This article originally appeared in CU Connections. It has been republished here and edited for clarity and space.
Jennifer Trujillo, PharmD, is a professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. A diabetes specialist, she practices at the University of Colorado Center for Adult Diabetes Care and Research.
“I was always drawn to a career that combines science with helping people,” she said. “Pharmacy appealed to me because it sits at the intersection of those two interests. Early in my career, I became particularly interested in diabetes care because it requires much more than selecting the right medication. Success depends on education, communication and helping people with diabetes navigate complex decisions every day.”
An academic career provided Trujillo with the opportunity to combine clinical practice with teaching.
“What I quickly discovered was that I loved helping students make connections between what they learn in the classroom and what happens in patient care,” she said. “Over time, teaching became as rewarding to me as caring for patients. Today, I still practice in diabetes care, and that clinical work continually informs my teaching. It helps me bring real-world experiences into the classroom and reminds me why preparing students well matters so much. Every student we teach will go on to care for thousands of patients during their career. When we invest in teaching, the impact extends far beyond the classroom.”
Earlier this year, Trujillo was named to the newest cohort of President’s Teaching Scholars, a designation recognizing CU faculty who skillfully integrate teaching and research at an exceptional level.
Her favorite aspect of campus life at CU Anschutz is the sense of shared purpose.
“CU Anschutz brings together experts from so many disciplines: medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, public health and biomedical sciences,” she said. “Everyone approaches problems from a slightly different perspective, but we’re united by a common goal of improving health. I find that incredibly energizing. It’s an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation and lifelong learning.”