The pharmaceutical sciences faculty, in addition to teaching, are actively involved in research. Our current research portfolio includes projects in oncology, unique drug delivery systems, genomics, neuropharmacology, cardiovascular medications and eye diseases. The department has fully equipped research laboratories that are located in the research wing of the Avera Health and Science Center. The research facilities are utilized by faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students and undergraduate researchers. The department has the first endowed faculty position in the college, the Markl Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research.

Faculty Research Interests

The research projects in the department are nationally competitive. They are regularly funded by NIH, USDA and state agencies. Research interests of department faculty include:

  • Cancer
  • Neuropharmacology
  • Cancer pharmacology
  • Ocular diseases
  • Genomics
  • Drug and vaccine delivery
  • Bioengineering
Researchers using laboratory equipment
Wenfeng An, Ph.D.
Areas of research:

Molecular biology and genetics of human retrotransposons 

Student and faculty using microscope
Gudiseva Chandrasekher, Ph.D.
Areas of research:

Cellular and molecular biology of the cornea and lens

Graduate students and faculty in lab
Hesham Fahmy, Ph.D.
Areas of research:

Chemical modification of natural products and synthesis of medicinally active compounds

Dr. Gunaje and students
Jayarama Gunaje, Ph.D.
Areas of research:

Signal transduction, cancer biology, and cancer prevention

Dr. Rahman's Research Group
Shafiqur Rahman, Ph.D.
Areas of research:

Neuropharmacology, drug addiction and therapeutic drug discovery for brain disorders

Komal Raina, an associate professor is pharmaceutical sciences at South Dakota State University, is flanked by Lorie and Kevin Haarberg at the Haarberg investiture ceremony Oct. 4 on campus. Raina was officially designated as the Haarberg Chair in Cancer Research, a position created by a gift from the Haarbergs.
Komal Raina, Ph.D.
Areas of research:

Cancer prevention

Faculty and graduate student in research lab
Joshua Reineke, Ph.D.
Areas of research:

Drug delivery and pharmacokinetics

Graduate students using microscope
Hemachand Tummala, Ph.D.
Areas of research:

Drug delivery and drug targeting, vaccine development