College of Pharmacy, November 30, 2023
Makarand S. Jawadekar came to the United States from India in 1976 to study at the University of Minnesota, receiving his PhD in 1982 from the College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutics. Following graduation, Jawadekar began working for Pfizer Central Research, eventually assuming senior leadership positions and becoming the vice president of Pfizer’s Asia Pacific American Colleague Resource Group. Jawadekar has distinguished himself in drug research, leadership, public relations, and international outreach. Drug formulations that he worked on, including the antidepressant Zoloft, the antibiotic Zithromax, the impotence agent Viagra, and the antifungal agent Diflucan, have positively impacted the health of millions of people around the world. While he spent almost four decades as a drug researcher, Jawadekar has been on several scientific and diplomatic visits to India, including a trade delegation visit with President George W. Bush in 2006. In 2020, he was part of a congressional delegation to meet with then-Vice President Mike Pence, the head of the COVID-19 task force at the time, as a COVID-19 vaccine consultant focusing on the vaccine being developed by Pfizer. Jawadekar received an honorary doctorate of science degree in 2011 from Mumbai University at the recommendation of the president of India in recognition of his numerous contributions to the scientific community. He remains an engaged alumnus, serving as a speaker, mentor, and volunteer.
Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.