June 14, 2008
The
second annual Dr. Charles I. Jarowski Industrial Pharmacy Symposium
drew attendees who enjoyed a full day of presentations and a
reception at the Queens campus on June 13. The event was
provided by St. John’s College of Pharmacy and Allied Health
Professions which offers continuing education credits for
participation.
Photo Gallery
This year’s seminar focused on “Challenges in the Development of
Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs: Formulations and Technological
Approaches” which included a presentation moderated by Salah Ahmed
’85P, ’90Ph.D. and Eric Mittleberg ’74P, ’78GP, ’82Ph.D. Navnit
Shah ’73GP, ’81Ph.D. offered the keynote presentation, “Challenges
in Drug Product Development in the 21st Century.” Dr. Shah, who
heads the oral formulation development group at Hoffman-La Roche,
Inc., said the symposium gave him a great sense of pride as an
alumnus. “I found it to be very exciting and educational,” he said.
“I spoke with many of the attendees who said they would be
interested in attending again next year.”
Numerous alumni acted as presenters and moderators at the
symposium, representing some of the most distinguished leaders in
the pharmaceutical industry. They included Joseph Famulare ’76C,
Mahendra Shah ’77P, ’85Ph.D., Abu Serajuddin ’82Ph.D., Sanjeev
Gupta ’87P, ’92Ph.D. and Mansoor Khan ’92Ph.D. Dr. Mahendra Shah is
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Next Wave Pharmaceuticals
and served as one of the moderators. He praised the event. “I think
it was an excellent group of speakers who talked about all aspects
of product development,” he said. “I think it was great for the
students who were in attendance and for those of us who don’t
understand the business as well as the speakers. I really enjoyed
it.” Ashok Nigalaye, Ph.D. was on the planning committee for the
event and echoed that sentiment. “It was very informative and
I was very pleased,” he said. “It was a great subject and very well
done. I wish it was two days instead of one.”
The event is named for Dr. Jarowski who joined the faculty of
the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions in 1969 and
rose to the rank of full professor and distinguished University
scholar. Prior to joining St. John’s, he was employed as a research
chemist at the Wyeth Laboratories, the Vick Chemical Company and
Charles Pfizer and Co. Inc., where he served as Director of
Pharmaceutical Research and Development. He is a renowned
pharmaceutical scientist who has authored or co-authored more than
50 scientific publications and pharmaceutical patents. Dr. Jarowski
served as a guest speaker at the symposium where he gave a special
luncheon presentation. He said he is very proud of the event that
bears his name. “What I enjoyed was not only the speakers and
presenters, but also the question and answer period they had,” he
explained. “That gave attendees the opportunity to ask questions
they had of the wonderful professionals in attendance.”
Dean Robert Mangione '77P, '79GP, '93PD, '99Ed.D. said he was
pleased that students, as well as those already in the field, were
able to benefit from such a wealth of knowledge. “What I think is
particularly exciting is that the program has grown so much in one
year,” he reflected. “We are privileged to have world class
scientists – many of who are alums which makes us very proud – come
and present state-of-the-art, cutting edge technology and
scientific methods that have truly taught us all a great deal.