La Roche-Posay Dermatology Contest Award

La Roche-Posay Dermatology Contest Award furthers student pharmacy academic journey

Innovative thinking is embedded into the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy curriculum, and this commitment shines through the La Roche-Posay Dermatology Contest Award. The award is granted annually to a third-year Waterloo Pharmacy student who demonstrates innovation in developing a compelling presentation or clinical tool for use by healthcare professionals on the role of non-prescription products in the management of patients with various skin conditions. Students are challenged to go beyond traditional slide deck presentations to develop novel tools that can be used in real clinical settings.

Congratulations to the 2025 La Roche-Posay Dermatology Contest Award winner, Haley Lambert (Rx2026) and the 2024 winner, Kira-Nicole Schneider Yamamura (Rx2025).

“This award is a powerful catalyst for our PharmD students—it challenges them to translate scientific knowledge into practical, innovative tools for real-world dermatologic care using non-prescription products,” says Dr. Nardine Nakhla, associate professor at the School of Pharmacy. “As pharmacists take on a greater role in managing skin conditions, this award not only highlights a timely and evolving area of practice, but also nurtures creativity, scientific rigour and professional confidence.”

The award recognizes the students’ hard work and dedication while encouraging deeper exploration of the dermatology field.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to gain recognition and motivation in their academic journey,” Nakhla adds. “Previous winners have shared how this award inspired them to pursue careers in dermatologic care, positively shaping their professional aspirations.”

Beyond the $3,000 prize, the award validates students’ efforts early in their professional journeys. It provides a unique experience they can highlight during residency or job interviews, helping shape their interest in dermatology and build confidence in their patient care skills.

“The La Roche-Posay contest award provides support for aspiring pharmacists, reflecting L'Oréal's dedication to enhancing dermatological education among healthcare professionals. This initiative empowers pharmacy students to research and develop cutting-edge tools that better equip pharmacists to address skin conditions,” Hailey Linton says, Ontario regional pharmacist liaison, L’Oreal Dermatological Beauty.

“By fostering innovation in this area, the contest contributes to elevating the standard of dermatological care within the pharmacy setting. Investing in these students not only benefits their individual development but also has a ripple effect, ultimately leading to improved patient care and outcomes. We are excited to witness the ingenuity and commitment each student brings to their project and the positive impact their work will have on the future of dermatological health,” adds Linton.

The award supports the PHARM 362, Advanced Patient Self-Care course and is funded by La Roche-Posay, who is actively supporting research in the clinical, biological and pharmacological fields of dermatology.

Taylor Gelinas and Kristi Butt win inaugural La Roche-Posay Dermatology Contest

This December two School of Pharmacy students received the first-ever La Roche-Posay Dermatology Contest award. Taylor Gelinas and Kristi Butt are senior pharmacy students who both share a passion for community practice and an interest in supporting patients with dermatological conditions.

The award, sponsored by La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique supports students who generate exceptional learning tools in the field of skincare. Applicants for the award were students taking Prof. Nardine Nakhla’s Community Practice elective, a new third year course.

For her project, Taylor developed a guide to help healthcare providers counsel patients who have a highly prevalent skin condition: acne. Acne is present in up to 80% of people aged 11-30 and can have devastating emotional and physical effects, especially in teens.

"I was interested in taking the Community Practice course because it focused on patient care services that pharmacists can provide,” Taylor explains, and the utility of her acne guide supports this interest. The guide breaks down the condition and shares many non-pharmacological treatments that practitioners can offer patients.

Kristi’s project focused on atopic skin, or atopic eczema, another common skin condition. A subset of eczema, atopic eczema is experienced by about 17% of Canadians and usually begins in infancy or childhood. Like Taylor’s project, Kristi’s presentation is guide to support healthcare providers.

“Pharmacy education is something I am excited to be involved with as a future pharmacist, whether it is in the community or in academia,” Kristi shares, discussing her reasons for applying to the La Roche-Posay contest. “This contest was the perfect opportunity for me to practice using evidence-based resources to create an educational tool.”

Professor Nahkla was present when the students received their awards from La Roche-Posay, and shared her enthusiasm for their work: