Donald Sikazwe, PhD, MS

Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dr. Sikazwe earned a B.S. (1990) in Chemistry from Edward Waters College (Jacksonville, FL), an M.S. degree (1996) in Pharmacy from the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), and a Ph.D. (2004) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, FL). His research interests are in the Central Nervous System (CNS) Drug Discovery arena with a focus on anti-neurodegenerative agents. Dr. Sikazwe’s drug discovery experiences include: an internship at Schering-Plough Inc. where he contributed to the synthesis of novel chemical templates for potential anti-inflammatory drugs; a Ph.D research dissertation that emphasized design/synthesis/evaluation of D2/D4 anti-dopaminergics for Schizophrenia - an effort that yielded two patents; a Kirschstein-NRSA postdoctoral fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) where he participated in the design/synthesis of probative ligands for CNS serotonin-6 (5HT-6) receptors; a research scientist position at the Roskamp Research Institute where he synthesized potential anti-Alzheimer’s agents in a cross-discipline environment; a laboratory supervisory role at Archer Pharmaceuticals Inc. where he performed exploratory chemistry and optimized reaction conditions for process chemistry; authorship of several peer-reviewed scientific articles. 

Dr. Sikazwe teaches Medicinal Chemistry, and in the Pharmacotherapeutics or PT courses [(DEENT or dermatological, ear, eye, nose, throat), CNS, and Pulmonary] at the UIW-Feik School of Pharmacy. His professional memberships include: American Chemical Society (ACS); American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AAPS); Rho Chi Honor Society; American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS).