McGlynn to receive honorary doctorate of science at commencement

McGlynn is a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, and in research and advocacy for an HIV vaccine, as well as for a rare genetic disease that affected her family. She serves as founder of the Hempling Foundation for Homocystinuria Research and was a former chief executive officer of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and former president of the Global Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division at Merck.

McGlynn has focused her efforts on improving the lives of people around the world through advocacy, support for research and her efforts to ensure access to Merck’s pharmaceuticals and vaccines, including an innovative access program to prevent rotavirus disease and a historic campaign aimed at protecting women from cervical cancer.

She currently serves on the boards of three companies involved in treatments for rare diseases and chairs the board of HCU Network America, a patient support organization she founded that serves patients with homocystinuria. She also serves on Buffalo Bio-Network, an advisory board that supports life science startups from Western New York, and is an adviser to Abcombi Biosciences, a vaccine startup spun off from UB research.

A 1982 graduate of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences with a BS in pharmacy, McGlynn has maintained a close relationship with her alma mater and has remained a strong supporter of UB through her generosity and service to both the pharmacy school and the School of Management, including establishing the Edward J. Hempling Community Pharmacy Education Fund to honor her late father, BS ’50, and participating on the Dean’s Advisory Council for both schools.