U N I V E R S I T Y O F FLO R I DA CO L L EG E O F P H A R M AC Y | 2 0 2 6
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT Carl and Joan Allison inspire students to pursue pharmacy ownership
FROM THE DEAN
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hat is the value of your pharmacy degree? It’s a question often framed in financial terms, and understandably so. New research released this spring from the Postsecondary Education & Economics Research Center shows
that Pharm.D. graduates see a 114% earnings boost after graduate school, the highest among 18 popular careers. The same report also highlights that a Pharm.D. is among the top graduate degrees for return on investment. In other words, a pharmacy degree continues to provide exceptional value, with stability, job growth and strong long-term earnings potential. But the true value of a pharmacy degree extends well beyond the financial numbers. It is found in the trust patients place in their pharmacists, the critical role they play in improving health outcomes and the accessibility they bring to care in communities everywhere. Pharmacy graduates enter a profession that blends science, service and innovation, where they can make a tangible difference every day. That combination of economic opportunity and meaningful impact defines the real return on investment, and it is what continues to make a pharmacy education one of the most valuable degrees in health care today. At the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, the value of a pharmacy degree is amplified by a longstanding commitment to excellence in education, research and patient care. Our recognition in April as the No. 4 pharmacy college in the nation by U.S. News & World Report is more than a point of pride, as it reflects the quality, rigor and impact that define our programs. This distinction enhances the value of every degree we confer, reinforcing that UF graduates are among the best trained and most respected pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in the nation. This issue of GATORx magazine highlights Gator pharmacy graduates and student pharmacists who are putting their UF education to work in powerful ways. From Lake City pharmacy owner Carl Allison, ’76, whose four decades in pharmacy ownership and generous support are creating new opportunities for UF students, to Neil MacKinnon, ’99, president of Central Michigan University, who has leveraged his UF degree to reach the highest levels of higher education, to Joyce Kgatlwane, ’03, and Jim Scott, ’94, who partnered on a Fulbright-funded effort to expand community pharmacy internships in Botswana. These examples illustrate how the value of a pharmacy degree comes
The University of Florida College of Pharmacy publishes the GATORx magazine annually to share its news and achievements in education, research and pharmacy practice.
OFFICE OF THE DEAN Dean Peter W. Swaan, Ph.D., M.Pharm. Executive Associate Dean John Gums, Pharm.D., FCCP Associate Dean for Student Affairs Teresa Cavanaugh, Pharm.D., M.S., BCPS, FASHP Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education Jatinder Lamba, Ph.D., M.Sc. Associate Dean for Faculty Development Christopher McCurdy, Ph.D., FAAPS Associate Dean for the Orlando Campus Lisa Miller, Pharm.D., M.A., MSCP Associate Dean for the Jacksonville Campus Carol Motycka, Pharm.D., CHSE Associate Dean for Professional Advancement and Assessment Karen Whalen, Pharm.D., BCPS, FAPhA
to life in meaningful ways.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
In the end, the value of a pharmacy degree is seen in both the opportunities it creates
Director of Communications Matt Splett, msplett@cop.ufl.edu
and the impact it sustains over a lifetime. That enduring value is what defines the UF
DESIGN
College of Pharmacy and the Gators who represent it.
Julie Esbjorn, JS Design Studio Brady Budke
WRITERS
Brady Budke Tyler Francischine Matt Splett
PHOTOGRAPHY
Peter W. Swaan, Ph.D., M.Pharm. Dean and Professor, UF College of Pharmacy
Cole Brown Brady Budke Hannah Clark
Nate Guidry Matt Splett
Send address changes and correspondence to: UF College of Pharmacy P.O. Box 103570, Gainesville, FL 32610 352-273-6605 • alumni@cop.ufl.edu
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY | 2026
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Prepare for Lift Off
A Path Worth Taking
The UF College of Pharmacy’s online programs celebrate 25 years of launching new career possibilities for graduates.
Carl and Joan Allison’s gift will support the next generation of independent pharmacy owners.
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A Future Sketched in Gainesville The lessons Neil MacKinnon, Ph.D., ’99, learned as a UF College of Pharmacy graduate student still apply today as president of Central Michigan University.
No. 4 Nationally 9 The UF College of Pharmacy ranked No. 4
nationally in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of the Best Pharmacy Colleges.
14 N ew Lab Advances Drug Discovery
A new state-of-the-art medicinal chemistry lab is designed to accelerate drug discovery and prepare the next generation of scientists.
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Community Champions A new curriculum requirement is helping UF pharmacy students make a meaningful impact in underserved communities.
Report 16 AAnnual review of the college’s activities in 2025-26.
23 Gators Unite to Aid Community Pharmacy in Botswana
Alums Joyce Kgatlwane and Jim Scott joined forces to expand internship opportunities in Botswana’s community pharmacies.
Pharmacy Ownership:
A PATH WORTH TAKING Carl Allison, ’76, still wakes up every morning excited to go to work — and he wants University of Florida pharmacy students to feel that same sense of purpose. A Lake City native and independent pharmacy owner since the 1980s, Allison, along with his wife of 50 years, Joan, has committed $1 million to the UF College of Pharmacy. Their gift ensures students are introduced early to independent pharmacy ownership, a career path they believe is not only viable but deeply rewarding.
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he Allisons’ gift will permanently support the Pharmacy Ownership Forum, a biennial UF College of Pharmacy event that introduces future pharmacists to the wide range of opportunities in pharmacy ownership. Designed to inspire entrepreneurial thinking, the forum explores topics ranging from loan acquisition to regulatory considerations. Past events have brought together independent pharmacy owners, state lawmakers, loan officers and special guests to share practical insights and real-world experiences. “I enjoy being part of the Pharmacy Ownership Forum and sharing my experiences,” Allison said. “My goal is to show students that independent pharmacy ownership is both achievable and enjoyable. Many UF graduates go on to work in community pharmacy, and I hope they’ll consider ownership as a path to a fulfilling career.”
ENTRY INTO PHARMACY OWNERSHIP In the mid-1980s, Allison found himself managing a busy Revco Drugs in Lake City, juggling far more than prescriptions. On any given day, customers came for their medications and left with motor oil, cigarettes or an array of household items — and he oversaw the entire operation. Managing the pharmacy and the people who worked there taught Allison lessons in leadership and business development that would quietly shape the next four decades of his career. Although the 10 years Allison spent at Revco were invaluable, they ultimately left him eager to chart his own path. When several colleagues proposed opening an independent pharmacy in Lake City, Allison accepted the offer — even with a significant pay cut — in exchange for the autonomy to build a business from the ground up. That decision would eventually lead to the establishment of Baya Pharmacy. In the years that followed, Allison’s vision took shape. He expanded the operation by opening a second community pharmacy and launching a home infusion service that delivered IV therapies in patients’ homes. The home infusion business eventually grew to 14 locations across northern Florida and southern Georgia. After selling the infusion company and buying out his partners, Allison became the sole owner of the two community pharmacies and hired Richard Nabinger, Pharm.D., to manage the second location. Allison credits Nabinger with helping fuel the company’s continued growth, which later included a long-term care pharmacy and an urgent care center. “I wish I could say there was an ‘aha’ moment in my career when I suddenly knew independent pharmacy
Carl and Joan Allison have owned Baya Pharmacy in Lake City, Florida, since the 1980s.
ownership was meant for me,” Allison said. “But the truth is, I always wanted to own a business and have a say in the services we provided. I see pharmacy students today who may be motivated the same way. Once they move past the fear of opening an independent pharmacy, they may recognize the same opportunity I did.”
FROM HAYFIELDS TO HEALTH CARE When Allison needs a break from the daily demands of the pharmacy, he retreats to his family farm outside Lake City. Purchased by his great-grandfather in 1914, the Columbia County property has remained in the family for generations. Even at 73, it’s not unusual to find Allison raking hay in the summer, analyzing the process with the same meticulous eye he applies to his pharmacies. The farm has always offered him solitude and a sense of perspective. At times, it’s been a refuge he enjoyed more than working in pharmacy. That changed in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought sweeping changes to pharmacy practice.
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“I’M SO HAPPY AND EXCITED TO MAKE THIS GIFT. TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ONE
STUDENT’S LIFE — AND HELP THEM FIND
SOMETHING THEY LOVE TO DO THE REST OF THEIR LIFE — IS SPECIAL.”
— CARL ALLISON, ’76
Shivani Meta, Pharm.D., joined Baya Pharmacy full-time in 2022 and has helped the pharmacy expand its clinical services.
“During the pandemic, new laws were enacted that allowed pharmacies to provide more health care services, such as vaccinations and test-and-treat,” Allison said. “With that broader scope of practice, we created a clinical services department at Baya Pharmacy and started exploring new ways to grow the business.” Allison hired Shivani Meta, Pharm.D., a 2022 UF College of Pharmacy graduate, to lead a newly created clinical services department. Together, they launched a sterile compounding lab, redesigned the pharmacies to include consultation rooms for patient care and vaccinations and established a call center to check in on patients’ medications, mental health and food security. At the same time, Baya Pharmacy automated its dispensing practices, allowing pharmacists to step away from routine tasks and spend more time delivering hands-on clinical care. In the twilight of his career, these innovations have reinvigorated Allison’s passion for independent pharmacy ownership and positioned him to support the next generation of pharmacists who may follow in his footsteps.
pharmacy education. While about 40 percent of UF College of Pharmacy graduates enter community pharmacy, few consider ownership as part of their career plans. “Big changes are happening now in independent pharmacy around the introduction of clinical services that make this area of pharmacy attractive to new pharmacists,” Allison said. “But students need to know that independent pharmacy exists and that there is a strong network of independent pharmacy owners ready to support them.” Allison has long been a champion for encouraging pharmacy students to explore independent pharmacy ownership. He has employed UF graduates and mentored pharmacy students and residents who have rotated through his pharmacy. Since 1995, he has served the college in several volunteer roles, including the Dean’s Leadership Council, National Advisory Board, Campaign Council and Development Advisory Board. Through support of the Pharmacy Ownership Forum and other ownership-focused initiatives, Allison hopes his latest donation will strengthen the profession. “I’m so happy and excited to make this gift,” Allison said. “To make a difference in one student’s life — and help them find something they love to do the rest of their life — is special.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK Carl and Joan have supported the UF College of Pharmacy for nearly four decades, investing in scholarships, endowments, facilities and entrepreneurial programs. They established the Jared C. Allison Memorial Fund in honor of their son, a UF Pharm.D. graduate who passed away six years after completing his degree. More recently, their philanthropy helped create a state-of-the-art conference room in Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology, a new campus hub for collaboration among data scientists working in pharmacy, engineering and medicine. Their latest gift focuses on pharmacy ownership, a fulfilling career path for Allison that is often underrepresented in
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Carl Allison leads a roundtable discussion with UF College of Pharmacy students at the Pharmacy Ownership Forum.
New AI Partnership and Innovation Hub Poised to Transform the UF College of Pharmacy A new artificial intelligence hub at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy will centralize the college’s diverse AI efforts, positioning UF as a national leader in pharmacy AI through research, clinical collaboration and services.
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he initiative is spearheaded by Khoa Nguyen, Pharm.D., a clinical associate professor of pharmacotherapy and translational research, and Md. Mahmudul Hasan, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy with a joint appointment in the Information Systems and Operations Management Department of the UF Warrington College of Business. In their careers that bridge research, clinical applications and teaching, Nguyen and Hasan often collaborate with colleagues on AI-powered initiatives; yet the pair said the college lacked a centralized resource to keep track of its varied, farreaching AI efforts. “The core purpose of the hub is to serve as a home for our college's AI efforts — a place where we can showcase our faculty's achievements and establish the college as a premier leader in pharmacy AI,” Nguyen said. “Beyond visibility, the hub is meant to be a living resource, somewhere faculty can find potential partners, exchange research ideas and explore ways to advance AI in both clinical practice and education. Ultimately, I want it to be the connective tissue that turns individual efforts into a collective, collaborative force.” Nguyen and Hasan’s forward-thinking vision is being implemented today within the hub’s flagship project: PharmAIcist, a commercially viable AI platform designed for seamless electronic health record integration. The program is designed to optimize safe, equitable medication management in the hospital by identifying which patients benefit most from pharmacist involvement and integrating those insights through a clinical decision support tool. “The future role of AI in pharmacy is to make our vision a practical, everyday reality,” Hasan said. “It’s about building reliable infrastructure that moves AI models from our research servers into the hands of a busy pharmacist at UF Health.” Beyond PharmAIcist and the college’s centralized implementation hub, Nguyen and Hasan have identified a handful of initiatives that will power this long-term project. First, they
Khoa Nguyen, Pharm.D., and Md. Mahmudul Hasan, Ph.D.
aim to position the college as a leader in pharmacy AI research by securing major federal grants and providing comprehensive support to faculty, staff and students across research initiatives, clinical applications and educational programs. They also aim to support AI education with strategic initiatives integrating AI into pharmacy education and practice, preparing future pharmacists for an AI-enhanced health care landscape. Within the next five years, Nguyen and Hasan said the program will establish certification programs for AI in pharmacy, sustain operations of its AI service directory, integrate PharmAIcist into UF Health workflows and establish partnerships with hospitals to further evaluate its functionality — advances poised to create a measurable impact that will be felt throughout the coming years. “When everything comes together, the UF College of Pharmacy will look and function fundamentally differently,” Nguyen said. “Instead of a college where AI work happens in silos across departments, we will have a unified, visible and nationally recognized enterprise where research, clinical innovation and education reinforce one another. The hub can transform the UF College of Pharmacy from a college with great individual AI efforts into a cohesive, self-sustaining leader that shapes the future of pharmacy AI nationally and globally.”
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Prepare For Lift Off The UF College of Pharmacy’s online programs celebrate 25 years of launching new career possibilities for graduates.
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or Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D., M.S., ’15, medical bed rest during her first pregnancy proved a fruitful opportunity to expand her chemistry knowledge alongside her growing family. A high school chemistry teacher at the time, Rosa completed the Pharmaceutical Chemistry online master’s program at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, and she found its flexible pace and comprehensive education opened doors to new career opportunities. “Pharmaceutical chemistry sits at the intersection of foundational science and tangible, human health. What’s amazing about the career possibilities is that you aren’t limited to the bench. This field allows you to bridge complex molecular interactions, education, communication and even software development,” said Rosa, now the chief scientific officer for Science with Impact based in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. After receiving her master’s from UF, Rosa began teaching chemistry at the State College of Florida — the spark that lit the flame to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of South Florida, a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin and positions in STEM education initiatives at the University of Oregon and polymer chemistry research at Duke University. Today, she codes 3-D molecular animations and interactive visualizations for Duke and Johns Hopkins, among other universities, using a physics-based molecular rendering engine she designed. At Science with Impact, she partners with scientists, educators and communicators to translate complex chemistry research into high-impact journal covers and interactive web assets. Rosa’s ascendant, opportunity-filled journey is echoed by her 4,000 fellow graduates of the UF College of Pharmacy’s online programs who have received master of science degrees and graduate certificates in areas like pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, clinical pharmacogenomics, forensic science and pharmaceutics over the program’s 25-year tenure. The online programs currently enroll more than 1,000 active students.
“It’s a cornerstone of our programs to provide avenues for professionals who want to advance their careers but cannot, or prefer not to, attend a brickand-mortar institution,” said Grundmann, the assistant dean for lifelong learning in the UF College of Pharmacy and the director and faculty advisor for the online master’s degree and graduate certificate programs in Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D., M.S., pharmaceutical chemistry and holds her daughter during clinical toxicology. “All our procommencement weekend grams have advisory boards of in 2015. thought leaders in each respective industry who keep the offerings relevant. For example, students in clinical toxicology work with AI-powered tools to simulate patient interactions.” Laura Happe, Pharm.D., M.P.H., leads the college’s online master’s program in pharmaceutical outcomes and policy. For the last 20 years, her program’s offerings in pharmacoeconomics, managed care pharmacy, value communications and pharmaceutical policy have launched new careers for students — with and without prior pharmacy education — by connecting them to leaders in the pharmaceutical industry, along with professionals in managed care organizations and government and consulting agencies. “It’s a real asset for our students to be able to learn from, form relationships with and network with our faculty, who are distinguished leaders in the fields our students are wanting to enter,” Happe said. “Ultimately, the goal is improving health outcomes for patients through appropriate use of prescription drugs, and our students are preparing to do that in different roles and across different segments of the industry.”
LAUNCHING SUCCESSFUL CAREERS
LEARNING NEVER STOPS
Oliver Grundmann, Ph.D., ’07, ’14, said the college’s online programs have experienced such sustained growth and interest throughout the last quarter century because the curricula have remained proactive and forward thinking amid a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
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After four decades as a practicing pharmacist, Jim Hennig, M.S., ’26, wanted to explore new worlds. Learning about recent advances in pharmacogenomics convinced him of the field’s critical importance for the future of pharmacy practice, so he began researching educational programs in the
discipline. Impressed with UF’s online master’s degree in clinical pharmacogenomics and precision medicine, he enrolled, and in May 2026, the 68-year-old graduated from the program. “I have always understood that any professional in management or ownership needs to know every aspect of their business. I believe this is critical in the highly specialized field of pharmacogenomic testing,” Hennig said. “Having fully trained pharmacists holding advanced degrees is essential to effectively develop and operate a pharmacogenomics program that becomes a relied-upon service for patients and providers.” Though he had not participated in an academic program in over 40 years, Hennig found his time in the UF College of Pharmacy’s online programs to be challenging and supportive, providing him with the springboard needed to translate his knowledge of pharmacogenomics into entrepreneurial ventures. “When I enrolled in the UF master’s program, I knew it would require some serious time, dedication and bandwidth to be a successful endeavor. The fact that I felt comfortable and became efficient with the technologies involved with remote learning is a testament to the college’s commitment to the graduate student. Their teams of professionals were always available to help with any issues encountered along the way,” Hennig said.
ENSURING AN ENDURING LEGACY
Grundmann said the college’s online programs will soon birth new degree and certificate options, ensuring that the program’s national standing and international legacy continue to expand and diversify over the coming years. This expansion includes certificates and degrees in genetics and genomics, artificial intelligence and sports pharmacy, each created in collaboration with experts in the field within UF and globally. Within the college’s online programs, legacy isn’t an immaterial idea; it’s crystallized into action when alumni return to the program to pay it forward in the form of teaching the next generation. As a scientific visualization lead for the UF College of Pharmacy, Rosa assists Grundmann in creating interactive, 3-D chemistry lessons for the pharmaceutical chemistry program, educational assets modeled after the same study tools she created while a UF student. “One of my most rewarding, full-circle moments has been giving back to the program that launched this journey. It’s been incredible to contribute my visualization work to Dr. Grundmann and his team,” Rosa said. “From this program, I learned not to underestimate the value of investing in your own career and education. Stay open to unexpected career possibilities and let your path be guided by how you can best use your unique skills to serve the world.”
More than 3,800 graduates have earned a master’s degree from the UF College of Pharmacy’s online programs in the past 25 years, including Nadera Cathy Bacchus, M.S., who was hooded by Nancy Toffolo, M.S., and Oliver Grundmann, Ph.D., at the college’s commencement ceremony in May.
Lifelong Learning Stats
1,015
Active Students
6
Degree Programs
(M.S. and Certificate Options) Clinical Pharmacogenomics and
Precision Medicine
C linical Toxicology F orensic Science Model-Informed Drug Development Pharmaceutical Chemistry
(concurrent MBA option available)
P harmaceutical Outcomes and Policy
(concurrent MBA option available)
2.25 Years
(Average Time to Degree Completion)
3,800+ Alumni
(Earning M.S. Degrees) GATORx 2026 | 7
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
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n 2025, the University of Florida College of Pharmacy celebrated the 25th anniversary of its online forensic science graduate program. The distance education program provides students with 11 master’s degree options — ranging from DNA and serology to drug chemistry and toxicology — along with 18 graduate certificates in areas such as fundamentals of forensic science and advanced DNA technology. Nancy Toffolo, M.S., ’96, ’05, director of the forensic science online graduate program and an instructional associate professor of medicinal chemistry, described an unprecedented opportunity for professionals to gain a theoretical and skillsbased education at a customizable pace. “Our classes are designed to give students a strong foundation in the theoretical knowledge behind the analytical techniques used in forensics,” she said. “They learn the how and why encompassing many disciplines of forensic science and important skills used in the field.”
FORENSIC SCIENCE ONLINE MASTER’S PROGRAM 32-credit
master’s degree program
1,500+
Graduates Students from
70+
countries
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When the program began in 2000, it utilized brand-new Flash software and relied on textbooks and photographs. Though dialing up the internet took a moment, the program’s founders wasted no time creating a curriculum benefiting the working professional. Established by Ian Tebbett, Ph.D., a former UF professor of toxicology, and Donna Wielbo, Ph.D., a former UF clinical associate professor, the program’s original intent was improving toxicology skills among staff of the UF Racing Laboratory, which tests horses and greyhounds for drugs. What began as one of the first online educational offerings in the field has grown to encompass an international network of students, instructors and alumni who act as a community of trusted colleagues, Toffolo said. To date, more than 1,500 graduates from 70 countries have completed the program.
2006 The UF College of Pharmacy forensic science online master’s program earns the Award of Excellence in Distance Education from the American Distance Education Consortium, or ADEC.
2010 Ian Tebbett receives the Outstanding Leadership Award from the U.S. Distance Learning Association.
2011 Ian Tebbett receives the Irving Award, ADEC’s highest honor for those leading innovation in distance education.
2015 Oliver Grundmann wins the Janet K. Poley Award for Innovation and Leadership in Distance Education from ADEC.
2019 The UF College of Pharmacy forensic science online master’s program is ranked the best online master’s program in forensic science by onlinemasters.com.
UF COLLEGE OF PHARMACY HOLDS
NO. 4 SPOT NATIONALLY
IN LATEST U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKINGS
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he University of Florida College of Pharmacy continues to rank among the nation’s elite pharmacy colleges, earning the No. 4 spot in the U.S. News & World Report rankings released April 7 — the highest ranking in the college’s history. It marks the sixth consecutive year UF has placed in the top five of the U.S. News & World Report Best Pharmacy College rankings. The UF College of Pharmacy ranked No. 5 nationally from 2020-24 and No. 4 from 2024-26. “Maintaining a top-five ranking for six consecutive years reflects the sustained excellence of the UF College of Pharmacy,” said Peter W. Swaan, Ph.D., M.Pharm., dean and professor in the UF College of Pharmacy. “It speaks to the strength of our Pharm.D. program, while also reflecting the important role our research and clinical programs play in advancing the pharmacy profession.” Under Dean Swaan’s leadership, the college has reached several major milestones over the past year, reflecting its continued strength and national standing. Some notable accomplishments include: • Securing more than $34 million in annual research funding, which ranks the college No. 3 nationally in the latest American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research rankings
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2020 U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKINGS
• Achieving a record enrollment in the on-campus graduate program, with 163 students in fall 2025 • Matching 139 students with residency programs in 2026, more than any pharmacy school in the nation • Opening a new $10 million, 14,500-square-foot, state-ofthe-art laboratory to support drug discovery efforts in medicinal chemistry • Launching a strategic plan outlining the college’s priorities for the next five years Swaan noted that the latest rankings add further value to a UF pharmacy degree and are a source of pride throughout the college. “The No. 4 ranking is a reflection of the people who make this college great — our alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends,” Swaan said. “It’s built on their hard work and vision, and it helps ensure that new graduates have doors open to exciting and meaningful careers in pharmacy and beyond.” The UF College of Pharmacy remains the only program in Florida ranked in the top 50 of the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.
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A Future Sketched in Gainesville Neil MacKinnon returned to Gainesville in January to deliver the keynote address for the UF College of Pharmacy’s White Coat Ceremony.
The lessons Neil MacKinnon, Ph.D., ’99, learned as a UF College of Pharmacy graduate student still apply today as president of Central Michigan University.
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t all traces back to a whiteboard in a University of Florida office in the late 1990s. For two to three hours at a time, Neil MacKinnon and his fellow graduate students would sit with Charles Hepler, Ph.D., M.S., a distinguished professor emeritus in the UF College of Pharmacy, mapping systems theory to pharmaceutical care. These were rigorous discussions, focused not on day-to-day practice, but reimagining how pharmaceutical care fits into broader health care. “I would leave those sessions exhausted and mentally spent — but in a good way,” said MacKinnon, a 1999 Ph.D. graduate from the UF College of Pharmacy. “We all come to graduate school to be challenged, and I certainly felt that here.” The three-and-a-half formative years Neil MacKinnon spent in Gainesville set the course for the rest of his life. As a graduate student in the Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, he laid the academic foundation that would propel him through the ranks of higher education to the presidency of Central Michigan University, or CMU. Just as enduring, those years in Gainesville marked the beginning of his life with Leanne, his wife of 26 years, and the start of their journey toward marriage and raising three daughters.
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LESSONS LASTING A LIFETIME
A native of Nova Scotia, Canada, MacKinnon arrived in Gainesville as a trained pharmacist, having just completed an administrative residency and master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin. With an expanding interest in research, he seized the opportunity to train under Hepler, whom he describes as a once-in-a-generation scholar. “If there were a Nobel Prize in pharmacy, Hepler would have received it,” MacKinnon said. “He’s credited as the father of pharmaceutical care, and the department at the time was among the top two or three in the country. Having access to that level of knowledge — and being challenged by every faculty member — was incredibly rewarding.” MacKinnon credits his graduate school experience with three key takeaways that shaped his career: knowledge, time management and exposure to a high-functioning department. Pursuing a predoctoral fellowship alongside his Ph.D. sharpened his time-management skills while strengthening his ability to manage competing demands in research and teaching. Equally important was observing a department operating at peak performance, with productive, collaborative faculty serving as role models.
“When I think about how UF helps me today as a university president, it’s knowing what a healthy, thriving department looks like and wanting that for all seven of my colleges at CMU,” MacKinnon said. Amid the whirlwind of his Ph.D. and fellowship, MacKinnon made time for life outside academics. He played racquetball and taught a Sunday school class at a local church. It was there that he first met Leanne, who had just started her master’s degree in occupational therapy at UF, and was drawn to his Canadian accent. The couple’s relationship grew over time, spending date nights rollerblading in the Haile Plantation neighborhood and studying together on campus. In December 1999, they were married in Leanne’s hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. Neil had accepted a faculty position teaching pharmacy in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Leanne finished her occupational therapy degree before joining him in Canada. From a chance meeting in Gainesville to 26 years later, their love story remains rooted in the relationship that blossomed at UF.
FROM ORANGE AND BLUE TO CMU
For MacKinnon, becoming president of Central Michigan University in 2024 was the result of years of preparation and a perfect alignment of career and life. His professional journey took him from pharmacy to public health, from Canada to the U.S., and from faculty member to provost, all while navigating new disciplines and leadership roles. At CMU — a public research university with strong ties to rural communities, a medical school and a culture reminiscent of his Canadian heritage — MacKinnon found a home that matched both his expertise and his values. “Central Michigan was a nice fit in many ways because it aligned perfectly with my professional interests in health education and rural health,” MacKinnon said. “The presidency also became appealing at a time of personal transition. Leanne and I were becoming empty nesters with our twin daughters starting college in Georgia, so the timing worked well for the demands of the role.” MacKinnon admits there is no typical day leading a university of 14,500 students with a budget of $462 million. From fundraising and athletic events to board meetings and theatre productions, the demands are many. Like some Midwestern universities, CMU has experienced dwindling enrollments over the past decade. In his first 18 months on the job, MacKinnon implemented a strategic enrollment management plan, modeled after similar plans he developed at the University of Cincinnati and Augusta University. He also launched the Central Career Guarantee, ensuring that undergraduate students who opt in secure a job or graduate school placement within six months of graduation, or they will receive $2,000 and continued career support.
Neil and Leanne MacKinnon met as graduate students at the University of Florida in the late 1990s.
With an academic appointment in the CMU College of Medicine, MacKinnon is among only a handful of university presidents nationwide who actively engage in research. His scholarship centers on health policy, and he oversees a team of undergraduate and medical students. MacKinnon also maintains strong ties to pharmacy, recently publishing in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. Beyond research, he will step into the classroom occasionally to guest lecture or lead grand rounds. “For me, it goes back to my first loves, which are teaching and research,” MacKinnon said. “I want to serve as a role model to our faculty. If we are a public research university, then it must start at the top.” What began as diagrams and debates on Charles Hepler’s whiteboard in the late 1990s has now evolved into a broader canvas. For MacKinnon, the presidency at CMU is not a departure from those early days at UF; rather, it is an extension of the foundation built in a small office where big ideas first took form.
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Gainesville student volunteers cook a meal at the Ronald McDonald House.
UF Pharmacy Students Become
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS B
ecoming a skilled pharmacist is about more than learning to treat diseases with medication; it’s about compassionately caring for people — often people in underserved communities. That’s why students at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy now go beyond the classroom and into neighborhoods throughout the state to complete their studies. It’s where the people are, and it’s where pharmacy students can get firsthand experience in serving Florida’s patients. “As pharmacists, we are the most accessible health care workers,” said Chardaè Whitner, Pharm.D., a clinical assistant professor of pharmacy education and practice and the college’s director of community engagement for the Office of Student Success, Wellness, and Community Engagement. “We want our students to recognize that being a pharmacist requires more than being a medication expert; it also requires being a community champion and recognizing what you give to your patients beyond just medication expertise.” To that end, Whitner helped spearhead a program that began in fall 2024 to weave community engagement requirements into the Pharm.D. curriculum. Students need to complete two hours of community engagement work in a historically underserved 12 | GATORx 2026
community each semester for their first three years of didactic training. In the 2025-26 academic year, UF College of Pharmacy students performed nearly 3,200 hours of service at more than 170 community events across the state. “To allow yourself to step into the mindset of giving — and focusing on other people and not yourself — is so powerful,” said Jordan McIntire, a fourth-year student pharmacist at the Orlando UF campus, who is president of the student-run Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International, or CPFI. McIntire led the Orlando chapter in applying for the national CPFI Hands and Feet Student Chapter Grant, which she used to build hygiene care packages for Orlando’s houseless community. The team put together 48 kits containing soap, toothbrushes, deodorant, hand sanitizer, hair brushes and combs to donate, along with some Bibles, to the Christian Service Center for the Homeless. “From this experience, I truly learned how giving, in itself, is a gift,” McIntire said. “I hope that those who receive our kits will be able to see someone else’s kindness as a little light in their life, something they can hopefully use to keep going and to remind themselves that they are loved.”
“ We want our students to recognize that being a
pharmacist requires more
than being a medication expert; it also requires being a community
champion and recognizing what you give to your patients beyond just medication expertise.” — Chardaé Whitner, Pharm.D., clinical assistant professor of pharmacy education and director of community engagement in the UF College of Pharmacy
Orlando student Emelie Ramsundar was among a team of volunteers who packed Thanksgiving meals.
ar: cademic Ye 2025-26 A
3it,y1se7rv6 ice hours
commun
3vents 17 nity e
commu t Florida throughou
Jacksonville students and other community members helped wrap nearly 20,000 diapers for local families in need during The Great Diaper Dash event.
GATORx 2026 | 13
NEW UF LAB DESIGNED TO ADVANCE MODERN DRUG DISCOVERY
A
newly constructed medicinal chemistry laboratory in the University of Florida Basic Science Building now serves as a hub for interdisciplinary drug discovery research. The 14,500-square-foot UF College of Pharmacy lab opened in November 2025 and offers a unique, integrated space unmatched on UF’s Gainesville campus. Hendrik Luesch, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and the Debbie and Sylvia DeSantis Chair in Natural Products Drug Discovery and Development, said the lab will foster teamwork among research groups while aligning with the strategic priorities of UF and UF Health. “The Department of Medicinal Chemistry is UF’s drug discovery engine,” Luesch said. “This space will fuel our pipeline of new drug candidates and support domestic and global leadership in natural products drug discovery.” The facility houses the labs of Luesch, Yousong Ding, Ph.D., and Xingui Liu, Ph.D., featuring three wet lab areas for interactive chemistry, chemical biology and synthetic biology, along with a computational chemistry dry lab. Construction began last fall, funded by a $10 million bond secured by the university. The lab features 38 student and trainee spaces, 18 chemistry hoods, nine faculty offices, a large conference room and state-of-the-art equipment. Luesch said the space will attract top talent and provide graduate students with hands-on, collaborative training. “Drug discovery is a team science,” he said. “By uniting research groups and platforms, we create opportunities for effective interactions that advance science, while providing a comprehensive learning experience for our graduate students and trainees.”
14 | GATORx 2026
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LAB
3
chemistry, chemical biology & synthetic biology spaces
14.5 k square feet
38 student & trainee spaces
9 faculty offices
$
10m
renovation
18 chemical hoods
Clockwise from top: Graduate student Campbell Eckhardt and Associate Professor Yousong Ding, Ph.D., lead a research study in one of the synthetic biology spaces; Hendrik Luesch, Ph.D., and Saikat Poddar, Ph.D., ’24, collaborate on a chemistry experiment in one of the 18 new state-of-the-art hoods; A ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring (l to r) Jatinder Lamba, Ph.D., Peter W. Swaan, Ph.D., M.Pharm., Hendrik Luesch, Ph.D., and Ranjala Ratnayake, Ph.D., was held in the new lab in December.
GATORx 2026 | 15
NATIONAL RANKINGS
UF COLLEGE OF PHARMACY 2025-26
1
#
College of Pharmacy American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Total Residency Matches
3
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS
$981K
$224K
197
Scholarships awarded in 2025–26
Scholarships awarded to newly admitted students
Total scholarships awarded
STUDENT ENROLLMENT (FALL 2025)
934
1,257
163
Pharm.D.
Online
Residential Ph.D. and M.S. (largest in college history)
#
Total Research Funding As Ranked by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
4
#
College of Pharmacy
COLLEGE FACULTY (AS OF MAY 1, 2026)
141
52
52
37
Full-Time Faculty
Tenure-Track Faculty
Clinical Faculty
Research Faculty
FISCAL YEAR 2026 REVENUES (JULY 1, 2025 - JUNE 30, 2026) State funding and tuition
39%
$32M
Research
39%
$31.8M
Online programs
15%
$12.2M
Foundation
4%
$3.3M
Other
3%
$2.1M
100%
$81.4M
COLLEGE TOTAL
As Ranked by U.S. News & World Report
7
#
Public University (UF) As Ranked by U.S. News & World Report
16 | GATORx 2026
34.5M
$
Annual research funding
22
59
Faculty in compensated clinical practice
Grant-funded investigators
Source: AACP
94%
Tenure-track faculty with grant funding
Source: AACP
445
Faculty publications in academic year 2024-25
94.8%
NAPLEX first-time pass rate (National avg. 77.5%)
ANNUAL REPORT & STATISTICS PHARM.D. CLASS OF 2029 PROFILE
80% B.S. or B.A. degree
17%
245 STUDENTS 200 Florida Students 45 Out-of-State Students
Attended UF as an undergrad
NEW PH.D. STUDENTS (ACADEMIC YEAR 2025-26)
33
Graduate students
25
Gainesville students
11
Countries represented
8
Orlando students
GATORx 2026 | 17
FACULTY GOING GREATER
NATIONAL AWARDS THOMAS BURRIS, Ph.D.
Thomas P. Burris, Ph.D., director of the University of Florida Genetics Institute and a professor of cellular and systems pharmacology, is the 24th recipient of the Louis S. Goodman and Alfred Gilman Award in Receptor Pharmacology. The honor, one of the most prestigious in pharmacology, is presented every two years by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Notably, eight past recipients have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes and/or Lasker Awards, underscoring the exceptional scientific impact and prestige associated with this award.
SARAH KIM, Ph.D.
The American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics selected Sarah Kim, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pharmaceutics, as the 2026 recipient of the Darrell Abernethy Early Stage Investigator Award. The honor recognizes early-career scientists in clinical pharmacology or translational medicine who demonstrate strong potential to lead independent research laboratories or who devote at least 60% of their time to research. Kim’s research combines her background in mathematics, computer programming and pharmacology by using data-driven computational modeling and AI approaches to improve and accelerate drug development.
CHRISTOPHER MCCURDY, Ph.D.
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, or AAPS, selected Christopher McCurdy, Ph.D., R.Ph., FAAPS, a professor of medicinal chemistry and the Frank A. Duckworth Eminent Scholar Chair, as the 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipient. The annual award recognizes members whose lifetime contributions to the organization embody the collaborative and inclusive volunteer leadership that the society encourages. McCurdy’s involvement with the AAPS spans more than two decades, including service as president-elect, president and immediate past president from 2016-19.
STEPHAN SCHMIDT, Ph.D., F.C.P.
The International Society of Pharmacometrics , or ISoP, named Stephan Schmidt, Ph.D., F.C.P., ’08, chair of pharmaceutics and the Certara Endowed Professor, as the 2025 ISoP Leadership Award winner. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated innovative science and outstanding leadership in the field of pharmacometrics. A member of ISoP since 2013, he has supported the organization through various roles, most notably as a member of the Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Special Interest Group Steering Committee.
18 | GATORx 2026
NEW FELLOWS KAITLIN ALEXANDER, Pharm.D., BCCCP, FCCM
Kaitlin Alexander, Pharm.D., BCCCP, FCCM, ’12, a clinical associate professor of pharmacy education and practice, was named a fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine. This accolade is presented by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and honors members who showcase clinical excellence and achievement in program development, scholarly activities related to critical care and regional or national engagement.
LARISA CAVALLARI, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP, FAHA
Larisa Cavallari, a professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, has been elected a fellow of the American Heart Association — one of the world’s most renowned organizations for treating cardiovascular disease and stroke. American Heart Association fellowships are awarded to physicians, scientists and other health care professionals whose scientific and professional accomplishments contribute to the organization’s mission and improve human health.
KATE DESEAR, Pharm.D., BCIDP, FIDP, FIDSA
Kate DeSear, Pharm.D., ’11, a clinical associate professor of pharmacy education and practice and an infectious diseases clinical specialist at UF Health Shands Hospital, was named a fellow of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists. The fellowship distinction recognizes outstanding society members who have made significant and sustained contributions to infectious diseases and to the organization’s mission.
MEI HE, Ph.D.
The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, or AIMBE, has announced the induction of Mei He, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmaceutics, to its College of Fellows. Election to the AIMBE College of Fellows is among the highest professional distinctions bestowed on medical and biomedical engineers, comprising the top two percent of engineers in these fields.
MASOUD ROUHIZADEH, Ph.D.
Masoud Rouhizadeh, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, has been elected a 2026 fellow of the American Medical Informatics Association. The honor recognizes leaders who use informatics expertise to advance personal and population health, strengthen organizational performance and learning and empower individuals within health care.
BETHANY SHOULDERS, Pharm.D., BCCCP, FCCM
Bethany Shoulders, Pharm.D., BCCCP, FCCM, ’12, a clinical associate professor of pharmacy education and practice, was named a fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine. This accolade is presented by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and honors members who showcase clinical excellence and achievement in program development, scholarly activities related to critical care and regional or national engagement.
GATORx 2026 | 19
EGELUND’S BEST DR. ERIC EGELUND: 2025-26 UF COLLEGE OF PHARMACY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
N
ot far from Eric Egelund’s desk hangs a bulletin board covered in brightly colored stationery and handwritten thank-you notes. For the clinical associate professor of pharmacy education and practice at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s Jacksonville campus, glancing over at the plethora of appreciative messages he’s received from his students is a never-ending source of motivation. “This is truly my dream job. I absolutely love coming into work all the time, but if I ever feel discouraged at all, I just look at the cards and think about all the students who have come through these halls,” said Egelund, Pharm.D., Ph.D. “My favorite part of the job is seeing how they grow from first-year students to confident, knowledgeable pharmacists. I always tell them, these four years of training go by very quickly.” Egelund’s commitment to mentoring students through their pharmacy education was recognized with the 2025-26 UF College of Pharmacy Teacher of the Year Award. Egelund has served as the primary facilitator or co-facilitator for more than a dozen courses. He developed the syllabus for an interprofessional pilot course in HIV and spearheaded a certificate program with the National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education. He’s a member of eight college advisory or working groups, and he participates in research projects with students from all three campuses. A former student of the UF College of Pharmacy Jacksonville campus himself, Egelund is motivated by a deep desire to pay it forward to an institution that shaped his career and life. After receiving his Pharm.D. in 2009, he completed his graduate studies in the UF Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research under the mentorship of Charles Peloquin, Pharm.D., the Jack C. Massey Endowed Professor and director of the UF Infectious Disease Pharmacokinetics Laboratory. Today, Egelund guides tomorrow’s pharmacists toward their goals by combining a flexible mindset with honest, compassionate practices modeled during his own training. “Something I gleaned from my graduate school mentor, Dr. Charles Peloquin, that had a big influence on my teaching philosophy was to be myself when I was teaching,” Egelund
20 | GATORx 2026
“TO BE ABLE TO BE VULNERABLE, TO LET STUDENTS KNOW WHEN YOU'RE TIRED OR IF YOU MADE A MISTAKE, IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT’S ABOUT BEING AWARE OF YOURSELF, YOUR STRENGTHS AND YOUR WEAKNESSES.” — DR. ERIC EGELUND said. “I took that to heart: To be able to be vulnerable, to let students know when you're tired or if you made a mistake, is very important. It’s about being aware of yourself, your strengths and your weaknesses.” Before attending pharmacy school, Egelund was a chicken farmer on his family’s farm. Long hours and grueling tasks taught him the value of remaining flexible, a principle that he now imparts to pharmacy students. “Being a chicken farmer was a lot of hard work, like 50 to 60 hours a week. That's where I learned to be flexible, because if it could go wrong, it would go wrong,” Egelund recalled. “Today, that mindset is very helpful when it comes to technology in the classroom malfunctioning, or any number of things that can go wrong. Flexibility is the key to teaching, much like it is in pharmacy and the real world as well.” Egelund is the second faculty member from the Jacksonville campus to win the UF College of Pharmacy Teacher of the Year Award. Robin Moorman Li, Pharm.D., won the award in 2014 and 2023.
ALUMNI NEWS
2025 ALUMNI & FRIENDS AWARD WINNERS
T
he University of Florida College of Pharmacy established the Alumni & Friends Awards to recognize individuals who have significantly impacted the college and the pharmacy profession. Anita Thompson, ’54, and the late Robert Crisafi,
’56, were the 2025 recipients of the College of Pharmacy Impact Award, while Calvin Knowlton received the Distinguished Service to Pharmacy Profession Award. The honorees were recognized at the college’s Evening of Excellence celebration on Oct. 3.
(l to r) The family of the late Bob Crisafi, ’56, accepted the College of Pharmacy Impact Award on his behalf; Dean Peter W. Swaan with Anita Thompson, ’54, and Calvin Knowlton.
YOUNG ALUMNI COUNCIL STRENGTHENS TIES ACROSS UF PHARMACY COMMUNITY
T
he Young Alumni Council, or YAC, at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy was established last year to connect passionate young alumni with their alma mater. Open to graduates of the past 15 years, the council strengthens ties across students, faculty, alumni and industry leaders. In its inaugural year, YAC supported multiple student organizations, funding initiatives that improved the student experience and promoted community outreach. It also offered alumni opportunities to remain involved through mentorship, speaking engagements and professional networking with peers and members of the Dean’s Leadership Council.
Members of the Young Alumni Council met in Orlando on April 10.
GATORx 2026 | 21
PHARMACY ALUMNA
DR. REBECCA GOLDFADEN RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF UF’S
40 GATORS UNDER 40
U
niversity of Florida College of Pharmacy graduate REBECCA GOLDFADEN, Pharm.D., ’11, has been named to UF’s 40 Gators Under 40 class of 2026. This award is presented annually to those in The Gator Nation who are under the age of 40 and achieve remarkable professional success and demonstrate unwavering commitment to service. Goldfaden currently serves as chief scientific officer and head of partnerships for Rovia Clinical Research, a large clinical research site network based in the southeastern United States. During her time at Rovia, she has served as an investigator on over 100 clinical trials evaluating novel drugs and devices, authored several publications and presented at national and international conferences. In the pharmacy field, Goldfaden focuses on advancing treatments for some of the most prevalent chronic diseases, including diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Her work centers on improving the clinical trial process to make studies more efficient and aligned with real-world care. A key part of that effort involves expanding access to clinical trials by bringing research opportunities into more diverse communities and ensuring broader patient representation. The UF Alumni Association honored the 40 Gators Under 40 class at a ceremony during Alumni Weekend, June 25-27.
DEAN’S CIRCLE The Dean’s Circle recognizes our alumni
SCAN HERE TO VIEW OUR DEAN’S CIRCLE MEMBERS
and friends who support the college with an annual gift of $1,000 or more. Thanks to their generous support, the UF College of Pharmacy can adapt to the ever-changing academic and health care environments while remaining one of the nation’s topranked pharmacy colleges. We appreciate and thank all our generous supporters.
22 | GATORx 2026
SCAN HERE TO MAKE A GIFT:
In Botswana, Two UF Alums Help Expand Internship Opportunities Through Community Pharmacies
C
all it fate, call it luck. By some great coincidence of circumstance, two University of Florida College of Pharmacy alums — from different continents and eras — recently joined forces in the southern African country of Botswana to help locals become pharmacists and improve public health. Joyce Kgatlwane and Jim Scott, who graduated with Pharm.D. degrees in 2003 and 1994, respectively, had never crossed paths during their tenures as UF students, but when Scott was chosen as a Fulbright scholar to assist Kgatlwane and her team in their grant project for the Fulbright Specialist program, the pair found they shared not only an alma mater, but the desire to leave a positive impact on pharmacy itself. Kgatlwane and Scott worked to enhance and formalize the country’s required yearlong pharmacy internship program. Community pharmacists play a critical role in Botswana’s health system, providing frontline care by dispensing medications and treating minor ailments. While the government offers most health care services at no cost, challenges such as rising disease rates and the lack of medical information management software continue to affect access to patient care. Their work focused on strengthening training pathways to better equip pharmacists to meet these needs.
Jim Scott, Pharm.D., ’94, and Joyce Kgatlwane, Pharm.D., ’03, partnered on a Fulbright-funded project to expand internship opportunities in community pharmacy in Botswana.
GATORx 2026 | 23
CRISAFI CHALLENGE CONTINUES AFTER FOUNDER’S PASSING, R AISES $115,000 The University of Florida College of Pharmacy community came together once more during the 11th annual Crisafi Challenge, raising over $115,000 for student scholarships. The campaign’s success unlocked a $50,000 legacy gift from founder Robert Crisafi, Ph.D., ’56, doubling the impact for the entering Pharm.D. class of 2026. Since 2015, the Crisafi Challenge has generated over $1.3 million for pharmacy student scholarships. Last year’s campaign held special meaning as it was the first challenge since Crisafi’s passing in April 2025. The Crisafi family continued to honor his legacy through their dedication, engagement and ongoing support of the challenge and the scholarship recipients who meant so much to him.
SAVE THE DATE • 2026 CRISAFI CHALLENGE • OCT. 30 -NOV. 8 GIVE TO THE CRISAFI CHALLENGE AT: PHARMACY.UFL.EDU/CRISAFICHALLENGE
The 1923 Challenge invites 10 alumni and friends to make a lasting impact by including the college in their estate plans over the next year.
In 1923, the University of Florida College of Pharmacy was founded with a vision to transform lives through education, research and patient care. Today, you can help carry that legacy forward. A planned gift is more than a donation — it’s a commitment to future generations of pharmacists, innovators and leaders.
INTERESTED? Please contact the UF College of Pharmacy at alumni@cop.ufl.edu or 352-273-6605.
24 | GATORx 2026
Remembering
Dr. V. Ravi Chandran V. Ravi Chandran, a double Gator graduate of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and a devoted supporter of the college, passed away in February 2025 at age 69. A native of India, he came to the United States to pursue graduate training at UF under the mentorship of Nicolas Bodor, Ph.D., earning a master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences in 1983 and a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences in 1986. Chandran built a distinguished career in drug research and development, founding several pharmaceutical companies and later serving as president of American Generics, Inc. and Signature Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He held multiple patents and was the first to achieve a successful FDA audit of a paperless electronic office and document management in the pharmaceutical industry. A passionate advocate for education, he established the V. Ravi Chandran Professorship in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2000 to support innovative research, teaching and fellowships in the UF College of Pharmacy. He received the college’s Distinguished Pharmacy Alumnus Award in 2004 and served on the National Advisory Board.
ALUMNI & FRIENDS REMEMBERED APRIL 1, 2025 – MARCH 31, 2026
James Bartlett ’60 Michael Bisceglia ’00 George Bowen ’76 Gabrielle Brouillette ’87 Ravi Chandran ’86 Christine Cicci ’02 Louis Cox ’74 Dennis Crust ’75 Lawrence Diaz ’68 Lucas Fisher ’23 Iris Fung ’23 Gerald Geist ’65 Julius Hendrix ’58 Thomas Holland ’62 JoAnn Johnson ’76 Randolph Kiser ’62 Manuel Koutsourais ’60 David Kramer ’51 Paul Kwilecki ’82
Remembering
Professor Emeritus Dr. Stephan G. Schulman Stephan G. Schulman, Ph.D., a professor emeritus who served the University of Florida College of Pharmacy for 35 years, passed away on Feb. 1. Schulman served the departments of pharmaceutics and medicinal chemistry before retiring from UF in 2005. During his tenure, he wrote seven books, 30 book chapters and more than 200 articles in prestigious peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Flourescence, Luminescence and Talanta. In addition to his research, Schulman was a dedicated mentor and educator, graduating 38 doctoral students and guiding many other students through the college’s academic programs. Schulman graduated with his Ph.D. from UF and is survived by a daughter, brother and four grandchildren. A memorial service was held in his honor on Feb. 8 in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Anthony Palmieri Patricks Pierre ’22 William Reid ’66 Thomas Sawdon ’68 Elmer Schroer ’58 Stephan Schulman Steven Shafor ’68 Jay Silbert ’60 William Simmons ’86 Lauren Stafford ’07 Les Stemm ’76 Lynda Sykes ’05 Gary Tillotson ’80 Oscar Vargas ’78 Carl Wasserman ’58 John Wiggins ’59
GATORx 2026 | 25
37th Annual Alumni BBQ The most anticipated college football game of the season brought extra energy to the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s 37th Annual Alumni BBQ in Gainesville on Oct. 4. Around 200 Pharmacy Gators gathered in the HPNP Courtyard to enjoy catered barbeque, kids’ activities and time with classmates and friends. Later that day, the Florida Gators football team delivered a memorable 29-21 upset of the No. 9-ranked Texas Longhorns. The matchup marked Texas’ first trip to Gainesville since 1940.
26 | GATORx 2026
Clockwise from top: Members of the class of 1975 and their spouses celebrated their 50th class reunion at the event; Pharmacy Gators from the class of 2005 and their families gathered in Gainesville for the 37th Annual Alumni BBQ; Jake and Caitlin Roberts bring the Horns Down energy to game day; Dean Peter W. Swaan and Associate Dean for Faculty Development Christopher McCurdy show off their Gator chomp before the game.
UF COLLEGE OF PHARMACY 2025-26
SCHOLARSHIPS & FELLOWSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS
Feild Scholarship Fund
Burell Bautista, Tatiana Morales
Francene Trainor Memorial Scholarship
Ahrano Scholarship
Barbara Wootton Blood, BSP 58 and Robert J. Blood Michelle Kim, Keith Tinjaca
Cardinal Health Pharmacy Scholarship Abigail Douglas
Charlotte Liberty Scholarship Elizabeth Aguirre, Kimberlee Huff, Sachio Hunter, Jalen Jadotte, Michael Moss, Miguel Nieves, Annemarie Rodriguez, Kira Shore
Community Pharmacy Business and Entrepreneurial Endowment Genisse Gonzalez, Zachary Hamm, Bryana Lopez, Fabian Quiroga, Matthew Ratner, Alondra Toro Ramirez, Samantha Tournesy, Miredys Vera, Rhiana Youmans
Communication is Key Timber Abinsay
Crisafi Challenge Admission Scholarship
Erika Jane Calub
Fareed Rasul
Jose Diaz Gonzalez
Jack and Betty Jones Scholarship
Oscar Marina Family Scholarship
Jared C. Allison Memorial Scholarship
Peter Field Memorial Scholarship
Jeanne Scheibler Scholarship
Pharmacy Board of Directors Scholarship
Saeid (Sam) Noohi
Tyler Broady, Michael May
Guiselle Castrillo, Miriam Hope-Sao, Alejandra Noguiera, Guenivere Sampson, Anthony Truong, Caela Vasquez, Marcia Williams
Joseph Lawrence and Amy Lugo Kierra Weber
John and Debbie Murphy Scholarship McKenzie Brennan
CVS Health Foundation Scholarship (Spanish Speaking)
Xueqing Dai, Joy Liu, Kate Luong, Jahanvi Patel, Andrew Tran
Debbie DeSantis Endowment Kelly Bishop, Rebecca Neal, Mary Pearl Ojukwu, Alexandra Vitello
Debbie Klapp Memorial Scholarship Ronald Ramon
Eckerd Pharmacy Scholarship Devanand Adhin, Lauren Chris, Disha De, Teocali Diaz, Danielle Forrest, Cassidy Graybosch, Callitsa Hall, Ciera Isman, Wen Jiang, Kyle Lam, Minah Nayeri, Joahn Marwin Okoumba Odjaba, Cindy Phan, Adrian Rodriguez, Cole Smith, Seejah Stephens
Oscar Araujo Alumni Scholarship
Frank A. and Mary S. Dodge Endowed Scholarship
Johnston Scholastic Achievement Scholarship
CVS Health Foundation Standard Scholarship
Alaweya Abdulkader Idris, Cristian Corazon Manzano
Brynn Brown, Pablo Chen, Gabrielle Cohen, Kelly Duignan, Melissa Nadal, Emily O'Connors, Yinyin Qin, Ashley Smith
Alondra Butler Soberal, Alejandro Curbelo, Arlyned Delgado, Koyona Ewa, Rashel Graulau Nunez, Connor Harper, Joyce Hernandez Lopez, Merola Ishak, Anqi Liu, James Marques, Haithem Musa, Duyen Nguyen, Diana Pierre, Nicholas Raddi, Darianis Ramos Nieves, Mahrukh Sajjad, Anna Stalzer, Tala Trabulsi
Stephany Diaz, Mansirmran Gill, Angelis Miranda Crespo
Neal Family Scholarship
Kelly Duignan
Kazarian Family Scholarship
Sarah Avans
Adam DiMercurio
Shelby Ducut, Paige Rhein, Matthew Todd
Publix Charities Scholarship
Stacy Clark, Christabel Johnson, Makayla Kapalcynski, SoYoung Moon, Amanda Morningstar, Allyson Post, Olivia Robertson, Samantha Schauberger, Emma Sewell, Alexis Thomson
Randolph Andrew Cone Memorial Scholarship
Angelica Melo, Jonathan Valladares
Robert Littler Scholarship
Kaylee Whytal
Nicole Belu, Valerie Martino Narvaez
Lamar and Hilda Massey Scholarship
Ruiz-Castañeda Family Scholarship
Laura and Philip Dean Scholarship
Russ and Carol Blaser Memorial Scholarship
Jose Ramirez Rivera
Thalia Nieves
Maria and Maximino Moreno Pharmacy Scholarship Andrew Escamilla
Marjorie Shaw Phillips & William Phillips Nicholas Brito
McKesson Ownership and Management Endowment Scholarship Haven Rodgers
Samantha Schauberger
Yachbes Family Scholarship Tony Vo
GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS Bonnie Avery Advancing Women in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Award Emma Ellis
Dr. Allen Spiegel Graduate Endowment in Pharmaceutical Research Bassma Eltanameli, Nina Erwin, Cameron Humerickhouse
DuBow Family Graduate Student Education Fellowship Shu Niu
Hartmut Derendorf Graduate Student Fellowship Award Campbell Eckhardt
Robert and Stephany Ruffolo Graduate Education & Research Fellowship Yuzhao Zhang
Ronald J. and Sally G. Brenner Fellowship Priscilla Yamamoto
Steve Reeder Legacy Scholarship
Gabrielle Gorwitz, Chrystal Vandeventer
Valerie Calkin Griffith Scholarship Brooke Stamey
Victor Micolucci Scholarship Kladji Maxhari
Michael & Martha Stamitoles Endowment
Walgreens Multilingual Scholarship
Morris and William Skor Family Scholarship
Walter Van Munster Scholarship
Feha Shalahalam, Alexi Williams
William T. and Jackie C. Reid Scholarship
Miriam Hope-Sao, Emmanuel Jallah, Shilynne Parker, Leen Sultan
Vogel Anderson Exceptional Leader Scholarship
Calliope Stromberg
Sarah Markham
Abdullah Shamma
Michael & Paula Ujhelyi Industry Career Scholarship Clarissa Johnston
Wejebe Scholarship
Megan Simonelli
YiuTing Huang
Abigail McCloskey
GATORx 2026 | 27
NEW DEPARTMENT CHAIR Get to Know Dr. Cavallari
LARISA CAVALLARI
Who is your role model and how have they influenced your career? I have been fortunate to learn from some incredible role models throughout my career. A couple who come to mind are Julie Johnson, who showed me the value of mentorship, and Leslie Hendeles, who set the standard for professionalism. If you were not in pharmacy or academia, what career path would you have chosen? Landscape architecture: I have a passion for gardening and put in a perennial garden at my house a few years ago. I’m still experimenting with flowers that will survive the Florida frosts. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Gardening and reading What is the best advice you have been given about leadership? Be transparent and lead by example What is something on your bucket list you look forward to completing? One of my goals is to visit all 50 states. I have five states remaining: Alaska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon and Wyoming.
Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research
LARISA CAVALLARI, PHARM.D., BCPS, FCCP, FAHA, was named chair of the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research following two years in an interim chair role. Cavallari joined the UF College of Pharmacy in 2014 and has served as director and codirector of the Center for Pharmacogenomics and Precision Medicine and director of the UF Health Precision Medicine Program. Her research involves the discovery and clinical translation of genetic variants related to drug response, and she has secured more than $10 million in grant funding from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the American Heart Association and more. As interim chair, Cavallari led a strategic reorganization of the department, aligning faculty around shared interests to strengthen collaboration and direct more time and resources toward key areas such as its nationally recognized precision medicine program. She also hired new tenure-track and clinical faculty, established an annual department retreat and secured funding from UF Health and the UF Office of the President to expand the precision medicine program. These accomplishments, along with the relationships and insights she gained, strengthened her interest in continuing in the role and making a lasting impact as chair.
“
My time as interim chair showed me how much I enjoy supporting and mentoring our faculty. I stepped into the chair role with confidence, knowing I can build on the department’s outstanding reputation in precision medicine and translational research and help guide its
”
continued growth.
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NEW DEPARTMENT CHAIR Get to Know Dr. Li
CHENGLONG LI Medicinal Chemistry
CHENGLONG LI, PH.D., M.SC., a professor of medicinal chemistry and the Nicholas Bodor Professor in Drug Discovery, was appointed chair of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, effective Jan. 1. Li stepped forward to lead a top-ranked medicinal chemistry department that has grown substantially over the past decade. The department now comprises 25 full-time faculty members and 35 Ph.D. students, whose work in the past year generated $7.6 million in research awards and more than 80 scholarly publications. Since joining the UF College of Pharmacy in August 2016, Li has held several leadership roles within the college and university. He is a member of the UF Health Cancer Institute, and he serves as associate director of the Center for Natural Products, Drug Discovery and Development and director of a T32 predoctoral training program funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Li’s research focuses on molecular recognition, with a strong application to structure-based, computeraided drug design. As an early adopter of artificial intelligence in his lab, he has served on multiple college and university committees focused on integrating AI across UF.
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Our success has always been driven by productive, wellsupported faculty, and that will remain a top priority during my tenure as chair. Looking ahead, there is a tremendous opportunity to expand our footprint in AI-enabled drug discovery by bringing together a dedicated
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group of faculty working collaboratively in this space.
What inspired you to pursue a career in academic pharmacy? I have always dreamed of designing new drugs rationally, like the precision design of cars and rockets in engineering. My current approach is to combine physicochemical knowledge with AI to design novel drugs for improved human health. If you were not in pharmacy or academia, what career path would you have chosen? I would be a fighter pilot. What do you enjoy most about working at UF? The most enjoyment comes from teaching graduate and Pharm.D. students, as well as my drug discovery research. Beyond academics, I appreciate the vibrant campus community and cheering on the Gators at football and baseball games. What is the best advice you have been given about leadership? “Follow your heart” was shared by one of my beloved middle school teachers. What are your priorities as a new chair? To maintain the Department of Medicinal Chemistry as a top-notch education and research department in the country
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Get to Know Dr. Schmidt
NEW DEPARTMENT CHAIR
What do you enjoy most about living in Orlando? Orlando is centrally located and well-connected to both domestic and international destinations. The city also offers a wide range of activities for young families, which is especially important when striving for a healthy work-life balance. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I enjoy woodworking and taking on projects around the house. Most of all, I value the time spent with family and friends. Where are your favorite travel destinations? As a native of Germany, I have historically spent more time in central Europe, but I have also enjoyed trips to Brazil, Japan and South Africa. What advice do you give students preparing for a career in pharmacy or the pharmaceutical sciences? Be the best version of yourself and remain open to new opportunities. Look for a strong mentor when entering a new stage of your career, as they can help you navigate unknown territory and avoid making unnecessary mistakes. What are some of your priorities as new chair? I want to bring faculty, students, trainees and staff across the Gainesville and Orlando campuses closer together through joint research and educational activities and build upon the department’s strengths.
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STEPHAN SCHMIDT Pharmaceutics
The Department of Pharmaceutics welcomed STEPHAN SCHMIDT, PH.D., F.C.P., as its new chair in January. In the role, he leads a department of 18 full-time faculty members and more than 50 graduate students and trainees across the Gainesville and Orlando campuses, supporting wide-ranging research programs from drug formulation to pharmacometrics. The department maintains nearly 50 active grants from federal agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the pharmaceutical industry, foundations and other funding sources. Schmidt’s promotion builds upon an impressive record of service and leadership in the department. He currently serves as the Certara Endowed Professor and the director of the Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology and previously served as associate chair of the department. Since joining the faculty in 2012, he has played a key role in expanding pharmacometrics and model-informed drug development activities at the Orlando campus, helping build a training program now recognized among the world’s best.
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I am humbled and deeply honored to step into the role of chair for the Department of Pharmaceutics. Nearly 22 years ago, UF welcomed me as an exchange student from Germany for what was supposed to be a six-month stay. The experience was so meaningful that I chose to remain, earn my Ph.D. and later return as a faculty member. Having the chance to contribute to the department in
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this new way is incredibly rewarding.
NO. 1 IN THE NATION
UF COLLEGE OF PHARMACY TOPS RESIDENCY MATCHES AGAIN
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he University of Florida College of Pharmacy once again led the nation in pharmacy residency placements, with 139 students and graduates matching through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists match process in 2026. Among them, 107 secured first postgraduate year, or PGY1, positions and 32 matched with second postgraduate year, or PGY2, programs. This achievement marks the ninth time in the past 11 years the college has ranked No. 1 nationally in total matches, with placements spanning 19 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. “For more than a decade, the UF College of Pharmacy has led the way in helping students and graduates secure residency positions and pursue their dreams of practicing in a clinical setting,” said Peter W. Swaan, Ph.D., M.Pharm., dean and professor of the UF College of Pharmacy. “We celebrate with our fourth-year student pharmacists and graduates who secured residencies this year as they advance their careers and step into roles that directly impact patient care.” Across the country, more than 5,900 residency positions were offered this year, with nearly 5,300 pharmacists and student pharmacists matching or committing early.
PGY1
(107 matches)
PGY2
(32 matches)
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IPHO ORLANDO STUDENT ORGANIZATION PLACES SECOND AT VALUE OF INDUSTRY PHARMACISTS CASE COMPETITION
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he University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s Industry Pharmacists Organization, or IPhO, Orlando chapter placed second out of 72 teams at the 2025-26 Value of Industry Pharmacists Case Competition. This virtual event, hosted by the national IPhO organization, is a competition where student pharmacists are given a theoretical drug and challenged to develop a full drug development plan across five key functional areas, which include clinical development, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, commercial/marketing and patient advocacy.
UF COLLEGE OF PHARMACY APHA-ASP CHAPTER WINS CHAPTER OF THE YEAR HONORS
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n a city synonymous with star power, students from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy delivered a standout performance of their own in Los Angeles, earning multiple national awards at the American Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting & Exposition, March 27-30. Taking center stage was the college’s American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists, or APhA-ASP, student chapter, which won the APhA-ASP Chapter of the Year Award for Division A. The honor recognizes the most well-rounded and exemplary chapter among the nation’s largest pharmacy programs and marks UF’s first chapter of the year win since 2017-18.
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CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2026
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he University of Florida College of Pharmacy celebrated the class of 2026 on May 9 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, as 225 Pharm.D. and more than 60 master’s graduates were honored during the event. Dean Peter W. Swaan, Ph.D., M.Pharm., presented the 2026 UF College of Pharmacy Outstanding Pharmacy Alumnus Award to Benjamin J. Epstein, Pharm.D., ’03, during the ceremony. Epstein delivered the commencement remarks, urging graduates to treat learning as a lifelong prescription, “titrate” themselves to discomfort by doing hard things and build a professional brand that is anything but generic. The ceremony concluded with the graduates reciting the American Pharmacists Association’s Oath of a Pharmacist. GATORx 2026 | 33
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