Graduate Programs Student Representatives
Kristin Weninger
Toxicology Student Rep 2025-2026
Pronouns: She/her
Where are you from?: Caledonia, Michigan
Undergraduate Institution: Colorado State University
Lab and project you are currently working on: I currently work in Dr. Manisha Patel's Lab. I use a zebrafish model to study Dravet Syndrome, a form of pediatric epilepsy. I am looking to see if therapeutics targeting the Translocator Protein on the surface of the mitochondria can be used to treat Dravet Syndrome.
Random fact about yourself: I have a minor in music!
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, soccer, swimming, skiing, and playing the cello.
Deepika Paratane
Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research Student Rep 2025-2026
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Where are you from?: Mumbai, India
Undergraduate Institution: University of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Lab and project you are currently working on: I am currently working on projects that include assessing use of compounded GLP-1 products for the purposes of weight loss, cost-effectiveness of medications used for the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy and assessing the impact of including quality-of-life in cost-effectiveness analyses.
Random fact about yourself: I dreamed of becoming an architect as a kid, but life led me to the pharmacy field. Still, I have a secret passion for interior design.
Hobbies/Interests: I’m into to all things creative including painting, DIY projects, and crafting. I also enjoy spending some time outdoors and exploring Colorado.
Kelly Douglas
Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD Student Rep 2025-2026
Pronouns: She/Her
Where are you from?: I am originally from the Chicagoland area and graduated from Libertyville high school. (Same high school as Dan LaBarbera!)
Undergraduate Institution: I attended the University of Denver and studied Molecular Biology with minors in Chemistry and French.
Lab and project you are currently working on: I am a part of Thomas Delong's lab and I am studying Type 1 Diabetes, investigating hybrid insulin peptides.
Random fact about yourself: My cat was feral and that is why she looks so unhappy in my photo!
Hobbies/Interests: I am interested in autoimmunity, and genetic predispositions to autoimmune diseases. Outside of school I like to hike, camp, dirt bike, read nonfiction, and go to French club!
Cameron Lowry
Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD Student Rep 2025-2026
Pronouns: He/Him
Where are you from?: Catonsville, Maryland
Undergraduate Institution: Virginia Tech
Lab and project you are currently working on: I'm working in the Krishnan Lab on developing ML approaches for mechanism-guided discovery of disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Random fact about yourself: One of my favorite movies is The Other Guys.
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, watching movies, and going to concerts.
Ryan Farmer-Smith
Pharmaceutical Sciences MS Student Rep 2025-2026
Pronouns: He/Him
Where are you from?: Harleysville, PA
Undergraduate Institution: CU Boulder
Lab and project you are currently working on: Dr. Mallela, currently working on AAV viral vectors
Random fact about yourself: I am a huge collector, I currently own over 50 different sets.
Hobbies/Interests: Playing video games, playing the piano, playing with my two small dogs, and going to concerts!
Pharmaceutical Sciences MS Student Rep 2025-2026
Pronouns: He/Him
Where are you from?: Harleysville, PA
Undergraduate Institution: CU Boulder
Lab and project you are currently working on: Dr. Mallela, currently working on AAV viral vectors
Random fact about yourself: I am a huge collector, I currently own over 50 different sets.
Hobbies/Interests: Playing video games, playing the piano, playing with my two small dogs, and going to concerts!