The Howard J. Dreskin and Phyllis M. Levine Endowed Scholarship

The Howard J. Dreskin and Phyllis M. Levine Endowed Scholarship was established in 2006 by Howard J. Dreskin. Mr. Dreskin, a member of The University of Akron class of 1976, earned a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, and a master’s degree in Microbiology from Rutgers University. He is also a certified Medical Technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathology.

Howard Dreskin’s distinguished career has been centered in the pharmaceutical industry. Mr. Dreskin currently works as Director of Clinical Operations for Optimer Pharmaceuticals in San Diego. Most recently, Mr. Dreskin worked for Pfizer, Inc., where he served as Director, Clinical Study and Data Management in the Global Research and Development division. Other appointments include serving as a research assistant for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, working as an Associate Scientist for Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation; working as a Senior Clinical Research Associate for Johnson & Johnson, and serving as Associate Director of Worldwide Clinical Safety for SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals. In 2002, Mr. Dreskin co-authored a book chapter titled, Drug Surveillance in “Principles and Practice of Pharmaceutical Medicine”.

In creating the Howard J. Dreskin and Phyllis M. Levine Endowed Scholarship, Mr. Dreskin desires to help undergraduate students in the physical sciences realize the opportunity for current and future educational and career success, similar to what he experienced as a University of Akron student. Motivated students with a 2.5 G.P.A. or better and who show promise, as determined by faculty, and who have demonstrated financial need, as determined by the Office of Student Financial Affairs, will be eligible for the Howard J. Dreskin and Phyllis M. Levine Scholarship.

The Howard J. Dreskin and Phyllis M. Levine Scholarship will be awarded on a rotating basis among the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. The Dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, in consultation with the Department Chair and the Office of Student Financial Affairs, shall make the scholarship award.

Mr. Dreskin is married to Phyllis M. Levine. Originally from New Jersey and New York respectively, Howard and Phyllis live in California where they enjoy out-of-doors activities like hiking and tennis, as well as photography and art.