Award-Winners
School of Pharmacy Honors Four Alumni with 2021 Citations of Merit
Our four 2021 Citation of Merit recipients have left their mark on patient care and research nationwide. From increasing the impact of community pharmacies, to innovating in drug delivery, to serving patients in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, read about these four illustrious careers.
Alum of the Year
"As an alumnus and faculty member, I experience the best of everything,” says Professor Beth Martin (BS ’90, MS ’03, PhD ’06), the Pharmacy Alumni Association's Alumnus of the Year.
IPPE Instructor Excellence
2021 IPPE Clinical Instructor Excellence Award winner Eric Jachthuber gives our pharmacy students a look inside the multifaceted world of rural pharmacy.
Young Alum of the Year
Berook Addisu (PharmD '10), Pharmacy Alumni Association honoree, is now leading a team at the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center that recently had some high-profile visitors.
National Recognition
Research Poster Award
PharmD student Brianna Groen’s research to improve virtual education at the School of Pharmacy wins a national award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.
New Investigator Grants
Assistant Professors Amanda Margolis (PharmD ‘09, MS ‘17) and Sin Yin Lim are two out of just 14 educators nationwide selected for grants from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy to fuel research.
Photo Gallery
2021 PAA/WSPS Golf Outing
After a year off, the Pharmacy Alumni Association and the Wisconsin Society of Pharmacy Students once again hosted their annual golf outing, bringing together generations of Pharmacy Badgers to raise money for student scholarships while enjoying a sunny day out on the green.
SEE PHOTO GALLERY >>
From the Advancement Team
DAVE’S CORNER
The fall semester brings big changes to Rennebohm Hall, including the in-person return of our students, faculty, and staff and resumed alumni events. Associate Dean for Advancement Dave Mott shares what School of Pharmacy alumni can expect next.
READ HIS MESSAGE >
New Frontiers
School Launches New Center to Advance Psychoactive Substances Research
Professor Paul Hutson led the first clinical trial of psilocybin on the UW–Madison campus. Now, he’s leading the new UW Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances (TCRPS), housed within the School of Pharmacy. One of few research centers like it around the world, the TCRPS leverages clinical and transdisciplinary expertise in emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Inclusive Education
DEI in the Classroom
Through changes to the curriculum, assessment, and student support, the School of Pharmacy marks progress toward enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion. See what's changed, and what hasn't.
New Scholarships
Two new scholarships support underrepresented minority students at the School of Pharmacy. "It’s a unique feeling to reach out and make a difference in someone’s life," says alumni donor Ronald Taylor (MS '66).
Advancing Therapeutics
Patient Perspectives
At Takeda Pharmaceuticals, when new therapeutics for neurological conditions are in their infancy, Sonal Ghura (PhD ’16) pulls in patient voices to move research forward.
Writing for Approval
“It’s satisfying to get therapies delivered to patients who often have no options to treat their serious conditions," says Amy Chung (MS ’06, PhD ’09). As a medical writer, she guides new therapeutics from clinical trials to regulatory approval.
Photo Gallery
2021 White Coat Ceremony
The White Coat Ceremony remains a cherished milestone, marking first-year PharmD students’ official entrance into the profession and solidifying their commitment to patients. See our PharmD Class of 2025 receive their white coats and who helped them celebrate.
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Health Equity
Healthy Aging Star Award
“You have to meet patients where they’re at, but first you have to know where they’re at,” says Professor Eva Vivian. Her work to understand patient perspectives to improve their care has earned her a statewide award for health equity.
Psychedelic Research Disparities
As psychoactive substances gain momentum as potential therapeutics, Assistant Professor Cody Wenthur launches a project to ensure racial and ethnic minorities don't get left behind.
Mapping Barriers
With collaborators, Associate Professor Olayinka Shiyanbola is developing a localized mapping tool to help primary care clinics understand and overcome barriers to care.
Improving Treatment
Psychedelic Wonder Drugs
On Wisconsin magazine features the breadth of research at the School of Pharmacy and UW–Madison into the therapeutic applications of psychedelic substances for mental health conditions.
Infectious Disease Control
Pre-COVID, Lucas Schulz (PharmD '08) led nationally recognized antimicrobial stewardship programs at UW Health. Since the pandemic began, he's been continuously reconciling new data to develop treatment guidelines.
Research Innovations
Faculty and Alumni Inventors
In the 2020-21 fiscal year, School of Pharmacy faculty and alumni have been awarded an incredible six patents for work done in Rennebohm Hall, ranging from a new antifungal to treat challenging infections to a new way to deliver hydrophobic drugs.
Inhalable Nanomedicine
Through a grant from the UW's Discovery to Product program, Professor Seungpyo Hong is working to create an inhalable treatment that uses aerosolized “smart” nanoparticles to more effectively treat pulmonary fibrosis.
Join the Conversation
*NEW* Alumni Community Groups
Alumni, we’ve created communities just for you!
Join fellow alumni in our private Facebook groups to reconnect, network, ask questions, share open positions, or just reminisce.
Upcoming Events
2021 Pharmacy Alumni Tailgate and Viewing Party
Saturday, October 2, 8:30 am-2 pm | Varsity Hall, Union South
Join your School of Pharmacy alumni peers for the Badgers vs. Wolverines game for a raffle, silent auction, and cash bar. After the game starts, feel free to stick around and enjoy it among friends.
During the event, alumni of the School’s PharmTox program and the PharmD classes of 2010 and 2011 will also be holding special reunions. Masks required, per campus policy.
PharmSci Virtual Reunion
Tuesday, November 16 | Online
PharmSci alumni and current and emeritus faculty will gather online to reconnect and hear an update on current research at the School of Pharmacy.
More details coming soon.
Wednesday Nite @ the Lab:
Lucas Richert
Wednesday, October 20, 7 pm | Online
In a free online streaming event, Associate Professor Lucas Richert discusses “Pharmacy History in Wisconsin: Science, Society, and Psychedelics.”
Stream live or join via Zoom.
PLATO Frontiers in Life Sciences Seminar: Paul Hutson
Wednesday, November 3, 1 pm | Online
Hear Professor Paul Hutson speak about the launch of the School’s new Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances.
Register on Zoom.
Wednesday Nite @ the Lab:
Cody Wenthur
Wednesday, December 1 | Online
Join Assistant Professor Cody Wenthur as he talks about the groundbreaking research into therapeutic applications of psychoactive substances at UW–Madison.
Stream live or join via Zoom.
From the PAA
After a successful 22nd annual PAA golf outing in August, see what else we have planned for Fall 2021. We are excited to host our annual tailgate in October and get back to seeing everyone in person! Check out ways to support UW–Madison student pharmacists and be involved as a fellow alumni by heading over to our PAA website.
Visit the PAA >
Making Headlines
Class Notes
Fall 2021 Class Notes
Our Pharmacy Badgers are kicking off the summer with professional and personal achievements, awards, new jobs, bigger families, and more. Keep in touch with your School of Pharmacy alumni peers through class notes.
READ WHAT’S NEW >
SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTE >
Professional Development
UW–Madison Psychedelic Symposium
Nov. 4 – Nov. 5, 2021 | Deluca Forum, Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery, Madison
Hosted by the UW Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances and the Division of Pharmacy Professional Development, the symposium is intended for researchers and clinicians in the areas of clinical psychology, psychiatry, pharmacy, nursing, and social work. (Continuing education hours available.)
The symposium will include keynote speakers, an overview of research happening on campus, and updates on the exploratory use of MDMA in the treatment of PTSD, and psilocybin for depression and substance use disorders, as well as racial and ethnic disparities in clinical research and how to overcome them.
Find more information and register >
Session topics include:
- Psychedelic Wars: Past and Present
- Psychedelics in Latin America and the case of the Intercultural Clinic in Sonora, Mexico
- Neuropharmacology of Psychedelic Action
- Environmental Influences on Psilocybin Outcomes Across Species
- MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD
- Psilocybin in the Treatment of Addictive Disorders
- Psychedelics in the Treatment of Depression
- The Phenomenology of Psychedelics
DISCOVERx STAFF
Editor-in-Chief | Katie Gerhards
Photographer | Sally Griffith-Oh
Contributing Photographers | Todd Brown, Carla Osberg, Nola Fontanez, Jon Fleming
Contributing Writers | Katie Ginder-Vogel, Mary Magnuson, Jill Sakai, Nicole Etter
Editorial Intern | Emma Gran
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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