UH-Hilo Pharmaceutical Science Students to Make History

Mayuramas “Jan” Sang-ngern and Susanne R. Youngren-Ortiz. University of Hawai’i photos.

The University of Hawai’i at Hilo’s Spring 2016 Commencement Ceremony will be a historic event for Pharmaceutical Science students.

Mayuramas “Jan” Sang-ngern and Susanne R. Youngren-Ortiz will be the first two students to earn a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences in the Pacific region.

Sang-ngern and Youngren-Ortiz are members of the inaugural group of seven students who started to work on their PhD at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy during the Fall 2011 semester.

The doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences is the first program of this type to be offered by the University of Hawaiʻi, and the only program of this nature to be offered in the State of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.

Sang-ngern is originally from Thailand, but traveled to Hilo with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Rajabaht Suratthanee University in Thailand and a master’s degree in pharmaceutical chemistry and phytochemistry from Mahidol University in Thailand.

She received a full scholarship from the Office of the Civil Service Commission in the Thai Royal Government. Her major professor is Leng Chee Chang.

After graduation, Sang-ngern plans to work as a lecturer at the School of Cosmetic Science at Mae Fah University in Thailand.

Sang-ngern’s dissertation, Evaluation of Natural Products Derived From Physalis Peruviana (Poha) as Potential Anticancer Agents, can be viewed here.

Youngren-Ortiz is from Merrillville, Ind. She received a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences with specialization in industrial and physical pharmacy and minors in both statistics and chemistry from Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy.

Her major professors are Mahavir Chougule and Kenneth Morris. After graduation, Youngren-Ortiz hopes to work as a research and development formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and gain more experience in the area of pharmaceutical inhalable aerosols and their FDA regulations.

Youngren-Ortiz dissertation, Development and Evaluation of siRNA Loaded Gelatin Nanoca, can be viewed here.