Postdoctoral scholars, specialists, and researchers (PSRs) from across the UCSF School of Pharmacy gathered at the Wayne and Gladys Valley Center for Vision on the Mission Bay campus on June 24, 2026, for the third annual PSR Symposium, an inspiring day of scientific exchange, career development, and community building hosted by the Center for Collaborative Innovation (CCI).

Launched in 2024 with support from the vice chancellor's office, the symposium was created to recognize and elevate the contributions of PSRs, whose work is essential to advancing discovery across the school and UCSF.

This year’s event brought together researchers from across disciplines to share their work, build new connections, and strengthen opportunities for collaboration at a time when many scientists are adapting to a changing research landscape shaped by funding uncertainty and evolving federal priorities.

CCI Director Su Guo, PhD, professor in the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences (BTS), a joint department of the schools of Pharmacy and Medicine, opened the symposium by highlighting the center’s mission to inspire, collaborate, and innovate. She reflected on CCI’s broader efforts to support research through initiatives such as the Mary Ann Koda-Kimble Seed Award Program for Innovation and research bridge funding.

“Research has always moved forward through collaboration, creativity, and resilience,” said Guo. “These are challenging times for science, but they are also opportunities to build new partnerships, explore new ideas, and find new ways to move discovery forward. The PSR Symposium helps create those connections from the ground up.”

Guo recognized the efforts of the PSR organizing committee, and thanked Giacomini for her longstanding support of PSRs and their contributions to the school’s research mission.

The symposium featured the following scientific presentations from previous Koda-Kimble Seed Award recipients:

• John Gross, PhD, professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, “Mining the ReFrame Library to Unleash Innate Immunity Against Mpox”
• Kyle Cromer, PhD, assistant professor of Surgery and BTS, “Using Human Genetics and Synthetic Biology to Enhance Ex Vivo RBC Production”
• Bani Tamraz, PharmD, PhD, associate professor of Clinical Pharmacy and director of Clinical Pharmacogenomics, “Genome-Wide Association Study of Efavirenz Exposure Measured in Hair of Women with HIV”

The event also featured poster sessions that gave PSRs an opportunity to present their research, practice their scientific communication skills, and engage with colleagues from across UCSF.  

Representatives from UCSF’s Innovation Ventures and other campus groups participated in the sessions, helping connect researchers with resources that can support future innovation and translation. 

A total of 14 posters were presented, and four prize winners were selected:

• Anna Karen Orta, PhD, Damon Runyon Postdoctoral Fellow, Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences - “Structural Studies of Cytochrome p450 CYP3A4 by CryoEM”
• Amanda Paulson, PhD, Informatics Specialist, Pharmaceutical Chemistry - “AI‑Powered DMTA Platform Enables Rapid Discovery of Potent and Selective NEK Kinase Chemical Probes”
• Jia Yang, PhD, Assistant Researcher, BTS- “The Role of the SLC22A24 Transporter in Renal Reabsorption of Steroids”
• Michael C. Yoon, PharmD, PhD, Clinical Pharmacology Fellow, Savic Lab, BTS - “Characterizing Adolescent Pyrazinamide Pharmacokinetics Using Data from Multiple Pediatric and Adult Clinical Trials: A Unified Pediatric-Adult Population Pharmacokinetic Model to Guide Dosing”

“Seeing researchers from different departments and disciplines come together to share their work reminds us that some of the most impactful advances begin with a conversation,” said Guo. “Building those connections is essential to the future of science.”