News Release

USP announces 2008 summer internship program participants

Health professions students awarded internships to support global public health initiatives

Grant and Award Announcement

US Pharmacopeia

Rockville, Md., April 16, 2008 — The U.S. Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention today announced its 2008 Summer Internship Program participants. USP is the official standards-setting body for pharmaceutical and over-the-counter medications in the United States. It also sets standards that are widely recognized around the world for food ingredients and dietary supplements. USP’s internship program offers the opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to spend twelve weeks at USP working on projects that support the organization’s mission to advance public health through good quality medicines and foods. The projects will focus on the quality of manufactured medicines, compounded medicines, food ingredients and dietary supplements; patient care; global public health; and health policy.

Six students were chosen from an applicant pool of more than 100 students from around the world in a competitive selection process. The following participants will receive stipends during their work at USP, which begins on May 19, 2008:

  • Lauren Girard: Pursuing a Master of Science degree at American University

    Project: Quality of Manufactured Medicines — investigation of the qualitative and quantitative determinations of hazardous contaminants in pharmaceutical polyols like Glycerin.

  • Loren Madden Kirk: Pre-veterinary student at North Carolina State University

    Project: Quality of Compounded Medicines — literature review to obtain data to be used in compounded preparation monographs for veterinary use.

  • Kamalika Datta: Pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Arizona

    Project: Public Health Policy — creation of one or more legislative or health policy projects of substantial importance to key USP staff, the Congress and/or the practitioner community.

  • Diana Kwan: Pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Midwestern University

    Project: Quality of Patient Care — research aimed at creating standardized concentrations for intravenous infusions used in pediatrics, neonates and adults.

  • Jeanne Sun: Pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

    Project: Quality of Compounded Medicines — literature review to obtain data for use in compounded preparation monographs to be submitted to the Pharmacopeial Forum.

  • Alina Eisen: Pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Pharmacy

    Project: Global Public Health — research to support development of a comprehensive database of drug quality information for anti-infective medicines in South East Asia and a separate project developing an online course about drug quality.

The students will present the results of their projects to USP staff at the conclusion of the 12-week program.

In addition to working on a defined project, interns will meet with USP staff to gain an understanding of the scope and importance of USP programs and services. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit professional associations and federal government agencies to discuss practice and policy issues and learn about career paths available in public health.

###

For media inquiries, email mediarelations@usp.org.

USP—Advancing Public Health Since 1820

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a private, non-profit, standards-setting organization that advances public health by helping to ensure the quality and consistency of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements, promoting the safe and proper use of medications, and verifying ingredients in drugs and dietary supplements. Its standards, which are recognized worldwide, are developed by a unique process of public involvement through the contributions of volunteers representing pharmacy, medicine, and other health care professions, as well as science, academia, government, the pharmaceutical and food industries, and consumer organizations. For more information about USP and its public health programs, visit www.usp.org/newscenter.


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.