The Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Retreat returned for its 28th year. A program agenda developed by the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies (ADRGS), Manisha Patel, PhD, and the 2025 ADRGS retreat advisory committee composed of students, staff and faculty welcomed several distinguished keynote speakers.
Dean Ralph Altiere, PhD, opened the day by highlighting CU Pharmacy’s research successes for the year which consisted of receiving over $18 million for funded research, ranking #12 in NIH funding, establishing the first endowed chair in Translational Pharmaceutical Sciences, and having the most competitive Skaggs Scholars Award since its inception in 2011.
The full-day event was held in the CU Anschutz Health Sciences Center and brought together faculty from across the School of Pharmacy as well as students from the Pharmacy Graduate Programs. Guest keynote speakers Jennifer Richer, PhD, from the CU Anschutz Graduate School, talked about fostering a growth mindset and investing in scientific careers. Elizabeth Fowler, PhD, from Johns Hopkins University, talked about lessons learned from her work in health reform and advocacy.
Kris Fritz, PhD, and Heather Anderson, PhD, moderated the CU Pharmacy Research in Progress presentations where Gina Bouchard, PhD, Julio Aguado, PhD, Bryn Loutzenhiser, PharmD, Toral Patel, PharmD, and Antal Zemplenyi, PhD, discussed their current research projects. Breakout sessions allowed cross-discipline researchers to collaborate. The faculty breakout was led by panelists David Schwartz, MD, Leslie Berg, PhD, and Jacci Bainbridge, PharmD. Students participated in career panels hosted by alumni from both industry and academia.
The retreat ended on a high note as multiple awardees were recognized for outstanding research and mentorship.
Harold C. Heim Award:
Yue Li, Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD Program
Nicholas Mendola, Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD Program
Lauren Rutt, Toxicology PhD Program
Best Research Poster by a Graduate Student Award:
Harry Gyimah Gyamfi, Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD Program
Stephanie Bersie, Toxicology PhD Program
Kyle Ross, Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD Program
Best Research Poster by Other Professional Participants Award: Natalie Carter, Pharmaceutical Sciences Master's Program
Best Research Poster Pitch Award: Ariana Crary, Neuroscience PhD Program
Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award: Brett McQueen, PhD
Excellence in Toxicology Doctoral Teaching Award: Kristofer Fritz, PhD
Excellence in Pharmaceutical Sciences Doctoral Teaching Award: Laura Saba, PhD
Excellence in Pharmaceutical Sciences Master’s Teaching Award: David Kroll, PhD
Photos from the retreat can be viewed here.