OAKWOOD, VA (SEPTEMBER 23, 2026) — Four third year Appalachian College of Pharmacy students presented their research findings September 18 at the Fourth Annual Ballad Health Academics and Research at the Meadowview Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, TN.
Rutal Patel, Prince Patel, Nihar Patel and Rutvik Kheni, all of whom completed an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) research elective under the preceptorship of Dr. M. Faisal Hossain, ACP assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences and assistant director of research (PharmD).
“We are proud of our third-year pharmacy students who took part in the Ballad Research summit,” said ACP Provost and Dean Susan Mayhew. “The summit provided a great opportunity for them to interact with other health professionals and researchers as they presented their findings on a variety of research projects.”
The research projects presented included:
- “Effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri on Cognitive Impairment Biomarkers: A Brief Review and Meta-Analysis” — authors: Rutul Patel, Prince Patel and Hossain;
- “Efficiency of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) in Public Health Strategies for Opioid Misuse, Chronic Pain, and Psychological Outcomes: Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials” — authors: Rutul Patel, Prince Patel and Hossain; and
- “Blood Pressure Response to Flaxseed Supplementation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials” — authors: Nihar Patel, Rutvik Kheni and Hossain.
The poster presentations allowed students to share their scholarly work with researchers, healthcare professionals and academic partners across the Appalachian region.
Dr. Hossain expressed his appreciation for the students’ dedication and collaboration throughout their research projects. He also acknowledged the support and collaboration of Dr. Randy Mullins, Dr. Jennifer Hammons and Dr. Angie Matter in supporting student research and scholarly activities at ACP.
“ACP is proud to provide students with opportunities to participate in meaningful research, develop scholarly skills, and present their work at regional and professional research forums,” Hossain said. “ACP strongly encourages students to engage in research as an important part of their academic and professional development.”
ABOUT ACP: The Appalachian College of Pharmacy is the only three-year Doctor of Pharmacy program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Founded in 2003, the college accepted its first students in 2005. It is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its mission is to cultivate a learning community committed to education, community outreach and the professional development of pharmacists. Its graduate pharmacists are now practicing throughout the United States. Learn more at www.acp.edu.
(PHOTO CAPTION: ACP students were among those presenting at the Ballad Health Academics and Research Summit last week in Kingsport, TN. Rutal Patel, Prince Patel, Nihar Patel and Rutvik Kheni presented their research findings. They are pictured here with ACP faculty members, Dr. M. Faisal Hossain, left; and Dr. Randy Mullins, right.)
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