Amanda M. Burkhardt, PhD
Primary Investigator
Dr. Amanda M. Burkhardt is an Assistant Professor at USC’s Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy. She holds a BS in Microbiology from the University of California, San Diego and a PhD in Immunology from the University of California, Irvine.
Her research career has focused on the development of novel vaccines and adjuvants, discovery of cytokines and chemokines, and tuning immune responses to vaccine formulations using adjuvants based on Toll-like receptors and nanoparticles.
Dr. Burkhardt has lectured and mentored doctoral, undergraduate and medical students, developed engaging course curriculum, and authored multiple patents and journal articles based on her findings. She coordinates and lectures in multiple courses in the School of Pharmacy’s undergraduate degree programs. She is passionate about creating opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in research, which is what inspired her to launch Trojan CALM at USC.
Student Researchers
Nikhita Datar
Nikhita Datar is currently a fourth-year student at the University of Southern California pursuing a B.S. in Pharmacology and Drug Development and an M.S. in Management of Drug Development in the Department of Regulatory and Quality Science from the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy. At USC, she is a Renaissance Scholar, Asian Pacific Alumni Association Scholar, recipient of the School of Pharmacy Drug Development scholarship and a part of the Regulatory Knowledge Support (RKS) core at the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI). Passionate about improving healthcare accessibility, Nikhita is excited to be a part of Trojan CALM because of how it allows individuals to have more insight into their health and work towards successfully mitigating stress.
Gabe Resendiz
Gabe Resendiz is a USMC veteran and a fourth-year transfer student at the University of Southern California pursuing a B.S. in Pharmacology and Drug Development from the Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy. At USC, he is an active member of USC’s Pre-Pharmacy Society and the USC Veterans Association. He hopes to use Trojan CALM as a learning tool to gain insight and understanding of the researcher experience. One of Gabe’s life goals is to contribute toward the discovery of a new therapeutic treatment, in which he hopes to implement the skills fostered throughout his time with Dr. Burkhardt and Trojan CALM.
Jason Hoang
Jason Hoang (he/him/his) is a sophomore pursuing a B.S in Pharmacology and Drug Development with a Psychology minor at the University of Southern California. He has participated in Trojan CALM for over a year, and is excited to not only aid in the development of the research project, but also to cultivate various laboratory skills. Jason looks forward to generating new understandings about stress while simultaneously growing as a student, scholar, and researcher.
Gelaine Esperacion
Gelaine Esperacion is a fourth-year undergraduate student earning dual B.S. degrees in Pharmacology and Drug Development, as well as in Biopharmaceutical Sciences at the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She is set to advance her education at USC to also earn her PharmD. With a focus on clinical research and development, she holds the position of president at the USC Pre-Pharmacy Society and serves as the lead student ambassador of USC Mann Undergraduate Programs. Driven by her passion for improving community health and well-being, Gelaine is eager to continue contributing to Trojan CALM, aiming to help others better understand stress and offering effective strategies for its management.
Lina Yoon
Lina Yoon is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Pharmacology and Drug Development (B.S.) and Management of Drug Development (M.S.) at the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science. Passionate about clinical research and development, she is excited to expand her laboratory skills and clinical experience through the Trojan CALM research project, as well as provide the USC community with more insight into stress and ways to healthily mitigate it.
Jennifer Nguyen
Jennifer Nguyen is a fourth year undergraduate student pursuing her B.S. in Pharmacology and Drug Development and her M.S. in Biopharmaceutical Marketing at the Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. At USC, Jennifer serves as finance chair for Teach for Los Angeles and is a member of the Pre-Pharmacy Society. Through Trojan CALM, she aspires to gain valuable insights into the process of trials in human subjects, paralleling the skills crucial for future endeavors in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to this, she aims to empower her peers in understanding and managing stress, recognizing its impact on both positive and negative aspects of life.
Michelle Bitus
Michelle Bitus is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing her B.S. in Pharmacology and Drug Development at the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She is involved in multiple groups on campus, such as USC’s Pre-Pharmacy Society and USC’s Slavic Cultural Club. She has also participated in the USCompassions program, allowing her to become close with her community that she will be serving as a clinical pharmacist in the future. Trojan CALM will provide another way for Michelle to work with her peers while also giving an opportunity to better understand how she can help them through the lens of stress.
Mikey Null
Mikey Null is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Southern California earning his B.S. in Pharmacology and Drug Development at the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. With Trojan CALM, he is excited to gain a first-hand understanding of the research process and to learn more about the relationship between extracurricular activities and stress levels among university students. Outside of the lab, Mikey is a Trustee Scholar and Student Ambassador for USC Mann, as well as an active member of the USC Pre-Pharmacy Society and the Spirit of Troy Trojan Marching Band.
Jasmine Elasaad
Jasmine Elasaad is a second-year undergraduate student studying Psychology (B.A.) at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. Having worked on prior research projects in the fields of molecular biology and psychology, she is excited to continue learning new laboratory techniques and working with human subjects through Trojan CALM. With aspirations of becoming a psychiatrist and serving as a crisis counselor, she is excited by the prospect of helping others to manage their stress levels.