The UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences has honored Kara Lee, Megan Nishitani, Sharon Shang, and Claire Stein-Wendt as the 2025 Undergraduate Achievement Award recipients.
The Undergraduate Achievement Awards recognize graduating BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences students who have demonstrated a commitment to academic and professional excellence during their time in the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. The awardees will each receive a $500 scholarship.
Kara Lee has participated in Army ROTC since her freshman year at UCI. She oversees the training and development of over 40 cadets as Detachment Commander and was named by ROTC as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Her involvement in ROTC gave her the opportunity to join the Army Medical Department Internship Program at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, where she gained experience in specialized pharmacy in the ICU, NICU, and oncology department. She is president of the Anteater Military Association and has served as the president and captain for UCI’s Fencing Club, as well as a mentor in the PharmSci Mentorship Program. Lee will begin pursuing her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy this fall, and after graduating from that program, will serve as an active duty Army pharmacist in the Medical Service Corps.
“This award is an incredible honor that recognizes the hard work I’ve put into my time at UCI,” said Lee. “I’ve learned, trained, and dedicated myself to growing as a future healthcare provider and Army officer. This award reflects my passion for pharmacy, my drive to develop others, and my commitment to making a meaningful impact in the military and in healthcare.”
Megan Nishitani is an undergraduate researcher in the Schriner Lab, where she studies aging using yeast. She has participated in UCI’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and Summer Undergraduate Research Program; presented a poster at the Geroscience Los Angeles Meeting at USC in 2023 and 2024; was co-author on a poster presented at the Gerontological Sciences of America meeting in Seattle and a poster presented at the annual American Aging Association meeting in Alaska; and co-authored a study published in Biogerontology. In addition to her research, Nishitani was a learning assistant for several courses and served as a mentor, secretary, and co-coordinator for the Pharmaceutical Sciences Mentorship Program. Soon, she will head to the UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences to complete the PharmD program.
“Receiving this award is such a meaningful recognition of my journey,” Nishitani shared. “It feels like a representation of all of the hard work and dedication I put into my academic success, research, and being an active member in the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences community.”
Sharon Shang researches how contemporary and alternative medicine practices like Tai Chi, acupressure, and Qigong affect the body in the lab of Dr. Shin Lin. In addition to her studies, she has worked as a medical assistant, where she helped with taking vitals and EKGs and served as a translator for patients. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Shang enjoys playing piano and violin, singing, and writing songs. After graduating from UCI, she will start the PharmD program at UC San Francisco.
“This award is more than just a recognition — it’s a powerful encouragement. It reminds me that all the late nights, self-doubt, and challenges were worth it,” Shang stated. “I feel incredibly grateful for everyone who supported me on this journey: My friends, my parents, and all the professors. Being acknowledged in this way gives me even more motivation to keep going forward and to give back in the future.”
Claire Stein-Wendt has researched potassium ion channels and related diseases in the Abbott Lab and chemotherapy-related neurocognitive decline in the Acharya Lab. She conducted an independent research project and presented her findings at the 2024 UROP Symposium. She also worked as a learning assistant and was invited to join the curriculum development team for majors-level General Chemistry labs, which gives her the opportunity to design experiments for the courses. Additionally, she works with the American Association of University Women (AAUW). As part of this organization, she mentors middle- and high-school students who are interested in STEM careers and gives presentations about her work as a student researcher. Following graduation, she will pursue a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology at UC Davis.
“I am so thrilled and grateful to receive this award,” said Stein-Wendt. “I feel honored to be recognized for my efforts throughout my undergraduate career.”
