Growing into Pharmacy

When Northeast Ohio native Scott Coberly set off on his journey to select the right place to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, NEOMED was high on his list. The third-year College of Pharmacy student has a passion for pharmacy and has recently discovered an interest in the tie between research and pharmacy.

Most recently, Coberly has done research alongside Moses Oyewumi, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, and Dharani Manickavasagam, a graduate student working towards a Ph.D. in Dr. Oyewumi’s lab. Collectively they are working to produce tiny stable drug carriers that will maintain desired qualities and properties when paired with medication. This past summer, Coberly was recognized for his research, “Design, Development and Evaluation of Lypohilization Processes for Therapeutic Application of Nanoparticles Loaded with Model Drugs,” at NEOMED’s annual Summer Research Fellowship Program Poster Day. In simpler terms, Coberly prepared nanoparticles, tested them for size and stability, and then experimented with various freeze-drying procedures in hopes of developing a new formulation that can be easily stored and reconstituted for consistent drug delivery across biological membranes.

Coberly sees the value of his NEOMED education as extending beyond classrooms and research labs. “Student organizations are a great way to meet people and stay connected in school. All the organizations bring in guest speakers at some point that can help gauge what is going on in pharmacy, or even present future career opportunities down the road,” says Coberly.

As the treasurer for the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) NEOMED chapter, co-membership and marketing chair for the Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP), and a member of the Student College of Clinical Pharmacy (SCCP), Coberly practices what he preaches. From bake sales and balancing budgets to service projects and making new friends, Coberly is making the most of his education, inside and out of the pharmacy.

Just a hop, skip, and a jump from where he grew up, Coberly is creating a new home for himself on campus and in the College of Pharmacy.