Sudeshna is the fundraiser, cheerleader, and the chief executive officer of The Roy Laboratory. She thinks and dreams about making new discoveries and often in the company of caffeine and Spotify! She enjoys spending time and mentoring her students. Outside the lab, she enjoys hiking, exploring new places, savoring new cuisines, and listening to music.

Born and raised in India, Sampad pursued his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Midnapore College where he enjoyed studying chemistry so much that he decided to pursue it further! He completed his Masters from IIT Kanpur. Soon after that, he moved to Belgium to pursue his PhD degree under the supervision of Prof. Wim Dehaen at KU Leuven, where he worked on developing new methods to synthesize tri-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles and studied their biological activities. He subsequently joined the Roy Lab as a postdoctoral scholar where he is investigating new fluorination reaction methods. Apart from research, Sampad loves to cook and is very passionate about macro photography.

Jana, S.; Vroemans, R.; Dehaen, W. “Synthesis of 3,4-fused triazoles by Rh catalyst: A selective decomposition of triazoles” Synth. Catal. 2017,18, 3085.

 

Jana, S.; Thomas, J.; Dehaen, W. “A One-Pot Procedure for the Synthesis of “Click-Ready” Triazoles from Ketones” J. Org. Chem. 2016, 81, 12426.

 

Jana, S.; Iram, S.; Thomas, J.; Liekens, S.; Dehaen, W. “Synthesis and anticancer activity evaluation of novel (aza)artemisinin derivatives” Med. Chem. 2017, 25, 3671.

 

Jana, S.; Iram S.; Thomas, J.; Hayat, M. Q.; Pannecouque, C.; Dehaen, W. “Application of the Triazolization Reaction to Afford Dihydroartemisinin Derivatives with Anti-HIV Activity” Molecules 2017, 22, 303.

 

Thomas, J*.; Jana, S*.; Liekens, S.; Dehaen, W. “A single-step acid catalyzed reaction for rapid assembly of NH-1,2,3-triazoles” Commun. 2016, 52, 9236. *equal contribution

 

Thomas, J.; Jana, S.; Sonawane, M.; Fiey. B.; Balzarini, J.; Liekens, S.; Dehaen, W. “A New Four-Component Reaction Involving Michael Addition and Gewald Reaction, Leading to Diverse Biologically Active 2-Aminothiophenes” Org. Biomol. Chem. 2017, 15, 3892.

 

Thomas, J.; Jana, S.; John, J.; Liekens, S.; Dehaen, W. “A General Metal-Free Route Towards the Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazoles from Readily Available Primary Amines and Ketones” Commun. 2016, 52, 2885.

Senior Scientist at Sygnature Discovery in Nottingham, UK

Sweta comes from the roof of the world, Nepal, where the Mt. Everest resides. After high school, Sweta ventured all the way to the US where she went to the University of Mississippi. While there, she worked in an organic synthesis lab under Dr. Davita Watkins on the modification of an HDAC inhibitor to increase in its therapeutic potential. Outside the lab, Sweta enjoys singing R&B, eating out, and traveling new places.

 

Sweta graduate with an M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2019.

Research Chemist, Obiter Research

Tomayo was born and raised in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. He received his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and Master of Science in Pharmacognosy degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His major interest is in the isolation, characterization, and testing of natural agents with anti-infective and neuroprotective properties. His desire to search for solutions to human health challenges locked up in natural agents led him to join the Roy laboratory as a graduate student. He will be joining the infectious diseases team in search of novel narrow-spectrum antibacterials. His pastime includes playing the guitar, listening to the news, and walking.

Hamdan graduated with MS in Pharmaceutical sciences with an emphasis on Medicinal Chemistry in December 2021.

Mario was born and raised in Skopje, Macedonia, a small country on the Balkan peninsula full of wonders. He first came to the States as an exchange student during his senior year of high school and while finishing my studies he decided to apply to a few colleges to continue his undergraduate studies in the States as well. I received my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from The Mississippi University for Women (The W). His interests include the improvement of old and finding new therapeutic agents that will help and be used in drug discovery.

Tomayo was born and raised in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. He received his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and Master of Science in Pharmacognosy degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His major interest is in the isolation, characterization, and testing of natural agents with anti-infective and neuroprotective properties. His desire to search for solutions to human health challenges locked up in natural agents led him to join the Roy laboratory as a graduate student. He will be joining the infectious diseases team in search of novel narrow-spectrum antibacterials. His pastime includes playing the guitar, listening to the news, and walking.

This quote is Vu Bui’s life mantra. Since his birth at Biloxi, Mississippi, he strives to follow this phrase and he strives to accomplish his goals/dream. His life goal is to complete medical school and become a medical doctor in the field of pediatrics.  Another goal of his is to travel and do as much good in the world as he can.

 

After graduating from Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Vu went to study at The University of Mississippi. Currently, he is a 3rd-year undergraduate majoring in B.S. Biology. During his years at Ole Miss, he volunteered at Baptist Hospital, became an Emergency Medical First Responder, and worked as part of the E-board of the Vietnamese Student Association. His time with these associations made him into a leader and cemented his dream of becoming a medical doctor.

 

In his spare time, Vu enjoys singing, dancing and hanging out with his friends.  He would occasionally go back home to Florida and go relax at the beaches with his family.

Vu spent 2 semesters working in the Roy lab learning about the techniques in synthetic organic chemistry and also helping in the lab set up. Good luck on the next step chapter of your career!

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Born in Biloxi, Mississippi to immigrant parents, Lily has strived to do her best in all possible ways. By pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology, she hopes to one day graduate from medical school and become a radiologist while traveling and exploring as much of the world as she can. She is passionate about biology and social justice and has a deep love for animals and the earth. In her spare time, she likes to read, spend time with her family, and watch movies.

Lily is also active in the Vietnamese Student Association in her role as secretary as well as the American Medical Student Association. She is eager and excited to be working the Roy Laboratory and hopes to gain much knowledge during the duration of her research.

Lily spent 2 semesters in the Roy laboratory doing research on the tuberculosis project. Good luck with your future endeavors, Lily!

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I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Ever since I stepped foot in my first high school chemistry class, I knew I wanted to be in chemistry for the rest of my life. I’m fascinated by the complexity and incredible evolution that our bodies exhibit and how healthy, natural medicine can enhance our daily lives. I hope to continue my studies at the University in its Medicinal Chemistry program, within BioMolecular Sciences, to continue research in a quest to find medicinal products that can make us happier and healthier.

Graduate student in Prof. Jared Delcamp’s group at the University of Mississippi

Since the time she was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Peggy has had a passion for learning and for people. Peggy moved to Columbia, Tennessee early in her life and graduated from Columbia Central High School in 2016. She then came to Ole Miss to pursue a career in the medical field but found many more opportunities. Peggy was a mentor for the Early Entry Pharmacy program, is involved with the Honors College, and is now ready to be a part of the Roy Laboratory.

Outside of school, Peggy enjoys Ole Miss football and basketball, visiting her family and dog in Tennessee, and being around friends. Additionally, she enjoys doing art and hopes to find inspiration by seeing as much of the world and its art as possible.

Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program at the NIH

Born in Connecticut but raised in Mississippi, Galina Ostrovsky graduated from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Ridgeland, Mississippi and is currently a third-year undergraduate at the University of Mississippi. Combining her passions for science and foreign languages, Galina is pursuing majors in Biochemistry and Spanish as well as a minor in Biology. She is in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and hopes to attend medical school after graduating. Beyond studying and researching, Galina serves as an Ole Miss ambassador, and you can frequently find her walking backwards on campus giving tours to prospective students. Additionally, Galina is an Associated Student Body Senator and serves as the Chair for the Committee on Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement. In her spare time, Galina enjoys traveling, listening to podcasts (especially Spanish ones), frequenting coffee shops, playing with puppies, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family. As a researcher in the Roy Laboratory, Galina is excited to gain lab experience and make new discoveries in the field of medicinal chemistry.

 

Galina spent 2 semesters in the Roy laboratory doing research on the Fluorine project. Good luck with your future endeavors at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine!

J.D. is from Birmingham, AL, and grew up wanting to make the world a better place through pharmaceutical research.  To this end, he has decided to pursue a career in Pharmacy.  Being an Early-Entry Pharmacy student, he plans to continue with the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy program.  Eventually he intends on pursuing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences.  His specific research interests include cancer and Alzheimer’s disease research.

PharmD student at the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Micah was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and after moving around the state, now resides in Olive Branch. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do when he first came to the University of Mississippi, but eventually discovered a passion for medicine. He now hopes to go on to medical school and pursue a career as a physician where he can make a mark on the world. Outside of class, Micah works as a Supplemental Instruction Leader, spends two days a week working at Oxford Elementary School through a literacy program, and spends a lot of time in the Honors College. As a researcher in the Roy Laboratory, Micah is excited to gain experience in fluorine chemistry.

 

Micah graduate with a B.A. Biochemistry in 2020.

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Ross was born in Ripley, Mississippi. His love for chemistry and passion for helping others pushed him to join the Early Entry Pharmacy program. He hopes to take the opportunity of working in the lab to help find new and more effective medications. He hopes to continue learning and growing in the Roy laboratory as he goes through pharmacy school. His goals are to help patients on a one-on-one scale through his regular pharmacy practices and perform research along the way.

 

Ross spent one semester in the Roy laboratory doing research on the fluorine project. Good luck with your future endeavors.

PharmD student at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy