DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)-- You have probably gotten sick and decided to see a doctor who prescribed you medicine to help you get better, but a big question is how do you know the medications that you are taking are safe? One student at Millikin University, Evan Allen is doing a deep dive into what is going into common medications, so you can be confident that they are safe for you to take. 

"Statistics have shown that 1 in 10 medications that are purchased are falsified or substandard medications." 

Allen is taking a closer look at Amoxicillin, which is a common medication that is used to treat a wide variety of illnesses. 

"We receive samples from Depaul of amounts of samples from other countries specifically limited resource countries primarily in Africa and here at Millikin we analyze the sample to ensure that they have the correct amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients."

He is using his love of chemistry to grow his natural curiosity, find answers to problems, and explore the importance of STEM education. 

"I really enjoy the experimental nature of not knowing an answer and being able to find it using whatever methods you have available to you."

Available opportunities at the university are allowing Allen and other students to learn new skills and understand complex problems that affect the world. 

"Millikin wants students to be in the lab doing wok and learning practical skills which is really helpful whenever I want to get into the workforce."

Allen attributes his experience at Millikin University to helping him prepare for a successful future as a scientist. Millikin University requires students to complete research in order to graduate, creating a unique opportunity unlike other universities where students often have to apply to get those hands-on experiences. 

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