The Pharmacist / Spring 2022 / Volume 44 / Issue 2

COLLEGE NEWS
University Sets Research
Funding Record
The University of Illinois Chicago received $446
MILLION in sponsored funding during the 2021 fiscal
year, including $24.4M from UIC Pharmacy research
faculty, setting a record for research awards. The total
amount represents an 8.6% increase over fiscal year
2020, with funding supporting over 3,500 research
projects that move research to practical application.
UIC’s research impact spans the globe through
initiatives such as developing treatments and vaccines
for COVID-19, reshaping education equity and access,
and creating more sustainable environments worldwide.
Now, Dr. Polikanov’s new study shows the potential of
the drug iboxamycin, which could one day help humans
who are ill due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and
identifies how the drug overcomes the most widespread
mechanism of resistance to this class of antibacterials.
“Another record year for our research portfolio highlights
our culture of innovation and our commitment to
the creation and application of new knowledge. Our
researchers’ relentless devotion to discoveries that
improve lives solidifies UIC’s reputation as one of the
world’s top research universities,” said UIC chancellor
Michael Amiridis.
Glen Schumock, dean of the College of Pharmacy, said,
“I am proud of the role that the College of Pharmacy
plays in contributing to the overall research mission
of UIC. Beyond just funding, our faculty have had a
huge impact through the discovery of new drugs and
knowledge that changes lives.”
2021 OTM Inventor of the year
UIC’s Office of Technology Management recently
selected Dr. DON WALLER, professor emeritus,
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, as the 2021
Inventor of the Year. See the enclosed Impact Report
for the full story.
Drs. Mankin and Polikanov
Published in Nature
A new study by Drs. ALEXANDER MANKIN and YURY
POLIKANOV published in the journal Nature reports on
a new antibiotic that binds to the ribosome of bacterial
cells and stops drug-resistant pathogens from making
mice sick. In January, the UIC Pharmacy researchers
developed a unique approach for visualizing ribosomes
that are resistant to conventional antibiotics.
Pharmacists Receive Commendation
from the University of Illinois
System President
Drs. RODRIGO BURGOS, ROB DIDOMENICO,
ANDY DONNELLY, SARAH MICHIENZI, and
RENATA SMITH were recognized by Timothy Killeen,
president of the University of Illinois System, for their
contributions to the fight against COVID-19. Killeen’s
letter noted their role “in our fight against COVID-19
has helped save lives on our university campuses
and well beyond and has fueled the larger effort
across Illinois and the nation to foster social and
economic recovery as we navigate the pandemic.”
Congratulations to all our awardees and thank you for
your contributions to this monumental undertaking.
Does Cannibis Prevent COVID?
Dr. GUIDO PAULI and Pharmacognosy Institute
coworkers Drs. SHAO-NONG CHEN and BRENT
FRIESEN, as well as Dr. TAKASHI OHTSUKI,
published a paper in Science Advances. “Cannabidiol
Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication through Induction of the
Host ER Stress and Innate Immune Responses” finds that
CBD inhibits infection of COVID-19 cells in mice.
Dr. Guido Pauli
4 THE PHARMACIST PHARMACY.UIC.EDU