Student Research Highlighted at SWOSU College of Pharmacy Symposium

Student pharmacists and pre-PA students present research on community-based interventions related to breast cancer screening, nutrition, and lipid management.

The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) College of Pharmacy hosted its first Winter Research Symposium on Jan. 21 in Weatherford. The event brought together student pharmacists and faculty to share current research and discuss projects in progress, while also providing a forum to talk through future scholarly work. Oral presentations were held in the afternoon, followed by a poster session.

The symposium was designed to give students practical experience presenting research in a professional setting. For many participants, it served as an early opportunity to explain their work to a broader audience and respond to questions outside the classroom. Faculty members were present throughout the event, offering feedback and discussing ways students can continue building research experience during their time in the program.

Pre-Med Student Margaret Larson presents research focused on engaging high school counselors in pharmacy recruitment efforts. Dr. Meri Hix and student pharmacist Caroline Vang present research on pharmacy technicians serving as community health workers in rural Oklahoma.

Presentations reflected the range of research taking place within the College of Pharmacy and its partner disciplines, such as Chemistry and Communications. Some projects focused on patient care and community health, while others examined laboratory-based research and emerging treatment options. Several presentations also addressed how research findings can be communicated more effectively, demonstrating the role of pharmacists as both clinicians and educators.

The poster session expanded on these conversations and highlighted collaboration across programs and institutions. Student pharmacists worked alongside undergraduate students and faculty mentors, emphasizing how research at SWOSU often crosses departmental and disciplinary lines. Abstracts for all 2026 Winter Research Symposium projects may be found on the SWOSU Digital Commons at https://dc.swosu.edu/.

Student pharmacist Eli Goodman presents research on state differences in Medicaid coverage of GLP-1 obesity medications during the Winter Research Symposium.

"This inaugural event was a great success," said Dr. Lisa Appeddu, Professor of Physiology and Chair of the Pharmacy Research & Scholarly Activity Committee. "It not only provided a platform for students to share their projects but also enabled others to participate. The symposium allowed students to witness firsthand how research questions are derived, evidence originates, and results are applied as pharmacists strive to improve patient care and health outcomes."

Research and scholarly activity remain a consistent part of academic work at SWOSU. The Research and Scholarly Activity Fair, scheduled for April 23, 2026, provides a campus-wide setting for students and faculty to present ongoing scholarly projects. Registration and additional information are available through SWOSU Sponsored Programs. Questions may be directed to Emma Mullins at [email protected] or Dana Oliver.

For more information about the SWOSU College of Pharmacy, visit https://www.swosu.edu/pharmacy/index.php.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

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