UAMS’ Laura Gressler, Ph.D., Named to Arkansas Business’ ‘20 In Their 20s’ List
| Laura Gressler, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation and Policy in the UAMS College of Pharmacy, has been included in this year’s class of Arkansas Business’ The New Influentials: 20 In Their 20s, a list of talented young leaders in Arkansas’ business and nonprofit communities.
Honorees must be less than 30 years old as of September. They must have impacted their company or community and show potential as a business or political leader. Each class is chosen by an internal committee reviewing more than 300 nominations, with an eye toward accomplishments, responsibilities and people clearly ahead of their time.
Gressler was recognized with this year’s class as part of a special supplement to the Sept. 12 issue of Arkansas Business.
“Dr. Gressler is a promising young faculty member,” said College of Pharmacy Dean Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D. “She is working hard to improve health care decision-making to advance patient outcomes and to educate future generations of pharmacists and scientists.”
As part of her work with the College of Pharmacy, Gressler collaborates with the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research at the U.S. Veterans Administration. She has also contributed to research projects at the U.S. Department of Defense and National Health Council. Her research interests include the regulation and post-market evaluation of medical devices, opioid use among vulnerable populations and the assessment of contraceptive care among active duty servicewomen. She is a reviewer for seven medical journals.
“I am so pleased to be selected as one of this year’s honorees,” Gressler said. “I hope this honor highlights the instrumental role of the faculty and researchers at the UAMS College of Pharmacy in the improvement of patient care and evaluation of treatments. I plan to continue my research at the college by working to overcome study limitations and simultaneously improving ways to meaningfully inform patient, clinical and regulatory decision-making.”
Gressler also volunteers in Career Services for Hendrix College in Conway and presents at the Museum of Discovery’s STEM for Girls program to show young women crucial roles that greatly impact the health care system and public health.
Gressler received her Bachelor of Arts degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Hendrix College in 2015 and her Master of Science degree in pharmaceutical evaluation and policy from UAMS in 2017. She received her doctorate in pharmaceutical health services research from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2021. She joined the UAMS College of Pharmacy as an assistant professor in July 2021.