University of Florida AAPS Student Chapter
University of Florida AAPS student chapter annual 2017 AAPS welcome back barbeque where students are spotted doing the Florida Gator Chomp!
Founded in 2002, the University of Florida (UF) AAPS Student Chapter held its first meeting during the 2004–2005 academic year. The chapter has since achieved its mission to establish a strong awareness of AAPS and growth, particularly in the College of Pharmacy. Our goal is to promote students/trainees with a dynamic learning platform for both educational and scientific events in the pharmaceutical sciences.
Having two separate campuses (Gainesville and Orlando) sets us apart from the other student chapters. Although this poses some technical challenges while planning events, we embrace this distinctiveness to our advantage. It not only encourages us to communicate and interact more between the two campuses, but also increases more opportunities for student recruitment during our membership recruitment event.
UF AAPS student chapter’s success has hinged on the great support from AAPS, the faculty, and students of the pharmaceutics department. Our student chapter believes not only in educational but also in career advancement. Henceforth, we focus on both technical and soft skill training when planning activities. Last year, we hosted various events such as a guest speaker seminar series, hands-on software workshops, and roundtable discussions, to name a few. In our seminar series, we were fortunate to have speakers from the pharmaceutical industry (Brian Corrigan, Ph.D.), regulatory authorities (Ping Zhao, Ph.D.), contract research organization (Marc R. Gastonguay, Ph.D.), and an international academic institution (Yusuke Tanigawara, Ph.D.). Roundtable discussions with speakers have always been popular among the students as the speakers get to share their experience and discuss topics such as career advice, professional development, and soft skills. Science topics range from pharmacometrics to drug delivery to enhance students’ knowledge in different aspects of the pharmaceutical sciences. One initiative that we had was to train students in effective communication, because we realized its importance in an organization where scientists often function in an interdisciplinary environment. This was supported by cohosting events with other student societies from UF to encourage our members to cross-talk and exchange research ideas with others unfamiliar with the field.
Being in the sunshine state, we don’t forget to enjoy ourselves and often organize outdoor social events to strengthen the bond between the two campuses. We always have a great turnout for our annual AAPS welcome back barbeque (BBQ) and show our support for the UF Gator football games with tailgate BBQ parties. With such prominent support from their members, Hartmut Derendorf, Ph.D. (faculty advisor), department, and alumni, the chapter executive board is optimistic about continuing this success with more event planning! Go UF AAPS gators!