When I started pharmacy school in fall 2021, I knew I wanted to eventually pursue research. During my undergraduate years, I had conducted developmental biology research focusing on the genetic effects of bisphenol-S—a plastic found in many household items—on zebrafish ovarian tissue. I always pictured myself in a research lab in pharmacy school doing “hard science,” perhaps discovering the next miracle drug. To my surprise, during my second semester I found myself drawn to research in the social sciences when I took a class called Social and Behavioral Aspects of Pharmacy

Inspired by APhA–ASP National President Kennedy Erickson’s “Courage to Change” theme, I proudly share my passions with you.

It did not take me long to realize that pharmacy school requires self-regulation—the process of controlling or redirecting disruptive emotions and impulses. Beyond the challenging school curriculum, as student pharmacists we also deal with a great amount of stress as we take on additional leadership opportunities and get involved in numerous extracurricular activities.

Finding the bravery to branch beyond my comfort zone has been one of my greatest challenges as a student pharmacist—especially amid a pandemic that transformed the world!

Saturday night of this year’s APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition was a highlight for student pharmacists to see all the hard work that has been put in over the past year. The APhA–ASP Awards Celebration is a time for all schools to come together and acknowledge the accomplishments of one another and what we have all worked for over the last year through this continuing pandemic. So many student pharmacists, chapter advisors, and student leaders shared the spotlight on this memorable evening!