Remarkable Alums
2024 Five of the Future
Our annual feature is back: Meet recent alumni from each of the School of Pharmacy’s five main degree programs who are building a better, healthier future. These rising stars are harnessing AI, serving refugees internationally, using data to improve population health, and more.
Young Alum of the Year
After being honored as one of the nationwide 40 Under 40 in Cancer for 2024, oncology pharmacist Jason Bergsbaken (PharmD '12) earns another distinction, this time from a little closer to home.
Alum of the Year
“The Wisconsin Idea — the idea of doing good in the world — shaped me," says Chris Barron (BS '97). That inspiration led him to become a leader in population health and a 2024 PAA awardee.
From the Editor
How is DiscoveRx?
DiscoveRx is for you, our School of Pharmacy alumni — and we want to make sure it’s meeting your needs and expectations. If you have already taken our readership survey: Thank you — your insights are invaluable. If you haven’t yet, please share your preferences and feedback about DiscoveRx in our brief 7-minute survey to let us know how we can make your publication the best it can be.
Leading Research
A Tale of Two Isomers
Current toxicology tests don't separate two methamphetamine isomers: one linked with sinus-clearing sprays, and one linked with the primary component of illicit meth. Assistant Professor Heather Barkholtz is aiming to tease out the difference.
Halting Pulmonary Fibrosis
Professor Seungpyo Hong is part of an $11 million project using AI and 3D modeling to explore the biological processes behind idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and how to stop it in its tracks.
Patents and Progress
A senior member of the National Academy of Inventors, alumna Heidi Mansour (BS '96, PhD '03) aims to revolutionize lung and brain drug delivery, including developing patented lung surfactants used as both therapies and nanocarriers.
A Letter From Advancement
Dave’s Corner
As another semester begins, Associate Dean for Advancement Dave Mott (BS ’88, MS ’92, PhD ’95) reflects on the remarkable talent and contributions of School of Pharmacy alumni, recaps how alumni have been getting and staying connected, and shares ways to get involved.
Read his message >
Regional Outreach
Getting to WOORC
With an influx of federal aid, Associate Professor Cody Wenthur and Associate Professor Jay Ford are launching a regional center geared toward combatting the opioid crisis. The linchpin to their plan: community pharmacies. “Clinics may be hours away, but pharmacies are there, ready and willing to serve,” says Wenthur. Learn about the new Wisconsin Opioid Overdose Response Center and how pharmacies factor in.
Precepting Excellence
'Pharmacist Detective'
Alumna Jenny Moran (BS '88) takes an investigative approach to exploring her pediatric patients' positive and negative outcomes. She's just as thorough with her duties as a preceptor, which has earned her this year's Larry Boh Award. Learn more about the award and her career.
Passion for Precepting
“She truly has a passion for educating students." That's what one PharmD student had to say about Nishat Bashar-Ntim, this year's School of Pharmacy IPPE Clinical Instructor of the Year. Learn how her practice environment helps her student pharmacists thrive.
Back in Class
College for Kids and Connections
“I saw her understanding deepen in just two days, and it made me excited for the next generation of pharmacists,” says alumna Kim Lintner (PharmD ’01). With her niece, Lintner completed the pharmacy major during the UW’s two-day Grandparents University. Through compounding and consulting, see how Lintner and other attendees got a fresh perspective on pharmacy during this annual UW alumni event.
Pharmacy Experts
Webinar: Psilocybin, Ketamine & Behavioral Change in Mental Health Treatment
Listen to field leader Associate Professor Cody Wenthur speak about the early stages of clinical trials using psychoactive substances as treatments for challenging mental health conditions.
Watch the webinar >
Uplifting Communities
Generations of Community Care
The Dreier Pharmacy — led by three generations of Badger pharmacists — has served a small Wisconsin town for 57 years. Their tradition of innovation has earned co-owners Tim Dreier (BS '89) and Jessica Dreier-Huntington (BS '92) a national award.
Transforming Rural Health
Morgan Platta (PharmD '21), Anna Lattos (PharmD '21), and Lindsey Hoff (PharmD '19), some of the first alumni of the School's rural health program, are using their specialized skills to revolutionize care in rural areas around the region.
Top Education
National Research Award
PharmTox student Samira Pal earns a national award from the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education to power her research exploring how platelets may hold the key to improving immunotherapy.
Real-World Experience
“There is no substitute for gaining real-world experience," says Associate Professor Cody Wenthur. That's why the School's master's degree programs leverage industry relationships to enhance education in drug development and psychoactive pharmaceutical investigation.
Pharmacy Leaders
Pharmacy Power Couple
As the CEO and executive vice president of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the incoming dean of the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, Lee Vermeulen (MS ’92) and Jill Kolesar (BS ’90) are poised to make a far-reaching impact on the profession. And it all started on the UW–Madison campus.
Recognized Leaders
Assistant Professor Marina Maes and Associate Professor Warren Rose are selected for prestigious national programs to enhance their impact on academic and clinical pharmacy. See what they'll learn.
ASHP Fellow
“I’ve always known I wanted to be in a profession that gave back to society,” says Staci Hermann (MS ’07). That philosophy has driven her to receive national recognition for her contributions to pharmacy.
Photo Gallery
PAA/WSPS Golf Outing
Each year, the Pharmacy Alumni Association and Wisconsin Society of Pharmacy Students hosts a golf outing that brings alumni, faculty, and students together to benefit student scholarships.
See the event >
Enterprising Alumni
Pharmacist Founder
Alex Yampolsky (PharmD '08) combined his PharmD and MBA to become an entrepreneur and a CEO, first focused on a telehealth service that took off during the pandemic. Today, he's tackling drug diversion.
Dispensing to Drafting
Even as a student pharmacist, Jory Fleischauer (PharmD '15) was set on creating resources and launched his own study website. After working at about 150 pharmacies, Fleischauer returns to his first passion.
Alumni Events
Alumni & Friends Tailgate
Join alumni and friends of the School as they get ready to cheer on the Badgers as they face the Purdue Boilermakers. At the tailgate, find a buffet, games, a buffet, and cash bar. Stick around after kickoff for a viewing party.
October 5, 2024, time TBD >
PharmSci 360 Alumni Reception
Join alumni and friends of the School of Pharmacy at the upcoming American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists PharmSci 360 conference, including hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
October 21, 2024, 5:30 pm >
ASHP Midyear Wisconsin Reception
Gather with your Wisconsin pharmacy colleagues during the ASHP Midyear Conference in a reception hosted by the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, UW Health, and Wisconsin pharmacy schools.
December 8, 2024 6-8 pm >
From the PAA
PAA Corner
The Pharmacy Alumni Association (PAA) is always busy planning opportunities to help Badger pharmacists connect. Hear from new PAA President Julie Bartell (PharmD ’06) about their successful summer events and how alumni can get involved this fall.
Read what’s planned >
Making Headlines
Class Notes
Fall 2024 Class Notes
Our School of Pharmacy alumni are always covering new ground — getting new jobs, promotions, professional recognitions, and more. See what’s been keeping these Badgers busy and who’s just checking in with an update on life.
Read what’s new >
Submit your class note >
Professional Development
UW–Madison Psychedelic Symposium
Nov. 7 – 8, 2024 | BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute, Promega Campus, Madison
Hosted by the UW Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances and the Division of Pharmacy Professional Development, this fourth-annual symposium is intended for researchers and clinicians in the areas of clinical psychology, psychiatry, pharmacy, nursing, and social work.
Find more information and register >
CMC Project Team Leadership Course
October 14 – 17, 2024 | Pyle Center, Madison
Learn more and register >
Pharmacy Innovations Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy Conference
Nov. 1, 2024 | Virtual
Learn more and register >
Stay Connected
DISCOVERX Staff
Editor-in-Chief | Katie Gerhards
Photographer | Sally Griffith-Oh
Contributing Photographers | Todd Brown, Sharon Vanorny, Brian Smith, Sid Hastings, Heather Gergen, Stephanie Shanks, Mike Roehmer, Mark Tade, Andy Manis
Contributing Writers | Katie Ginder-Vogel, Nicole Etter, Jessica Steinhoff, Susan Smith, Archer Parquette
Editorial Interns | Logan Underwood
Editorial Advisors | Alyson Kim, David Mott
DiscoveRx magazine is a quarterly digital publication by the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy.
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