School of Pharmacy Senior Research Associate Accepts Faculty Position
Senior Research Associate Simi Gunaseelan, Ph.D., takes lab experience into the classroom.
by Stephen Vodhanel, Ph.D.
As a senior research associate for the School of Pharmacy, Simi Gunaseelan, Ph.D., has accepted a position with West Coast University School of Pharmacy as assistant professor.
Beginning in 2010, Dr. Gunaseelan started with LLUSP as a Senior Research Associate III to engage in drug delivery research under Dr. Richard Maskiewicz, Ph.D., in drug delivery research funded by R01 AI090659 (Universal Sustained Release System for HIV Microbicides).
Dr. Gunaseelan’s research with Dr. Maskiewicz has resulted in two peer-reviewed publications, “Sustained Local Delivery of Structurally Diverse HIV-1 Microbicides Released from Sublimation Enthalpy Controlled Matrices,” where she was lead author, and “Sublimable C5A Delivery Provides Sustained and prolonged Anti-HIV Microbicidal Activities.” Dr. Gunaseelan is also currently preparing a manuscript titled “Stabilization of Chemically Reactive HIV Microbicies During Prolonged Storage and Release Under In Vivo Conditions.”
“In terms of teaching, Dr. Gunaseelan will be of great value to a PharmD program. As guest lecturer in Pharmaceutics II, Dr. Gunaseelan introduced first year pharmacy students to important concepts of chemical and physical equilibria. Dr. Gunaseelan has also mentored several student scientists working on sublimable delivery systems, and enjoys the teaching-mentoring of students,” said Dr. Maskiewicz.
“Simi's value to our department has not only been her contributions to Dr. Maskiewicz's research, but her collegial attitude and friendly personality enrich all of us in the department. While her research and teaching skills are certainly important aspects in her ability to receive a faculty appointment, it will be her excellent interpersonal skills that will first endear her to her new colleagues, and ultimately the students at West Coast University,” added Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Willie Davis, Ph.D.
The entire School of Pharmacy congratulates Dr. Gunaseelan on her new career, and we will miss her very much.
Simi Gunaseelan, Ph.D., at work in the LLU Pharmaceutical Sciences laboratory in Chan Shun Pavilion.