ETSU Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy

At the Topical Products Conference 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia, two students in Dr. Ashana Puri's lab earned national recognition for their innovative work in drug delivery science.

John Bellflower (P2), a student researcher in Dr. Ashana Puri's lab, presented his work on the early development of a topical drug delivery system for Raynaud's phenomenon. His research received the Innovative Transdermal Delivery Award for its contribution to topical and transdermal drug delivery research.

In addition, Anjali Chauhan, a Ph.D. student in Dr. Puri's lab, presented research on a novel microneedle-based delivery platform designed to administer multiple therapeutic agents for the treatment of fentanyl-xylazine overdose. Her work earned the Innovation in Mucosal Drug Delivery Award for advancing strategies in rapid and sustained drug delivery.

Congratulations to John, Anjali, and their mentor, Dr. Ashana Puri, on these outstanding achievements and for representing Gatton's research excellence on a national stage.

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On this episode of our college podcast, White Coat Radio, we’re joined by Dean Debbie Byrd. She discusses the latest news regarding state funding and reduced tuition, the college’s 20th anniversary, her philosophy for overcoming challenges, and answers questions from student pharmacists.

Dean Byrd is celebrating her 10th anniversary as dean of Gatton this year. In March, she was named a Distinguished Fellow of the Pharmacy Academy by the National Academies of Practice (NAP), a prestigious honor that recognizes excellence and leadership in interprofessional health care.
Listen: https://bit.ly/4xoaiho
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Congratulations to Drs. Siva Digavalli and Morteza Rasoulianboroujeni, faculty in the Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, on receiving $17,500 in ETSU Research Funding Program support for their innovative research aimed at improving treatment for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Their project seeks to develop a safer way to deliver clozapine, the most effective medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
We are proud to see Gatton faculty advancing innovative research with the potential to improve patient care and quality of life.
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Congratulations to alumna Dr. Reghan Simpson ('25), PharmD, MBA, on graduating from Officer Training School and commissioning into the United States Air Force as a Captain. She will then begin her career as an Air Force pharmacist at Travis Air Force Base in California.
We are proud to see Gatton graduates serving patients and communities in so many different ways, and we're especially grateful for those who choose a path of military service.
Congratulations, Captain Simpson, and thank you for your commitment to caring for others and serving our nation. We wish you all the best in this exciting new chapter!
Alumni, have your own news to share or need to update your contact info? Visit: https://hubs.la/Q04kwDBw0
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Check out lots of great stories of health care impact, including Gatton's 20th anniversary!
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The 2026 ETSU Health Annual Report is now available! This year’s issue spotlights the people and programs advancing health across Appalachia — from patient care and clinical progress to innovative training and research within ETSU’s Academic Health Sciences Center.

Explore the stories and see how ETSU Health is making an impact in our region and beyond at http://bit.ly/4a5r4aP