Bowie CHP Program Success Stories

Aryeanna Pettijohn

Aryeanna graduated from Bowie State University with her BS in Biology in Spring 2023. She was an honors student throughout her matriculation at BSU. Aryeanna participated in the BSU Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI). She also participated as a student researcher in the Smith Research Lab with Dr. Jacqueline Smith. The Smith Research Lab focuses on using small molecules as a tool to investigate biology through traditional drug discovery and synthesis approaches as well as modern chemical biology and bioanalytical approaches. Aryeanna will continue her studies at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health as a Vivian Thomas Scholar, where she will focus on Environmental Health. The Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative, aims to create pathways for exceptional students from historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions to pursue PhDs in STEM fields at Johns Hopkins. At Hopkins, they will pursue advanced degrees in a range of STEM fields, from mechanical, biomedical, and environmental engineering to immunology, neuroscience, and computer science.

Patrice Smith

Patrice graduated from Bowie State University with her BS in Biology in Spring 2023. She was an honors student during her matriculation at BSU. Patrice participated in the BSU Course Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE). She also participated as a TA (teaching assistant) for courses such as Organic Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology and other courses. Patrice has been accepted in the Master's of Public Health program at Meharry Medical College. Her next stop will be Dental School.

Kevin Darko

Kevin graduated from Bowie State University (BSU) with BSc. in Biology in Spring 2018. He has been accepted into a PharmD program (class of 2022) at the University of Tennessee (UT), a nationally highly ranked institution for pharmacy.  Kevin has participated in BSU Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI). He was also involved in medicinal chemistry research involving the design and synthesis of broad spectrum anti-viral compounds. These compounds were designed to inhibit the chemotherapeutic enzyme IMPDH. Kevin has acquired invaluable research skills in modern synthetic chemistry, the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation such as HPLC, NMR, MS, Rotovap. He is conversant with techniques such as reaction stoichiometry, running multi-step reactions, flash chromatography purification, tracking reactions with TLC, and literature search using SciFinder.  Kevin gained remarkable leadership skills and was a mentor and trainer for new intakes in Dr. Bonsu’s lab. His research experience helped him to gain a better understanding of the structures, properties, and reactions used in chemical synthesis, which will be useful for analyzing the properties of medications and anticipating their possible effects. Kevin aspires to be a clinical pharmacist; he would like to work side by side with medical professionals and patients to optimize medication regimens. Kevin will prepare for a career in clinical pharmacy by gaining experience in a hospital setting during his time in pharmacy school while building relationships with other health care providers.

Oluwasefunmi Agbanigo

Oluwasefunmi Agbanigo graduated from Bowie State University. After his undergrad, he continued his education at University of Tennessee Pharmacy school starting fall 2018. Oluwasefunmi’s college experiences helped him to finalize his decision in pursuing pharmacy. He was selected to participated in the Bowie State University’s Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI) program. This program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research with a mentor. While working with his mentor, Dr. Bonsu, His project was based on Medicinal Chemistry involving synthesis of broad spectrum antiviral compounds designed for inhibition of IMPDH enzyme. This inhibitor is chemotherapeutic and serves as treatments for numerous antiviral diseases such as Zika virus, HSV1, Malaria, etc. His research experience helped him acquire invaluable research skills in modern synthetic chemistry, the use of state-of-the-art instrumentation such as HPLC, NMR, MS, Rotovap. He is conversant with techniques such as reaction stoichiometry, running multi-step reactions, flash chromatography purification, tracking reactions with TLC, and literature search using SciFinder. Oluwasefunmi possesses remarkable leadership skills and was a mentor and trainer for new intakes in Dr. Bonsu’s lab and he  an Organic chemistry tutor. His passion for research and patient care triggers him into pursuing a dual degree in PharmD, Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee Pharmacy School starting fall 2018.