Graduate Student
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Salma A. Bargal, MS, BCPS. Graduate Student. University of Maryland, Baltimore.
I am a pharmacist with a Master’s degree in Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences with a focus in pharmacogenomics from University of Florida. I am currently in my 4th year of my PhD program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore where I am working with Dr. Amber Beitelshees to further develop my skills in precision medicine. For my thesis, I am working on skills that span from discovery— evaluating sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) pharmacogenomics— to broader implementation science involving the evaluation of real-world data of CYP2C19 genotyping in the neurovascular setting.
I have been interested in clinical pharmacy and translational research throughout my career, from gaining practical experience as a pharmacist and studying for my BCPS to conducting research with a focus in pharmacogenomics. I am passionate about the study of using medications properly so as to maximize efficacy and minimize side effects in each patient. My future goals, therefore, comprise of earning my PhD with a focus in pharmacogenomics and further contributing to this field through research, education and dissemination of knowledge. I believe that every patient deserves to receive optimal care and pharmacogenomics is one path towards precision medicine for all. The time is now to consider our genetic makeup in making drug treatment decisions, just as we consider renal function, weight or comorbidities and I hope that the research I conduct will help make this a reality.