Graduate Student Organization (GSO)
The purpose of the Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is to promote the varied interests of the graduate students of UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. The GSO acts as a liaison between students and faculty to help improve the quality of education and overall experience of students in the School. In addition, the GSO also provides opportunities for students to engage in social and community service events throughout the year. These events may include holiday events, happy hours, fundraisers for charity, and more.
Membership in the Graduate Student Organization is extended to all graduate students in the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy including students whose primary affiliation is outside the School (e.g., public health, pharmacology, toxicology, etc.) but whose major adviser is a faculty member of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.
The GSO’s objectives include:
- Improving and sustaining the quality and reputation of graduate education at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy;
- Facilitating rapport among graduate students in the various divisions of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy;
- Encouraging interaction between graduate and professional students;
- Facilitating communication between graduate students, faculty, and administration of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill;
- Discouraging, revealing and eliminating discrimination against graduate students based on sex, race, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation;
- Encouraging participation in University, state, and national graduate student and scientific organizations;
- Promoting professional development of each student. The organization also plans social and community service events to promote interaction among students, faculty and other members of the community. These activities allow graduate students to relax, foster relationships with peers and broaden their interactions beyond what is provided in an academic environment.
GSO Officers and Contact Information
For current graduate students: please feel free to contact your division representative or a member of the GSO executive board if you have any questions or concerns that should be brought to the attention of the GSO. Thank you!
President
Adam Funk
Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry (CMBC)
2nd year
James Lab
My name is Adam Funk, and I am this year’s GSO President. I joined GSO to advocate for my peers by voicing the graduate student perspective and fostering a sense of community among students within the School of Pharmacy. Outside of the lab, I enjoy listening to music and can play 6 different instruments!
Vice President
Mihir Upadhye
Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry (CBMC)
2nd year
Haar and Brouwer Lab
Hello! My name is Mihir Upadhye and I am glad to be your GSO Vice President this year! I chose to join GSO because I love planning events and making the graduate student experience more fun! I like how GSO is a big happy family, which has fun working together and planning events. Outside of the lab I love playing and watching different sports, and I’m trying to get back into chess!
Treasurer
Madison Routh
Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry (CBMC)
2nd year
Hathaway Lab
My name is Madison Routh and I am a second year graduate student in the Hathaway lab. I was eager to join GSO because I believe it is a valuable platform to connect with fellow students, share knowledge, and foster a supportive academic community. I am passionate about collaborating with others to create a space where we can help each other grow, fInd resources, and make the most of our experience here at UNC. Being a part of this organization allows me to contribute to a community that celebrates academic achievement, encourages personal growth, and supports community engagement.
Secretary
Amanda McGowan
Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry (CBMC)
2nd year
James Lab
My name is Amanda, and I am currently a 2nd year in the CBMC division. I am originally from Greenville, South Carolina, and I went to University of South Carolina for my undergrad. I joined GSO because I wanted to be a part of planning events for the department as well as serve as a liaison between the students of the department and the faculty members. When I’m not in the lab, I am either going on long walks or going to the gym for a spin class.
Communications Chair
Emily Joe
Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics (DPMP)
2nd year
Brudno Lab
I also go by EmJoe, and I am currently working on optimizing bioinstructive scaffolds for CAR T cell production and delivery against solid tumors. I am also interested in the translational space of immunotherapeutic biologics. Outside of the lab, I love to read books, dance, crochet, and make Spotify playlists. I love to be a voice for our PhD student body and foster community through our GSO events!
Outreach Chair
Emily Flory
Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry (CMBC)
2nd year
Axtman Lab
My name is Emily Flory, and I’m a 2nd year CBMC student. My research in the Axtman lab involves developing first-in-class deubiquitinase target engagement assays in live cells. I joined GSO so that I could connect with my peers and our community. My favorite hobby is snowboarding.
Social Chair
Matt Binder
Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry (CMBC)
2nd year
Axtman Lab
Hi! My name is Matt Binder. I joined GSO to help provide opportunities for Pharmaceutical Sciences students to get together and build a community within the program. During a stressful time like grad school, it’s important to have fun events to look forward to with friends and classmates. Outside of lab, I like to lift weights, and a fun fact about myself is that I once shook Joe Jonas’s hand on the field at a Penn State game!
CBMC Student Representative
Emma Steude
Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry (CMBC)
1st year
Research interests: mRNA Display, small molecule synthesis, epigenetics, neurodegenerative diseases, and protein-protein interactions
Hello! My name is Emma Steude and I am a CBMC first-year! Having been an undergrad at UNC, I had the unique opportunity to see the PhD program before I was even in it. I loved the graduate student community I saw at UNC and was fortunate to be able to participate in some events! Talking with some GSO members at the time, I knew that I wanted to be a part of this organization. I could see the clear voice students had in the program. Now, I am excited to do my part to advocate for students to ensure that the program meets our needs! Outside of research, I enjoy baking, painting, and going for walks!
DPMP Student Representative
Nathan Sandler
Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics (DPMP)
1st year
Research interests: protein therapeutics
My name is Nathan Sandler, and I am a first-year PhD candidate and the DPMP Division Representative within GSO! My research background is in biopharmaceutical development, and I am interested in engineering novel protein therapeutics for targeted drug delivery here at UNC. Outside of the lab, I love paddle boarding, backpacking, and playing pickleball!
DPET Student Representative
Sabah Contractor
Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics (DPET)
1st year
Lee Lab
Hi, I’m Sabah Contractor, a first-year graduate student in DPET. I grew up in Plano, TX. I’m interested in how drug metabolism affects the pharmacokinetics of therapeutics. When I’m taking a break from the lab, I’m either out hiking or, unfortunately, trying (and failing) to keep my houseplants alive! I’m really excited to be part of GSO because I love how the organization genuinely listens to student voices and works to create positive change. I like how GSO fosters a strong sense of community among graduate students.
DPOP Division Representative
Leticia Vieira
Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy (DPOP)
2nd year
Carpenter Lab
I’m a clinical pharmacist from Brazil, currently focusing my research on pharmacist-patient communication and implementing interventions in rural pharmacies. I joined GSO to become more involved in cross-divisional events, represent my division, and bring an international student perspective to the table. In my free time, I like singing and anything music-related, reading, watching sitcoms, and being overly enthusiastic during soccer games.
MPS Student Representative
Joshua Payton
Master of Professional Science in Regulatory Sciences
1st year
Lab: Placental Cell Biology Group of the Molecular Microscopy Consortium under the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
joshuadp@unc.edu or paytondjoshua@gmail.com
Hi everyone, my name is Joshua Payton, and I’m from Durham, NC. I’m an MPS student in the Regulatory Sciences program and a Postbac student at NIEHS. I joined GSO after attending a meeting earlier, where I appreciated how everyone shared perspectives and worked together as a team. I value environments that foster teamwork and support, which is exactly what GSO represents for me. I’m excited to be part of this community and hope to uplift both the GSO and my program. A fun fact about me is that I enjoy writing stories in my free time.
Will Taylor
Assistant Director, Office of Curricular and Student Affairs Graduate Program