The Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate program in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy received the inaugural Award for Excellence in Doctoral Education from the UF Graduate School. The honor recognizes exemplary efforts across an academic program and was presented at the 2025 Graduate School Awards and Recognition Ceremony at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in April.
The UF College of Pharmacy’s graduate program was honored for its success in advising, curriculum, professional development and outcomes aligned with the Association of American Universities Ph.D. Education Initiative. The award committee noted the college’s revamped graduate student retreat, featuring alumni career panels and interdisciplinary research brainstorming sessions, as key strengths.
“This recognition underscores the strength of our graduate program, which has made great strides in recent years to improve the student experience through new events and programs,” said Jatinder Lamba, Ph.D., M.Sc., associate dean for research and graduate education and the Frank A. Duckworth Eminent Scholar Chair in the UF College of Pharmacy. “Much of the team’s work is done behind the scenes, so it is nice that this award publicly recognizes their efforts in ensuring each of our graduate students has the resources to excel in the program.”
This award will provide financial support for the College of Pharmacy’s Office of Graduate Education’s efforts to reimagine the current Graduate Student Retreat and provide meaningful professional development programming directly aligned with the AAU Ph.D. initiatives. The redesigned retreat will focus on strengthening mentorship relationships, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and supporting students’ professional growth. By integrating these enhancements, the Graduate Student Retreat will provide students with the resources, connections and professional development tools needed for success in academia, industry and beyond.