For many Roosevelt University Schaumburg students, research is not an abstract concept. It is the foundation of their education and the driving force behind their future careers.
At the Schaumburg campus, students in the Doctor of Pharmacy program as well as those in various biomedical research based master programs in the College of Health, Science and Pharmacy are stepping into the process of scientific discovery and gaining hands-on experience that connects science to real-world outcomes.
For Ayesha Ahmed, a master’s student in Pharmaceutical Sciences, that connection is deeply personal.
“I had some personal experiences growing up. Some of my friends, family members passed away due to cancer, and I'm very passionate about women's health,” Ahmed says. “That’s where my passion grew for pharmaceutical sciences, because this is where we do the behind-the-scenes work, the lab work and hopefully make better treatment outcomes for patients out there.”
Ahmed came to Roosevelt with a clear goal: to immerse herself in research. “I was looking for the topic of research, that was my main priority,” she says. “When I looked at Roosevelt and Dr. Peter Hart and his work in the lab, I realized that it perfectly aligns with my interests.” That alignment has translated into daily, hands-on experience. “I spend most of my days here in the lab, and I really enjoy it,” Ayesha says.
Roosevelt’s emphasis on research is not limited to one program. As Director of the Master’s in Pharmaceutical Sciences program and Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Dr. Hart had this to say:
“We recognize the value of hands-on research experience and direct faculty mentoring. While research is a requirement for Master of Science programs, it’s unusual for PharmD students to get much exposure to research. But at Roosevelt, we are committed to ensuring that every student who wants to conduct faculty-mentored research will have the opportunity to do so. These unique experiences have been transformative for our students and have promoted their advancement to competitive residency programs and pharmaceutical fellowships.”
Across the pharmacy curriculum, students consistently point to research as a defining part of their academic experience.
“Research is one of the biggest advantages that we have here. We have research labs and professors that are actively engaged in research,” said PharmD student Makenna Downing. “That's a huge opportunity that I'm not sure many pharmacy students get to experience.”
That focus begins with a strong scientific foundation in the classroom.
“I took a class called Medicinal Chemistry. It talks about the structure of different drugs,” Makenna says. “This was really the first time that I had seen the pharmacy side of it, and it was just so interesting.”
From there, students build toward applying that knowledge in increasingly complex ways. The curriculum emphasizes not only understanding medications, but also how to use them effectively in patient care.
“It’s not just what the medication does,” says student Unnati Morker. “It’s about tailoring different plans for each patient.”
Through case-based learning and applied experiences, students take on the role of the pharmacist early in their training.
“Our learning curriculum really incorporates case-based questions and being able to play the pharmacist role and take everything we’ve learned and apply it,” Unnati says.
This blend of research, science and application prepares students to approach pharmacy from multiple angles.
“The focus here is not just clinical or retail or research, it’s very broad spectrum,” says Matthew Vesely, a PharmD student. “This program has really helped me be very well-rounded.”
For students like Ayesha, that breadth of experience reinforces the impact of their work. Research is not confined to the lab. It is a pathway to better care, stronger outcomes and meaningful change.
“I want to get more into research, get into the depths of research,” says Ayesha. “And someday, hopefully, get into academia and teaching.”
At Roosevelt, that journey is already well underway.
