Pharmacy Honors Sophomore Shapes Her Future Through Research and Resilience

Pharmacy Honors Sophomore Shapes Her Future Through Research and Resilience

Mina Nooralden's version of the future started with a handwritten note.

Growing up in Sylvania, Nooralden's path was heavily influenced by her mother, a teacher, and the supportive local school community. Yet, she didn't have a specific college in mind until a personalized letter from the Jesup Scott Honors College arrived in her mailbox.

That small, personal touch convinced her that her hometown university was a place where she would be seen as an individual rather than just a face in a lecture hall.

Now an honors sophomore in pharmacy with a minor in chemistry, Nooralden is busy turning her childhood love of school into a career centered on scholarship and service.

"I sometimes think it is crazy that the University that would lead me to further my education was only 15 minutes down the road," she said. "I realized how much it meant to me to work closely with the Toledo community that shaped me and made me who I am today."

Nooralden's path was paved by her parents, who moved the family from Iraq to the United States when she was only six months old to ensure their children had access to academic opportunities. Inspired by her mother's work and her father's background in statistics, she initially considered a career in education before a freshman chemistry class revealed a new calling.

"Everything fit together like a puzzle piece," Nooralden said. "Pharmacy felt like a calling, a way to channel years of enthusiasm for learning into a career centered on educating and supporting others."

Her academic journey has already led her deep into the world of research.

What began as a 20-page honors calculus paper on respiratory depression evolved into hands-on work assisting with pharmacy residency research in the lab of Dr. Bree Meinzer, managed care manager and PGY1 pharmacy residency program director.

Now, for her honors capstone project, Nooralden is exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and trauma pain management. Working alongside Dr. Steven Peseckis, an associate professor of medicinal chemistry and CPPS honors director, and Dr. Justin Reinert, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, Nooralden is evaluating whether AI platforms can accurately identify and apply medical guidelines to complex trauma cases.

"Mina is an exceptional student in Honors and pharmacy who is enthusiastic about learning, research, and making a positive impact on the world," Peseckis said. "After actively seeking out research opportunities, she is now engaged in research on the use of artificial intelligence in the area of pain and trauma. Mina exemplifies how students at UToledo can acquire knowledge and skills that will prepare them for future success."

Beyond the lab, Nooralden has also found her voice as a campus leader.

While she initially felt nervous presenting to large crowds as an honors student ambassador, the role helped her step out of her shell. Today, she also serves as the prep 2 class representative for the Pharmacy Student Council and is a member of the Rituals and Ceremonies Committee.

"One of the most important lessons I have learned, inside and outside the classroom, is that the desire to learn is never a weakness," Nooralden said. "I learned that confidence is protective. It keeps you grounded and focused. It allows you to remain committed to your goals rather than being distracted by outside noise."

Looking ahead, Nooralden's version of the future includes a residency in pediatric pharmacy and eventually a Ph.D. in experimental therapeutics. Her goal is to combine her expertise as a clinician with her passion for teaching by becoming a faculty member in pharmacy.

"It is easy to feel like it is the end of the world when you lose something in life, but I have learned that it is often just the beginning - with better opportunities still to come," she said.