Originally from India, Akshay was inspired to pursue pharmacy after seeing the impact his dad’s work, also a pharmacist, had on his community. After receiving a Bachelor of Pharmacy and Master of Pharmacy from Delhi University in 2015 and 2017 and working briefly as a formulation scientist, Akshay knew he wanted to go further in contributing to research that could increase the effectiveness of medicines. 

Aware of UConn’s strong reputation in pharmaceutical sciences and an interest in working with Na Li (Ph.D.), Assistant Professor, applying to UConn School of Pharmacy’s Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. Program was an easy choice for Akshay. 

“The world-class facilities, supportive mentorship, and collaborative environment made it the perfect place for me. Looking back, it was definitely the right decision.” 

Throughout his time at the School, Akshay worked closely with Na Li and other Ph.D. students in Li’s lab, focusing on developing amorphous nanoparticle formulations to improve drugs that are poorly absorbed into the body by alleviating poor solubility and permeability issues. Inspired to impact those far beyond UConn and his lab, Akshay’s goal was to help patients achieve full therapeutic benefit at lower doses and with more consistent outcomes. Connecting with the wider scientific community through the Center for Pharmaceutical Processing Research (CPPR) at UConn, Akshay was able to build networks, secure internships and a co-op, and introduce new ideas to the School.  

In his first year in the Ph.D. program, when he wasn’t building his networks or research skills, Akshay was helping Na Li to set up her newly established lab. As the first graduate student in Li’s lab and under her guidance, Akshay went through multiple projects and helped to welcome new students into the program, even during the pandemic. As a result, Akshay and Li worked closely together, and Akshay thrived under her inclusive and caring mentorship approach. 

Between his time at the lab, meeting new people from all over the world and celebrating their diversity, and watching UConn win back-to-back basketball championships (an unforgettable experience, in his words), Akshay still found time to give back to the UConn Pharmacy community. Mentoring students as a teaching assistant (TA) and mentoring Pharm.D. and master’s students was one of the most rewarding parts of his time at UConn, as Akshay learned how to guide people at different levels of experience and become a leader for those looking up to him.  

While mentoring others, Akshay also joined communities that gave him a sense of belonging and friendship. Receiving support from the Graduate Senate Community, his international advisor, and Indian communities, Akshay felt more at home as a Husky. Although a very big community, Akshay also enjoyed joining “The Basketball Capital of the World,” going to Gampel with friends to root for the Huskies! 

Akshay’s new ideas and passion for pharmaceutical sciences aligned with UConn’s support from faculty and peers, empowering him to share his findings in publications. Directly related to his research on amorphous nanoparticles, Akshay explored stability, solubility, and permeability, and how these can be used to design better formulations. Being especially proud of his first two publications, Akshay and his peers were rewarded with mugs that had the labels and abstracts of the publications printed on them, a fun gesture that Akshay appreciated greatly (and got a good laugh from)!  

With the support of his academic advisor Na Li, and UConn’s collaborative environment, Akshay felt pushed to grow as a scientist, winning several awards as a result. During his time at UConn, Akshay won the International Pharmaceuticals Excipients Council (IPEC) Graduate Student Award, recognition from Genentech and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), and the Best Poster Award at the Gordon Research Seminar. With the support of his peers and advisor informing him about upcoming awards and conferences, Akshay believes his awards have been a reflection of his hard work, involvement in impactful research, and support from advisors and peers. 

Akshay is especially proud of his IPEC Graduate Student Award, which exemplifies his hard work and the mentorship he received along his Ph.D. journey. This recognition is especially impressive as this award is also only given to up to five students annually. UConn’s cutting-edge technology in his labs and the generous financial support he received also helped Akshay find support and led to his proudest moment of publishing research from Na Li’s lab, which will contribute to the broader scientific community.  

“The University of Connecticut is a well-recognized brand in pharmaceutical sciences, and everywhere I go, people know and respect the name. I am very proud to be a part of it.”

Aside from academics, Akshay is thankful for the professionalism his time at the School has taught him. Through research, mentoring, teaching, and industry collaborations, he developed the skills needed to solve problems creatively, communicate more clearly, and lead projects. The AAPS UConn Student Chapter also helps students build connections with industry leaders through networking opportunities and lectures from visiting scientists. Combined with the strong UConn alumni network, which provides mentorship and support across the country, these experiences gave Akshay the confidence to transition into professional roles. He applied this professionalism during his internship at Serán Biosciences, his co-op with Biogen, and in his current role in the pharmaceutical industry.

Akshay’s success at UConn’s School of Pharmacy is a testament to the powerful integration between the hard work and dedication of those passionate about pharmaceutical sciences and the mentorship of those experienced in the field!