark Kramer

Dissertation Title: Intravenous Busulfan in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Current Position: Principal, Kramer Consulting
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Hemalkumar Mehta

Dissertation Title: Comparative Effectiveness of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers on the Risk of Dementia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Harshali Patel

Dissertation Title: Development and Testing of Prescription Information Leaflets to Improve Comprehension: An Information Processing Approach
Current Position: Senior Director, Merck
Advisor: Sujit Sansgiry

I-Hsuan Wu

Dissertation Title: Comparative Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Medications among Schizophrenic Smokers
Current Position: Merck Taiwan Ltd.
Advisor: Susan Abughosh

Class of 2013

Satabdi Chatterjee

Dissertation Title: Safety of Anticholinergic Medications in the Elderly
Current Position: Health Economics and Outcomes Researcher, Hyderabad, India
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Mo Yang

Dissertation Title: Comparative Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Medications among Obese Smokers
Current Position: Director, EMD Serono Inc.
Advisor: Susan Abughosh

Class of 2012

Debajyoti Bhowmik

Dissertation Title: Safety and effectiveness of antidepressant in pediatric bipolar depression
Current Position: Health Economics Manager, Amgen
Advisor: Hua Chen

Abhishek Chitnis

Dissertation Title: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, statins and dementia in patients with heart failure
Current Position: Therapeutic Area Head, Neuromuscular Disease, Medical Health Outcomes Research, Biogen
Advisor: Michael Johnson

Nilanjana Dwibedi

Dissertation Title: Parents’ expectation to receive antibiotic prescription for children
Current Position: Associate Director, Global Associate Compound Market Access Leader – Neuroscience at The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
Advisor: Sujit Sansgiry

Pravin Kamble

Dissertation Title: Concurrent stimulant and atypical antipsychotic use in children and adolescents with ADHD
Current Position: Research Scientist, Comprehensive Health Insights (Humana), Louisville, KY
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu

Sandhya Mehta

Dissertation Title: Dementia in older adults: Predicting and preventing risk
Current Position: Manager, Epidemiology, Quintiles Inc., Washington, D.C.
Advisor: Rajender Aparasu