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Vaishnavi Shah PhD’18 Presented with USciences Founders’ Day Student Award of Merit

Left to right: Dr. Peter Miller, provost; Dr. Paul Katz, president; 2018 Student Award of Merit winner Vaishnavi Shah PhD’18; Dean of Students Ross Radish; and Board Chairman Marvin Samson. Credit Scott Hewitt Photography/University of the Sciences
Vaishnavi Shah PhD’18 was awarded the annual Founders’ Day Student Award of Merit on Feb. 15, 2018. The award is presented to an outstanding student who “exemplifies the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of USciences’ founders.”
Dr. Shah, who graduated with her PhD in pharmaceutics in January 2018, was recognized for development of a novel concept resulting in the filing of a provisional patent application by the University. She completed their PhD work as a part-time student within four years, which is impressive considering similarly situated students take up to a minimum of six years.
A resident of Sellersville, Pa., her dedication was demonstrated by the early mornings, late evenings, and weekends she spent in the lab working on her research while also working full-time. Her dissertation titled “Effects of Hydrophobicity of Biodegradable Poly (lactic-Co-glycolic) Acid Polymer on Nanoparticle Surface-Protein Interaction” was successfully defended recently in less than 90 minutes.
Dr. Shah has more than five years of experience working as a formulation scientist in the pharmaceutical industry and currently works as an associate manager of product development at Genus Lifesciences Inc., Pennsylvania (formerly Lehigh Valley Technologies Inc.). Her work has focused on the development of drug products that positively influence the treatments for diseases such as acute myeloid leukemia, carcinomas, hormone deficiencies, hypokalemia and epilepsy. Her research interests include protein formulation and novel drug delivery systems for biologics as well as small molecules.
Each year, Founders’ Day at USciences recognizes its establishment on Feb. 23, 1821, as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy—the first college of pharmacy in North America, which is now a part of USciences. In addition, President and CEO of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia George M. Wohlreich, MD, MA, was bestowed an honorary doctor of science degree while merit awards were presented to current undergraduate and graduate students, and staff and faculty members. For more, visit usciences.edu/foundersday.
Categories: News, Alumni, Awards and Honors, Research, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Toxicology