Faculty, staff recognized for dedication, service during State of the College
In December, the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy celebrated its faculty and staff for their hard work and dedication during the annual State of the College.
The awards, given for dedication, service and research contributions, were chosen by a committee after being nominated by colleagues.
Rick Schnellmann, PhD, dean of the Coit College of Pharmacy and the Howard J. Schaeffer Endowed Chair in Pharmaceutical Sciences, said it's important to recognize the vital role faculty and staff play in the success of students and the College as a whole.
"These awards underscore the vital role each member of our PharmCAT family plays and reflect our gratitude for their contributions," he said.
Below each photo is an excerpt from the awardee’s nomination material.
The A. Jay Gandolfi New Investigator Award
Abhijit Date, PhD, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences
Dr. Date joined the College in February 2022. In a relatively short time after joining the College, he has significantly advanced the repurposing and delivery of drugs for treating viral and fungal infections with limited therapeutic options. This progress has resulted in impactful publications and the filing of two provisional U.S. patent applications.
The Dr. James R. Halpert Faculty Research Award
Hongmin Li, PhD, professor of pharmacology and toxicology, R. Ken and Donna Coit Endowed Chair in Drug Discovery
Dr. Li has been widely recognized for his transformational discoveries impacting the pharmaceutical sciences. Currently, his primary research focuses on the development of therapeutics against cancers and human pathogens such as the dengue virus, Zika virus, SARS-CoV-2, Cryptococcal fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This research is supported by 4 NIH R01 grants. In addition, he has also demonstrated leadership as the R. Ken and Donna Coit Endowed Chair in Drug Discovery.
The Schnellmann Family Faculty Award
Caitlin Cameron, PharmD, assistant clinical professor and director of curriculum for the Phoenix campus
Dr. Cameron is the Director of Curriculum for the Phoenix campus. She has demonstrated leadership in various areas, including the planning and coordinating of the Phoenix-based PharmD program. She plays a vital role in the curricular planning and communication with campus partners to ensure adequate learning space and other arrangements are in place for students to learn. She was also the co-recipient of a Provost Investment Fund grant to build the new Compounding Lab in Phoenix.
College Faculty Service & Outreach Award
Maryam Fazel, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, CDE,
associate clinical professor of pharmacy practice and science
Dr. Fazel is the founder of the Endocrine/Diabetes Ambulatory Pharmacy Service at the Banner University Medicine Endocrinology Clinic. Her service to her patients and interprofessional team speaks to her dedication and high expectations of herself. She consistently says ‘yes’ when called upon to contribute. At the state and national levels, Dr. Fazel has contributed to the profession through her service activities. She has published papers and presented posters on topics focused on diabetes care, quality improvement of care, and career mentorship.
Dean's Outstanding Service Award
Stacy Lauver, CPA, MS, assistant dean of finance and administration
Since arriving in 2017, Stacy has managed and consulted on programs with college-wide impact, including staff compensation, annual raises, space assignment calculations, faculty incentives, financial and grant surveys, university budget models, applicant tracking systems and hiring procedures, the Zoom phone project, continuity of operations plans, copy machine leases, and so much more. Stacy oversees all financial, human resources, and building operations for the College, and she is a crucial member of the PharmCAT family.
Staff Award for
Excellence
Sonya Basurto, administrative services coordinator, for demonstrating a clear commitment to students, dedicating her time, energy and focus to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed.
Rosie Huerta, senior business manager, for 38 years of dedicated service to the College and for being the first point of contact for all newly hired faculty and staff in the College. Rosie handles the hiring process with grace and is always willing to help.
Stephanie Schaller, administrative services coordinator, for serving as the point of contact for the department of pharmacology and toxicology, she firmly understands and respects the roles of various team members and completes her work that supports the whole department.