Dr. Xiuling Lu has been selected as the 2023 Faculty Research Advising Award recipient by the UConn School of Pharmacy. This award will be presented during commencement weekend and marks the second year the award will be presented.

Lu is a professor of pharmaceutics in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. She has mentored approximately 50 undergraduate and professional students on research projects over the past 10 years.  Many have stayed on in her lab to conduct research throughout their undergraduate and professional program.

“I am grateful for the recognition and feel lucky to mentor those talented undergraduate and Pharm.D. students,” says Lu. “They are passionate about research, especially interested in learning about formulation and nanoparticle-based drug delivery. I enjoy seeing their excitement when discussing the projects and plans and also glad to guide them through the challenges when conducting the experiments.”

She has served as a major advisor for three students and associate advisor for one student who were selected as University Scholars.  Lu initiated the Student Educational Assistance (SEA) program to promote student-centered teaching and learning. The SEA program plays an important role for School of Pharmacy students and did so especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The research experience is not meant to be just something on their CV, but an opportunity for practicing problem solving, creativity, collaboration, persistence, and even patience,” says Lu.

Lu currently has two University Scholars and three honors students doing research in her lab for their honors theses. These students have earned multiple research awards and fellowships, and drafted or co-authored manuscripts for publications.