Teaching

Courses:

For the following, if the number of lectures is not noted then I was the instructor of record and taught for the whole semester (~14 weeks); if the number of lectures is noted then I was not the instructor of record unless also noted.

Fall 2017

  • MEDC 319. Computer-Aided Structure Based Drug Design (CADD): Database Screening and de novo Design of Potential Drug Molecules. (professional pharmacy elective course). (2 credit hours)
  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I.
  • MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I.

PhD Dissertation Course

Each semester I also had PhD students enrolled in MEDC 797. Dissertation. A complete listing of those students can be found below.

List of Courses Taught (with official descriptions)

* CHEM 351. Individual Research. Research project conducted by the student under faculty supervision.

* MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I. An introduction to the chemical and physical properties of medicinal agents. Discussion of relationships of structural properties of drugs to pharmacological properties, absorption, distribution and metabolism profiles, chemical stability, mechanism of action and clinically significant drug interactions.

* MEDC 417. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents II. An introduction to the chemical and physical properties of medicinal agents. Discussion of relationships of structural properties of drugs to pharmacological properties, absorption, distribution and metabolism profiles, chemical stability, mechanism of action and clinically significant drug interactions.

* MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I. Advanced study of organic medicinal agents with emphasis on names, synthesis, chemical properties, and pharmacological properties. Readings in the current literature required.

* MEDC 502. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry II. Advanced study of organic medicinal agents with emphasis on names, synthesis, chemical properties, and pharmacological properties. Readings in the current literature required.

* MEDC 611/711. Drug Action and Design I. Introduction to Computer-Aided Ligand Design. Modern molecular modeling methods and techniques as they pertain to molecular design and the simulation of molecular properties and interactions. Examples include modeling of small molecules at the level of mechanics calculations up to ab initio calculations; homology modeling of proteins and related validation methods; docking interactions of ligands and receptors. (3)

* MEDC 612/712. Drug Action and Design II. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design. Introduction to simple mathematical models of drug action (2D-QSAR) and application of the concepts to the use of computer-aided drug design to develop 3D pharmacophore models based on quantitative structure-activity relationships (3D-QSAR). (3)

* MEDC 543, MEDC 544. Seminar on Current Medicinal Chemistry Topics. A seminar consisting of presentations by faculty, graduate students, B.S. Pharmaceutical Science/Medicinal Chemistry track students and invited speakers. (1, 1).

* MEDC 643, MEDC 644. Seminar on Current Pharmaceutical Topics. (1, 1). (Z grade)

* MEDC 797. Dissertation.

Teaching in Prior Years

Fall 2004

  • MEDC 611. Drug Action and Design I. Introduction to Computer-Aided Ligand Design (3 credit hour graduate course)
  • MEDC 503. Medicinal Chemistry Research Methodology (3 credit hour graduate course) 1 lecture.

Spring 2005

  • MEDC 612. Drug Action and Design II. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design (3 credit hour graduate course)

Fall 2005

  • MEDC 611. Drug Action and Design I. Introduction to Computer-Aided Ligand Design
  • MEDC 503. Medicinal Chemistry Research Methodology, 1 lecture.
  • MEDC 541. Problems in Medicinal Chemistry: Advanced Computational Methods for Medicinal Chemistry (3 credit hour graduate course)
  • MEDC 543. Seminar on Current Medicinal Chemistry Topics (1 credit hour graduate course)
  • MEDC 643. Seminar on Current Pharmaceutical Topics (1 credit hour graduate course)

Spring 2006

  • MEDC 544. Seminar on Current Medicinal Chemistry Topics.
  • MEDC 644. Seminar on Current Pharmaceutical Topics.

Fall 2006

  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I. 4 lectures.
  • MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I. 4 lectures.
  • MEDC 543. Seminar on Current Medicinal Chemistry Topics.
  • MEDC 643. Seminar on Current Pharmaceutical Topics.

Spring 2007

  • MEDC 612. Drug Action and Design II. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design.
  • MEDC 544. Seminar on Current Medicinal Chemistry Topics.
  • MEDC 644. Seminar on Current Pharmaceutical Topics.
  • MEDC 417. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents II. 3 lectures (3 credit hour professional pharmacy course)
  • MEDC 502. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry II. 3 lectures (3 credit hour graduate course)

Fall 2007

  • MEDC 611. Drug Action and Design I. Introduction to Computer-Aided Ligand Design
  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I. 11 lectures.
  • MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I. 11 lectures.

Spring 2008

  • MEDC 612. Drug Action and Design II. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design.
  • MEDC 417. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents II. 4 lectures. Instructor of Record.
  • MEDC 502. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry II. 4 lectures. Instructor of Record.

Fall 2008

  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I. 11 lectures.
  • MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I. 11 lectures.
  • MEDC 503. Medicinal Chemistry Research Methodology, 1 lecture.

Spring 2009

  • MEDC 612. Drug Action and Design II. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design.
  • MEDC 417. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents II. 3 lectures. Instructor of Record.
  • MEDC 502. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry II. 3 lectures. Instructor of Record.

Fall 2009

  • MEDC 611. Drug Action and Design I. Introduction to Computer-Aided Ligand Design
  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I. 23 lectures.
  • MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I. 23 lectures.

Fall 2010

  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I (86 students enrolled, 3 credit hour professional pharmacy course, Mon/Wed/Fri 1-1:50 pm) 26 lectures
  • MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I (9 students enrolled, 3 credit hour graduate course, Mon/Wed/Fri 1-1:50 pm) 26 lectures

Spring 2011

  • MEDC 612. Drug Action and Design II. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design.

Fall 2011

  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I (56 students enrolled, 3 credit hour professional pharmacy course, Mon/Wed/Fri 1-1:50 pm) 24 lectures. Instructor of Record.
  • MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I (5 students enrolled, 3 credit hour graduate course, Mon/Wed/Fri 1-1:50 pm) 24 lectures. Instructor of Record.
  • MEDC 611. Drug Action and Design I. Introduction to Computer-Aided Ligand Design.

Fall 2012

  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I (77 students enrolled, 3 credit hour professional pharmacy course, Mon/Wed/Fri 1-1:50 pm) 24 lectures. Instructor of Record.
  • MEDC 543. Seminar on Current Medicinal Chemistry Topics.
  • MEDC 643. Seminar on Current Pharmaceutical Topics.

Spring 2013

  • MEDC 612. Drug Action and Design II. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design.

Fall 2013

  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I. 21 lectures.
  • MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I. 21 lectures.
  • MEDC 611. Drug Action and Design I. Introduction to Computer-Aided Ligand Design
  • MEDC 543. Seminar on Current Medicinal Chemistry Topics.
  • MEDC 643. Seminar on Current Pharmaceutical Topics.

Fall 2014

  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I. (whole course)

Spring 2015

  • CHEM 319. Individual Research.
  • MEDC 712. Drug Action and Design II. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design.

Fall 2015

  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I. 36 lectures. Instructor of Record.
  • MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I. 36 lectures.

Spring 2016

  • MEDC 711. Drug Action and Design I. Introduction to Computer-Aided Ligand Design.
  • CHEM 351. Individual Research. (1 undergraduate student enrolled.) Official Instructor of Record: Prof. C. Hussey
  • Advanced Neuroscience. (1 lecture)
  • Bioinformatics. (4 hours of lectures)

Fall 2016

  • MEDC 319. Computer-Aided Structure Based Drug Design (CADD): Database Screening and de novo Design of Potential Drug Molecules. (professional pharmacy elective course). (2 credit hours)
  • MEDC 416. Medicinal Chemistry of Therapeutic Agents I. (whole course).
  • MEDC 501. Advanced Medicinal Chemistry I. (whole course).
  • MEDC 541. Special Topics in Medicinal Chemistry. Computer-Aided Structure Based Drug Design (CADD): Database Screening and de novo Design of Potential Drug Molecules.

Spring 2017

  • MEDC 712. Drug Action and Design II. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design. (3 credit hour graduate course)

Theses and Dissertations

* Reem Alkhodier, Medicinal Chemistry (David A. Colby, supervisor), PhD dissertation in progress
* Baharul Islam, Medicinal Chemistry (David A. Colby, supervisor), PhD dissertation in progress
* Priyanka Samanta, Medicinal Chemistry (Robert J. Doerksen, supervisor), PhD dissertation in progress
* Ibrahim Almarabi, Pharmacognosy (Ikhlas A. Khan, supervisor), MS thesis in progress
* Maria A. Jones-Muhammad, Neuroscience, U. Mississippi Medical Center (J. Paula Warrington, supervisor), PhD dissertation in progress
* Mamona Mushtaq, U. Karachi (Zaheer Ul Haq, supervisor), MPhil thesis in progress
* Alexandra Baumann, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Gregory S. Tschumper, supervisor), PhD dissertation in progress
* Kimberley Poland, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Steven R. Davis, supervisor), PhD dissertation in progress (on committee till 7/2021).
* AyoOluwa Aberibigbe, Medicinal Chemistry (Robert J. Doerksen, supervisor), completed, 2021.
* Amna Adam, Medicinal Chemistry (David A. Colby, supervisor), PhD completed, 2020.
* Caroline Spencer, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Murrell Godfrey, supervisor), PhD completed, 2019.
* Abidah Parveen, Pharmacognosy (Ikhlas A. Khan, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2019.
* Manal Alhusban, Pharmacognosy (Ikhlas A. Khan, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2019.
* Katelyn Dreux, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Gregory S. Tschumper, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2019.
* Sarah Johnson, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Gregory S. Tschumper, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2019.
* Thomas Ellington, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Gregory S. Tschumper, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2018.
* Michael Cunningham, Medicinal Chemistry (John M. Rimoldi, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2018.
* Vedanjali Gogineni, Medicinal Chemistry (John M. Rimoldi, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2017.
* Harshul Batra, Pharmacology (Tracy Brooks, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2017.
* Lianyi Fan, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Susan D. Pedigo, supervisor), MS thesis completed, 2016.
* Kyoshin J. Choo, Computer & Information Science (Byunghyun Jang, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2016.
* Manal Nael, Medicinal Chemistry (Robert J. Doerksen, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2016.
* J. Coleman Howard, Chemistry (Gregory S. Tschumper, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2015.
* Pankaj Pandey, Medicinal Chemistry (Robert J. Doerksen, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2015.
* Shuneize Slater, Medicinal Chemistry (Robert J. Doerksen and Mitchell A. Avery, co-supervisors), PhD dissertation completed, 2015.
* Bei Cao, Chemistry & Biochemistry (T. Keith Hollis, supervisor), PhD dissertation not completed.
* Eric Van Dornshuld, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Gregory S. Tschumper, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2014.
* Sheng Liu, Computer & Information Science (Yixin Chen, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2014.
* Khaled Elokely, Medicinal Chemistry (Robert J. Doerksen, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2013.
* David Watson, Medicinal Chemistry (Christopher R. McCurdy, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2013.
* Arindam Chatterjee, Medicinal Chemistry (Stephen J. Cutler and John S. Williamson, co-supervisors), PhD dissertation completed, 2013.
* Shana Stoddard, Chemistry & Biochemistry (Randy M. Wadkins, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2013.
* Gang Fu, Medicinal Chemistry (Robert J. Doerksen, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2012.
* Ahmed Idris, Medicinal Chemistry (John S. Williamson, supervisor), MS thesis completed, 2012.
* Falgun Shah, Medicinal Chemistry (Mitchell A. Avery, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2011.
* Mohamed Helal, Medicinal Chemistry (Mitchell A. Avery, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2010.
* Pankaj R. Daga, Medicinal Chemistry (Robert J. Doerksen, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2010.
* Tammy Nolan, Medicinal Chemistry (Christopher R. McCurdy, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2010.
* Sivaprakasam Prasanna, Medicinal Chemistry (Robert J. Doerksen, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2009.
* S. Anand, Medicinal Chemistry (John M. Rimoldi, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2008.
* Neha Vyas Philip, Medicinal Chemistry (Christopher R. McCurdy, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2007.
* Nakul Telang, Medicinal Chemistry (Mitchell A. Avery, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2007.
* Ashok Philip, Medicinal Chemistry (Christopher R. McCurdy, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2006.
* Cassia Mizuno, Medicinal Chemistry (Mitchell A. Avery, supervisor), PhD dissertation completed, 2006.

Honors Theses


  • * Ashton Custer (Robert J. Doerksen, supervisor), “Predicting lectin-glycan complexes by docking: difficulties and challenge”, thesis in progress (11/2020-Present).
    * Kalee Sigworth (Nathan Hammer, supervisor; Robert J. Doerksen second reader), “Raman spectroscopy of THC and CBD”, thesis completed, 2019.
    * Marissa Teske (Murrell Godfrey, supervisor; Robert J. Doerksen second reader), “Fentanyl and derivatives and their interactions with the opioid receptors”, thesis completed, 2019.
    * Reba Chamblee (Murrell Godfrey, supervisor; Robert J. Doerksen second reader), “Kratom alkaloids and their interactions with the opioid receptors”, thesis completed, 2019.
    * Carly Rock (Greg Tschumper, supervisor; Robert J. Doerksen third reader), “Fentanyl and derivatives and their interactions with the opioid receptors”, thesis completed, 2019.
    * Carolyn Rader (Greg Tschumper, supervisor; Robert J. Doerksen third reader), “Benchmark structures and harmonic vibrational frequencies for hydrated halide ions: X–(H2O)n, X = F, Cl, Br and I (where n = 1 – 4)”, thesis completed, 2019.
    * Lyncyn L. R. Reliquias (Murrell Godfrey and Robert J. Doerksen, co-supervisors) “A study of the hydrophobic interactions between twenty-three CB1 selective JWH compounds with an active-state CB1 receptor model to discover key structural features of the JWH compounds and key protein residues of the CB1 receptor”, thesis completed, 2017.
    * Kelsey Pettus (Murrell Godfrey and Robert J. Doerksen, co-supervisors) “A study of an active-state CB1 receptor model and JWH compound interactions to possibly predict new emerging synthetic cannabinoids”, thesis completed, 2016.

Invited Teaching Presentations
* RJ Doerksen “An introduction to computational medicinal chemistry.” Mississippi PChem/REU Summer Program, University, MS, Jun 2021.
* RJ Doerksen “An introduction to computational medicinal chemistry.” Mississippi PChem/REU Summer Program, University, MS, Jun 2019.
* RJ Doerksen “An introduction to computational medicinal chemistry.” Mississippi PChem/REU Summer Program, University, MS, Jul 2018.
* RJ Doerksen “Docking of small molecules to proteins: A method for rational drug discovery.” STEMS-REU Summer Program, University, MS, Jul 2018.
* RJ Doerksen “Computational medicinal chemistry.” 4th Virtual Winter School of Computational Chemistry, 1/31-2/2/2018.
* RJ Doerksen “Rational Drug Design.” STEMS-REU Summer Program, University, MS, Jul 2017.
* RJ Doerksen “An Introduction to Computational Medicinal Chemistry.” Mississippi PChem/REU Summer Program, University, MS, Jul 2017.
* RJ Doerksen “An Introduction to Computational Medicinal Chemistry.” Mississippi PChem/REU Summer Program, University, MS, Jun 2016.
* RJ Doerksen “An Introduction to Computational Medicinal Chemistry.” Mississippi PChem/REU Summer Program, University, MS, Jul 2015.
* RJ Doerksen “An Introduction to Computational Medicinal Chemistry.” Mississippi PChem/REU Summer Program, University, MS, Jul 2014.
* RJ Doerksen “An Introduction to Computational Medicinal Chemistry.” Mississippi PChem/REU Summer Program, University, MS, Jun 2013.
* RJ Doerksen “Computational Medicinal Chemistry Approaches for Understanding Protein-Ligand Interactions.” Rust College, Holly Springs, MS, Mar 4, 2009.
* RJ Doerksen “Computational Medicinal Chemistry Approaches for Understanding Protein-Ligand Interactions.” Rust College, Holly Springs, MS, Oct 22, 2008.
* RJ Doerksen “Teaching Computational Medicinal Chemistry Using Modern MCSR Supercomputers.” Mississippi Center for Supercomputing Research (MCSR) Research Symposium, University, MS, Sep 6-7, 2007.

Leader of Conference Roundtable Discussions
* RJ Doerksen “Pharmacy School Admission Criteria: What Approach Do You Take?” as part of the morning roundtable discussions, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting, National Harbor, MD, July 2015.
* RJ Doerksen “Motivating pharmacy students to attend, learn from and enjoy pharmaceutical science research seminars” as part of the morning roundtable discussions, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, July 2011.
* RJ Doerksen “Molecular modeling assignments to aid professional pharmacy students’ learning acquisition” as part of the morning roundtable discussions, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, July 2010.
* RJ Doerksen “School/College of pharmacy personal computer requirements for professional pharmacy students: Necessary and/or advisable in 2009?” as part of the morning roundtable discussions, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, July 2009.