Margaret O. James Top Graduating Student Award
The Top Graduating Student Award was renamed the Margaret O. James Top Graduating Student Award in 2022, in honor of Dr. James’ 42-year career with the UF College of Pharmacy and Department of Medicinal Chemistry.
In recognition of your excellent performance in our graduate program
2024-25
Breanne Freeman (Mentor: Chengguo Xing)
Alexis Smith (Mentor: Guangrong Zheng)
2023-24
Zachary Rabinowitz (Mentor: Lina Cui)
2022-23
Lobna Elsadek (Mentor: Hendrik Luesch)
2021-2022
Manyun Chen, (Mentor: Yousong Ding)
(2022)
Top Graduating Student Award
In recognition of the student with the highest GPA, research output, and good citizenship
2021-2022
Kelton Schleyer (Mentor: Lina Cui)
(2021)
2020 – 2021
Hebaalla Agha, (Mentor: Chris McCurdy)
2019 – 2020
Peilan Zhang, (Mentor: Yousong Ding)
2018 – 2019
Xiao Liang, (Mentor: Hendrik Luesch)
Junior Award For Excellence
In recognition of all-around excellence in didactic coursework and research during the junior years
2024-25
Seif Abouheif (Mentor: Chris McCurdy), Annan Sun (Mentor: Guangrong Zheng) and Campbell Eckhardt (Mentor: Yousong Ding)
2023-2024
Emma Ellis (Mentor: Hendrik Luesch) and Peter Ramdhan (Mentor: Chenglong Li)
2022-2023
Yuzhao Zhang (Mentor: Lina Cui)
2021-2022
Alexis Smith (Mentor: Guangrong Zheng)
Breanne Freeman (Mentor: Chengguo Xing)
2020 – 2021
Zachary Rabinowitz, (Mentor: Lina Cui)
2019 – 2020
Lobna Elsadek, (Mentor: Hendrik Luesch)
2018 – 2019
Kelton Schleyer, (Mentor: Lina Cui)
Best Research Paper Award
In recognition of published breakthrough research of high impact for each calendar year. (Nominated by Faculty)
2024
Biosynthesis of Dolastatin 10 in Marine Cyanobacteria, a Prototype for Multiple Approved Cancer Drugs. Dimitris Kallifidas, Dipesh Dhakal, Manyun Chen, Qi-Yin Chen, Sofia Kokkaliari, Nicole A. Colon Rosa, Ranjala Ratnayake, Steven D. Bruner, Valerie J. Paul, Yousong Ding*, and Hendrik Luesch* Org. Lett. 2024, 26, 1321-1325 Publication Date: February 6, 2024 http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.3c04083.
Discovery of a Highly Potent and Selective HDAC8 Degrader: Advancing the Functional Understanding and Therapeutic Potential of HDAC8. Yufeng Xiao, Nikee Awasthee, Yi Liu, Chengcheng Meng, Michael Y. He, Seth Hale, Rashmi Karki, Zongtao Lin, Megan Mosterio, Benjamin A. Garcia, Robert Kridel, Daiqing Liao, * and Guangrong Zheng” J. Med. Chem. 2024, 67, 15, 12784-12806
2023
Dipesh Dhakal; Dimitris Kallifidas; Manyun Chen; Sofia Kokkaliari; Qi-Yin Chen; Valerie J. Paul; Yousong Ding*; Hendrik Luesch.* “Heterologous Production of the C33‒C45 Polyketide Fragment of Anticancer Apratoxins in a Cyanobacterial Host.” Org. Lett. 2023, 25, 2238‒2242.
Kristen H. Scherrer; Shainnel O. Eans; Jessica M. Medina; Sanjeewa N. Senadheera; Tanvir Khaliq; Thomas F. Murray; Jay P. McLaughlin; Jane V. Aldrich.* “Tryptophan Substitution in CJ-15,208 (cyclo[Phe-D-Pro-Phe-Trp]) Introduces δ-Opioid Receptor Antagonism, Preventing Antinociceptive Tolerance and Stress-Induced Reinstatement of Extinguished Cocaine-Conditioned Place Preference.” Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16, 1218.
Tao Xiao; Ke Liu; Qiwen Gao; Manyun Chen; Young S. Kim; Shouguang Jin; Yousong Ding; Robert W. Huigens III.* “Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Carbonate-Linked Halogenated Phenazine-Quinone Prodrugs with Improved Water-Solubility and Potent Antibacterial Profiles.” ACS Infect. Dis. 2023, 9, 899-915.
2022
Liu, K.; Abouelhassan, Y.; Zhang, Y.; Jin, S.; Huigens III, R.W.* “Transcript Profiling of Nitroxoline-Treated Biofilms Shows a Rapid Upregulation of Iron Acquisition Gene Clusters.” ACS Infect. Dis. 2022, 8, 1594-1605.
Pohl, M. O.; Martin-Sancho, L.; Ratnayake, R.; White, K. M.; Riva, L.; Chen, Q,-Y.; Lieber, G.; Busnadiego, I.; Yin, X.; Lin, S.; Pu, Y.; Pache, L.; Rosales, R.; Déjosez, M.; Qin, Y.; De Jesus, P. D.; Beall, A.; Yoh, S.; Hale, B. G.; Zwaka, T. P.; Matsunaga, N.; García-Sastre, A.; Stertz, S.; Chanda, S. K.; Luesch, H.* “Sec61 Inhibitor Apratoxin S4 Potently Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 and Exhibits Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Activity” ACS Infect. Dis. 2022, 8, 1265–1279.
Berthold EC, Kamble SH, Raju KS, Kuntz MA, Senetra AS, Mottinelli M, León F, Restrepo LF, Patel A, Ho NP, Hiranita T, Sharma A, McMahon LR, McCurdy CR.* “The Lack of Contribution of 7-Hydroxymitragynine to the Antinociceptive Effects of Mitragynine in Mice: A Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study” Drug Metab Dispos. 2022 50(2):158-167.
Bian, T.; Wang, Y.; Botello, J.F.; Hu, Q.; Jiang, Y.; Zingone, A.; Aly, F.Z.; Ding, H.; Wu, Y.; Aly, F. Z.; Saloum, R. G.; Warren, G.; Huo, Z.; Ryan, B.M.; Jin, L.; Xing, C.* “LKB1 phosphorylation and deactivation in lung cancer by NNAL, a metabolite of tobacco-specific carcinogen, in an isomer-dependent manner”, Oncogene, 2022, 41(33): 4042-4054.
2021
Susan Matthew, Qi-Yin Chen, Ranjala Ratnayake, Charles S. Fermaintt, Daniel Lucena-Agell, Francesca Bonato, Andrea E. Prota, Seok Ting Lim, Xiaomeng Wang, J. Fernando Díaz, April L. Risinger, Valerie J. Paul, Maria Ángela Oliva, and Hendrik Luesch. Gatorbulin-1, A Distinct Cyclodepsipeptide Chemotype, Targets a Seventh Tubulin Pharmacological Site. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2021,118, e2021847118 Luesch Lab
Jun Liu, Xiaowei Ma, Chao Cui, Zixin Chen, Ying Wang, Philip R. Deenik, and Lina Cui. Noninvasive NIR Imaging of Senescence via In Situ Labeling. J Med. Chem. 2021, 64, 17969−17978. Cui Lab
Nelson Jeng-Yeou Chear, Francisco León, Abhisheak Sharma, Siva Rama Raju Kanumuri, Grant Zwolinski, Khalil A. Abboud, Darshan Singh, Luis F. Restrepo, Avi Patel, Takato Hiranita, Surash Ramanathan, Aidan J. Hampson, Lance R. McMahon, and Christopher R. McCurdy. Exploring the Chemistry of Alkaloids from Malaysian Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom) and the Role of Oxindoles on Human Opioid Receptors. J. Nat. Prod. 2021, 84, 1034−1043. McCurdy Lab
Hongfen Yang, Shivani Kundra, Michaelle Chojnacki, Ke Liu, Marisa A. Fuse, Yasmeen Abouelhassan, Dimitris Kallifidas, Peilan Zhang, Guangtao Huang, Shouguang Jin, Yousong Ding, Hendrik Luesch, Kyle H. Rohde, Paul M. Dunman, José A. Lemos, and Robert W. Huigens, III. A Modular Synthetic Route Involving N‑Aryl-2-Nitrosoaniline Intermediates Leads to a New Series of 3‑Substituted Halogenated Phenazine Antibacterial Agents. J. Med. Chem. 2021, 64, 7275−7295. Huigens Lab
2020
Jun Liu, Kelton A. Schleyer, Tyrel L. Bryan, Changjian Xie, Gustavo Seabra, Yongmei Xu, Arjun Kafle, Chao Cui, Ying Wang, Kunlun Yin, Benjamin Fetrow, Paul K. P. Henderson, Peter Z. Fatland, Jian Liu, Chenglong Li, Hua Guo, Lina Cui. Ultrasensitive Small Molecule Fluorogenic Probe for Human Heparanase. Edge Article. Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 239-246 (Epub 2020 Oct 20). Cui Lab
Verrill M. Norwood, Ariana C Brice-Tutt, Shainnel O Eans, Heather M Stacy, Guqin Shi, Ranjala Ratnayake, James R Rocca, Khalil A Abboud, Chenglong Li, Hendrik Luesch, Jay P McLaughlin, Robert W Huigens III. “Preventing Morphine-Seeking Behavior through the Re-engineering of Vincamine’s Biological Activity.” J. Med. Chem. 2020, 63, 5119-5138. (Epub 2020 Mar 23). Huigens Lab
M.J. Ferracane, A. C. Brice-Tutt, J. S. Coleman, G. G. Simpson, L. L. Wilson, S. O. Eans, H. M. Stacy, T. F. Murray, J.P. McLaughlin, and J. V. Aldrich. Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of the Macrocyclic Tetrapeptidecyclo[Pro-Sar-Phe-D-Phe]: A Mixed Opioid Receptor Agonist-Antagonist Following Oral Administration. ACS Chem. Neurosci. 2020,11, 1324-1336. (Epub 2020 Apr 21). Aldrich Lab
Yi Wang, Sreekanth C. Narayanapillai, Katelyn M. Tessier, Lori G. Strayer, Pramod Upadhyaya, Qi Hu, Rick Kingston, Ramzi G. Salloum, Junxuan Lu, Stephen S. Hecht, Dorothy K. Hatsukami, Naomi Fujioka and Chengguo Xing. The Impact of One-week Dietary Supplement Kava on Biomarkers of Tobacco Exposure and Nitrosamine- based Carcinogenesis among Active Smokers. Cancer Prev. Res. 2020, 13(5), 483-491. (Epub 2020 Feb 26). Xing Lab
2019
Khan S*, Zhang X*, Lv D*, Zhang Q, He Y, Zhang P, Liu X, Thummuri D, Yuan Y, Wiegand Js, Pei J, Zhang W, Sharma A, McCurdy Cr, Kuruvilla Vm, Baran N, Ferrando A, Kim Ym, Rogojina A, Houghton Pj, Huang G, Hromas R, Konopleva M, Zheng G, Zhou D. A selective BCL-XL PROTAC degrader achieves safe and potent antitumor activity. Nat Med. 2019;25 (12):1938-1947. (Epub 2019 Dec 2). Zheng Lab
Bousquet MS, Ratnayake R, Pope JL, Chen QY, Zhu F, Chen S Carney TJ, Gharaibeh R, Jobin C, Paul VJ, Luesch H. Seaweed natural products modify the host inflammatory response via Nrf2 signaling and alter colon microbiota composition and gene expression. Free Radic Biol Med. 2020;146:306-323. (Epub 2019 Sep 16). Luesch Lab
2018
Zhang, Y.; Li, K.; Yang, G.; McBride, J. L.; Bruner, S. D.; Ding, Y. A distributive peptide cyclase processes multiple microviridin core peptides within a single polypeptide substrate. Nat. Commun. 2018, 9, 1780. (Epub 2018 May 3). Ding Lab
Abouelhassan, Y.; Zhang, Y.; Jin, S.; Huigens, R. W., III. Transcript Profiling of MRSA Biofilms Treated with a Halogenated Phenazine Eradicating Agent: A Platform for Defining Cellular Targets and Pathways Critical to Biofilm Survival. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 15523–15528. (Epub 2018 Nov 19). Huigens Lab
Cai, W.; Ratnayake, R.; Gerber, M. H.; Chen, Q.-Y.; Yu, Y.; Derendorf, H.; Trevino, J. G.; Luesch, H. Development of Apratoxin S10 (Apra S10) as an Anti-pancreatic Cancer Agent and Its Preliminary Evaluation in an Orthotopic Patient-derived Xenograft (PDX) Model. Invest. New Drugs 2019, 37, 364–374 (Epub 2018 Aug 3). Luesch Lab
Exemplary Student Service Award
In recognition of a graduate student who has gone the extra mile to help improve the graduate program
2024-25
Vanisa Petriti (Mentor: Guangrong Zheng & Yousong Ding)
Johnathan Somers (Mentor: Lina Cui)
Allison Lynch (Mentor: Chengguo Xing)
2023-24
Vanisa Petriti (Mentor: Guangrong Zheng and Yousong Ding)
Alexis Bragg (Mentor: Robert Huigens)
Alexis Smith (Mentor: Guangrong Zheng)
Breanne Freeman (Mentor: Chengguo Xing)
2022-23
Zachary Rabinowitz (Mentor: Lina Cui)
Breanne Freeman (Mentor: Chengguo Xing)
Jessica Mamallapalli (Mentor: Chengguo Xing)
2021-2022
Jessica Mamallapalli, (Mentor: Chengguo Xing)
Garret Rubin, (Mentor: Yousong Ding)
Daniel Schultz (not pictured), (Mentor: Chenglong Li)
2020 – 2021
Kelton Schleyer, (Mentor: Lina Cui)
Garret Rubin, (Mentor: Yousong Ding)
2019 – 2020
Jeremy Coleman, (Mentor: Jane Aldrich)
2018 – 2019
Jeremy Coleman, (Mentor: Jane Aldrich)
Best Research Student Award
In recognition of students that have been exceptionally prolific in research in their graduate career
2023-24
Zhihang Shen (Mentor: Chenglong Li)
2022-23
Ke Liu (Mentor: Robert Huigens)
2021-2022
Qi Hu, (Mentor: Chengguo Xing)
2018 – 2019
Guangde Jiang, (Mentor: Yousong Ding)
Best Student Seminar Award
In recognition of excellent student presentations and active participation in the Student Seminar Series
2024-25
Senior Division:
Yuzhao Zhang (Mentor: Lina Cu)
Junior Division:
Peter A Ramdhan (Mentor: Chenglong Li)
2023-24
Senior Division:
Alexis Smith
Junior Division:
Meng-Lun Hsieh
2022-23
Senior Division:
Zachary Rabinowitz
Junior Division:
Emma Ellis & Meng-Lun Hsieh
2021-2022
Senior Division:
Zachary Rabinowitz, Small-Molecule PD-L1 Inhibitor BMS1166 Abrogates the Function of PD-L1 by Blocking its ER Export (Mentor: Lina Cui)
Junior Division:
David Blanco, Cell Type-Selective Secretome Profiling in Vivo (Mentor: Robert Huigens III)
Alexis Smith, Structure-Based Optimization of ML300-Derived, Noncovalent Inhibitors Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 3CL Protease (Mentor: Guangrong Zheng)
2020 – 2021
Senior Division:
David Brumley, A New Antibiotic Selectively Kills Gram-Negative Pathogens (Mentor: Hendrik Luesch)
Junior Division:
Zachary Rabinowitz, Fluorescence-Guided Resection of Tumors in Mouse Models of Oral Cancer (Mentor: Lina Cui)
Jessica Mamallapali, Discovery and Characterization of a Cellular Potent Positive Allosteric Modulator of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 Chromodomain, CBX7 (Mentor: Chris Xing)
2019 – 2020
Senior Division:
David Brumley, Complete Biosynthesis of cannabinoids and their unnatural analogues in yeast (Mentor: Hendrik Luesch)
Kelton Schleyer, An enzymatic pathway in the human gut microbiome that converts A to universal O type blood (Mentor: Lina Cui)
Junior Division:
Zachary Rabinowitz, Targeting a ceramide double bond improves insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis (Mentor: Lina Cui)
2018 – 2019
Senior Division:
Jeremy Coleman, Lead-like drugs: a perspective, (Mentor: Jane Aldrich)
Junior Division:
David Brumley, Accessing chemical diversity from the uncultivated symbionts of small marine animals, (Mentor: Hendrik Luesch)
Kelton Schleyer, Targeting KRAS mutant cancers with a covalent G12C-specific inhibitor, (Mentor: Lina Cui)
2017 – 2018
Senior Division:
Jeremy Coleman, Return of D4 Dopamine Receptor Antagonists in Drug Discovery, (Mentor: Jane Aldrich)
Junior Division:
David Brumley, Restored Iron Transport by a Small Molecule promotes Absorption and Hemoglobinization in Animals, (Mentor: Hendrik Luesch)
2016 – 2017
Senior Division:
Weijing Cai, Pooled Screening for Antiproliferative Inhibitors of Protein-Protein Interactions, (Mentor: Hendrik Luesch)
Marci Smeltz, A Multiple-Year Study of Hepatic Biomarkers in Coastal Fishes Post-Deepwater Horizon, (Mentor: Margaret James)
Junior Division:
Gena Burch, Improving Drug Design: An Update on Recent Applications of Efficiency Metrics, Strategies for Replacing Problematic Elements, and Compounds in Nontraditional Drug Space, (Mentor: Robert Huigens III)
2015 – 2016
Senior Division:
Fatma Al-Awadhi, Mode of Action and Pharmacogenomics Biomarkers for Exceptional Responders to Didemnin B, (Mentor: Hendrik Luesch)
Junior Division:
Yasmeen Abouelhassan, A Novel Multiple-State Antimalarial Agent that Inhibits Protein Synthesis, (Mentor: Robert Huigens III)