UB PharmD student receives SUNY Challenge Scholarship Award

The award recognizes student leaders who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to community service through their contributions to successful campus blood drives that support the American Red Cross blood program. In addition to the award recognition, Ni received a $500 scholarship.

During the 2025–26 academic year, Ni served as president of the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF) at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UB SPPS). The organization partners with the American Red Cross to coordinate annual blood drives at the school. As president of the SPPS chapter of IPSF, Ni helped drive student engagement, recruit donors and support event planning and logistics. One of Ni’s most notable achievements was leading an SPPS blood drive held during the spring 2026 semester, which exceeded its donation goal and collected enough blood in just four hours to help save up to 57 lives.

“Receiving this scholarship is meaningful to me because it recognizes student leadership, service and community engagement—values that reflect the shared commitment of SPPS and IPSF to improving health and serving the community,” says Ni. “As a future pharmacist, I value opportunities that connect health care, public service and patient care. This scholarship will support my pharmacy education and encourage me to continue serving the community through future health care and leadership roles.”

Ni extends his gratitude to Wendy Evenden, account manager for donor recruitment at the American Red Cross, and the American Red Cross organization, for the recognition. He also thanks the SPPS chapter of IPSF team and faculty advisor Gina Prescott, PharmD, clinical professor of pharmacy practice and director of global and community outreach at SPPS, for their continued support in advancing the school’s blood drive and community service efforts.