Celebrating the Molecular Pharmaceutics Summer 2025 PhD Defenses
In Spring and Summer 2025, five students from the Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics defended their PhD theses. Please join us in congratulating them and wishing them success in their next endeavors!
Mazharul Karim (Al-Hilal Lab)
Defense Date: May 8, 2025
Thesis Title: Intratumoral Fibrin as a Novel Immunomodulatory Factor in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
About My Thesis: My research primarily investigates the interplay between cancer immunology and stromal coagulation, wherein fibrin crosslinking contributes to the establishment of an immune barrier. Inhibiting this process has the potential to reprogram the tumor microenvironment (TME) from an immunosuppressive to an immunoresponsive state.
What’s Next: I am currently working as a Research Associate at Merrimack College and interested in transitioning to an industry role, particularly as a Medical Science Liaison.
Something Fun to Share: I will deeply miss my lab, especially the invaluable guidance I received from Dr. Taslim Al-Hilal, who will remain my lifelong mentor. I am also grateful to the department, the faculty I have had the privilege to meet, and the wonderful students I have shared this journey with. Last but not least, I would like to thank Ruby Steele, my source of knowledge about Salt Lake City who patiently answered all my curiosities, and Hallie McCarthy for her unwavering support throughout my time at the University of Utah.
Advice to New PhD Students: Don’t stress too much—PhD life is tough, but if you stick with it and stay curious, it really pays off in the end.
Jiahui Li (Kopecek/Yang Lab)
Defense Date: June 18, 2025
Thesis Title: Macromolecular Therapeutics for Cancer Treatment – Receptor Crosslinking, Targeted Delivery, and Combination Chemo-Immunotherapy Strategies
About My Thesis: I worked on the development of macromolecular therapeutics, including receptor-crosslinking systems, HPMA-copolymer–based antibody–drug conjugates, and a polymer-enabled chemo-immunotherapy platform to enhance selectivity, potency, and safety across hematologic and solid tumor models. Together, these modular designs remodel the tumor microenvironment and prolong survival in preclinical models.
What’s Next: I’m still exploring my next step and keeping an open mind about opportunities.
Something Fun to Share: I’ll miss the incredible mentors, colleagues, and peers I’ve been fortunate to know and work with. I’m deeply grateful for the department’s support and for the many kind, helpful people who shaped this journey. Looking ahead, I’m excited to step into the real world and, hopefully, make a positive impact on the people and communities around me.
Advice to New PhD Students: In every progress report, write exactly what you did and how you want it presented in the final manuscript (it makes writing Methods much easier later). Name compounds the first time you make them, keep names consistent across all figures (dashes, capital letters), and remember—every figure and every report counts.
Pahweenvaj “Sake” Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket (Yu Lab)
Defense Date: July 14, 2025
Thesis Title: Triple Helical Folding of Collagen Mimetics Containing Peptoid Residues
About My Thesis: This work enables the incorporation of diverse peptoid residues into collagen mimetics, offering a new platform strategy for developing collagen-like therapeutics and theranostic molecules targeting denatured collagens associated with disease and injury.
What’s Next: I’m currently working as a Research Analyst at CMIC, Inc. in the Chicago suburbs. My work focuses on developing and implementing LC-MS/MS methods for analyzing small molecules, peptides, and oligos in biological samples from PK/TK studies (regulated/GLP studies). I started this job three weeks before I defended my dissertation. It wasn’t easy to manage both work and dissertation (plus moving to a new city), but it was quite an experience.
Something Fun to Share: The Midwest is so flat. I miss the mountains back in Utah, where I could hike whenever I wanted—or when I was stressed.
Advice to New PhD Students: "If the path to what you want seems too easy, then you’re on the wrong path." – Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece. Doing a PhD won’t be easy. You’ll face obstacles, failed experiments (maybe more than successful ones), and some rough experiences. Don’t give up. If everything seems to go well without a problem, you might be missing something. Talk to your labmates, friends, loved ones, or your PI when you need encouragement—they’re your support system. Also, apply for an internship or co-op in industry during year 4–5, even if you want to stay in academia. It will broaden your network, give you a new research perspective, and build work experience. Just make sure you have enough progress so your graduation isn’t delayed. And if you’re nearing graduation—start job searching early. Update your resume and LinkedIn so you don’t miss any opportunities.
Morgan Marsh (Owen Lab)
Defense Date: July 15, 2025
Thesis Title: Engineering Split Protein Systems for Targeted Delivery and Diagnostics
About My Thesis: I worked heavily on two split protein systems to develop a targeted drug delivery system for HER2-positive cancers and a diagnostic for X-linked hypophosphatemia.
What’s Next: Currently job searching for industry positions.
Something Fun to Share: I will miss all the great people I have met here.
Advice to New PhD Students: Remember to take breaks.
Lauren Naatz (Chen Lab)
Defense Date: July 25, 2025
Thesis Title: Targeting PD-1 Positive Lymphocytes in Autoimmunity: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Development of Bispecific Killer Engagers
About My Thesis: My thesis details the conceptualization, design, production, and preclinical investigation of bispecific killer engagers and their use in treating autoimmune diseases.
What’s Next: Not sure yet!
Something Fun to Share: I am so thankful to my labmates (Yujia, Tianxiao, and Dr. Shuyun Dong) and my mentor, Dr. Mingnan Chen, for all their help and support over the past several years.
Advice to New PhD Students: Don’t compare your PhD journey to anyone else’s—in the department, lab, or outside. Everyone’s path through grad school is dramatically different for many reasons, and there’s no single "right" way to do it. Focus on what you want to get out of your PhD, make a plan, communicate with your PI, and it will all come together in the end.
