The AAPS student chapter at UIC brings together students and scientists who share common goals and interests in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. We host seminars, professional workshops, industry tours, social events to facilitate networking and knowledge sharing.
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The AAPS Student Chapter at the University of Illinois Chicago, in collaboration with the AAPS Student Chapter at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, recently hosted a highly engaging career panel titled “Perspectives from Recent Graduates.” This event brought together a diverse group of PhD-trained professionals who shared their experiences transitioning from graduate school into careers across industry, academia, and patent law.
The panel featured insightful discussions on navigating the job market, overcoming challenges during the transition, and identifying opportunities aligned with individual career goals. Attendees gained valuable perspectives on the day-to-day realities of different career paths, as well as practical advice on networking, interviewing, and professional development.
The AAPS Student Chapter at UIC is excited to introduce its 2026 Executive Board.
This dedicated team of student leaders will guide the organization’s efforts in advancing professional development, fostering industry connections, and supporting the academic community.
We look forward to a year of impactful programming, collaboration, and continued growth under their leadership.
The AAPS Student Chapter at UIC hosted a live Resume Workshop led by Nicole Goodwin (Merck) to help students strengthen their professional profiles.
The session covered key strategies for crafting impactful resumes, tailoring applications, and effectively presenting skills and experiences to employers. Attendees gained practical tips and personalized insights to enhance their job readiness and competitiveness.
Huge congratulations to our AAPS board members for being recognized at the Chancellor’s Student Service & Leadership Awards!
Thank you all for your dedication, leadership, and meaningful contributions to both AAPS and UIC. This recognition is well deserved!
The AAPS UIC Chapter proudly partnered with the UI Cancer Center for this year’s Annual 5K Run/Walk in support the mission to improve cancer health outcomes for all. The event was a great success, bringing together 225 participants from across the UIC community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined and supported this meaningful cause. We look forward to continued collaboration with the UI Cancer Center in advancing health and wellness initiatives.
Members of the AAPS UIC Chapter recently visited the AbbVie facility for an insightful industry tour. Students had the opportunity to explore state-of-the-art laboratories and engage in career-focused discussions with scientists and industry professionals. We also gained valuable insights into departments such as Drug Formulation, Process Chemistry, API Pilot Plant, and BioARD AIMS, gaining firsthand experience of how research translates into the large-scale production of small molecule therapeutics and antibody-drug conjugates. A huge thank-you to the AbbVie team for hosting us and sharing their expertise.
The AAPS UIC Chapter successfully hosted its 2nd Annual Elevator Pitch Competition, bringing together graduate students to showcase their communication and presentation skills in a fast-paced format. We were honored to have judges from the Office of Technology Management and the Professional Development Department of the UIC Graduate College, who provided valuable feedback and insights. Congratulations to all participants for their creativity and professionalism.
Working closely with the PGSRM planning committee, the AAPS UIC Student Chapter assisted in hosting the Pharmaceutics Graduate Student Research Meeting (PGSRM) 2025, which brought together over 200 graduate students and faculty from more than 10 universities across the Midwest.
The meeting was a landmark event that highlighted the vibrant community of pharmaceutical sciences researchers, provided valuable opportunities for professional development, and strengthened academic–industry partnerships. The program featured exciting poster presentations, engaging student talks, and dynamic networking opportunities, fostering both scientific exchange and professional growth.
Congratulations to our AAPS members for their outstanding achievements which earned them the Chancellor’s Student Service Award (CSSA) at the 53rd Annual Chancellor’s Student Service and Leadership Awards (CSSLA) ceremony here at UIC!
Since 1973, the CSSLA has recognized outstanding student leaders who maintain high academic achievement and demonstrate a commitment to the UIC community through participation in student organizations and campus activities.
The AAPS UIC student chapter hosted its first Elevator Pitch Contest, inviting graduate students to present their research concisely and compellingly. Supported by the UIC Graduate Student Council, the event featured a vibrant audience and highlighted diverse research topics. Participants showcased their communication skills while receiving constructive feedback from judges. The contest fostered engagement, collaboration, and professional development among students.
AI in Healthcare: Redefining Drug Development" event! The talk was enlightening and gave us valuable insights into how AI could potentially revolutionize our respective fields.
Our AAPS chapter is more than just hosting educational and social events or connecting academia to industry. We also believe in giving back! We had a blast volunteering at the UI Cancer Center 5K.
We had an enlightening visit to Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc where we gained first-hand insights into the pharmaceutical industry's operations and innovations. The engaging talks from the Xeris team deepened attendees' understanding of drug development and delivery, while fostering connections between academia and industry.
College of Pharmacy Research Day and Opening of 2023-2024 AAPS Chapter term (November 2023)
We celebrated the closing of the 2022-2023 term and the opening of the 2023-2024 term for our AAPS student chapter, along with our 14th annual UIC College of Pharmacy Research Day. At a joyful dinner, we welcomed new officers while expressing our gratitude to the previously active members. We're proud of what we have accomplished together, and we couldn't have done it without the hard work and dedication of our members, as well as the support of UIC PSCI students and faculty.
Industry tour to AbbVie in North Chicago (October 2023)
Our chapter had an incredible industry tour at AbbVie in North Chicago. We had the fantastic opportunity to explore research labs, plant facilities, interact with scientists, and gain insights into research and career development at AbbVie. Special thanks to Nandkishor Nere and Won (Seungwon) Chung for their exceptional efforts in hosting and coordinating this tour. Our students were genuinely excited and inspired by the chance to see pharmaceutical science in action!
We'd like to extend our gratitude for the support from our Pharmaceutical Sciences department at UIC, which was instrumental in helping us make this tour possible. Finally, a big shoutout to all the participating graduate students and postdocs for your engagement!
Halloween Costume Contest (October 2023)
Spooky fun at the AAPS Student Chapter Halloween Costume Contest! 🎃 Congrats to our costume winners and thanks to everyone who joined for treats and coffee!
Seminar speaker Dr. Geoff Zhang from AbbVie (October 2023)
The AAPS student chapter at UIC invited Dr. Geoff G. Z. Zhang from AbbVie to present a PSCI seminar titled "Delivery of Poorly Soluble Drugs: Dissolution of PVPVA-Based Amorphous Solid Dispersions." As a fellow of the national AAPS, Dr. Zhang shared valuable insights into physical pharmacy and industry research. The seminar highlighted advancements in improving drug solubility and delivery. We look forward to connecting with more scientists to gain diverse perspectives and opportunities for growth
LanzaTech Industry Tour (May 2023)
AAPS student chapter at UIC had an insightful visit to LanzaTech, gaining firsthand knowledge of their innovative carbon recycling technology. This interdisciplinary approach showed us how various scientific fields can collaboratively address major environmental challenges. The career panel with LanzaTech's professionals provided valuable insights into biotech careers, proving particularly beneficial for our senior Ph.D. students and postdocs.
Professional Headshots (May 2023)
We had the pleasure of hosting a Professional Headshots Event at the UIC College of Pharmacy. The enthusiasm and professionalism everyone brought to the event were amazing and made for an unforgettable experience.
We're grateful for the opportunity to organize a resume workshop presented by Dr. Andy Vick for the AAPS UIC student chapter. The practical tips and examples provided were invaluable in creating a strong resume. The personalized feedback on our resumes and the opportunity to ask questions was greatly appreciated.
Museum night at the Art Institute of Chicago was impressive! We enjoyed the mind-bending Salvador Dali exhibition and explored other amazing collections. We can't wait to explore more cultural events and activities with our fellow PSci students in the future.
Portal Innovations Tour (October 2022)
We had an awesome tour and a networking event at Portal Innovations, LLC in Chicago’s Fulton Market. Portal Innovation has built a fantastic community and a thriving biotech ecosystem to support life science entrepreneurs. It was a valuable experience to see a best-in-class, fully equipped lab and workspace located in Chicago's fastest-growing business area, which also happens to be only 10 minutes from the UIC campus! We also had an amazing time connecting with Portal innovation scientists at happy hour.
We had a fantastic time with fellow students and AAPS members while watching a thrilling suspense movie together.
We would especially like to acknowledge our panelists, Dr. Karina Esparza, Dr. Dimple Modi, Dr. Karol Sokolowski for sharing their experiences and giving us advice.
Picnic at Arrigo Park (September 2022)
Captured moments from our memorable picnic at Arrigo Park, marking the exciting beginning of the new academic year!
