Research that Moves Pharmacy Forward: Conversations with the 2023 ASHP Foundation Literature Awardees

Ismaeel Yunusa, PharmD, PhD, MPH, is an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy. Throughout his career, Dr. Yunusa has contributed to about 80 scientific publications covering a wide range of topics in collaboration with colleagues from the University of South Carolina and across the globe.

Jennifer Cole, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP, FCCP, FCCM, is the critical care/internal medicine clinical pharmacist provider at Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks, with an adjunct faculty appointment with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy. Dr. Cole has been a critical care practitioner, researcher, and educator for almost 20 years and holds board certifications in Critical Care and Pharmacotherapy. Her research experience has primarily been in implementation science and expanding clinical programs.

Andrea Sikora, PharmD, MSCR, BCCCP, FCCM, FCCP, is a critical care pharmacist at Augusta University Medical Center and clinical associate professor at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. With over 70 peer-reviewed publications, twelve grant awards, double-board certification as a pharmacotherapy specialist, and the status of Fellow of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Sikora's research focuses on how critical care pharmacists optimize outcomes for patients in the intensive care unit. 

Dr. Kulesza is originally from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Windsor. He then went on to graduate from the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. After graduation, Dr. Kulesza completed his PGY-1 residency at Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit with research interests in cardiology and critical care. He is currently working as a clinical pharmacist at St. John Hospital, primarily covering adult, pediatric, and neonatal ICUs, as well as the adult and pediatric emergency department.

Kelly M. Smith, Pharm.D., FASHP, FCCP is Dean and Professor, University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. A University of Georgia and UF Health Jacksonville residency program graduate, she began her career as a drug information pharmacist and board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist, was a long-time PGY1 program director, and developed Kentucky’s statewide residency network.