Plan A, All the Way

Pharm.D. Candidate Jazmyne Samuels is Shaping the Future of Infectious Disease Pharmacology Through Leadership and Learning

For Jazmyne Samuels, pharmacy wasn’t a backup or a detour—it was a decision she confidently made at an early age.

“I always tell everybody, ‘I never had a backup plan,’” Samuels said. “It’s always been, ‘I want to be a pharmacist, and that’s what I’m going to be.’”

A middle school career class assignment led Samuels to research different professions. Drawn to math and science, she knew she always wanted to do something in health care. This led her to pharmacy.

“It was hands-on patient care, but not too hands-on,” Samuels said. “And I loved the idea of focusing on the medications patients take.”

Finding Her Fit

Born and raised in Houston, Samuels found the perfect fit at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy (UHCOP). Not only did UH boast one of the highest first-time North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) pass rates—a statistic that gave her confidence in the program—but it also meant that she could stay close to her roots while working toward her dream.

“I always wanted to go to UH for undergrad,” Samuels said. “When I saw they had a pharmacy school, it just all worked out.”

But Samuels’ journey wasn’t just about making it through pharmacy school, it was about making the most of every opportunity. From leadership roles to research, she embraced every chance to grow.

A Leader by Nature

Leadership came naturally to Samuels. Starting in her P2 year, she was elected class vice president and continued to be reelected every year. She also served as president of the Student College of Clinical Pharmacy (SCCP), where she strengthened her communication skills and learned to advocate for her peers.

“There are a lot of things you need to handle as a leader that most people are not aware of, so you have to communicate effectively to make sure everyone’s on the same page and also find solutions quickly so your peers feel heard,” Samuels said.

Samuels credits her mother for modeling what it means to be a strong, compassionate leader.

“I definitely take after my mom in having a strong voice and being willing to step up and lead,” Samuels said.

A Scientist at Heart

Samuels’ love for math and science shaped both her early jobs and long-term interests. During her undergraduate studies, she worked as a lab technician preparing chemicals for student experiments.

“I was one of many behind the scenes preparing those chemicals in high volume so students could use them throughout the week,” Samuels said. “I really loved that job. It was challenging with a lot of math, but a lot of fun.”

That passion carried into pharmacy school, where Samuels got involved in benchtop research with two UH  faculty members—Professor and Department Chair Kevin Garey, Pharm.D., M.S., BCIDP, FASHP, FIDSA, FCCP, and Research Assistant Professor Taryn Eubank, Pharm.D., BCIDP—after matching through SCCP’s research mentorship program. Samuels had already conducted nucleic acids research during undergrad, but this experience deepened her interest in laboratory experiences—especially in infectious diseases.

“Both professors helped solidify that this was a field I could see myself in,” Samuels said. “They were so down-to-earth and supportive of their students.”

A Future in Infectious Diseases

When it came time for her fourth-year hospital rotations, Samuels made sure infectious diseases was on her schedule, and the experience confirmed everything she’d hoped for.

“It was probably the best six weeks I’ve had as a P4,” Samuels said. “It was an absolute blast. It felt like something I could do for 30 or 40 years and still feel fulfilled.”

During her rotation, Samuels worked with a patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) who was frequently admitted to the hospital. The patient’s treatment had been interrupted during a stay at a nursing facility, and Samuels went above and beyond: contacting his previous pharmacy, coordinating with his infectious disease physician, and ensuring a care plan was in place for his discharge.

“He told me that no one had ever gone to those lengths for him before,” Samuels said. “It made me realize this is what I’m meant to do and I’d do it all over again if I had the chance.”

Continuing the Mission

After graduation, Samuels will stay close to home for her Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) pharmacy practice residency at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston—a decision that reflects both personal meaning and professional purpose.

“My grandfather was a veteran, so I wanted to do something that felt like giving back,” Samuels said. “Our veterans have put their lives on the line for us, and I would love the opportunity to learn more about what they’ve done and give back in return.”

Although she hasn’t worked with veterans yet, she’s looking forward to the opportunity.

“I knew I wanted to serve an underserved population, so I thought that this was a unique opportunity to do that,” Samuels said.

The residency will give her the chance to rotate through various specialties such as cardiology, internal medicine, oncology and infectious disease. Afterward, she plans to apply for a PGY2 in infectious disease, with the goal of becoming a specialist in the field.

“I hope to participate in the match one more time and apply for a PGY2 in infectious disease,” Samuels said. “That would be an important step to make sure that I can specialize in infectious disease pharmacology. From there, I hope to work in Houston—or somewhere in Texas—as an infectious disease pharmacist.”

— Lauren Nguyen