Rahway Man Wins Top Honors in Sickle Cell Research

A Rahway man won top honors at a new Harlem pharmacy college with a year's long research into the effectiveness of a drug used to treat sickle cell disease.

Chukwuma Pius-Nwagwu was one of three top winners in the Touro College of Pharmacy's Capstone Project. The research the graduating students did was the culmination of their four year education, the school said in a statement.

Pius-Nwagwu designed a study to test the efficacy of the drug Riociguat as an alternative to Hydroxyurea in the treatment of sickle cell disorders. 

Sixty-three students graduated in the first class of Touro College of Pharmacy, the school said.

Students were asked to compile research questions and design experiments to find answers to the questions across a range of fields, including basic science, clinical science, public health, and educational research. 

The school's dean congratulated the winners. “You have all gained important knowledge and experience and are all winners,” said Dr. Stuart Feldman, Tour College of Pharmacy dean.

Pius-Nwagwu said afterwards that he was surprised and humbled by the honor, and that his research improved his analytical skills.  He said his work was personally meaningful because he knows people living with sickle cell, a genetic blood disorder most common among individuals of African heritage.

Touro College of Pharmacy, which opened in Harlem in September, 2008, is committed to offering increased educational opportunities – especially in Harlem - through programs in pharmacy education, research and scholarship, and through service to the community and the profession.  The college will hold its inaugural commencement on May 17 at the New York Academy of Medicine.