Pharmacy Research
Research is an enrichment opportunity for students who wish to explore a challenging educational experience outside of the traditional pharmacy curriculum. The goals of the program are to foster independent thinking, student-faculty interactions, and to explore potential career options. All Pharmacy students are eligible to participate in an independent study research project with a faculty research mentor.
Not sure how to get started? Consider reviewing the tips put together by the Office of Undergraduate Research on how to connect with faculty or making an appointment with one of our advisors!
School of Pharmacy Research
At the School of Pharmacy, our faculty, staff, and students are dedicated to making groundbreaking advancements and driving innovation to advance healthcare through scientific discovery and scholarship. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities to collaborate across disciplines—and around the world—our researchers are tackling big challenges and developing leading-edge solutions. Recent funding to the benefit of the School of Pharmacy includes Next Generation Connecticut (a $1.5 billion dollar capital investment over 13 years), and Bioscience Connecticut ($864 million investment in genomics and personalized medicine).
School of Pharmacy faculty are nationally recognized scholars. Many of them mentor and guide students in both our Pre-Professional and Professional (Pharm.D.) Programs in Pharmacy. Pre-Professional students can get involved in research as early as their first semester! All Pharmacy students are eligible for independent study courses individually arranged with departmental faculty. Students interested in research are encouraged to reach out to faculty to ask about opportunities as early as possible.
Departments, Centers, & Research Programs
Department of Pharmacy Practice
Review the Pharmacy Practice faculty directory. You can learn more about each faculty member's research interests by going to their individual webpage.
You can also explore Pharmacy Practice Collaborative Research Groups.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Review the Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty directory. You can learn more about each faculty member's research interests by going to their individual webpage.
You can also explore Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty labs and research groups.
Center for Pharmaceutical Process Research (CPPR)
The Center for Pharmaceutical Process Research (CPPR) is a collaborative program that brings together select universities and industry colleagues for cooperative research projects between academia and industry.
More information can be found on the Center's website.
Technology Incubation Program (TIP)
School of Pharmacy faculty are a key part of this collaborative program at UConn. By coupling UConn's world-class research resources, facilities, and business support services to a network of experienced investors and entrepreneurs, TIP helps launch startups ready to transform their respective markets.
More information is available at the Program's website.
Pharmacy Research Courses
The School of Pharmacy offers multiple research-focused courses for our Pre-Professional and Professional (Pharm.D.) students to get involved in research. More information on each is below.
PHAR/PHRX 3012: Pharmacy Research Seminar
This course is open to all Pre-Professional and Professional (Pharm.D.) students, as well as any other students across the University who are interested in pharmacy and pharmaceutical research. Phamacy students will register under PHRX 3012; all others will register for PHAR 3012.
Course Description: A seminar series providing an overview of current research areas and contemporary issues in pharmacy practice and the pharmaceutical sciences.
Semesters Offered: Fall semester only.
Honors: This course may be taken for Honors credit.
PHAR/PHRX 3099: Independent Research
This course is open to all Pre-Professional and Professional (Pharm.D.) students, as well as any other students across the University who are interested in pharmacy and pharmaceutical research. Pharmacy students will register under PHRX 3099; all others will register for PHAR 3099.
Course Description: Designed primarily for qualified students who wish to extend their knowledge in the various fields represented in the School of Pharmacy. A divisional and pharmacy cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or above is normally required for enrollment. A written summary of work performed is required at the end of each semester. May be repeated for credit.
Semesters Offered: Fall and Spring semesters.
Honors: This course may be taken for Honors credit.
UConn Research Programs & Funding Opportunities
UConn offers a variety of initiatives and programs designed to support student researchers. They provide students and opportunity to have funding for their work and pair them with faculty mentors. Participants also gain experience presenting their research through campus programming and at conferences across the country.
A full list of research funding opportunities are available on the Office of Undergraduate Research's website.
| Research Program | Description |
Bold ScholarsOffered through: Office of Undergraduate Research Open to: Students in the Pre-Professional and Professional (PharmD) Programs who identify as women |
The BOLD Women’s Leadership Network is a pioneering program cultivating courageous leadership in young women during the college years and beyond. BOLD focuses on facilitating opportunities for women’s career development and networking through scholarship funding, programming, and post-graduation fellowships. Ultimately, the program will empower young college women to become leaders in their life and careers after college. |
| Co-op Legacy Fellowship Program – Change Grants
Offered through: Office of Undergraduate Research Open to: Students in the Pre-Professional and Professional (PharmD) Programs |
Born out of the UConn Co-op’s commitment to public engagement, innovative entrepreneurship, social impact, and active mentorship, the UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grants provide undergraduates the opportunity to engage in projects that make an impact and express the core values of the UConn Co-op: innovation, leadership, and service.
UConn undergraduates in all majors can apply for up to $2,000 in funding to support community service, research, advocacy, or social innovation projects. Projects need to be student-designed and/or student-led. Applications are accepted from individuals and from small groups (no more than 3 people) who will be working collaboratively or co-leading an initiative. |
Health Research ProgramOffered through: Office of Undergraduate Research Open to: Students in the Pre-Professional and Professional (PharmD) Programs |
The Health Research Program offers a pathway into undergraduate research for students with interests in health and the biomedical sciences. By facilitating connections between UConn Health researchers and UConn undergraduates, this program involves more students in the cutting-edge research at the Farmington campus. The Health Research Program includes a combination of academic year and summer research opportunities, offering undergraduates and their faculty mentors a structure for sustained engagement in research projects, maximizing student learning and preparation for graduate study and/or careers in the health professions. |
Holster Scholars ProgramOffered through: Honors Program Open to: First-year Honors students in the Pre-Professional Program |
The Holster Scholars Program is a selective enrichment opportunity available only to first-year Honors students. The program supports a small number of motivated students who pursue independent research, design, or creative projects during the summer following their first year. Holster projects are in-depth, individualized learning experiences pursued under the direction of a faculty mentor. Beyond some basic requirements, projects are self-designed. |
LSAMP ProgramOffered through: Institute for Student Success Open to: Students in the Pre-Professional and Professional (PharmD) Programs |
The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) supports historically underrepresented students in the STEM fields. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation. Enrollment in the program is reserved to a select and highly committed group of students with a declared major in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and pre-health professions. |
McNair Scholars ProgramOffered through: Institute for Student Success Open to: Students in the Pre-Professional and Professional (PharmD) Programs |
The McNair Scholars Program prepares talented, highly motivated UConn undergraduate students for doctoral studies in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. McNair is open to low-income, first-generation college students, or those from populations underrepresented in STEM graduate fields, who wish to pursue a Ph.D. degree. |
OUR Research Travel AwardsOffered through: Office of Undergraduate Research Open to: Students in the Pre-Professional and Professional (PharmD) Programs |
Research Travel Awards provide up to $500 to undergraduate students for travel to conduct research, such as travel to consult materials in an archive or work with equipment in a national lab. Students may use these awards to pay for travel, parking, meals, and lodging while away from their home UConn campus. |
Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF) AwardsOffered through: Office of Undergraduate Research Open to: Students in the Pre-Professional and Professional (PharmD) Programs |
SURF awards support full-time undergraduate students in summer research or creative projects. SURF project proposals are reviewed by a faculty committee and are awarded through a competitive process. Awardees receive up to $4,500. Projects must be supervised by a UConn faculty member. |
UConn IDEA Grant ProgramOffered through: Office of Undergraduate Research Open to: Students in the Pre-Professional and Professional (PharmD) Programs |
UConn undergraduates in all majors at all campuses can apply individually or as part of a small group for an IDEA Grant. Awardees receive up to $4,000 per student to fund self-designed work on a topic, project, problem, artistic product or performance, or other entrepreneurial or creative idea of their choice. The project does not need to be tied to a student’s major or minor, but it should be guided by a student’s academic goals and future plans. |