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September 22, 2026
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Ellen L. Woods, President
(571) 404-0471
woods@afpepharm.org
AFPE Names Hugh D. C. Smyth
2026 William M. Heller Mentor of the Year
National honor recognizes a scientist and educator whose guidance has shaped generations of pharmaceutical researchers
Fairfax, VA – The American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE) has named Hugh D. C. Smyth, Ph.D., of The University of Texas at Austin, the 2026 recipient of the William M. Heller Mentor of the Year Award—one of AFPE’s most visible honors and a distinction determined by the voices of students and colleagues who have experienced a mentor’s impact firsthand.
Named for William M. Heller—a global pharmacy leader, former executive director of the United States Pharmacopeia, Remington Honor Medal recipient, Harvey A.K. Whitney lecturer, former AFPE board member, and devoted mentor—the award recognizes faculty whose leadership, teaching, encouragement, and generosity of spirit help others achieve far more than they imagined possible.
Smyth joins a distinguished group of past honorees that include internationally recognized pharmaceutical scientists and educators Kathleen Giacomini, Gordon Amidon, Francis Szoka, Lauren Aleksunes, Kimberly Garza, Peter Swaan, Carol S. Lim, Anna Schwendeman, and Mark Bounthavong. Their collective influence spans drug discovery and delivery, pharmacogenomics, health outcomes, education, regulation, and patient care. Smyth’s selection places him in this exceptional tradition of leaders whose most enduring legacy is the people they have helped to flourish.
Smyth is a tenured professor and the Alcon Centennial Professor in the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Smyth’s group focuses on Drug Delivery, Formulation Science, and Pharmaceutical Engineering. Work in Dr. Smyth’s lab focuses on the development of novel methods for drug delivery including inhalation, nasal, transdermal, ophthalmic, and oral delivery systems for a variety of diseases. Translation of these technologies to the clinic is the long-term goal of the lab and is supported by developing a mechanistic understanding of complex physical and biological systems.
Many of his trainees have earned competitive fellowships, research awards, and professional recognition, and they appear throughout an extensive body of collaborative scholarship. More important than any single accomplishment, however, is the confidence and independence his mentees carry into their own careers.
One student captured his approach this way: “He once said, ‘I want to be the GPS system on your journey, guiding you when you’re really lost,’ and that is exactly how he mentors.” The student added that Smyth remembers the smallest details about trainees’ goals, helps them build confidence and direction, and has created a supportive, collaborative laboratory culture where people can learn, persist, and thrive.
Upon learning of the recognition, Smyth said: “I am deeply honored to receive the William M. Heller Mentor of the Year Award. Mentoring students and young scientists has been one of the most rewarding parts of my academic career. It is a privilege to watch them develop their own ideas, confidence, and independence, and ultimately to see them succeed well beyond the laboratory. I am especially grateful to my current and former trainees for this recognition. Mentoring them has shaped my career just as surely as I hope I have helped shape theirs.”
Samuel Poloyac, Dean of The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, praised Smyth’s lasting impact: “Congratulations to Hugh Smyth in receiving this prestigious award! Hugh has been an outstanding mentor in his expertise area of drug delivery to so many PhD, PharmD, Post-Doctoral, and undergraduate students over the years. Thank you as well to AFPE for the vital support you provide to our faculty and students.”
Through the William M. Heller Mentor of the Year Award, AFPE celebrates the quiet, consequential work of mentorship: opening doors, strengthening confidence, sharing hard-won knowledge, and helping talented people become independent leaders. Smyth’s career embodies that promise—and demonstrates how one exceptional mentor can shape not only individual lives, but the future of pharmaceutical science, education, and patient care.
About AFPE
AFPE supports the education of pharmaceutical scientists and strengthens pharmacy education at U.S. schools of pharmacy through scholarships and fellowships that provide recognition and financial support to outstanding pharmaceutical science graduate students, PharmD candidates, and pharmacy faculty researchers. AFPE uses annual tax-deductible contributions from corporations, foundations, associations, alumni, friends and former Fellows to support the robust pharmaceutical education scholarship and fellowship programs.
American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education
11325 Random Hills Road, Suite 360A-105 • Fairfax, VA 22030 • www.afpharm.org
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