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Awards

At each MALTO Conference, outstanding presentations are recognized with three sets of awards:

Robert A. Magarian Outstanding Podium Presentation Award

Dr. Robert A. Magarian, professor emeritus of medicinal chemistry and vice chair of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, retired on June 30, 1996 after 26 years. He had been professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Oklahoma since 1978, having served as associate professor from 1970. Prior to joining the faculty at Oklahoma, he was assistant professor of medicinal chemistry at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy from 1967 to 1970. He was a National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow under Dr. Edward Smissman in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas from 1966 to 1967.

Dr. Magarian attended the University of Mississippi where he earned a B.A. degree in Chemistry and Biology (1956); B.S. in Pharmacy (with highest honors; January, 1960); and a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry (August, 1966). While an undergraduate in the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, he was initiated as a member of the Rho Chi National Honor Society (1959); was the recipient of the Rexall Trophy Award (1959); and in 1960 he received three awards: The Merck Award, the Lehn and Fink Gold Medal Award, and Taylor Medal, the highest honor awarded by the University of Mississippi. He practiced as a pharmacist in Illinois from January 1960 to August 1961.

Dr. Magarian's research was directed at finding pure (nonestrogen) estrogen antagonists, which were effective in treating different breast cancers (hormonal and non-hormonal dependent tumors) in both pre- and postmenopausal females. His approach to investigating pure antiestrogens was multidisciplinary, involving: (1) the design and synthesis of new organic compounds; (2) the pharmacological testing of each compound; (3) testing the compounds in tissue culture assays involving breast cancer cells; (4) the use of single crystal x-ray analysis of each molecule to study its structure; and (5) molecular modeling to assist in the design of new agents.

During his career, Dr. Magarian published many articles, abstracts, review articles, and book chapters in the breast cancer area. He has ten U.S. patents on antiestrogenic and antitumor agents (di- and triarylcyclopropyl analogs) synthesized and tested in his laboratory by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Some of his key publications involve: "Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a series of Pure Cyclopropyl Antiestrogens," J. Med. Chem.; "Influence of Novel Tirarylcyclopropyl Analogues on Human Breast Cancer Cells in Culture," Anti-Cancer Drugs; Anticancer research; Breast Cancer & Treatment; "Synthesis and Enantiomeric Separation of an Antitumor Agent," Anti-Cancer Drug Design; Bioorganic Chemistry; Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry; "Molecular Structures and Conformational Studies of Triarlycyclopropyl and related Non-Steroidal Antiestrogens," Acta. Cryst; J. Med. Chem.; "The Medicinal Chemistry of Nonsteroidal Antiestrogens: A Review," Current Medicinal Chemistry.

Dr. Magarian is listed in Who's Who in America; Who's Who in the Southwest; American Men and Women of Science, Chemistry; The International Who's Who of Intellectuals (Cambridge, England); and Men of Achievement (Cambridge, England). He was an Associate Editor of the international journal, Current Medicinal Chemistry. His research was supported by Mead Johnson, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health (National Cancer Institute), and the Presbyterian Health Foundation.

During his teaching career, Dr. Magarian received numerous teaching awards: the Baldwin Study-Travel Award in 1978 from the University of Oklahoma for teaching excellence, which allowed him to travel to England where he presented two papers at an international chemistry meeting held at Oxford University; the Associated Distinguished Lectureship Award from the University of Oklahoma in 1988; in 1985 the Rho Chi Society's Excellence in Teaching and Research Award; and in 1996, the Rho Chi Society Recognition Award for "Promoting Scholastic Excellence and Imparting Knowledge in Creative and Helpful Ways."

Dr. Magarian is a member of the American Chemical Society, American Association of College of Pharmacy, Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key National Honor Society, and the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. Dr. Magarian became the Executive Director of The Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Inc. in January 1980, occupying that position in The Kappa Psi Central Office, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma HSC until June 30, 2000. 

Dr. Magarian has been writing fiction since his retirement and has published two medical thrillers: The Watchman and 72 Hours, and a detective thriller titled, You’ll Never See Me Again, A Crime to Remember. He is working on his fourth novel, a detective thriller in which he is bringing back his lead detective, Noah McGraw, and his partner, Holly Roark.  For additional information please visit his web site: www.robertamagarian.com.

MALTO Medicinal Chemistry, OK Inc., became a not-for-profit organization in 1982 with Dr. Magarian as its president. 

Past Award Winners

Robert A Magarian Outstanding Student Podium Presentation Award Past Recipients

1999: Robert H. Cichewicz, “Dimerization of Resveratrol by the Grapevine Pathogen Botrytis cinerea,” University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA. Advisor: Dr. Samir A. Kouzi. 

2000: Valeria N. Rubin, “Preparation and Selective Estrogen-Like Bone Protective and Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Hydroxytriarylethylenes Bearing Acidic Side Chains,” University of Georgia. Advisor: Dr. Peter C. Ruenitz 

2001: Theresa L. Johnson, “Inhibition of Lactate Dehydrogenase C: The Design Synthesis, and Testing of Ligands as an Approach to Male Contraception,” University of Mississippi, Advisor: Dr. Mitchell A. Avery 

2002: Kris Virga, “Structure-Based Design and Synthesis of Pantothenate Kinase Inhibitors,” University of Tennessee, Advisor, Dr. Richard E. Lee 

2003: Lindsay Odom, “Alkylation and Cyclization Reactions of Diazoketones: Synthesis of Substituted Azetidines,” University of Mississippi, Advisor, Dr. John M. Rimoldi 

2004: Kerim Babaolu, “Crystal Structure of Dihydropteroate Synthase from Bacillus anthracis: Studies into Mechanism and Starting Point for Novel Inhibitor Design,” University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Advisor, Dr. Richard E. Lee. 

2005: Nakul Telang, “Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Isoflavones as AntigiardialAgents,” University of Mississippi, Advisor, Dr. Mitchell Avery. 

2006: Tarek Mahfouz, “Computer-aided Inhibitor Discovery of the Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype A,” University of Houston, Advisor, Dr. James M. Briggs. 

2007: Kirk Hevener, “Structure-Guided Virtual Screening Against Dihydropteroate Synthase Utilizing Pharmacophore Filtering and Fragment-based Constraints,” University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Advisor, Dr. Richard E. Lee. 

2008: Yatan Shukla, “Novel Pregnane Glycosides from Hoodia gordonii,” University of Mississippi, Advisor, Dr. Ikhlas A. Khan. 

2009: Amir E. Wahba, “Zinc Mediated Reductive N-Alkylation and Amidation of Nitro Arenes with an Application to natural Products,” University of Mississippi, Advisor, Dr. Mark T. Hamann. 

2010: Sarah Chijkowski, “The Reaction of the Sesquiterpene Lactone Repin with Various Amine Nucleophiles,” Advisor, John M. Rimoldi. 

2011: Amanda Waters, “Methodologies for the Structural Assignment of Karlotoxin Polyketides in High-Throughput using Overlaid 2D NMR Techniques,”  Advisor, Mark T. Hamann. 

2012: Fathy Behery, “Tocotrienol Elecrophilic Substitution Products as Breast Cancer Proliferation and Migratio Inhibitory Leads,” Advisor, Khalid El Sayed. 

2013: Min Xiao, “Discovery of 4-Aryl-2-benzoyl-imidazoles as Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors with Potent Antiproliferative Properties,” Advisor, Wei Li. 

2014: Eric Bow, “Novel Benzofuran and Benzopyran Scaffolds Targeting the Cannabinoid Receptors,” Advisor, John M. Rimoldi. 

2015: Chalada Suebsuwong, “Structure-Based Design of Potent and Selective DLG-OUT RIPK1 Inhibitors,” Advisor, Greg Cuny. 

2016: Wang Qinghui, “Structural Optimization of ABI-231 Targeting the Colchicine Site in Tubulin for Advanced Melanoma,” Advisor, Wei Li.

2017: Zongtao Lin, “Investigation of 20s(Oh)D3 and 1,20s(Oh)2D3 Analogs as Potent VDR agonists and Anti-Inflammatory Agents,” Advisor, Wei Li.

2018: Kinsie Arnst, “Targets the Colchicine Binding Site on Tubulin and Overcomes Taxane Resistance” University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Advisor: Wei Li. 

 

Thomas L. Lemke Outstanding Poster Presentation Award

Thomas L. Lemke is Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Associate Dean at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Houston. He received his B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin (1962) and went on to complete his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry under Dr. Edward E. Smissman in 1966.

Dr. Lemke went on to work as a Research Scientist for Upjohn from 1966 to 1970 at which time he joined the faculty at the University of Houston as Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, was promoted through the ranks receiving tenure in 1975, then Full Professor in 1984. In 1984 he was honored to spend two years as Visiting Professor at the Institut De Chimie, Universite Louis Pasteur, De Strasbourg, in Strasbourg, France where he worked in the Laboratory of Jean-Marie Lehn, who went on to receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Dr. Lemke is also a noted author of several well-known books, one being “Review of Organic Functional Groups, Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry,” and he is one of the editors of the textbook “Foye’s Principles of Medicinal Chemistry.”

Most noteworthy of Dr. Lemke’s contributions is the fact that he was one of the founding organizers of our MALTO organization. He, along with Nelson Voldeng, who we also honor every year with the Nelson Voldeng Memorial Lecture, had the vision and, with a lot of hard work, made it happen.

It is therefore very fitting that we, the MALTO community of scholars (faculty and students), show our great appreciation to Dr. Thomas Lemke for a job well done by naming this award in his honor.

Past Award Winners

Thomas L. Lemke Outstanding Poster Presentation Award Past Recipients

2003: Srinivasan P. Venkatachalan, “Effect of Urethane on the 5HT3A and 5HT3AB Receptor,” University of Louisiana, Monroe,  Advisor Dr. Marvin K Schulte. 

2005: Wayun Sheng, “3D High-resolution NMR Characterizatin of Recombiant CB2 Membrane Protein Fragment,” University of Houston, Advisor, Dr. Xiang-Qun (Sean) Xie. 

2006: Lukasz Kutrzeba, “In-vitro Studies on Metabolism of Salvinorin A,” University of Mississippi, Advisor,Dr. Jordan K. Zjawiony. 

2007: Prasanna Sivaprakasam, “Computational Insights into PfDHFR-TS: Application of 2D,3D-QSAR and Docking Studies to Cycloguanil Derivatives,” University of Mississippi, Advisor, Dr. Robert J Doerksen. 

2008: Sanju Narayanan, “Discovery of Highly Selective s2 Antagonist as Anti-cocaine Agent,” Advisor, Dr. Christopher R. McCurdy. 

2009: Lacey D. Gamblin, “Synthesis of Thiourea Analogues as Potential Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 4 Agonists” Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Advisor, Dr. A. Michael Crider. 

2010: Swapnil Kulkarni, “Studies Towards Total Synthesis of Pseudolaric Acid B,” University of Mississippi, Advisor, Mitchel A. Avery. 

2011: Horrick Sharma, “Synthesis, Docking and Biological Studies of Phenanthrene b-Diketo Acids as Novel HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors,” Advisor, John K. Buolamwini. 

2012: Amanda L. Waters, Isolation and Structure Determination of Antifungal Lactone Lipids and Other Secondary Metabolites From Sooty Mold, Scorias Spongiosa,” Advisor, Mark Hamann. 

2013: Chalada Suebsuwong, “An Approach to Identifying Potent and Selectifve DXG-out RIP1 Kinase Inhibitors,” Advisor, Gregory D. Cuny. 

2014: Manal A. Nael, “Targeting Protein Kinase RNA-Like Endoplasmic Reticulum Kinase to Manage Alzheimer’sDisease,” Advisor, Robert J. Doerksen. 

2015: Jai Shankar K. Yadlapalli, “Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, and Therapeutic Implications of Morphine-6-O-Sulfate sodium in Diabetic Neuropathy,” Advisor, Peter A. Crooks. 

2016: Abu Bakar Siddique, “Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Based Oleocanthal:  A Promising Lead for the Control of C-MET-Dependent Brest Malignancies,” Advisor, Khalid El Sayed.

2017: Sri Sujana Immadi, “Application of Hemetsberger-Knittel Reaction in the Synthesis of Indole/Azaindole-2-carboxamides for the Development of Allosteric Modulators of Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor,” Advisor: Dai Lu

2018: Vikas Mishra, “Selective CB2 Receptor Agonists as Dual Suppressors for Pain and Cancer Growth” Texas A&M University, Advisor: Dai Lu.

 

The Ronald F. Borne Outstanding Postdoctoral Poster Presentation Award

The Ronald F. Borne Outstanding Postdoctoral Poster Presentation Award
Dr. Ronald F. Borne, professor emeritus of medicinal chemistry at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, retired on June 30, 2006, after 38 years of service to the University. A native of New Orleans, LA, he earned a B.S. degree in chemistry from Loyola University of the South, an M.S. degree in organic chemistry from Tulane University, and a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from the University of Kansas (under the tutelage of Professor Matt Mertes).

Early in his career, he was employed as chemist at the Ochsner Research Medical Foundation and as a research chemist at the C.J. Patterson Co. in Kansas City, KS. After earning his doctorate, he joined Mallinckrodt Chemical Works in St. Louis, MO, as a research chemist.

In 1968, he joined the faculty at the University of Mississippi as an assistant professor of medicinal chemistry and began a career of teaching, research and administration. He was promoted to the rank of associate professor in 1970 and to full professor in 1973. He received the Outstanding Teaching Award for the University in 1972 and the School of Pharmacy Outstanding Teacher Award on six occasions (1982, 1983, 1989, 1993, 1997 and 1988).

He was named the State of Mississippi Professor of the Year in 1992 by the National Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. In 1994, Dr. Borne received the Burlington Northern Faculty Achievement Award from the University of Mississippi and the National Rho Chi Lecture Award. In 1996, he received the Distinguished Pharmacy Educator Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Dr. Borne’s research career and interests primarily involved efforts to elucidate the importance of conformational factors in the actions of agents affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. In particular, analgetics, anti-arthritics, dopaminergics, cholinergics and adrenergics received considerable attention. Other recent interests included synthesis of novel pharmacotherapeutic agents for the treatment of dependence on cocaine and other substances of abuse as well as the synthesis of new antimalarial agents.

In 1988-89, he was awarded an N.I.H. Senior International Fellowship to conduct research in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh Medical School in Edinburgh, Scotland. His research involved the synthesis of radioligands selective for serotonin 5-HTlA receptors as diagnostic tools for Alzheimer's disease, and the synthesis of analogues of the excitatory amino acids, glutamate and aspartate to study the etiology of senile dementia disorders.

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of his research program, Dr. Borne established collaborative relationships with other researchers and has published with a faculty or staff member in every other department or division in the School of Pharmacy (pharmacology, pharmacognosy, pharmaceutics, pharmacy administration, clinical pharmacy, RIPS, NCNPR, continuing education), including the Pharmacy Library.

He has received federal research funding from NIH, NSF, the Department of Education, NASA, the Department of Commerce, CDC and the Department of Defense as well as several industrial research companies. Dr. Borne has published approximately 100 research, drug abuse education and professional publications and book chapters covering a span of six decades and was granted four U.S. patents.

Dr. Borne held several administrative positions in the School of Pharmacy and the University. He served as Chairman of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry (1979-88), Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of the Graduate School (1985-86), and as Associate Vice Chancellor for Research (1998-2001). In the latter position, he was responsible for coordinating all research activities on campus with numerous state and national agencies and coordinated all university-related research activities with the Mississippi Congressional delegations.

During this period, extramural funding (external grants and contracts) on the Oxford campus increased from $18.6 million in FY96-97 to $73.6 million in FY00-01. He also established the Laboratory for Applied Drug Design and Synthesis (LADDS) in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry. When he returned to full-time teaching and research in 2001, the University established an endowment to establish the Ronald F. Borne Endowed Chair of Medicinal Chemistry.

Dr. Borne was also heavily committed to community service through his appointment as Chairman of the City of Oxford Park Commission Board. During this period (1978-1980) the city experienced its greatest growth in park and recreational facilities as exemplified by the construction of a $275,000 Community Activity Center and a $300,000 public swimming pool, the city's first community pool. He was subsequently appointed to serve on the School Board for the City of Oxford Public School System (being the first member of the University Community to be appointed to that Board) and served as member and as Vice-Chair from 1980-1983.

He is a medicinal chemist by education and a writer by avocation. He has written poetry, a play, and has several non-scientific articles and short stories published in the Ole Miss Review, Mississippi Magazine, and the Ole Miss Spirit. He has also written or edited several books including The Great College Coaches Cookbook, (Stanley-Clark Publishing Co., 1988) and Beginnings and Ends, (Nautilus Publishing Co., 2012). His biography of Mississippian Hugh Clegg, TROUTMOUTH: The two careers of Hugh Clegg, was published by the University Press of Mississippi in 2015. Dr. Borne passed away unexpectedly on October 18, 2016, while working on a history book, 1936 – A Pivotal Year in American and World History: The Confluence of Sports and Politics. His insight and contributions to MALTO will be sorely missed.

Past Award Winners

Ronald F. Borne Outstanding Postdoctoral Poster Presentation Award Past Recipients

2015: Pallavi Rajaputra, “Far Red Light-Activatable Prodrugs of a Photosensitizer and Anti-Cancer Drug for Effective Tumor Ablation Using Photodynamic Therapy”  Advisor: Youngjae You. 

2016: Staya Prakash Shukla, “Homo- and Hetero-Multimerizations of Peptoids to Target Cancer,” Advisor: Gomika Udugamasooriya.

2017: Moses Bio, "Targeted far-red light activatable prodrugs: folate receptor-targeting, optical imaging, and a combination of photodynamic therapy and site-specific chemotherapy,” Advisor: Youngjae You.

2018: Pankaj Pandey, “Identification of Potent Natural Product Chemotypes as Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Inverse Agonists Using Protein Structure-Based Virtual Screening”. University of Mississippi, Advisor: Robert J. Doerksen.

May 26, 2022