Alumni

Classnotes - 1990's

In May 2002, Angela Calandra (BPharm 1992) joined the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the college to assist with the delivery of the Monash Pre-registration course. She continues to work part time in community pharmacy. Angela enjoys spending time with her young children and helping with their school activities. October 2008

Arthur Christopoulos (BPharm 1990, PhD 1997) is currently Professor of Pharmacology, NHMRC Senior Research Fellow, and co-director of the Drug Discovery Biology theme within the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the faculty and at the Department of Pharmacology (Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences), Monash University. Arthur has developed an outstanding international reputation in the field of G protein-coupled receptors, accepting major leadership responsibilities in his discipline including membership of seven international editorial boards. Over the last five years, he has successfully attracted over $12.8 million as Chief Investigator on competitive grants and industry contracts. Indicators of his success include over 100 publications, two books, national and international science awards and over 50 invited international and 30 invited national presentations. October 2008

Alison Duncan (BPharm 1990, GradDipClinPharm 1999) is now a senior clinical pharmacist at The Alfred, where she leads a group of pharmacists working in the medical specialty directorate, caring for patients under the hematology, medical oncology, radiotherapy, infectious diseases and palliative care units. Her passionate interest is for infectious diseases, and she has specialised in the area of HIV and AIDS for 10 years now. Her specialist knowledge has seen her go to India (sponsored by the Australia India Council) on several occasions, providing education to nurses about HIV, opportunistic illnesses and their therapies. Alison has also given lectures and presentations to students, doctors, pharmacists and community workers in Melbourne and throughout Victoria, when requested. October 2008

Since 2005, Katerina Karanikolopoulos (BPharm 1994) has been working for Phosphagenics, where she is involved in both corporate development and the development of pharmaceutical partnering opportunities. Previous to this, she worked as a consultant in the finance team of Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, where she advised on corporate transactions including initial public offerings, mergers and divestments. Katerina has also served a term as an elected councillor with Manningham City Council. October 2008

Pauline Lai Siew Mei (BPharm 1991) is currently undertaking a PhD in pharmacy practice at the University of Malaya. October 2008

Dr Tim Morgan (BPharm 1992, BPharmSc(Hons) 1994, PhD 1999) In July 2005 Tim left Acrux Limited, the ASX-listed company he co-founded in 1998 at the college. His new venture, Lachesis Biosciences, is currently developing a preventive health care service. Tim continues as Treasurer for the RACI Pharmaceutical Science Group (Victorian branch) and has recently been challenged by the 100km Oxfam Trail Walk that raises money for the Oxfam charity. October 2008

Sunil Narula (BPharm 1993) is state manager for My Chemist and Chemist Warehouse in Western Australia, where he is directing and managing the expansion in the state. His role involves the selection and planning of sites, beginning with the purchase of the pharmacy and doing everything in between until the pharmacy is up and trading. He also oversees the training of graduate pharmacists, educating them on the practice of pharmacy as well as pharmacy management. October 2008

Peter Nguyen (BPharm 1997) worked part time in both hospital and community pharmacies. In the community setting, Peter has worked in very busy pharmacies (dispensing more than 800 scripts), forward dispensing, semi-rural (Whittlesea) and small medical centre pharmacies. Each has presented its own challenges. Peter hopes to become a pharmacy owner one day, so he can draw his past experiences together and make a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of the local community. October 2008

After completing his PhD, Joseph Nicolazzo (BPharm 1999, BPharmSc(Hons) 2001, PhD 2005) commenced at the faculty’s Centre for Drug Candidate Optimisation. In 2007, he was appointed lecturer in the Department of Pharmaceutics. Joseph’s main teaching duties focus on oral drug absorption, pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics, and he teaches in both the Bachelor of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science courses. He is a member of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics theme within the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, where his research efforts focus on understanding the mechanisms involved in drug transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), novel formulation approaches to improve BBB drug transport, and the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy on the permeability of the BBB. October 2008

Dr Craig Rayner (BPharm 1995) In August 2005, Craig stepped down as co-director of FADDI and senior lecturer at the college to take a position as Clinical Pharmacologist with Roche in the UK. Craig is responsible for new development initiatives for Tamiflu (anti-influenza drug that is considered the first line treatment of bird-flu) as well as supporting another early development program. Craig and wife Michelle look forward to using his air miles for an exotic vacation somewhere. October 2008

Robyn Stone (GradDipClinPharm 1999) spent 10 years in Melbourne before taking up a position with Roche in Sydney in 2005. Robyn is Roche’s medical information manager, managing a team of seven medical information associates (she is the only pharmacist!) who handle enquiries regarding all aspects of Roche drugs. Robyn reviews promotional material to ensure that it complies with the Medicines Australia Code of Conduct and provides training to product specialist representatives. October 2008