Milestone: UH Hilo to award first pharmacy PhD degrees ever bestowed in Pacific region
The doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences is the first program of this type to be offered by the UH System, and the only program of this nature to be offered in the state of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.
The first two students—Mayuramas “Jan” Sang-ngern and Susanne R. Youngren-Ortiz—in the Pacific region to earn a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences are taking part in the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo spring commencement on May 14, 9 a.m. at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium.
The students are part of the inaugural group of seven students who began work on their PhD at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy in the fall of 2011. The doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences is the first program of this type to be offered by the UH System, and the only program of this nature to be offered in the state of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.
Mayuramas “Jan” Sang-ngern
Sang-ngern, who is originally from Thailand, came to UH Hilo with a bachelor of science in chemistry from Rajabaht Suratthanee University, Thailand and a master of science in pharmaceutical chemistry and phytochemistry from Mahidol University, Thailand. Her major professor is Leng Chee Chang. She received a full scholarship from The Office of the Civil Service Commission in the Thai Royal Government. After graduating, she will work as a lecturer at the School of Cosmetic Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand.
Susanne R. Youngren-Ortiz
Youngren-Ortiz is from Merrillville, Indiana. She received a bachelor of science in pharmaceutical sciences with specialization in industrial and physical pharmacy and minors in both statistics and chemistry from Purdue University’s College of Pharmacy. Her major professors are Mahavir Chougule and Kenneth Morris. She hopes to work as a research and development formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and gain more experience in the area of pharmaceutical inhalable aerosols and their FDA regulations.
