The incoming University of Colorado Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Class of 2030 is entering an exciting time in pharmacy. A paradigm shift, if you will. The field of pharmacy is in the middle of a change from pharmacists simply dispensing medications to direct patient care and clinical management. Increasingly, pharmacists have integral roles in multidisciplinary care teams and are taking the lead in managing highly specialized medications, pharmacogenomics, and cellular therapies. Pharmacists are having a moment, and these new students are seizing the opportunity for growth.
Precision, Perseverance and a Few Dance Moves
Incoming first-year student Breanna Wu brings a passion for science, resilience, and patient care to CU Anschutz Pharmacy. During her undergraduate studies, she completed a particle physics internship that culminated in building a calorimeter apparatus, an instrument used to measure the heat absorbed or released during chemical reactions, physical changes, or the combustion of food. Through trial and error, she successfully built the device and saw it tested at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), an experience that taught her to embrace challenges.
“I’m very proud of this project because I learned to bounce back from failure and take opportunities that are outside of my comfort zone,” she said.
Inspired by her own experience managing eczema and supported by three pharmacists in her family, Wu was drawn to pharmacy to improve treatments for patients with conditions like hers. One of her goals is to “understand more about the intersection between research and practice of pharmacy.” Outside the classroom, Wu is an enthusiastic Just Dance fan, so much so that game developer Ubisoft surprised her with a promotional party box after seeing her Just Dance-themed undergraduate graduation celebration.
From Classroom Educator to Future Pharmacist
Wu's classmate Travis Arguello brings a unique blend of science, education, and service to CU Pharmacy. Holding a bachelor's degree in chemistry, a minor in mathematics, and a master's degree in education, Arguello spent 10 years teaching chemistry and physics before deciding to pursue his longtime goal of working in healthcare.
His commitment to helping others extends well beyond the classroom. A longtime supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Arguello grew his hair to donate to children experiencing hair loss while encouraging donations to the organization. The effort cumulated in a school-wide assembly where students watched him have his long hair shaved off, raising both awareness and support for children facing serious illnesses. Drawn to pharmacy because of its strong foundation in chemistry, Arguello chose CU Pharmacy for its Rocky Mountain Remote Pathway program.
“I was accepted to other schools, but their remote pathways didn't seem as robust as Skaggs [CU Pharmacy],” he said.
Arguello hopes to practice in a rural community, expanding access to medications for underserved patients. In his free time, he enjoys playing hockey, a sport he took up at age 28, and dreams of one day living in Alaska, a perfect place for rural pharmacy practice.
Connecting Drug Development to Patient Trust
Lola Akapo arrives at CU Pharmacy with a decade of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and vaccine development. Before pursuing her PharmD, Akapo worked in CMC (chemistry, manufacturing, and controls) roles focused on mRNA, biologics, and small-molecule medicines, helping advance therapies from development through regulatory approval. Passionate about making science accessible, she founded Behind the First Dose, a public vaccine-literacy program designed to help people better understand how medicines are made and why they can be trusted.
“I spent most of my career making mRNA and biologic medicines, and I kept noticing that the people who take these drugs almost never get to see how they are actually made or why they can be trusted,” she said. “So, I built a room where that conversation could happen in plain language. It is meaningful to me because it took the manufacturing knowledge I had been using behind a badge for a decade and put it in service of the public.”
Akapo chose CU Pharmacy to build on her industry expertise with clinical and patient-focused training, with the goal of connecting the laboratory, the clinic, and public health. She hopes to become a medical science liaison focused on vaccines and infectious disease, advancing trust and understanding around emerging therapies. Akapo also runs Benchtop to Boardroom, a science communication platform, and enjoys hiking (under threat of peer pressure) and rappelling for charity.
Exploring the Future of Pharmacogenomics
Brooke Yehle brings a passion for research, drug development, and patient care to the Class of 2030. As an undergraduate, she completed a research internship at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle, WA, where she conducted an independent project studying DNA damage response mechanisms and earned the Lee Hartwell Award for best poster design and presentation.
“This was my first time completing lab experiments outside of the classroom,” she said of the project. “I learned how to independently complete many experiments which I can apply to other lab settings.”
Her work sparked her interest in pharmacogenomics and the development of new therapies. After graduating from New Mexico State University, Yehle worked as a pharmacy technician, an experience that confirmed her desire to work directly with patients. She chose CU Pharmacy for its opportunities in pharmacogenomics, honors research, and scientific discovery. While she continues exploring her future path in pharmacy, Yehle is interested in industry, clinical practice, and community pharmacy – as well as baking brownie cookies and reading.
Seizing the Moment
As pharmacy continues to evolve, the Class of 2030 represents the future of the profession: innovative, adaptable, and deeply committed to improving patient care. Their diverse lived experiences, from research and education to pharmaceutical development and personal health journeys, will bring new perspectives into the classroom and strengthen the entire CU Anschutz community. Together, these future pharmacists will learn from one another, challenge each other, and help shape the next chapter of a profession that is expanding its impact on healthcare.
