Sanku Mallik was named NDSU School of Pharmacy Teacher of the Year.
Sanku Mallik was named Teacher of the Year in the NDSU School of Pharmacy in a ceremony held on May 14.
Mallik began his position in pharmaceutical sciences at NDSU in 2006. He is director of the Center for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies in Pancreatic Cancer. It is the first disease-specific research center at NDSU.
The center provides active mentorship, encouraging collaborative research with elite scientists in their disciplines and facilitating their research programs by developing core facilities.
Mallik provides opportunities for pharmaceutical sciences graduate students to be part of a team conducting groundbreaking research regarding pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, systems that can precisely target treatment of cancer tumors and other research topics.
Working in Mallik’s lab and additional programs at NDSU provide many opportunities for students, according to Matthew Confeld, who will receive his doctor of pharmacy degree on May 15.
“We designed a unique growing chamber to test dozens of chemotherapy drugs simultaneously,” Confeld said of one of the many research projects he has done through Mallik’s lab. Confeld, a pharmaceutical sciences specialist, will soon be a clinical trial methodology fellow.
Confeld said he learned three main things while working in Mallik’s lab. The first is that it’s OK to fail.
“The lessons and knowledge I gained from my failed experiments is what allowed me to eventually succeed,” Confeld said.
Second, Confeld said he learned how to look at the big picture, as well as see the details and ways to improve while conducting research in Mallik’s lab. Third, Confeld learned how to collaborate and build connections.
“By working with other experts, you not only fill gaps in your own knowledge but also may find ways of enlightening yourself,” he said.
“His enthusiasm and love of science make for an enjoyable learning experience and he encourages self-fulfilled learning over just spewing out answers,” said Confeld, who notes that Mallik’s personal qualities set him apart.
“Dr. Mallik’s expertise, years of experience and commitment to outstanding research engage students to become involved in projects that can help define their future professional careers,” said Charles D. Peterson, dean of the College of Health Professions and School of Pharmacy at NDSU. “Dr. Mallik teaches students about the foundational science behind therapies and about the possibilities available to learn how to conduct research that can lead to more effective treatments for diseases.”
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