2024 Fall STAR Educator Recipient: Christopher Frei, PharmD
Christopher Frei, PharmD
Adjoint Professor
Program Director
Translational Sciences PhD Program
Department of Medicine
Nomination Submission:
Dr. Frei is an exceptional educator, advisor, mentor, and guide for students enrolled in the Translational Science (TS) Program. He is the Division Head of the Pharmacotherapy Education and Research Center at the UT Health San Antonio School of Medicine and Program Director for the TS PhD program.
Dr. Frei supports his students and trainees by providing guidance and resources. He has encouraged and provided opportunities for me and other students to attend various regional (Texas Regional CTSA Consortium) and national-level (Association for Clinical & Translational Science) conferences. His letter of support strengthened my application to be successfully funded with the Integration of Medicine & Science (IIMS) Community Engagement grant through UT Health, San Antonio.
One of the courses that Dr. Frei led, the Topics in TS course, was one of the best courses I have taken as part of my curriculum. His lectures were informative, and thought-provoking, and I thoroughly enjoyed the class. Dr. Frei’s teaching style is engaging and interactive, and he encourages us to participate in classroom discussions to gain a better understanding of the course material.
Given that the Translational Science PhD program is designed for working professionals and is spread across four different universities in Texas, he does an excellent job making sure that all of us students stay connected. He goes the extra mile to make the program inclusive and welcoming for all of us. He is always available to guide and advise us on courses that best suit our interests and more importantly, our career aspirations. He attends every student’s dissertation and learning opportunities hosted by the TS Program. His dedication to his students is exemplary, and he always goes above and beyond to help us succeed. He always prioritizes student interests, answers their questions and is quick to respond to any queries.
Overall, Dr. Frei is an outstanding mentor for students in the TS program, and his contributions to their academic and professional success are immeasurable making him an outstanding candidate for the LSOM Stars of Education Award.