Completely unrelated to Valentine’s Day, the School of Pharmacy held a different sort of matchmaking event for February.

The second Pharmacy Research Matchmaking Game took place on Feb. 4. Approximately 20 undergraduate and graduate students ranging from Pharmacy, Biology, Computer Science and Medicine gathered in the Bruneau Centre atrium on the St. John’s campus to grab a sneak peek at some of the research happening in the School of Pharmacy.

Six faculty members were situated at six stations and were given seven minutes to present a research project they’re currently running. Students were arranged in small groups and given three minutes to ask questions until a buzzer sounded. They then moved along to the next station.

Here’s a glimpse at the topics that were presented:

Participants gathered after the event for pizza and to continue discussions.

Ashleigh Snell (Class of 2018, Pharmacy) says the event made her think about a graduate degree in pharmacy—something she hadn’t considered before.

“I didn’t realize the variety of research going on at the school; it made me think about all the different opportunities research can have and it’s amazing how many of the professors want to have students on board to help!”

Growth in graduate enrolment

Dr. John Weber, associate dean of graduate studies and research, said the school aims to double graduate enrolment by 2017.

“Our 2014-17 Strategic Plan identifies our graduate program as an area of growth. Many people are not aware that the School of Pharmacy even offers a graduate program, or that you don’t have to have an undergraduate degree in pharmacy to pursue graduate work with us, so this event was part of a plan we’re developing to spread the word that we have a lot of interesting research happening here and our doors are open.”

The school plans to hold a similar event in 2017, and will be holding their second annual Pharmacy Research Innovation Day on March 23 as part of Pharmacist Awareness Month.

Interested in hearing more about pharmacy graduate studies? Contact Dr. Weber.