Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD Student Emily Castro Receives LatinX Excellence and Achievement Award
Pharmaceutical sciences PhD student Emily Castro received an Excellence and Achievement Award at the 6th annual LatinX Excellence and Achievement Awards Dinner (LEAD).
LEAD is the only celebration and awards event in the University of California System that focuses on graduate student success. LEAD’s mission is to:
- Celebrate graduate student research excellence and leadership
- Recognize faculty, staff and alumni who provide support for excellence and success
- And create a sense of community and institutional memory of academic and professional achievement in the UCI Hispanic/LatinX community
Emily received the award for her outstanding research contributions, her dedication to creating an engaged student community, and for her service to students in the UCI community and beyond.
Emily is a PhD student in the Pharmacological Sciences graduate program at UCI and conducts research in the Lotfipour Lab alongside Dr. Shahrdad Lotfipour. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms impacted after drug exposure during adolescence.
Throughout her academic journey, Emily has consistently made serving her community and outreach a priority. She has volunteered as a Spanish speaking tutor at her public library and has worked at the UCI Student Success Initiatives as a student mentor for underrepresented minority students in STEM majors.
She has also given lectures and talks in neighboring schools to promote STEM education for under-represented student population.
As a graduate student, Emily serves as a student representative for the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity committee. She is passionate about ensuring sustainable practices are in place to enhance the training and educational environment for students from diverse backgrounds.
“Emily is an exceptional student who has made significant contributions to our research and community,” says Lotfipour. “Her dedication to promoting STEM education and creating an engaged student community is inspiring. I look forward to her continued positive impact.”
