EDUCATING LEADERS IN PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES SINCE 1886
October 2024
Welcome to the next edition of the Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin (BPB) where we will continue to explore and discuss issues in health care and how we as academicians, practitioners and scientists can lead and support these issues. The BPB will also keep you updated on the latest school news, highlighting the outstanding work of our UB SPPS community.
“The best way to ensure we can support and mentor our future pharmacists and research scientists is to make sure we are reviewing and discussing what is currently happening in the dynamic and ever-changing world we live in.”
Bridging Divides
Recently, I have been thinking about working across boundaries. Success in these activities requires a good understanding of (and a certain amount of respect for) the “other side,” as well as effective communication across the dividing line. Our national politics have struggled mightily with this, as there is often limited inter-party understanding and an absence of respectful dialogue. These stressors can bring about both large and small stalemates; making it even more difficult for elected officials to support and serve their constituents.
As a bimodal health professions/sciences school, we experience natural tensions between the two sides of our house. This tension, though, presents enormous opportunities for synergy, as the “clinical” side (for lack of a better term) informs and grounds the “basic science” side, and the resulting research drives innovation in therapeutics and patient care. It represents a truly rich cross collaborative environment for students and faculty alike and is made possible by a healthy culture in which there is a high level of mutual respect.
The recognition that we can leverage interdisciplinary activities to our advantage was the core driver for our school establishing UB’s Drug Discovery, Development, and Evaluation Hub, which is intended to cross disciplinary lines throughout the university. The first phase of the Hub project was focused on faculty recruitment. The second phase, which is under development now, is establishing an interdisciplinary PhD option focused on experimental therapeutics which will be housed in our Division of Clinical and Translational Therapeutics. We envision this program to bridge the innate tension and synergy between basic research and clinical care and will be a valuable addition to our academic portfolio.
Given that this is October, I would be remiss in failing to acknowledge American Pharmacists Month, with a large “thank you” to our alumni who are providing much-need patient care in Western New York and throughout the country. Please know that your contributions to the communities you serve are highly valued and appreciated.
Mager receives prestigious lifetime award from International Society of Pharmacometrics
Donald Mager, PharmD, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, has received the 2024 Lewis B. Sheiner Lecturer Award from the International Society of Pharmacometrics (ISoP). This award is the society's highest recognition and acknowledges exceptional and outstanding lifetime career achievements and leadership in the field of pharmacometrics. Throughout his academic career, Mager has made significant contributions to theoretical concepts and mathematical models for target-mediated drug disposition, signal transduction, and combinatorial therapeutics, with a focus on anticancer and immunomodulatory agents. Mager will be recognized during the 2024 American Conference on Pharmacometrics on November 10 held in Phoenix, AZ. As the Sheiner awardee, he will deliver a conference lecture on pharmacometrics.
Tsuji named Edelman Endowed Chair in Experimental Therapeutics
SPPS is proud to announce the establishment of the Edelman Endowed Chair in Experimental Therapeutics, with Brian Tsuji, PharmD, professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, associate dean, Clinical and Translational Sciences, and division head, Division of Clinical and Translational Therapeutics, a renowned expert in treatment of infectious diseases, as its inaugural holder. This new endowment was made possible through the generous support of Linda Edelman, BS '66, a dedicated pharmacist who wanted her legacy to provide sustained support for the advancement of pharmacy practice. As endowed chair, Tsuji will support leading scientific research dedicated to accelerating the discovery of novel therapeutic agents into effective treatments for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which the World Health Organization cites as a significant global threat. This strategic investment aims to drive innovative research to bridge the development of novel treatments and catalyze drug development to treat AMR and other infectious diseases. This appointment will allow Tsuji to elevate his past work in support of an emerging UB research center: The Center of Infectious Diseases Next Generation Therapeutics (IDagen). Tsuji and research leaders from across the university are joining forces to launch this new center which will lead the discovery of novel therapies to combat emerging pathogens and improve patient outcomes.
UB Pharmacy School establishes educational partnership with SUNY Geneseo
SPPS has formed a new collaborative agreement with the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Geneseo providing students an accelerated opportunity to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Under the 3+4 agreement, students will complete three years of undergraduate study in SUNY Geneseo’s BA or BS in Biology or BA Chemistry programs, then apply to UB’s pharmacy program. Once accepted, students will have their first-year pharmacy courses applied toward completion of their bachelor’s degree at SUNY Geneseo. Rather than taking four years to complete a bachelor’s degree and another four years to complete the Doctor of Pharmacy degree, students will complete both programs in seven years. The pharmacy program will guarantee spaces each year for qualified SUNY Geneseo students.
Office of Student Success and Engagement (OSSE) events promote student and community health and well-being
OSSE is dedicated to prioritizing the health and well-being of our students and community and in celebration of American Pharmacists Month, has led high impact events promoting student self-care and community wellness.
Dean's Student Ambassadors (DSAs) promote community health at the Buffalo Museum of Science:
DSAs partnered with the Buffalo Museum of Science during the museum's 'Spooky Science Month' and led interactive community demonstrations on the importance of handwashing and germ prevention.
'Fuel Yourself' Wellness Event encourages healthy eating habits:
Kicking off our SPPS Wellness Series with essential tips for healthy eating and resources for setting healthy intentions.
Learning and Engagement Community Roundtable Discussions offer collaborative group advising:
The first group advising sessions of the semester, allowing faculty advisors to connect with students and discuss continuous professional development over lunch.
George Lasezkay, BS '74, PharmD '78, receives UB Distinguished Alumni Award
On October 17, George Lasezkay, BS ’74, PharmD ’78, was recognized with a University at Buffalo Distinguished Alumni Award at the annual UB Alumni Achievement Awards Ceremony.
This award recognizes his remarkable career achievements and invaluable contributions to the university and our school. President and chief executive officer of Clearside Biomedical Inc., Lasezkay has been a leader in the pharmaceutical industry for over 30 years, providing strategic direction within corporate development, technology acquisitions, licensing agreements and other executive leadership arenas.
He played a key role in leading strategic UB Pharmacy School initiatives, most importantly as a UB Pharmacy faculty member from 1978-1983, where he was responsible for overseeing the post-baccalaureate PharmD program and then later as a member of our Dean's Advisory Council where he served for eight years.
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UB Pharmaceutical Sciences Alumni and Friends Reception at ACoP15: November 12
Join our SPPS alumni and friends reception at the Fifteenth American Conference on Pharmacometrics (ACoP15) on November 12 from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.! The reception will take place at the ACoP15 conference hotel: Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, 8000 South Arizona Grand E, Phoenix, AZ 85044. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available.
SPPS Continuing Pharmacy Education Events
Featuring our new UB Compounding Pharmacy Continuing Education Activity, which meets the new three hour NYS pharmacy CE requirement along with home study options.
SPPS Event Calendar
View our upcoming SPPS events!
UB Event Calendar
View upcoming events on the UB Events Calendar!
UB Alumni Webinars
Join UB alumni experts from across the globe as they share professional insights and advice during Webinar Wednesdays. Engage in upcoming webinars along with past sessions.
Share Your UB Pride
Show your #UBTrueBlue spirit by sharing UB Pride photos, videos and stories!
Thank you for reading our October 2024 edition of the Buffalo Pharmacy Bulletin. Please stay in touch! Send us updates on your own personal and professional accomplishments by filling out our alumni update form.
Regards,
Gary Pollack, PhD '84
Dean and Professor