We proudly honor outstanding faculty, staff, student and preceptor award winners who, over the past year, have contributed significantly to our school's mission, the profession of pharmacy and the pursuit of academic achievements.
Recipients will be recognized at the SPPS Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 15 at 1:00 p.m.
Friday, May 15, 2026
1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Harriman Hall Ballroom, UB South Campus
This event recognizes our student, faculty, staff and preceptor award winners from across the school. The event is free with registration and space is limited.
Event registration is required by May 2. Check your email for the registration link or contact Sarah Sterzinger, associate director of alumni engagement, at sjsterzi@buffalo.edu.
Recipients will be announced as they are awarded.
Educator of the Year Award
Educational Innovator of the Year Award
PharmD Class of 2026 Faculty Recognition Award
Julie Kopfer Memorial Staff Member of the Year Award
Tyler Bingham, assistant director for advisement and recruitment, Office of Student Success and Engagement
2025 Willis G. Gregory Memorial Award
Ronald Evens, BS ’69, PharmD
2025 Orville C. Baxter Memorial Professional Practice Award
Alfonse Muto Jr. PharmD ’08
2025 UB Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award
Karen Daly, BS ’80
The Preceptor of the Year Awards recognize outstanding preceptors within our school community for their innovative experiential teaching and mentorship of our PharmD students.
APPE Preceptor of the Year Award
Mark Lenard
Pam Coniglio IPPE Preceptor of the Year Award
Ken Sansone '01, PharmD
Pharmacy Practice Faculty Preceptor of the Year Award
Scott Monte, PharmD '06
Alan Forrest Pharmacometrics Professional Development Award
Dr. Allen Barnett Fellowship Award
Soobin Lee, PhD student
Xinhao Yu, PhD student
Dr. David E. Guttman Award
Fung Laboratory Graduate Fellowship
Nicole Tran, PhD student
Claire Gao, PhD student
Graduate Scholar Award
Mfonabasi Ette, PharmD, RPh, PhD ’25
Marilyn Morris Excellence in Pharmaceutical Sciences Fellowship Award
Vivian Xu, PhD student
Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Outstanding MS/BSMS Student Award
Euibeom (Paul) Shin, MS student
Outstanding TA Award
Priyanka Jangied, PhD student
Sheryl Dsouza, PhD student
A.B. Lemon Memorial Award
Austin Grzechowiak, PharmD '26
APhA-ASP Senior Recognition Award
Hillery Downey, PharmD '26
Copel and Max Rubenstein Award in Pharmacy
Zacaria Ka, PharmD '26
Daniel H. Murray Memorial Award
Euibeom Shin, PharmD/ MS '26
Eino Nelson Award
Joshua Johnson, PharmD '26
Excellence in Pharmacogenomics Award
Tim Le, PharmD '26
Inpatient Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Award
Megan McGovern, PharmD '26
Lilly Achievement Award
Klaudi Lekaj, PharmD '26
Lori Esch Memorial Award
Alexis Delanoy, PharmD '26
Julia Pawelek, PharmD '26
Merck Manual Award for Academic Excellence
Jian Dong, PharmD '26
Katelyn Hilko, PharmD '26
Dylan Busch, PharmD '26
Michael E. Crawford Award
Abbey Swackhamer, PharmD '26
National Community Pharmacists Association Outstanding Student Award
Rachel Romanowski, PharmD/MBA '26
Outpatient Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Award
Jason Burke, PharmD '26
PAWNY Student Leadership Award
Katherine Beikirch, PharmD '26
PSSNY Award
Katherine Beikirch, PharmD '26
Renee A. Dederich Award
Derek Rossetti, PharmD '26
Robert M. Cooper Memorial Award
Amarachi Kanu, PharmD '26
Robert H. Ritz Award
Katelyn Hilko, PharmD '26
Roger Mantsavinos Award
Jian Dong, PharmD '26
Roy M. Barr Award
Ny Ako Ndrianjasoazanany, PharmD '26
Samuel J. Bauda Award
Karina (Babina) Germakovski, PharmD/MS '26
UB SPPS Professionalism Award
Christopher Mayer, PharmD '26
U.S. Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Award
Karina (Babina) Germakovski, PharmD/MS '26
Viatris Excellence in Pharmacy Award
Rachel Romanowski, PharmD/MBA '26
Western New York Society of Health System Pharmacists Award
Derek Rossetti, PharmD '26
