Larisa Cavallari, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP, FAHA, chair of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research and the Debbie DeSantis Excellence Professor, is the recipient of the 2026 Russell R. Miller Award from the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, or ACCP.
The most prestigious scholarly award that can be bestowed upon an ACCP member, the Russell R. Miller Award recognizes those who have made substantial contributions to clinical pharmacy literature, either as a single, noteworthy contribution or sustained over time. With more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, including over 180 original research articles, 55 reviews and 10 guidelines or scientific statements, Cavallari’s prolific publishing career has been motivated by a single goal: improving patient care.
“Peer-reviewed research publications are critical to moving the field forward and supporting the translation of research discoveries into clinical practice to optimize drug therapy,” she said. “I consider my work a success if it ultimately reaches the patient bedside and helps improve patient outcomes.”
Cavallari’s research in pharmacogenomics and precision medicine has been published in high-impact journals, including The Lancet, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the Journal of the American Heart Association, and Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Eight manuscripts on which Cavallari served as senior or first author have been cited more than 100 times, while another two manuscripts have been cited over 300 times.
Reviewing Cavallari’s decades-long body of research produces countless examples of the direct impact her publications have made on patient outcomes. Her efforts to discover genetic contributors to drug responses in individuals of African ancestry informed both the Clinical Pharmacogenetic Implementation Consortium guidelines for warfarin and guidelines by the Association of Molecular Pathology for which genotypes to include on clinical testing platforms. More recently, her commentary recommending major heart health organizations add pharmacogenetic testing to their guidelines before prescribing clopidogrel stands to improve patient outcomes for those with a genetic variation rendering the drug ineffective.
Cavallari is the fifth faculty member at the UF College of Pharmacy to win this award. Leslie Hendeles, Pharm.D., received the inaugural award in 1987, followed by Ronald Stewart, M.S., in 1990, Julie Johnson, Pharm.D., in 2010 and Rhonda Cooper-DeHoff, Pharm.D., M.S., in 2016.
“It means a lot to me for my name to be added to the list of highly respected UF College of Pharmacy faculty who have received this award before me,” Cavallari said. “It speaks to the outstanding research environment and support provided at the college.”
The AACP will formally present Cavallari with the Russell R. Miller Award at the organization’s annual meeting, Oct. 17-20, in Salt Lake City.