The Pharmacist / Spring 2022 / Volume 44 / Issue 2

COLLEGE NEWS
Dr. CHRIS
SCHRIEVER, clinical
associate professor,
was recently appointed
chair of the Illinois
Medicaid Drug
Utilization Review
Committee.
Professor LISA
SHARP received the
UIC Pharmacy 2021
Inaugural Diversity,
Equity & Inclusion Impact Award. The award was
developed by the college to honor those who have
distinguished themselves in advancing diversity, equity,
and inclusion. Dr. Todd Lee, head of the Department
of Pharmacy, Systems, Outcomes, and Policy (PSOP),
noted Dr. Sharp’s active involvement in DEI activities and
“longstanding research focus on health disparities.”
Clinical associate professor emerita JOANN
STUBBINGS received the Section & Forums
Distinguished Service Award at the ASHP 2021 Midyear
Meeting.
Assistant dean Dr. ROSALYN VELLURATTIL was
appointed to the American Association of Colleges of
Pharmacy’s Council of Deans Resolutions Committee
2021–2022 for a second year in a row.
Dr. ERIC WENZLER, assistant professor, has been
appointed editor of the Journal of Antimicrobial
Chemotherapy-Antimicrobial Resistance.
Dr. Freitag’s research focuses
on understanding the molecular
mechanisms by which
pathogenic bacteria cause
disease and the host immune
responses that limit infection.
The NIH has continuously
funded her laboratory since
1997, and she is a fellow of
the American Academy of
Microbiology. Dr. Freitag’s
teaching has been recognized
by several awards, including
three Golden Apples. She has
published over eighty peerreviewed
publications and
holds two patents. In 2017, she
received the University Scholar
award. She obtained her PhD in
biological chemistry from UCLA
and served on the faculty at
Wayne State University and the
University of Washington before
joining UIC in 2006.
Q&A with Dr. Nancy Freitag, our
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
New Department Head
Dr. Freitag shares some thoughts about her plans for the future, how
the department is positioned for further success, and where she
sees it heading in the coming years.
What excites you most about moving into your
new position as head of the Department of
Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSCI)?
I’m excited and grateful to be the new
A :
department head of PSCI. This is a wonderful
chance to support a unique, dynamic, and growing
department that has a great culture of respect and
collaboration. I have learned an extensive amount
about this university and its goals and processes while
working in the faculty affairs office, and I hope to bring
this expertise to PSCI to support faculty, students, and
staff while also contributing to the exciting
science that is currently underway.
There is so much potential here.
The mix of basic science with
drug discovery, design, and
delivery perfectly positions the
department to take advantage
of many new initiatives
and program projects that
are in the making, both
locally and nationally.
PSCI is exceptionally well poised within the College
of Pharmacy to compete for NIH and DoD programs
and projects that focus on the identification of new
drug targets and new delivery systems. Its unique
position within the city of Chicago creates opportunity
in ongoing efforts to develop and grow the city into a
biotech hub. The department is in an exciting place at
a very opportune time.
What do you see as PSCI’s most substantial
assets?
I think I speak to some of this
A :
above. The department’s supportive,
collaborative culture is a huge asset. The
strong mix of basic science with drug
discovery, design, and delivery brings
critical expertise together in exciting
and productive ways. The strong
support and reputation of the College
of Pharmacy is a tremendous asset.
And all of the talented people within
the department who contribute
Dr. Nancy Freitag
6 THE PHARMACIST PHARMACY.UIC.EDU