Science Volunteer Award Winners

USP Volunteers direct our work to improve global public health through public standards and related programs that help to ensure the quality of medicines and foods. Each year, USP issues recognition to volunteers whose contributions exemplify our mission. Meet our 2024-2025 honorees. 

The USP Jacob Bigelow Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Standards by a USP Expert Volunteer 

The USP Jacob Bigelow Award acknowledges the outstanding contribution by an individual volunteer. It is presented in recognition of exceptional dedication and important contributions to the achievement of USP standards-setting and impact or improvement of USP’s standards-setting processes. The award is named after botanist, botanical illustrator, and physician Jacob Bigelow (1787–1879), who developed the materia medica list and nomenclature in the first USP. 

Richard Creekmore, Member, Excipients Test Methods Expert Committee 

Richard has successfully led the Excipient Nomenclature and Labeling Joint Subcommittee and contributed to several other expert bodies, including the Excipients Test Methods and Lactide-glycolide or lactic acid-glycolic acid (LG) Polymer expert bodies. His tremendous work includes developing the Excipient Nomenclature guideline, developing nine new chapters, supporting new Reference Standards, and authoring Stimuli articles.  

Richard's pharmacy background is displayed in leadership by his love of lifelong learning. He engages in thoughtful discussions with Expert Volunteers, taking all presented perspectives into consideration before guiding Expert bodies to final decisions on the science. 

Amy Karren, Chair, Small Molecules 5 Expert Committee 

Under Amy’s leadership, the Small Molecules 5 Expert Committee was successful in introducing many new monographs and significant revisions. Among her many notable achievements, she contributed her expertise to inhalation monographs, played a key role in revising General Chapter <11> USP Reference Standards to include digital reference standards, represented the Council of Experts on Appeals Panels, and Chaired the Nominating Committee for the 2025-2030 cycle.  

Her dedication and expertise have significantly advanced the field of microbiology and standards-setting, making her an invaluable asset to USP and the broader scientific community. 

Robin Marles, Chair, Botanical Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines Expert Committee 

Robin has held many roles, including Chair of the Botanical Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines (BDSHM) Expert Committee, and is a key contributor to various USP compendiums and expert bodies. Under his leadership, the BDSHM EC set rigorous standards for dietary supplements and advocated for USP standards at the national level. His interactions with US agencies have greatly influenced the adoption of these critical standards.  

In addition to his scientific achievements, he is always willing to share his extensive knowledge with warmth and friendliness. He goes more than the extra mile to help with everything within and beyond DSHM. 

The USP Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Standards by a USP Expert Body

The USP Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Standards recognizes the remarkable contributions of our volunteer bodies that work to improve global health through public standards and related programs that help ensure the quality, safety, and benefit of medicines and foods. 

Microbiology Expert Committee 

The Microbiology Expert Committee has significantly contributed to global harmonization and reducing animal testing. Among its many accomplishments, it has enabled USP to publish compendial Rapid Microbial testing methods, approved eight new general chapters for bacterial endotoxin tests and rapid microbial methods in under two years, and collaborated with the FDA to create a new Mycoplasma testing approach. 

Mark Schweitzer, Chair of the Microbiology Expert Committee, accepted the award on behalf of its members. 

Members: 

  • Mark Schweitzer
  • Edward Tidswell
  • Allison Scott
  • Antje Hermelink
  • Brandye Michaels
  • Charles Taylor
  • Christine Massaro
  • David Roesti
  • Friedrich von Wintzingerode
  • Jay S. Bolden
  • Jessica Vencill Hankins
  • Liliana Gamboa
  • Lynne Ensor
  • Marianne Larsen
  • Marsha Steed
  • Meicheng Yang
  • Peter Nissen
  • Phil Duncanson
  • Vanja Kastelic
  • Victoria Abbott-Ozug 

Government Liaisons: 

  • Anna Lau 
  • Colleen Thomas
  • Marla Stevens-Riley
  • Peter Bryk
  • Poulomi Nandy
  • Shannon Ruelle
  • Simleen Kaur 

Nomenclature and Labeling Expert Committee 

The Nomenclature and Labeling Expert Committee has worked hard to establish clear monograph titles and safe labeling standards in the 2020-2025 cycle. It has created a consistent expiration date format, updated over 200 monograph titles, addressed digital therapeutics, and revised USP General Chapter <7> Labeling. It has also developed health literacy infographics and collaborated with various committees and organizations to enhance clarity, safety, and health equity.  

Misti Spann, USP Principal Scientist for the Nomenclature and Labeling Expert Committee, accepted the award on behalf of its members. 

Members: 

  • Stephanie Crawford
  • Wesley Byerly
  • Mary Baker
  • Sasha Beselman
  • Dawn Merton Boothe
  • Richard Botney
  • Michael Cohen
  • Karen Hauda
  • Ginette Pepper
  • Tammy Powell
  • Thomas Reinders
  • Maged Sharaf
  • Eric Sheinin
  • Carlos Cezar Flores Vidotti
  • Gillian Woollett 

Government Liaisons: 

  • Jibril Abdus-Samad
  • William Hess
  • Susan Rimmel
  • Suzanne Sechen 

Diphenhydramine Joint Subcommittee 

The Diphenhydramine Joint Subcommittee applied analytical Quality by Design (aQbD) principles to flexible pharmacopeial methods for changing OTC formulations, published a Stimuli article on organic impurities’ limits, and developed three analytical procedures. In addition, it determined a Method Operable Design Region (MODR) for Diphenhydramine Oral Solutions as well as designed a validation model for the MODR.  

Greg Webster, Chair of the Diphenhydramine Joint Subcommittee, accepted the award on behalf of its members. 

Members: 

  • Greg Webster
  • Kylen Whitaker
  • Gail Reed
  • Donna Seibert
  • Robert Buice
  • Mike Wisser
  • Xiaoping Wang 

Government Liaison: 

  • Jingyue Yang