Press Release
8/27/2025
For more information:
Rebecca Stauffer
AAPS Communications Manager
[email protected]
AAPS Announces 2025 Awards Recipients
Awards Program Recognizes Research and Leadership in Pharmaceutical Science
Arlington, VA—AAPS is proud to recognize members who are impacting the pharmaceutical sciences with their research, their leadership, and their service through the 2025 Awards Program.
AAPS Awards celebrate scientists who are role models in the pharmaceutical science community. Each year, scientists volunteering through the AAPS Awards Committee review nomination submissions and select individuals whose scholarship, leadership, and service exemplify the highest personal and professional achievement.
“On behalf of the entire Awards Committee, we are thrilled to recognize the recipients of the 2025 AAPS Awards,” 2025 AAPS Awards Committee Chair Steven Little, Ph.D., FAAPS, said. “The tremendous accomplishments of these individuals are truly inspiring, and the quality of the nominations and applicants this past year is a true testament to the strength of scientific accomplishment and leadership present in AAPS today.”
"I am honored to celebrate this year’s AAPS award recipients, whose achievements and dedication embody innovation and excellence in our community. Their research and leadership inspire peers, advance pharmaceutical science, and reflect our shared commitment to improving patient lives,” 2025 AAPS President Russell Weiner, Ph.D., FAAPS, said. “Congratulations to these exceptional individuals. Their work drives our mission and brings hope and better treatments to patients everywhere."
The 2025 AAPS Awards recipients are:
Distinguished Pharmaceutical Scientist Award
Cato Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., is recognized as a pioneering and transformative figure in pharmaceutical science whose lifetime of work has profoundly advanced biomaterials, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine. Over several decades, he has developed a groundbreaking body of research focused on polymeric nanofiber and nanoparticle chemistry, establishing foundational technologies that have reshaped biomedical science and therapeutic innovation.
Global Leader Award
Mandip Singh Sachdeva, Ph.D., FAAPS, is recognized for the international reach of his work and its impact on patients around the world. He is a leader in translational research with more than 40 years of contributions to nanomedicine, targeted drug delivery, and global scientific advancement. Twice he has been awarded Fulbright Fellowships in Brazil and was also selected as a GIAN Fellow by the Government of India to deliver nanomedicine modules to researchers and students across Indian institutions.
Distinguished Service Award
Christopher R. McCurdy, Ph.D., R.Ph., FAAPS, has served AAPS in various capacities for 22 consecutive years. Notably, he has served as President-elect, President, Immediate Past President, and Member-at-Large on the Executive Council (now Board of Directors). He also chaired the 2013 Annual Meeting Programming Committee.
Emerging Leader Award
Owen Fenton, Ph.D., has significantly advanced pharmaceutical science through both fundamental discovery and translational innovation. His research has led to the first demonstration that hypoxia impairs mRNA translation from LNPs, a novel co-delivery strategy using ATP to restore protein expression in hypoxic cells, and a lung-targeted mRNA delivery platform with tunable activity in oxygen-deprived tissues. These breakthroughs are not only scientifically rigorous but also highly applicable to real-world therapeutic challenges.
Outstanding Manuscript Awards
“Challenges and Strategies for Solubility Measurements and Dissolution Method Development for Amorphous Solid Dispersion Formulations,” The AAPS Journal, Andre Hermans, Ph.D.; Johanna Milsmann, Ph.D.; Hanlin Li, Ph.D.; Christian Jede, Ph.D.; Andrea Moir; Bart Hens, Ph.D.; James Morgado; Tian Wu, Ph.D.; and Michael Cohen, Ph.D.
“Best Practices and Guidelines (2022) for Scale-Up and Tech Transfer in Freeze-Drying Based on Case Studies. Part 1: Challenges during Scale Up and Transfer,” AAPS PharmSciTech, Serguei Tchessalov, Ph.D.; Evgenyi Shalaev, Ph.D., FAAPS; Bakul Bhatnagar, Ph.D.; Steven Nail, Ph.D., FAAPS; Alina Alexeenko, Ph.D.; Feroz Jameel, Ph.D.; Jayasree Srinivasan, Ph.D.; Michael Dekner; Ekneet Sahni, Ph.D.; Stefan Schneid, Ph.D.; Petr Kazarin, Ph.D.; Orla McGarvey, Ph.D.; Bert Van Meervenne; Vaibhav Kshirsagar; Paritosh Pande, Ph.D.; Jens Philipp; Greg Sacha, Ph.D.; Ke Wu, Ph.D.; Joseph Azzarella; Gayathri Shivkumar, Ph.D.; and Shreyas Bhatt
“Development and Evaluation of Dissolving Microarray Patches for Co-administered and Repeated Intradermal Delivery of Long-acting Rilpivirine and Cabotegravir Nanosuspensions for Paediatric HIV Antiretroviral Therapy,” Pharmaceutical Research, Kurtis Moffatt, Ph.D.; Ismaiel A. Tekko, Ph.D.; Lalitkumar Vora, Ph.D.; Fabiana Volpe-Zanutto, Ph.D.; Aaron R. J. Hutton, Ph.D.; Jessica Mistilis, Ph.D., Courtney Jarrahian; Nima Akhavein; Andrew D. Weber; Helen O. McCarthy, Ph.D.; and Ryan F. Donnelly, Ph.D.
Student Chapter Award
The University of Iowa has been active in its core mission of increasing awareness of career opportunities, enhancing access to educational resources, and building knowledge about the latest advances in pharmaceutical sciences, as well as participating in a variety of community outreach activities. One noteworthy educational event was held in collaboration with the National Academy of Inventors on “patent literacy” to help prepare students for innovative-driven careers.
Best Abstract Awards
Each year, the top 10% of the hundreds of poster abstracts submitted to PharmSci 360 before the early submission deadline are recognized with the Best Abstract Award. These posters will be presented by their authors at PharmSci 360, November 10-12, in San Antonio, Texas. Currently, early poster abstracts—including these meritorious submissions—can be viewed in the PharmSci 360 program.
Award recipients will be recognized at the 2025 PharmSci 360 in San Antonio, Texas, on November 9, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. For more information about this event or to register, visit www.aaps.org/pharmsci360.
Best Poster Awards to Be Announced Soon
Three of the most scientifically impactful posters to be presented at PharmSci 360 will be announced in September.
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American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association of more than 7,000 scientists and professionals employed in academia, industry, regulatory, and other research related to the pharmaceutical sciences worldwide. Its mission is to advance the capacity of pharmaceutical scientists to develop products and therapies that improve global health, which members pursue through four peer-reviewed journals and a variety of events in person and online. www.aaps.org