There’s something powerful about bringing brilliant minds together around a shared commitment to advancing science and improving patient care. The 2026 Skaggs Biomedical Research Symposium brought together researchers, clinicians and leaders from across the Skaggs community for two days of bold ideas, meaningful conversations, and collaboration.
Hosted by the University of Colorado Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, the symposium continues a biennial tradition that brings together schools and institutes supported by the Skaggs family. CU Anschutz Pharmacy Dean Emeritus Louis Diamond, PhD, and former CU Anschutz Pharmacy Dean Ralph Altiere, PhD, spearheaded the inaugural Skaggs Symposium in 2008. Drs. Diamond and Altiere, along with current Dean Brian Tsuji, PharmD, attended this year’s meeting, helping celebrate the program’s history while fostering connections and collaboration for the future.
Skaggs partners represented at the symposium included:
- University of Montana L.S. Skaggs Institute for Health Innovation
- University of Utah College of Pharmacy, L.S. Skaggs Pharmacy Research Institute
- R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy at the University of Arizona, Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center
- UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Idaho State University L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy
- Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research
The symposium opened by putting the spotlight on the next generation of researchers, with graduate students presenting their work during a poster session showcasing emerging discoveries and innovative approaches to health care research.
Organized by the CU Pharmacy office of Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, Manisha Patel, PhD, the symposium featured a lineup of invited and keynote speakers, including Thomas Flaig, PhD, CU Anschutz Vice Chancellor for Research; Vik Bebarta, MD, CU Anschutz Professor and Chair of Emergency Medicine; Sarah Emond, MPP, Institute for Clinical and Economic Review; and special guest Laura Borgelt, PharmD, CU Anschutz Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.
In his keynote, Dr. Flaig presented “Parallel Paths: Reflections on Twenty Years of Progress and Research Impact at CU Anschutz,” highlighting the parallel evolution of state-of-the-art clinical care and groundbreaking scientific discovery at the University of Colorado Anschutz. His remarks underscored the impact that can come from bringing research and clinical care together to improve health outcomes.
The symposium also featured Skaggs Scholars Research Talks, moderated by CU Pharmacy faculty Cindy O’Bryant, PharmD; Kris Fritz, PhD; Jacci Bainbridge, PharmD; and Jed Lampe, PhD. The Skaggs Scholars Program supports two-year collaborative research projects connecting faculty at CU Pharmacy with researchers at other Skaggs-affiliated institutions. Funded through the legacy of the Skaggs family and The ALSAM Foundation, the program advances pharmaceutical sciences, supports career development, and helps foster peer-reviewed research discoveries.
The research talks featured current and former Skaggs Scholars, including CU Pharmacy faculty Melanie Joy, PharmD, PhD; Philip Reigan, PhD; Dmitri Simberg, PhD; Robert Page, PharmD; and Krishna Mallela, PhD. Their research spanned topics ranging from drug-induced kidney injury to the mechanisms of nanoparticles, demonstrating the breadth of scientific questions being explored across the Skaggs community. Yet a common thread connected each presentation: collaboration creates opportunities for discovery and innovation.
One of the highlights of the Skaggs Symposium was the presentation of the annual Heim Awards, which honor the legacy of former CU Pharmacy Dean Harold C. Heim. His son, Warren Heim, and grandson, Kyle Heim, presented this year’s awards, which included $2,000 cash prizes, to three outstanding CU Pharmacy recipients: Sammi Chen, a Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD candidate; Alexandra Lucas, a PhD graduate and postdoctoral researcher; and Michaela Hvizda, a Toxicology PhD candidate.
The symposium also recognized the important role faculty mentors play in shaping the next generation of researchers. Each year, graduate students have the opportunity to honor a faculty member who has made an exceptional impact through mentorship. This year, graduate student leaders presented Assistant Professor Michael DiStefano, PhD, with the Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award in recognition of his commitment to supporting and guiding graduate students throughout their academic and research journeys.
Together, the presentations, research discussions and celebrations at the 2026 Skaggs Biomedical Research Symposium reflected the strength of a community built on shared purpose. By bringing researchers and leaders from across institutions together, the symposium continues to create connections that inspire new ideas, strengthen scientific collaboration and advance the shared goal of improving human health.
