The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPPS) recently hosted scientists and researchers from around the world for its Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Symposium and the Buffalo Pharmaceutics Symposium.

Programming events, held July 26-29, included scientific sessions, tributes honoring retired UB SPPS faculty members, and receptions.

The Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) Symposium, launched in 2017, brought scientists together to discuss contemporary approaches, including the challenges and opportunities for advancing the science and practice of quantitative systems pharmacology.

QSP represents an approach to translational medicine that combines computational and experimental methods to elucidate, validate and apply new pharmacological concepts to the development and use of small molecule and biologic drugs.

The 2023 QSP Symposium fostered collaborations and synergies among participants to promote discoveries in the field of QSP. Programming featured presentations and question-and-answer sessions from invited researchers from across the country.

The 15th Buffalo Pharmaceutics Symposium (BPS) brought together alumni and internationally recognized faculty and invited researchers to exchange valuable scientific knowledge and showcase their cutting-edge research in pharmaceutical sciences. Nearly 230 participants attended this year’s event, “Pharmaceutical Sciences: In Pursuit of Excellence.”

The event featured a tribute to longtime faculty member Ho-Leung Fung, UB Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, in recognition of his extraordinary life and contributions to drug discovery and drug development.

Another session honored recently retired faculty member Marilyn Morris, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, for her 37-year career as a UB scientist, educator, mentor and leader in pharmaceutical sciences.

Programming also featured student research poster presentations, networking sessions and presentations from alumni and invited internationally renowned pharmaceutics researchers.

“The Buffalo Pharmaceutics Symposium has been a long tradition for our department in assembling faculty, students and alumni for scientific lectures and social events around Buffalo,” says William J. Jusko, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and chair of 2023 BPS.

“Our 2023 BPS was incredible, with outstanding presentations by many prominent alumni who lead various pharmaceutical companies, universities and the Food & Drug Administration. Our students and fellows encountered role models who are innovators offering enduring friendships.

“It was great that we could honor revered and retired faculty, Ho-Leung Fung and Marilyn E. Morris,” Jusko adds.