Eleven Staff Members Honored for Contributions

The UCSF School of Pharmacy is recognizing 11 staff members with a SPOT Award for their exceptional work and contributions. Part of UCSF’s STAR Program, SPOT Awards are $1,500 cash awards that honor significant employee achievements and contributions for a specific project or task over a short period of time.

Read about the awardees for the first half of the 2024–2025 fiscal year and the accolades they received in their nomination:

• Laura Armstrong, assessment analyst, Dean’s Office: Armstrong completed two large dashboard milestone projects that were well-received and recognized by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Assessment Special Interest Group.
• Christina Chen, post-award analyst, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences: Chen has consistently demonstrated attention to detail, particularly in monitoring the research group’s funding, and proactively advises colleagues to ensure that people are well-prepared.
• Lisa Duca, executive analyst, Department of Clinical Pharmacy: Duca stepped up as a leader and took on the role of administrator for academic searches, including overseeing two critical recruitments for the California Poison Control System executive director and San Francisco experiential education program director.
• Julie Erich, operations analyst, Department of Clinical Pharmacy: Erich made exceptional contributions to several recent complex projects and consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to accuracy and compliance.
• Isaac Kaijankoski, program manager of the Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics Graduate Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry: Kaijankoski consistently meets deadlines, delivers outstanding service to students and adeptly navigated and supported a leadership transition among program directors.
• Desiree Khu, research liaison, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences: Khu was commended for being reliable and dependable and for her willingness to assist and support co-workers.
• Thuy Le, contracts and grants specialist, California Poison Control System: Le demonstrated a high degree of professionalism, integrity and excellence, producing outstanding work, remaining positive and engaged, and communicating with colleagues.
• Peter Lu, faculty support analyst, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences: Lu provided temporary administrative support to the Institute for Human Genetics, ensuring that operations continued smoothly and efficiently.
• Ali Sasan, financial services analyst, QBI: Sasan performed above and beyond to meet QBI’s needs, including taking on tasks that exceeded his responsibilities and collaborating to complete the annual financial report.
• Katherine Tam, communications director, Dean’s Office: Tam has implemented new processes and worked to advance the school’s strategic priorities that showcases the school in a new light.
• Jeanie Tran, research administrator, Department of Clinical Pharmacy: Tran provided five-year funding projections to multiple principal investigators, more financial reports to funders than usual, and handled sensitive situations well.