By: Sarah Adly, PharmD Candidate c/o 2024 Applying to advanced professional pharmacy experience (APPE) rotations can be a daunting experience. After all, this is the last opportunity most pharmacy students have to deeply  explore their interests. But not to worry! As someone who was in your shoes a year ago, I will let you in…

By: Shakhzoda Rakhimova, PharmD Candidate ℅ 2024 Introduction Renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) is a type of kidney cancer in which malignant epithelial cells are found in the lining of the renal tubules or renal cortex.1 Clear-cell renal-cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common type, accounting for about 80% of all RCC cases.2  ccRCC is named aptly…

By: Ashley Dao, PharmD Candidate c/o 2024 Melanoma is the fifth most common cause of cancer in the United States (US). Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the primary risk factor for developing melanoma.1 In order to reduce damage from UV exposure, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends practices such as…

By: Urooj K. Malik, PharmD Candidate c/o 2024 On May 3, 2023, the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Arexvy (RSVPreF3), the first vaccine to combat respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for adults aged 60 and older.1 Overview of RSV RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms that…

By: Sairah Sheikh, PharmD Candidate c/o 2024 Increased physical activity is often touted as a lifestyle choice that improves bodily health dramatically. Over recent years, there has been an increase in research showing that exercise can help to prevent chronic diseases. Physical activity exerts its benefit through a wide variety of mechanisms. Exercise can improve…

By: Holly Nguyen, PharmD Candidate ℅ 2024 Hemophilia is a severe hereditary hemorrhagic disorder derived from gene mutations that make clotting factors VIII and IX for hemophilia types A and B, respectively.1 The sex-linked hemophilia recessive allele on the X chromosome gives sons a 50% chance of inheriting the hemophilia allele from a heterozygous or…

Featuring: Fawad Piracha, PharmD, MBA, IgCP By: Holly Nguyen, PharmD Candidate ℅ 2024 Fawad Piracha is a ‘16 alumnus of the St. John’s University PharmD program and has since had a storied career. Dr. Piracha is the second of four family members who  graduated from St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (read…

By: Anureet Kaur, PharmD Candidate c/o 2024  Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an epidemic. Currently, the neurodegenerative disorder holds the title of the seventh leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.), disproportionately affecting older adults.1 The National Institute on Aging reports that the number of people with AD doubles about every five years beyond…

By: Giavanna Carr, PharmD Candidate c/o 2025 Postpartum depression, also known as PPD, is classified as perinatal depression, which is experienced by those who have recently given birth. PPD is the leading complication following childbirth, affecting 1 in 7 women worldwide.1 Oftentimes, this is the first time the mother suffers from any type of depression,…