The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and Education (NIPTE) is a non-profit scientific and research and development organization with members of leading institutes in the pharmaceutical area. This NIPTE Award is the highest recognition every two years presented to a senior faculty member at a NIPTE member institution.

An Associate Director of the Center for Pharmaceutical Processing Research (CPPR) and a Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UConn, Xiuling Lu has excelled in keeping Pikal’s vision, which led to the founding of the National Insitute for Pharmaceutical Technology & Education (NIPTE) and the development of freeze-drying technology. Serving as Past Chair of the NIPTE faculty committee (2020-2021) and co-chair of the first NIPTE Nanotechnology focus group, Lu continues to advance pharmaceutical processing research. She also served as the key organizer for the NIPTE Pathfinding Workshops in 2023 and 2024 and the editor for the NIPTE Special Issues. Her latest research publications explore delivery strategies for targeting tumors through intraperitoneal delivery and the evaluation of mRNA lipid nanoparticles.  

In receiving the highest recognition awarded by NIPTE, given for outstanding scientific achievements in pharmaceutical science and technology, Lu remains deeply honored. She looks to Pikal as a role model who has inspired her to excel.  

“While it is challenging to follow in his [Pikal] footsteps, and certainly not close to reaching his powerful voice, I will continue to work toward his vision and contribute more to the pharmaceutical sciences and the NIPTE community.” 

Lu has also received the American Association of University Professors-UConn Excellence in Research and Creativity: Early Career Award in 2016 and the Dean Robert L. McCarthy Faculty Service Award in 2019 as well as the 2023 Research Advising Award in the School of Pharmacy. Additionally, Lu was elected as the American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS) Fellow in 2023, received the 19th Annual Women of Innovation Award in Research Innovation and Leadership, Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology in 2024, and was elected as a member of Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering in 2025. 

In addition to this prestigious award, Lu was also elected to be a Fellow of the Controlled Release Society (FCRS). Receiving recognition during an award ceremony at the 2025 CRS Annual Meeting and Exposition, Lu’s work has sustained contributions to the field of delivery science and technology while transforming her into a leader and an inspiration to others.