Highlighting Research Excellence and Academic Achievements at the 2026 Student Research Awards

R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy graduate and undergraduate students were acknowledged for research excellence and academic achievements during the 15th Annual Student Research Awards Reception. 

The award reception celebrates excellence in the graduate programs, highlighting the dedication and hard work of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science, and undergraduate students. Nathan Cherrington, PhD, and Georg Wondrak, PhD, presided over the event and shared words of congratulations and admiration for all the participants in the program.

"It was great to see the donors and the students interacting. This is a fun time to celebrate not only the overall research productivity of our College, but the individual contributions that demonstrate the quality of the people in our College," said Cherrington, associate dean of research at the Coit College of Pharmacy. "These are personal victories for our students and we are so proud of them."

Graduate Research Awards

The following graduate research awards are handed out each year to deserving graduate students in the College of Pharmacy.

• The Caldwell Health Sciences Research Fellowship is dedicated in memory of Mary Caldwell, who worked at the University of Arizona for 55 years as a biology and bacteriology professor and then as a researcher. It is awarded to reward and encourage graduate students who are conducting original research.
• The Joseph B. Ryan Memorial Award was established by Joey Nell Leonard in memory of her father, Joseph B. Ryan, a prominent Phoenix pharmacist who operated a number of drug stores in Arizona. This fund is awarded to UA College of Pharmacy alumni who are interested in the MS/PhD program.
• The Conklin Sheevers Award was established by Dr. Neilson Conklin and Dr. Hilary Sheevers in 2023 to grant travel funds for Master, PhD or post-doctoral students to attend the Society of Toxicology annual meeting or other scientific meetings and training opportunities.
• The Glenn Sipes Graduate Travel Award was started by Dr. Glenn Sipes, this award is intended to fund travel expenses for graduate students who are pursuing a doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology and will enable and encourage them to advance their research by participating in scientific meetings. Travel to conferences and scientific meetings remains an important aspect of graduate education where students network with fellow scientists and researchers. This award will continue to encourage students to participate and reduce the burden of costs associated with travel.
• The Abraham and MacDonald Student International Research Award is intended for a graduate student who is pursuing a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences to conduct research or receive research training in a country for which English is not the primary language.
• The William and Betty Milleson Fink Award, established in 2010 by Bill and Betty Fink, ardent supporters of the university. Bill, a registered pharmacist, ran a family pharmacy and was an architect of a digital computer system to regulate prescriptions to ensure patient safety. And Betty, who received her undergraduate degree from the U of A, worked at the university for over 34 years.

The graduate awards were selected by the Research Affairs Committee, which was comprised of the following pharmacy faculty:

• Nathan Cherrington, PhD, ATS, Chair
• Bonnie LaFleur, PhD
• Gregory Thatcher, PhD
• Bernardo Lemos, PhD
• Hongmin Li, PhD
• Qing-Yu Zhang, PhD
• Jingjing Liang, PhD
   

Graduate Track Awards

Graduate track awards recognize students from each of the four graduate program tracks who have showcased academic excellence and outstanding research throughout the past year. Recipients were selected for two categories based on either GPA or research nominations. The executive committee then made the selection, and the Track Directors announced the awardees to the Grad Student Council.

Drug Discovery & Development PhD Track

Health & Pharmaceutical Outcomes PhD Track

Pharmacology & Toxicology PhD Track

Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics PhD Track

Pharmaceutical Sciences MS Track

Faculty Teaching & Mentor Awards

Graduate faculty members were also honored at this year's event. Students nominate faculty who contribute to the high-quality learning environment and help maintain high scholarly standards. In addition, they also nominated faculty members who provide advice and opportunities to enhance career development and actively publish work featuring graduate students. 

Undergraduate Research Awards

Experiential education opportunities are the best way to promote student success. These awards are given to undergraduate students in their junior or senior year of laboratory for their research experience, research comprehension and literacy, and finally, grade point average. 

View the 2026 Awards Reception Photo Album