blank avatar icon

Rebecca “Becky” Jayakumar, MRC, PharmD

Associate Professor of Bioethics, Humanism & Policy and EMPOWERED Programs

EDUCATION:

  • MRC – Master of Rehabilitation Counseling – Utah State University
  • Fellowship – Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy – Hartford Hospital
  • Residency – University Medical Center of Southern Nevada
  • PharmD – Doctor of Pharmacy, North Dakota State University
  • BS – Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University

BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. Becky Jayakumar serves as Associate Professor of Bioethics, Humanism & Policy and EMPOWERED Programs at Roseman University. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in clinical practice and clinical and academic teaching to her work. A dedicated educator, Dr. Jayakumar supports the development of healthcare professionals who integrate clinical knowledge with ethical reasoning and respect for the people and communities they serve.

In her role with EMPOWERED Programs, Dr. Jayakumar emphasizes a person-centered approach that recognizes each individual’s experiences, strengths, values, and goals while honoring their dignity and autonomy. Her clinical experience includes caring for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, as well as those who have experienced sexual trauma, emotional or physical abuse, or challenges related to substance use.

Dr. Jayakumar’s professional interests include bioethics, mental health, infectious diseases, patient advocacy, and health equity. Her work explores the intersections of social determinants of health, mental health, disability, and health disparities, reflecting her commitment to compassionate, equitable, and accessible care.

In June 2026, Governor Joe Lombardo appointed Dr. Jayakumar to a three-year term on the Nevada State Rehabilitation Council. She also serves as legislative director for the National Federation of the Blind of Nevada, advocating for policies that support people with disabilities and improve access to healthcare.

TEACHING AREAS:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacokinetics

RESEARCH AREAS:

  • Disability Health
  • Health Equity
  • Clinician Wellness
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

SERVICE TO PROFESSION:

  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Access Task Force Member, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 2021 – Present
  • Infectious Disease Standard Setting Panel, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 2019 – Present
  • FPGEE/PCOA Review Committee Member, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, 2018 – Present
  • Vice-Chair, Chair, Past-Chair of the Publications Committee, Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacy, 2016 – 2019

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY:

  • Co-Chair of Health Day, Leadership Las Vegas, 2022 – Present
  • President, National Federation of the Blind Southern Nevada Chapter, 2023 – Present
  • Washington Seminar Representative for the National Federation of the Blind, 2023
  • Faculty Educator of the Year – 2012 & 2013
  • Residency Preceptor of the Year – 2021–2022 & 2022–2023

SELECTED PEER-REVIEW PUBLICATIONS:

  1. Scott C, Zhu E, Jayakumar RA, Shan G, Viswesh V. Efficacy of Eravacycline versus best previously available therapy for adults with pneumonia due to difficult to treat resistant (DTR) Acinetobacter baumannii. Ann Pharmacother. 2022;56(12):1299-1307.
  2. Luu Q, Vitale K, Shan G, Jayakumar RA, Viswesh V. Evaluation of guidelines recommendations for dual anti-pseudomonal therapy in hospitalized adults with pneumonia using combination antibiograms. Pharmacotherapy. 2020;40(11):1089-1098.
  3. Covington EW, Wingler MJB, Jayakumar RA, White CWW. Strategies for clarifying antibiotic allergies when skin testing is not an option. Pharmacy. 2019;7(69):1-11.
  4. Wiskirchen DE, Keel-Jayakumar RA, Nicolau DP. Chapter 3: Antibiotics Continuous Infusions and Intermittent Infusions. In Cohen H, ed. Casebook in Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Drug Dosing. 1st ed. McGraw-Hill Medical; 2015.
  5. Bhalodi AA, Keel RA, Quintliani R, Lodise TP, Nicolau DP, Kuti JL. Pharmacokinetics of doripenem in infected patients treated in- and outside the intensive care unit. Ann Pharmacother. 2013;47(5):617-27.
  6. Kiratisin P, Keel RA, Nicolau DP. Pharmacodynamic profiling of doripenem, imipenem and meropenem against prevalent Gram-negative organisms in the Asia-Pacific region. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2013;41(1):47-51.
  7. Keel RA, Crandon JL, Nicolau DP. Comparative efficacy of human simulated exposures of torezolid and linezolid against Staphylococcus aureus in the murine thigh model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2012;56(8):4403-7.
  8. Keel RA, Tessier PR, Crandon JL, Nicolau DP. Pharmacokinetics and pulmonary disposition of tedizolid and linezolid in a murine pneumonia model under variable conditions. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2012;56(6):3420-2.
  9. Tessier PR, Keel RA, Hagihara M, Crandon JL, Nicolau DP. Comparative in vivo efficacies of epithelial lining fluid exposures of tedizolid, linezolid, and vancomycin for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a mouse pneumonia model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2012;56(5):2342-6.
  10.  Housman ST, Keel RA, Crandon JL, Nicolau DP. Efficacy of human simulated exposures of ceftaroline against phenotypically diverse Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2012;56(5):2576-80.

Last updated: 11/09/2026