Today, the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences publishes Year in Review 2025, celebrating a year of remarkable achievements in education, research, and community engagement that advanced pharmaceutical sciences and improved health outcomes across British Columbia and beyond.
The Faculty launched part-time MSc and PhD programs, enabling working professionals to pursue advanced studies while contributing valuable industry insights to the academic community. The year also marked the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the Graduate Diploma in Pharmacy Leadership, equipping pharmacists with strategic leadership skills to transform healthcare delivery.
Faculty researchers addressed critical health challenges across the full spectrum of wellness. Dr. Laura Schummers received the CUFA BC Early in Career Award for evaluating BC's free prescription contraception policy, while Dr. Joel Finbloom earned dual recognition as a Gairdner Early Career Investigator and Michael Smith Scholar for nanomedicine research combating antibiotic resistance. Research initiatives spanned from Dr. Jacquelyn Cragg's PromoScience program empowering youth affected by violence, to Dr. Annalijn Conklin's work on social isolation and healthy aging, to Dr. Mary De Vera's vital cancer survivorship research.
Students engaged in transformative experiential learning through community pharmacy placements and the UBC Traveling Health Fair. Outstanding graduates Nadine Ramsden and Kaitlyn Lee received Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Medals at the milestone 40th Annual Dean's Reception, while PhD graduate Dr. Danielle Hanke exemplified student excellence with $250,000 in NSERC awards alongside hundreds of volunteer hours building graduate student community.
The Faculty celebrated exceptional alumni including Dr. Susan Bouma, Dr. Jiamin Wu, and Kirby Smith for their contributions across research, clinical practice, and industry. Dean Lalitha Raman-Wilms received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the India Canada Culture and Heritage Association, reflecting the Faculty's collective commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.