There are some fresh faces at Texas Pharmacy!
The newest Pharm.D. students at The University of Texas at Austin are already thinking like future healthcare leaders—bringing bold ideas about equity, innovation and patient care to the table from day one. Whether they're passionate about perioperative pharmacy, health education or breaking down barriers in underserved communities, the Class of 2029 is driven to make a difference.
Outside the classroom? They're marathon runners, poets, performers and more—each with a story worth sharing. Get to know P1s Zachary, Stella, Sohmee, Shireen, Pedro, Carrigan, Hannah and Robert in their own words.
Zachary Hout
Hometown: Pablo, Montana
What excites you most about entering the healthcare field right now?
I believe healthcare will navigate the challenges of an increasing geriatric population alongside the integration of new technologies—especially AI—into patient care. I'm excited to join the profession at this pivotal moment and hope to make an impact by adapting and improving the systems we develop to address these new challenges and innovations.
Are you the first in your family to pursue pharmacy or is it a family tradition?
I'm the first in my family to pursue pharmacy, though not the first to pursue a doctoral degree—my dad, who is my hero and biggest fan, has a Ph.D. in Public Health. If I go into Managed Care, I think it would be exciting to connect with him about public health and how pharmacy aligns with it.
What's one passion or outlet that helps keep you grounded?
I'm passionate about reading and writing, especially poetry, which I often write for myself or perform at open mics. To stay active, I practice yoga and go to the gym—I even got certified to teach yoga through Black Swan Yoga last year. I also enjoy trying new foods, playing video games with my brothers and trying to learn piano.
What kind of impact do you hope to make in your career?
Through pharmacy, I hope to combine the strengths I've developed as an Army officer, educator and healthcare worker to improve patient outcomes and healthcare policy. I'm interested in pursuing perioperative pharmacy and managed care pharmacy.
Perioperative pharmacy would allow me to connect my passion for working in and around the operating room—as a former certified surgical technician—with my goal of practicing pharmacy at the top of my license.
Managed care pharmacy, on the other hand, offers a chance to influence pharmacy policies and advocate for safer, more accessible medication for patients. Whichever path I choose, I want to serve in a role that leverages my skills to make the greatest positive impact.
Stella Puckett
Hometown: New Hope, Pennsylvania
What makes pharmacy such an exciting field to you?
What excites me most about a career in pharmacy is the breadth of opportunity. As Dean Ginsburg says, "Pharmacy practice is where pharmacists practice!" I love that a career in pharmacy doesn't have to be linear—you can explore different paths and pursue your passions at every stage of your journey.
What made you say yes to UT Austin College of Pharmacy?
Choosing to attend Texas Pharmacy was one of the easiest decisions I've ever made. The community and education here are unbeatable, and I feel confident knowing that every student is supported and encouraged to succeed. Plus, I love being a Longhorn!
Are there any family members currently in pharmacy, or are you starting a new legacy?
I come from a family of pharmacists! My grandfather worked in hospital pharmacy and both of my parents are specialized advanced practice pharmacists. Their stories, along with my own experiences, inspired me to pursue a career in pharmacy.
Fun fact: my parents actually met through the UT Austin College of Pharmacy when my dad was a student and my mom was completing her residency!
How do you unwind when you’re not studying?
One of my favorite ways to unwind is by taking a long walk and grabbing a JuiceLand smoothie. When I'm not studying, you'll most likely find me on the Lady Bird Lake trail. Whether I'm walking with friends or on my own, it's the perfect way to relax, especially with beautiful Austin views and a smoothie in hand.
Sohmee Kim
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
What drew you to UT Austin's pharmacy program?
I chose UT Austin College of Pharmacy for its rigorous curriculum, abundant opportunities and a culture that truly supports its students. I wanted to be challenged to grow beyond my limits and become the best version of myself—both professionally and personally.
I was especially drawn to the college's strong research reputation and connections to diverse clinical settings, which align with my interest in emergency medicine pharmacy. Most importantly, I was looking for a supportive environment of peers, faculty, mentors and staff—and so far, UT Austin has lived up to that expectation!
What impact do you hope to make as a pharmacist?
I hope to make a meaningful impact in healthcare by bridging the gap between patient-facing practice and research. With hands-on experience caring for patients, I want to help ensure that research stays grounded in the realities of patient-centered care and addresses the real challenges faced by both patients and providers.
I'm also deeply committed to challenging the ableism that still exists in our society and medical systems. I want to serve diverse communities—such as neurodivergent, Deaf and immigrant populations—not just through a medical lens, but by honoring their lived experiences, identities and cultural perspectives.
What's something outside of pharmacy you're passionate about?
The most recent hobby I've picked up is pungmul, a traditional Korean folk performance that blends music, dance and acting. What I love most about it is the communal spirit. It's an immersive, collective experience that can last anywhere from two hours to overnight. Everyone dances, sings, laughs, talks and eats together as part of the "show." I love that sense of togetherness. I'm even exploring how I might start a crew here in Texas.
Who inspires you personally or professionally?
My personal heroes will always be my mother, father and grandparents. They've helped me see the world for all its wonders and taught me to approach life with empathy, curiosity and a critical mind.
When it comes to my career, though, my greatest role model is King Sejong the Great, a 15th-century ruler of the Korean peninsula. He created Hangul, the Korean alphabet, so that commoners—long excluded from literacy and education—could improve their lives. As someone who cares deeply about equity in education and healthcare, I look up to King Sejong not just as a scholar full of grit, but as a compassionate leader who used knowledge to uplift others.
Shireen Gore
Hometown: Austin, Texas
What's a piece of advice that's helped shape how you approach life?
The best advice I've ever received is: "Everything happens for a reason." It completely changed how I view day-to-day life. Now, I try to find the good in the bad and even recognize the challenges that can come with the good. I often share this advice with others when things don't go as expected. It's a simple but powerful reminder that there's meaning behind every moment.
What's at the top of your Austin bucket list while you're in pharmacy school?
At the top of my Austin bucket list is going to ACL! Even though I was born and raised here, I've never been, so I'm hoping to finally experience it during my time in pharmacy school. I'm also a huge foodie and brunch lover, so I plan to try as many new restaurants as I can over the next four years.
What kind of difference do you hope to make in your community?
My goal is to be the best advocate I can for my patients. That starts with forming meaningful connections with each of them. Many patients don't fully understand their treatments or health conditions and I hope to change that. I'm especially passionate about promoting health education in underserved communities and helping bridge the gap between clinical care and public health.
What do you do to recharge?
When I'm not studying, I love to stay active through running, swimming and sometimes lifting. I also recently started bullet journaling. It's been a great way to clear my mind and unwind after a stressful day.
Pedro Santillana
Hometown: Laredo, Texas
How did UT Austin stand out to you during the admissions process?
Ever since I was little, it's been my dream to attend UT Austin. When it came time to apply to pharmacy school, my pharmacy manager encouraged me to look into the program, and I quickly saw how amazing Texas Pharmacy really is. From the supportive faculty and staff to being the top Pharm.D. program in the state, I knew this was the right place for me.
Fun fact: UT Austin was the only school I applied to during the admissions cycle!
What kind of impact do you want to make in the future?
One of the reasons I chose pharmacy is because pharmacists are some of the most accessible healthcare professionals. Back home in Laredo, I've seen many people struggle to access healthcare through traditional means. Too many go without medical care or the education they need to manage their health; I've seen firsthand how deeply that can affect someone's life. My goal is to return to Laredo one day and use my education, training and background to serve the people who need it most.
Who inspires you most?
When I think of my heroes, two people immediately come to mind: my parents. They gave up everything and moved our family from Mexico to Texas when I was just one year old, hoping to provide a better life for me and my siblings. Growing up, they always showed us unconditional love and support, motivating us to work hard and study so we could build a better future. I'm proud to say that I ended up just like them: hardworking and devoted.
What's your go-to pump-up song?
It depends on my mood, but usually my go-to hype song is Von Dutch by Charli XCX. It's short enough to give me the confidence boost I need but catchy enough to keep me humming all day. Before that, my go-to was Maneater by Nelly Furtado.
Carrigan Berry
Hometown: Argyle, Texas
What convinced you that UT Austin was the right pharmacy school for you?
I chose UT Austin College of Pharmacy because of their genuine commitment to each student's success. The Texas Pharmacy team stood out to me during the admissions process with its personalized attention and care. After being part of the program for a few weeks, it's even clearer that the college truly wants every student to thrive and find success in the pharmacy path they're passionate about.
What's at the top of your Austin bucket list while you're here?
There are lots of things on my Austin bucket list, but at the top is running the Austin Marathon! In the meantime, I'm working my way through a list of unique restaurants I want to try with friends.
What kind of pharmacist do you hope to become?
I want my impact in healthcare and pharmacy to be defined by service—to patients, to my community and to the profession. Every interaction in pharmacy is an opportunity to serve, whether it's helping patients understand their medications, ensuring access to affordable treatments or offering reassurance during vulnerable moments. My goal is to bridge the gap between medical knowledge and patient understanding so that everyone feels truly advocated for in their care.
Do you have a personal hobby that keeps you energized?
One of my favorite ways to unwind is running. I've loved it since high school, and I just completed my first marathon this past March!
Hannah Awokoya-Turner
Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
What motivates you most about pursuing a career in healthcare?
I believe I have the power to make any environment I'm in more positive, considerate and inclusive. Healthcare is the perfect field to do that because it gives me direct access to make an impact. To me, patient care is a fundamental part of any healthcare career, and I want to emphasize that through a strong commitment to advocacy and service to others.
Who's someone who's had a big influence on your journey?
My brother is my hero. I look up to him in so many ways, and he makes it easy to do so. He's currently in law school working toward a doctoral degree. Not only will we be the first doctors in our family, but we're completing this goal together.
He's always been a constant support system for me; never shy about calling himself my biggest fan and best friend. Despite managing an extremely busy schedule, he shows up for everyone in his life with a positive attitude. He's the perfect example of a kind, hard-working and genuine person—and I'd be lucky to be even half the person he is.
What's one belief or mindset that helps guide you?
"Release the idea that things could've been any other way." I credit this mindset for my consistent optimism. It helps me stay grateful in any situation, because I truly believe that every outcome is either confirmation that I'm on the right path or a redirection toward it.
Is there a hobby or personal interest you pursue outside of academics?
I currently hold a certificate in American Sign Language (ASL) and I plan to continue deepening my knowledge of the language and Deaf culture. I believe it's incredibly important to reduce barriers—not just in healthcare, but in all areas of life—especially those related to communication.
In healthcare, creating an accessible, high-quality and compassionate space for everyone I encounter is vital. I know I can't fully do that without actively working to provide care for people from diverse backgrounds and abilities different from my own.
Robert A. Watson
Hometown: Cypress, Texas
What made UT Austin College of Pharmacy feel like the right fit for you?
I chose UT Austin College of Pharmacy because it offers a wealth of resources, organizations and opportunities to support me on my journey to becoming a healthcare professional.
What excites you most about where healthcare is headed?
What excites me most about the future of healthcare is the continuous research happening worldwide, driving improvements in patient health outcomes. I love how healthcare is always pushing for progress and maintaining a strong commitment to high standards.
What kind of role do you see yourself playing in the healthcare field?
I want to be a trusted source of knowledge that people can rely on for disease and medication management.
What helps you relax and recharge when you're off the clock?
When I'm not studying, I enjoy working out, hanging out with friends and watching sports and anime.
WELCOME, CLASS OF 2029!
Class Size: X | Age Range: X-X | Average GPA: X.XX
Gender: X% Women; X% Men | First-Generation: X%
