St. John’s Students Earn Top Prize at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Conference

St. John’s University’s student chapter of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) was awarded the organization’s 2019 Student Chapter of the Year Award.

The award, presented at the PharmSci360 AAPS National Conference in San Antonio, TX, in early November, honors student chapters for their commitment to community service and public outreach over the course of the year.

“This award aptly reflects on the hard work by the AAPS student chapter,” said Russell J. DiGate, Ph.D., Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

“This group promotes the mission and vision of both St. John’s University and AAPS, by incorporating core values of learning, innovation, service, inclusiveness, and integrity in their programming.”

The St. John’s chapter of AAPS was founded in 2006 and has grown exponentially each year since. It includes students from a wide range of disciplines, including industrial pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, and pharmaceutical administration.

Each year, the chapter co-organizes the Dr. Charles I. Jarowski Symposium, which involves speakers from both industry and academia, along with poster and podium presentations for students.

“This award motivates us to push our boundaries and organize more events for the well-being of not only the student community at St. John’s, but the local community as well,” said research fellow and student chapter chair, Nishant S. Kulkarni ’18GP. “By organizing more student development events and seminars, student are well-prepared for life after graduation.”

According to Mr. Kulkarni, this outreach includes offering scientific session and professional development education and training; participating in community and charitable social events; collaborating with other schools, chapters, or industry on a project; or promotional efforts for the chapter.

“Winning the best student chapter award is an exceptional achievement for the team,” said Vivek Gupta, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. “It not only motivates the students to participate and engage more, but it also aids in their overall development as pharmaceutical scientists.”