Dillon Gonzalez is a BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences student who will soon graduate from the UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences as part of the class of 2025. His interest in pharmacy began as a high school student who observed how pharmacists support their communities.
“I saw the disparities in healthcare that my Latino grandparents faced due to their lack of education in medicine,” he said. “I learned that pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare providers due to their prominence in outpatient settings, which piqued my interest in being accessible to my community through practicing pharmacy.”
A large part of his time in the program has been spent participating in student organizations, including the Pre-Pharmacy Society (PPS) and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mentorship Program (PSMP). Gonzalez is the current PPS president.
“In PPS, I have worked my way from being a board intern to the president. I co-hosted two Pre-Pharmacy Days, which allowed me to provide pharmacy education to my peers and networking opportunities with nearly 20 pharmacy schools. Through PSMP, I was lucky to have two mentors in my first year, and I have volunteered as a mentor ever since. I also serve as one of PSMP’s Co-Workshop Coordinators,” he said. “I do not believe I would be in the position I am in today without my involvement in these organizations and the many opportunities they provided.”
In the fall, Gonzalez will attend the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences to pursue his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
“My experience in the BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences program has affirmed my goal of becoming a pharmacist,” Gonzalez shared. “The UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences has provided me with a supportive learning environment — the faculty and my peers work with one another on our shared goal of furthering the field of pharmaceutical sciences. This education, in tandem with the guidance of my advisors, has given me the confidence to pursue my next chapter.”
