RxAmbassadors

2023 RxAmbassadors


Ever wonder what it is like in a day of the life of a PittPharmacy student? Have questions about how to get into the program? Do you want a tour of Salk Hall? RxAmbassadors are here to help you with all of that and more! RxAmbassadors are a group of student pharmacists dedicated to helping you on your path to becoming part of the PittPharmacy community.

RxAmbassador Co-Presidents:
Julia Lazzaris
JEL217@pitt.edu
Erin Austin
EEA27@pitt.edu

Secretary:
Lauren Walters

LMW155@pitt.edu



Jessica Abbott

Jessica Abbott

Year: P4
Hometown: Union Beach, NJ
High School: High Technology High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose PittPharmacy because of how easy it would be to personalize my education. I was interested in the different areas of concentration they offered to students, such as global health, and loved seeing how close the students were to each other!

Erin Austin

ERin Austin Headshot

Year:P3
Hometown:Corning, NY
High School:High Technology High School
Why PittPharmacy:I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the multitude of opportunities and the "family like" atmosphere between faculty and students. Pitt Pharmacy has allowed me to become the best professional I can be while providing me the support I needed along the way.

 

Abigail Bakus

Abigail Bakus headshot

Year:P3
Hometown:Guys Mills, PA
High School:Maplewood Jr./Sr. High School
Why PittPharmacy:Pitt Pharmacy cultivates growth and professional development through unique opportunities and fosters friendship and collaboration through team-based activities.

 

 

Samantha Burns

Samantha Burns headshot

Year:P2
Hometown:Guys Mills, PA
High School:West Chester Bayard Rustin High School
Why PittPharmacy:I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of its emphasis on hands-on experience through clinical rotations and partnerships with a variety of healthcare settings!


 

Ryan Cameron

Year: P2
Hometown: Scottdale, PA
High School: Southmoreland High School.
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy might be in a small city, but connected to so many opportunities worldwide!!

Alexis Caprio

Alexis Caprio

Year: P4
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: North Catholic High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the accessibility to professors and the opportunities to experience direct patient encounters.
 

Shawn Carroll

Year:P3
Hometown:Kennett Square, PA
High School:Kennett High School
Why PittPharmacy:Pitt pharmacy and it’s professors have provided me with an immense wealth of knowledge and resources needed to succeed as a practicing pharmacist.

Abigail Christman

Abigail Christman

Year: P4
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
High School: Charles W. Baker High School

 

 

Mia Como

Mia ComoYear: P4
Hometown: Jefferson Hills, PA
High School: Thomas Jefferson High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the personalization of my education and the bond between all the students. Pitt Pharmacy has countless opportunities for students to discover different career paths and meet other students through community experiences and over 20 student organizations!

 

Abriella Crowder

Abriella Crowder headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Bucks County, PA
High School: Council Rock South HS
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of all of the opportunities available to the students!

 

 

 

Jigar Dadarwala

Jigar Dadarwala headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: North Wales, PA
High School: North Penn High School
Why PittPharmacy: PittPharmacy gives me the opportunity to personalize my education and learn about all types of professions and skills.

 


 

Pranjal Das

Pranjal Das headshot

Year:P3
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: Montour High School
Why PittPharmacy: The amazing opportunies along with peers and faculty to help you!


 

 

Katherine Escobar-Martinez

Katherine Escobar Martinez

Year: P2
Hometown: Hazleton, PA
High School: Hazleton Area High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the competitive status of the program, as well as the opportunity to personalize my education and be able to learn from some of the most impressive people in the Pharmacy World. It helped also that my little sister is an undergrad student here too, so being together makes it more fun.

Audrey Estavillo

Year: P2
Hometown: Monroe Twp, PA
High School: Montour High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the strong academic curriculum and alumni network!

Mira Farah

Year: P3
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: South Fayette
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy people of the people and opportunities

Katherine Foley

Katherine Foley headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Hershey, PA
High School: Lower Dauphin High School
Why PittPharmacy: Why Pitt Pharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy allows me to personalize my education and provides me with the support I need as a student and future healthcare provider.


 

 

Olivia Frey

Olivia Frey headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Hellertown, PA
High School: Sauron Valley High School
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy has allowed me to explore areas of interest outside of the curriculum by working on a special topic project and through interprofesional collaboration with other health science programs.

 

 

Emily Fukas

Emily Fukas headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Gibsonia, PA
High School: Deer Lakes High school
Why PittPharmacy: Why Pitt Pharmacy: I loved how welcoming and encouraging everyone at Pitt Pharmacy is!!


 

 

Alayne Gaghan

Year: P3
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: Fox Chapel Area High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because it is a successful and innovative school grounded in a welcoming and loving community.

Carly Graham

Carly Graham headshot

Year :P3
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: North Allegheny
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the great experiental learning opportunities.

 


 

Lucas Gregoire

Lucas Gregoire

Year: P4
Hometown: Tamaqua, PA
High School: Tamaqua Area High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the amazing opportunities they offer, as well as having the chance to learn from prestigious faculty. Pitt Pharmacy allows me to personalize my education to my interests and obtain beneficial experiences such as research, leadership, and shadowing opportunities.

Anneliese Harp

Anneliese Harp

Year: P4
Hometown: Neshannock Township, PA
High School: Neshannock Junior Senior High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the exceptional opportunities they provide to all of their students. From the moment I toured here the summer before my senior year of high school, I knew Pitt Pharmacy was the place for me. Pitt Pharmacy gives students the ability to personalize their education with unique electives, research experiences, leadership positions through organizations and classes, and areas of concentrations. During my tour, I also felt and saw the community at Pitt Pharmacy. From that moment, I knew Pitt Pharmacy was the best school for me.

Shree Kambhampati

Shree Kambhampati headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
High School: Marriotts Ridge High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose to be at Pitt Pharmacy because it offers innovative education, many unique research opportunities, and a support community that prepares students to be leaders in the field of pharmacy.



 

Na Yoon Kang

Na Yoon Kang headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Montgomery, AL
High School: Saint James School
Why PittPharmacy: I was captivated by the campus and its PharmD program, confident it was where I would pursue my dream, with ample opportunities in nearby healthcare hospitals.

 


 

Kate Karlson

Year: P4
Hometown: Twinsburg, OH
High School: Twinsburg High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the opportunity to personalize my education through areas of concentration and because of the sense of community between faculty, students and staff.

Hunter Kline

Hunter Kline

Year: P4
Hometown: Lehman, PA
High School: Lake Lehman Junior Senior High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the unique opportunities they offer their students beginning in their first year of pharmacy school. The school has built many different connections with the community, and it opens the door for their students to succeed in big ways. The students and faculty you are surrounded by every day, are eager to help you achieve your dreams.

Michael Kosko

Michael Kosko headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Gibsonia, PA
High School: Hampton High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose pitt pharmacy because Pitt is a top ranking pharmacy school with a lot of opportunity to network.

 

 

 

Ann Kozak

Ann Kozak headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Washington, PA
High School: Trinity High School
Why PittPharmacy: I fell in love with the inviting atmosphere and the vast hospital connections Pitt has! I’m so grateful for my choice and I have met the best people during my time at Pitt pharmacy who have motivated me and acted as mentors for me to become a successful future pharmacist!

 

Madison Kurpiel

Madison Kurpiel headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Connellsville, PA
High School: Connellsville area senior high school
Why PittPharmacy: I chose pitt pharmacy because of the countless opportunities present and the supportive network.

 

 

 

Olivia Lansberry

Olivia Lansberry headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: North Allegheny
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the ability to personalize your education.

 

 

 

Julia Lazzaris

Julia Lazzaris headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Elizabeth, PA
High School: Shady Side Academy
Why PittPharmacy: I choose Pitt Pharmacy because of the extensive connections to health systems in the area and because of the positive community environment that they foster in this school.

 

 

Shieun (Stella) Lee

Shieun (Stella) Lee headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Clifton Park, NY
High School: Shenendehowa High school
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy creates such a welcoming environment for all students and provides many opportunities for students to succeed!

 

 

Oliva Leonardis

Oliva Leonardis headshot

Year: P4
Hometown: South Plainfield, NJ
High School: Mount Saint Mary Academy
Why PittPharmacy: I chose PittPharmacy because it felt like home. There was something about the people who made me feel like I was meant to be there and that I had earned it. Being 6 hours from home, this was and still is so vital in my success at Pitt.


 

Anna Libikh

Anna Libikh headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Warrington, PA
High School: Central Bucks South High School
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy is rated among the top in the nation and provides numerous opportunities to personalize my education.

 


 

Hunter Louie

Year: P2
Hometown: Mount Laurel, NJ
High School: Lenape High School
Why PittPharmacy: The Pitt Pharmacy faculty treats us like family.

Alex Mannino

Alex Mannino

Year: P4
Hometown: Robinson Twp, PA
High School: Montour High School
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy is the center of innovation and care for all of their students. I love the faculty, staff, and students who feel like family to support each person through their pharmacy journey and encourage each student to believe in themselves.

Jaiden Mazefsky

Jaiden Mazefsky headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: Oakland Catholic High School
Why Pitt Pharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the opportunity to personalize my education and because I am a proud Pitt Alumna. My experiences as an undergraduate student made me feel the sense of family and community at Pitt Pharmacy, and I cannot wait to welcome more students into our family.

 

Autumn McConnell

Autumn McConnell headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
High School: Berea-Midpark High School
Why Pitt Pharm: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the opportunity to personalize my education and because I am a proud Pitt Alumna. My experiences as an undergraduate student made me feel the sense of family and community at Pitt Pharmacy, and I cannot wait to welcome more students into our family.

 

Mary McMonagle

Mary McMonagle headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Springfield, PA
High School: Springfield High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of our curriculum’s immediate exposure to providing patient care, the networking experiences between students and faculty, and Pittsburgh’s extensive opportunities in every field of pharmacy!


 

Rebecca Mihalko

Rebecca Mihalko

Year: P4
Hometown: Lemont Furnace, PA
High School: Laurel Highlands High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy for several reasons - the location was ideal, it was highly ranked, and there were many opportunities to personalize my education.

 

Lauryn Milbourne

Lauryn Milbourne headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
High School: GFS
Why PittPharmacy: The opportunities you are able to achieve with facility support.

 

 

 

Leia Millan

Leia Millan headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Stroudsburg, PA
High School: Pocono Mountain East High School
Why PittPharmacy: As a first generation college student, Pitt pharmacy felt like a home away from home which is very important to me.

 

 

Zackary Miller

Zackary Miller

Year: P4
Hometown: Altoona, PA
High School: Altoona Area High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose PittPharmacy because ever since I stepped foot on Pitt’s campus during my first year at Pitt, I knew it felt like home. What I like most about PittPharmacy are the numerous opportunities that you have to personalize your education both in and out of the classroom through research, electives, areas of concentration, leadership positions, organizations and clubs, various internship opportunities, and much more! I also love how invested the faculty and staff are to helping all of us succeed, and they are always more than happy to meet with you.

Mae Moukamal

Mae Moukamal headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Murrysville, PA
High School: Franklin Regional
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt pharmacy because of the people and all the amazing opportunities it offers to their students


 

 

Kayleigh Moyer

Year: P2
Hometown: Allentown, PA
High School: Whitehall High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the many research and career building opportunities it provided.

Risha Musuku

Risha Musuku headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Reading, PA
High School: Exeter Senior High School
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt pharmacy has provided me with the best faculty, peers, and opportunities which will help me throughout my pharmacy career.

 


 

Lydia Nguyen

Lydia Nguyen headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA
High School: Cumberland Valley High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy for the vast opportunities that they offer to explore different careers within pharmacy, whether that be through clubs, elective courses, ARCOs, or APPE rotations.

 

 

Walter Nieves-Canabal

Walter Nieves-Canabal headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Isabela, Puerto Rico
High School: EAVIA UIPR Aguadilla
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy because student engagement is 200% and here feels like home.


 

 

Grace Nolder

Grace Nolder headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: McKees Rocks, PA
High School: Montour High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the wide variety of experiences and connections that Pitt has to offer.


 

 

Nishesh Patel

Nishesh Patel headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Bridgewater, NJ
High School: Bridgewater Raritan High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt because the education is very flexible and tailored to what my aspirations are.

 

 

 

Michael Ryczaj

Michael Ryczaj

Year: P4
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: Central Catholic High School
Why PittPharmacy: Having my whole life being surrounded in the Pittsburgh area I became more familiar with the high excellence and academic achievements that Pitt had to offer. When deciding on pharmacy as my career the familiar exceptional qualities were exemplified even further in the Pitt Pharmacy curriculum that enabled each pharmacy student to personalize their choices in pharmacy school.

Camie Schmader

Year: P3
Hometown: Clarion, PA
High School: North Clarion High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy mainly for the atmosphere. Pitt Pharmacy is very hands on. Most of the staff works hard to know students by name and help you personalize your education.

Colin Schurek

Colin Schurek headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: West Chester, PA
High School: Bayard Rustin Highschool
Why PittPharmacy: Why Pitt Pharmacy: I came to Pitt Pharmacy to gain hands-on experience in a variety of focus areas from across the profession and engage with my peers and colleagues through meaningful professional organizations and events unique to Pitt Pharmacy.

 

 

Arvin Sequeira

Arvin Sequeira

Year: P4
Hometown: Lansdowne, PA
High School: Bonner & Prendie High School
Why PittPharmacy: I loved Pitt since the moment I stepped foot on campus during my junior year of high school. The community, innovation, and resources that the school, and specifically Pitt Pharmacy foster, is one of a kind and something that really drew me in.
 

Rylan Sergi

Rylan Sergi

Year: P4
Hometown: Moon Township, PA
High School: Moon Area High School
Why PittPharmacy: There are so many opportunities to pursue the pharmacy career that you are excited about, and the students and faculty at the school will support you to make sure you succeed!
 

Riya Shah

Riya Shah headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Downingtown, PA
High School: Downingtown STEM Academy
Why PittPharmacy: For the many opportunities, resources, and experience Pitt offers!

 

 

 

 

Manali Sheth

Manali Sheth headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Bridgewater, NJ
High School: Bridgewater Raritan Regional High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose PittPharmacy because I liked the opportunities and the community they provided.

 

 

 

Bri Smith

Bri Smith headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Irwin, PA
High School: Hempfield Area High School
Why PittPharmacy: During my RxPlore Camp in High school, I was able to explore the passion for pharmacy that I had and the passion that the faculty and staff have at Pitt Pharmacy!

 

 

Emeline Snook

Emeline Snook headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Selinsgrove, PA
High School: Selinsgrove Area High School
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy allows me the opportunity to explore different areas of the profession by personalizing my education through experiences, special research, and classes.

 

 

Riley Stitch

Year: P3
Hometown: South Park Township, PA
High School: South Park High School
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy seamlessly combines hands-on experience with classroom education, equipping students for diverse career opportunities in the field of pharmacy.

Delaney Stojkov

Delaney Stojkov

Year: P4
Hometown: Amherst, OH
High School: Marion L Steele High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy for the ability to personalize my education through special topics and areas of concentration

 

Akshaya Sudhakar

Akshaya Sudhakar

Year: P4
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: North Allegheny High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose PittPharmacy because of the close-knit community among peers and professors. I know a lot of my professors more closely than any of my previous teachers and undergraduate professors. They truly are there to guide you in finding your passion regardless of what field you want to pursue!

Ilana Tseytlin

Year: P2
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: Taylor Allderdice High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy due to its proximity to Pittsburgh’s healthcare and hospital network, as well as its hands on programming and experiential learning experiences.

Natalie Upright

Natalie Upright headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Lansdale, PA
High School: North Penn High School
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt Pharmacy nurtures a welcoming and friendly community on top of providing outstanding education and opportunities to its students
 

 

 

Roma Usgoankar

Roma Usgoankar headshot

Year: P4
Hometown: Plainsboro, NJ
High School: West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because everyone was so kind and I knew this would be a place I could really flourish both as a student and as a professional. I loved that I could personalize my education through special topics and elective courses outside of the regular curriculum.

 

Nathan Vo

Nathan Vo

Year: P4
Hometown: Effort, PA
High School: Pleasant Valley High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of how rigorous the curriculum is and the many opportunities that come with it. My grandmother also lives near Pittsburgh and allows me to live at home while going to school!

Vy Vu

Vy Vu headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Centreville, VA
High School: Centreville high school
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt pharmacy because they really care for your success!

 

 

 

Kelsey Wagner

Year: P4
Hometown: Pleasant Hills, PA
High School: Thomas Jefferson High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because they have so many opportunities here for the students to get involved and personalize their education. I also grew up near Pittsburgh and have been a Pitt fan my whole life.

Lauren Walters

Lauren Walters headshot

Year: P3
Hometown: Dacula, GA
High School: Mill Creek High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the opportunities to explore a vast variety of career paths in pharmacy. The faculty and staff are committed to helping students explore all of their interests and fostering the growth of each and every student.

 

 

Jaden Weiss

Jaden Weiss headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Mountain Top, PA
High School: Crestwood High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because it provides me with diverse opportunities to personalize my future career path.

 

 

 

Riya Yadav

Riya Yadav

Year: P4
Hometown: Wexford, PA
High School: North Allegheny High School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because they have so many opportunities here for the students to get involved and personalize their education. I also grew up near Pittsburgh and have been a Pitt fan my whole life. I chose Pitt Pharmacy for its amazing staff and proximity to multiple health care systems.

Gaeun (Luna) You

Year: P3
Hometown: South Korea
High School: Global Vision Christian School
Why PittPharmacy: I chose Pitt Pharmacy because of the strong connections students can build with professors and the well-structured curriculum, which creates an excellent foundation for both academic success and professional development.

Michael Zaleski

Michael Zaleski headshot

Year: P2
Hometown: Mountain top, PA
High School: Crestwood High School
Why PittPharmacy: Pitt pharmacy allows me to personalize my education and offers me a wide variety of opportunities to reach my goals.