To recognize extraordinary excellence among our graduate students and faculty, UW School of Pharmacy established three new award programs in 2017. This first class of award recipients include Jennifer Sager, Outstanding Dissertation Award; Mark Bounthavong, Ryan Seguin, and Elijah Weber, Graduate Student Leadership Awards; and Danny Shen, Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award.
Now an alumna, Jennifer Sager, PhD, earned the Outstanding Dissertation Award for her dissertation, “Characterizing bupropion metabolism, pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interaction liability.” The UWSOP Outstanding Dissertation Award celebrates a graduate student who has conducted outstanding research at the doctoral (PhD) level. Her PhD advisor, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics Nina Isoherranen, said “having mentored many outstanding graduate students, Jenny is one of the very best in her dedication, creativity, commitment to science and analytical ability.” Jenny is now a scientist with Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boston, MA.
The UWSOP Graduate Student Leadership Award honors graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service and have had a positive impact on the School of Pharmacy, UW, the Northwest community, scientific and/or professional community. This year, the award goes to three students: Mark Bounthavong, Ryan Seguin, and Elijah Weber.
Mark Bounthavong, PharmD, MPH, is a PhD student in the Pharmaceutical Outcomes, Research and Policy Program (PORPP) in the UWSOP’s Department of Pharmacy. He recently completed service as President of the UW Student Chapter of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Mark’s work with the National Academic Detailing Program in mental health illness demonstrates a strong commitment to caring for Veterans. His academic advisor, Professor and PORPP Associate Director, David Veenstra writes, “As a PORPP student, Mark serves as a role model for other students.” Mark will receive his award at the Welcome Back Graduate Program Reception on September 25, 2017.
Ryan Seguin completed his PhD in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry. As an accomplished scientist and student leader, he was the Graduate Student Representative on the School’s Strategic Planning Committee and chaired the School’s American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Student Chapter. In 2014-2015, on the basis of his outstanding academic performance and potential contributions to research in the health sciences, Ryan was named UWSOP’s Magnuson Scholar. The prestigious award includes $30,000 in funding. His PhD advisor, Medicinal Chemistry department chair, Kent Kunze, noted, “Ryan is an outstanding individual who has accepted numerous leadership positions and happily devoted many hours to community service.” Ryan is presently a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Libin Xu, Department of Medicinal Chemistry.
Elijah Weber, PhD, is finishing his PhD in the Department of Pharmaceutics. His achievements include his enthusiasm and commitment in mentoring other students along with his many volunteer engagements with our local community, particularly our underrepresented communities. Currently, he is working on the high profile Kidney on a Chip project with his PhD advisor, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics. Edward Kelly. Ed noted “Eli has been a gracious and unselfish ambassador, representing my lab, our Pharmaceutics department, the School of Pharmacy and the University of Washington in exemplary fashion.”
The Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes and encourages outstanding mentorship of graduate students by UWSOP faculty members. Danny Shen, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy. Danny joined the School of Pharmacy faculty in 1984 and has amassed an outstanding record of graduate training that includes his role as the principal supervisor of 15 PhD recipients and as a member of the supervisory committee of at least 80 PhD and MS graduates within our School. One letter of nomination written by a graduate student says “Asking him to become my advisor was one of the best decisions I have made in graduate school….I can say without hesitation that I could not have had a better teacher in these past four years. He has been a great role model and I can only hope to follow in his footsteps.” Pharmaceutics Department Chair Ken Thummel wrote, “Danny always placed the needs of his trainees above his own and as a result was beloved by all. But more than that, Danny had a knack for bringing out the very best science from his trainees and imparting to them an unwavering respect for intellectual integrity….Danny’s educational philosophy and record of accomplishment represents something to be emulated and celebrated through awards such as the School of Pharmacy Graduate Mentor Award.”
Congratulations to all of our Graduate Student and Faculty Award recipients!
About University of Washington School of Pharmacy
The UW School of Pharmacy is a global leader in pharmacy education, research and service, committed to providing a transformative learning experience in a collaborative and diverse environment focused on improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve. The UW School of Pharmacy is comprised of three departments: Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, and Pharmacy, offering Ph.D., M.S., and PharmD degrees, post docs and certificate programs. The Department of Pharmacy leads in pharmacy education, research, professional and outreach initiatives, including the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research & Policy Program (PORPP), which conducts research in pharmaceutical economics, drug safety and pharmaceutical policy.
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