Looking Ahead: AUHS Makes Its Mark
By Oksana Zayachkivska, MD, PhD, DSc
Professor of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine, AUHS, representative of The Physiological Society, course director PS741 Pathophysiology Winter 2026.
“The tradition of science flourishes not in isolation, but over shared meals, shared curiosity, and shared commitment to discovery.”
(Overheard at a Lab Lunch)
We are proud to announce that American University of Health Sciences, Signal Hill, California, has been featured on the global participation map of Lab Lunch Week 2026, an international celebration organized by The Physiological Society to mark its remarkable 150th anniversary.
Starting March 30, 2026, physiologists all around the world were invited to gather with colleagues, share a meal, and engage in the kind of open, honest scientific conversation that has powered discovery for a century and a half. Under the hashtag #ShapeTheNext150, institutions from six continents joined the celebration, posting photos, sharing reflections, and collectively writing the next chapter of the discovery of science.
AUHS joined a worldwide community of universities, research institutions, and departments that paused together, across time zones and continents, to honor the spirit of scientific exchange. Students, PharmD Candidates, Class of 2028, in PY1 at the School of Pharmacy gained their first research experience through the CS 741 Pathophysiology course in Winter 2026, working individually on research projects aligned with four pharmacological target domains. Their research projects, based on recent evidence-based references (2024-2026), aimed to update therapeutic targets based on the disease’s pathophysiology, depending on their chosen domain.
Daniella Alay, presented “Targeting Specific IL-6 proinflammatory signaling in inflammatory diseases with hematological abnormalities”, Nona Aminian – “New pharmacological targets in Alzheimer’s disease”, Madeleine Evans – “Recent Pharmacological Advances targeting Degenerative Pathways in Parkinson’s Disease”, Jamileh Jahangiry – “Advancing treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy: The role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in cardiometabolic remodeling”, Kerolos Sherein – “Targeting multiply mycobacterial pathways by synergetic pharmacotherapy”, Bang Lam – “Modulating hepatic inflammation and metabolic stress in obesity-related MASLD with novel pharmacotherapy”, David Rashmajyan – “Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid signaling in eczema”, Nathan Le – “Comparative efficacy and safety of ACE Inhibitors vs SGLT2 Inhibitors in slowing ckd progression”, Azneve Yegiazaryan – “Lifestyle modification vs pharmacotherapy for stress-related anxiety: A comparative analysis of sleep optimization and standard pharmacotherapy”, and Abdelrahem Yousef –“Lifestyle Stress-reduction interventions and medications vs Monotherapy in PTSD.”
AUHS’s inclusion in this milestone celebration is a testament to the energy and dedication of our academic community. It reflects our ongoing commitment to participating in the broader global dialogue of health science, not just within our walls in Signal Hill, California, but in conversation with scholars around the world.
We thank every member of the AUHS family, and especially Joseph Abernethy, MLIS, University Librarian, who helped students prepare research, and Vice Deans of the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Suhui Yang and Dr. Lauren Kim, who participated in Lab Lunch Week 2026. We look forward to continuing to make our mark on the global stage. The next 150 years of discovery are just beginning, and AUHS intends to be part of shaping them. The Physiological Society is truly about people: those who inspire and those who are inspired. Looking forward to further fruitful cooperation with the international community.
Photos from Dr. S. Yang and Dr. L. Kim
References:
https://www.physoc.org/150-years-of-discovery/lab-lunch-week-2026/
