Inspiring Entrepreneurs
Swimming with the Alumni ‘Sharks’
Following a semester of hard work, a PharmD student group of hopeful entrepreneurs got the opportunity to float their ideas in the SHARx Tank, in front of a panel of alumni judges with industry credentials for the chance to win $5,000 in scholarships.
Faculty News
5 New Assistant Professors
With the addition of Cody Wenthur, Natalie Schmitz, and Jason Peters, and new positions for Amanda Margolis and Ed Portillo, the School expands research and enhances education.
Dean's Corner
Dean Steve Swanson explains how the School continues to innovate and shares our excellence in action, from new research grants for faculty members to student recognition at a national level.
Global Health Leader 'Repots'
Professor Connie Kraus—quilter, fisherwoman, grandmother, world traveler, and pharmacist—is retiring from the School after 25 years.
Alumni Spotlights
For the Love of Animals
At the School, Jeff Langer (BS ’76) studied medication formulations for ruminant animals—a topic he chose to discourage follow-up questions. Little did he know, it was his first foray into what would become his career: animal medicine.
Transforming Patient Lives
Alumnus Azita Saleki-Gerhardt, president of operations at AbbVie, reinforces the value of learning a scientific approach to make a difference in peoples' lives and health.
3 Alumni Named ASHP Fellows
Of 16 pharmacists nationwide honored as 2018 fellows by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, three of them are Badgers—and they worked side-by-side at UW Hospital and Clinics.
Pharm-Tox Pioneer
Jack Vanden Heuvel was a trailblazer when he became the first Pharm-Tox program graduate in 1986, and his career success has earned him another first: Pharm-Tox Alumnus of the Year.
Building Careers
Expanding Innovative Partnerships
The School is adding three new sites to its Community Pharmacy Residency program, giving pharmacists the chance to pursue their dream jobs while supporting new, innovative pharmacy services.
Exploring PharmSci Careers
Kwadwo Owusu-Ofori (PhD '10) used his Pharmaceutical Sciences degree to create an anti-anxiety coffee creamer and launch a company. He and other PharmSci alumni share the unique opportunities the degree unlocked.
Quick Hits
Enhancing Drug Development
With support from the UW2020 program, a project led by Professor Weiping Tang will soon bring cutting-edge technology to the School to advance drug discovery and development.
Precepting with Passion
Stephanie Root, who precepts for the School's APPE rotations at Sacred Heart in Eau Claire, drew inspiration from her time as a pharmacy student to become an award-winning preceptor.
Rising to the Top
Out of 46 Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy student groups, the School's team places eighth in a national competition that requires in-depth knowledge of a disease state, a new medication, and the guiding principles behind drug formularies.
Teaching Excellence
Simulating Interprofessional Practice
Interprofessional teamwork improves patient outcomes and safety. But teaching crucial teamwork skills takes time, coordination, and a bit of imagination.
Building Stronger Pharmacists With Research
As the pharmacy profession evolves, the School's PharmD program offers rich research experiences to prepare student pharmacists for a range of careers.
Translating Research for Patient Care
Translating and communicating research effectively is a key skill for practicing pharmacists. The School's unique longitudinal approach to teaching this skill has a sterling record of success.
Congratulations, Graduates
In 2018, the School of Pharmacy graduated more than 100 dedicated pharmacists and researchers from our PharmD, Pharmacology-Toxicology, and graduate programs—and we tried to capture every moment, through photos and videos.
Watch the commencement address by David Zgarrick (BS ’88), filled with memories of his time as a UW–Madison School of Pharmacy student and advice to keep experimenting.
Video: Message from the Graduates
In her speech at the 2018 Hooding Ceremony, Niyanta Kumar (PhD '18) has strong advice for her classmates: "Graduates, roll up your sleeves. There's work to be done."
Reflections on Earning a PhD
PhD candidate Michelle Pizzo, who studied in the lab of Assistant Professor Robert Thorne in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Division, offers her reflections about her groundbreaking research as she prepares to take her next career step.
Groundbreaking Research
Therapeutic Targets Inspired by Evolution
With collaborators across the country and the ocean, Assistant Professor Jason Kwan explores molecular strategies nature has evolved to tackle common biological challenges, such as health, protection, and communication.
A Hobbit Research Journey
Postdoctoral Research Associate Sarah Neuman discovers and names ‘hobbit,’ a genetic mutation with a striking phenotype, in a quest for diabetes treatments.
Recreating Nature for Antibiotic Discovery
Associate Professor Tim Bugni and Professor Lingjun Li and collaborators produced new antibiotic keyicin after recreating interactions found in nature.
Capturing Cancer Cells to Track the Disease
Professor Seungpyo Hong's breakthrough in capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) could provide an additional way to track treatment or screen for the disease.
Time Capsule
The 1892 Controversy that Transformed the Future of Pharmacy Education
Despite heavy opposition, Edward Kremers, as director of the University of Wisconsin Department of Pharmacy, introduced the world to a four-year degree in pharmacy that would become the national standard.
Read more about the Kremers controversy
Thank You
White Coat Ceremony
The School's first-year PharmD students recently passed an important milestone: the White Coat Ceremony, marking their dedication to professionalism and their education. Those coats wouldn't have been possible without our generous alumni.
Thank a Badger Day
Every year, faculty, staff, and students take a day to individually thank the alumni donors who ensure that the School of Pharmacy remains a nationally renowned institution. Take a look at these grateful members of the School writing out cards.
Class Notes
Summer 2018 Class Notes
A lot has changed since graduation—your classmates have moved, married, landed new jobs, or earned promotions or recognition. Stay up to date on your UW–Madison School of Pharmacy alumni peers by checking class notes in each DiscoveRx.
Read what’s new >
Submit a class note >
Save the Date
Citation of Merit Dinner & Awards
Friday, October 5
This reception and dinner celebrating the 2018 Citation of Merit award winners is free and open to all alumni. See more details and RSVP.
School of Pharmacy Career Fair
Friday, October 26
Alumni can connect with students to promote open positions or APPE rotations.
See more details. Registration opens in August.
Alumni Tailgate & Viewing Party
Saturday, October 6
Join your classmates and colleagues at the Union South for the football game against Nebraska. See more details and RSVP.
Class of ’78 Reunion
Saturday, October 6
During the alumni tailgate, the class of 1978 is getting together for a 40-year reunion.
Professional Development
2018 Land O’ Lakes Conferences
We have three pharmaceutical science conferences coming up this summer. All three conferences are at the Fluno Center on the UW–Madison campus.
- 19th Annual Bioanalytical Conference | July 9-12 | Learn more and register >>
- 58th Annual Pharmaceutical Analysis Conference | August 6-9 | Learn more and register >>
- 21st Annual DMPK Conference | September 17-20 | Learn more and register >>
Sign up for updates >>
Upcoming Pharmacy Conferences
Save the date for these upcoming conferences for pharmacists and other health care professionals in 2018.
- 2018 Fall Milwaukee Conference: Infectious Diseases | Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield, Brookfield, WI | September 28
- 2018 Fall Madison Conference: Biologics | Marriott Madison West, Middleton, WI | November 8
- 2018 Pharmacy Invitational Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy (PICAT) | Anaheim, CA | December 1
See all pharmacist courses >>
DISCOVERx STAFF
Executive Editor | Alyson Kim
Editor-in-Chief | Katie Gerhards
Photographer | Sally Griffith-Oh
Contributing writers | Katie Ginder-Vogel, Jill Sakai, Gregory Bond
Contributing photographers | Todd Brown, Paul L. Newby II, Joshua Mallett
DiscoveRx magazine is a quarterly digital publication by the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Pharmacy.
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