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Good afternoon students,</div>
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We would like to share an opportunity for any first years to enroll in a SPARK class offered this Spring 2026, titled “Poppies to Prescriptions” taught by the Department of Medical Education’s Dr. Susan DeRiemer. Please find more information about the course
below:</div>
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SPARK 010, Section 201 - Poppies to Prescriptions (2 Cr)</div>
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Thursdays 5:30-7:20 pm; Admin 360</div>
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CRN 13335</div>
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Drugs are an everyday part of our lives and a constant topic of public health and political</div>
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discussions. This course will provide students with a chance to explore the nature of drugs,</div>
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their role in modern medicine and their impact on society. Drugs currently in the news such</div>
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as fentanyl and semaglutide (Ozempic(tm), Wegovy(tm)) will be used as examples.</div>
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Students will explore the ways different academic disciplines from anthropology to</div>
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chemistry address questions regarding drugs and will formulate their own research question</div>
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about a drug of their choosing. Topics may include drug discovery, development, testing,</div>
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approval, regulation, marketing, use or adverse effects on individuals and communities. The</div>
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goal is to help students to become more informed consumers and decision makers as well</div>
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as gaining an introduction to research.</div>
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If you have any questions, please email Dr. Susan DeRiemer (sderiemer@ucmerced.edu).</div>
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<p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(9, 47, 68);"><b>JAZMINE D. KENNY, PHD</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: black;"><br>
she/her/ella<br>
</span><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; color: rgb(9, 47, 68);">ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION LEAD</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: black;"><br>
</span><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; color: black;">DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL EDUCATION</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: black;"><br>
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">5200 Lake Road
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(218, 172, 0);">|</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"> Merced, California 95343<br>
www.linkedin.com/in/jazminekenny/ </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; color: rgb(218, 172, 0);">|</span></p>
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<div style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/9f62dfc05c0a40e4923ebca6145b008f@ucmerced.edu?anonymous&ep=signature&ismsaljsauthenabled" data-outlook-id="be7a6069-5455-4710-8a97-e2914b581990" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><img src="https://res.public.onecdn.static.microsoft/assets/bookwithme/misc/CalendarPerson20px.png" style="max-width: 583px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;"></a> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 120, 212);"><a href="https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/9f62dfc05c0a40e4923ebca6145b008f@ucmerced.edu?anonymous&ep=signature&ismsaljsauthenabled" data-outlook-id="6021e928-e621-4688-bb85-2edfebe09ffa" style="text-decoration: none; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Book
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