Eberly alum selected for 2025 Fox Graduate School alumni society award
The J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School recognized three alumni — Jennifer Hoewe, Jonathan U. Dougherty and Gail Folena-Wasserman — with Fox Graduate School Alumni Society Awards at the Fox Graduate School Alumni Recognition Dinner on March 29 at the Nittany Lion Inn.
Gail Folena-Wasserman, who received a master’s degree in 1979 and a doctoral degree in 1982, both in chemistry, has received the Fox Graduate School Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her distinguished career in the biopharmaceutical industry and her contributions to mentorship and workforce development.
Folena-Wasserman retired in 2022 as the global head of biopharmaceutical development at AstraZeneca. In this role, she oversaw analytical, process, formulation and drug product development for both early- and late-stage therapeutics. She also directed clinical manufacturing and life-cycle management. Previously, she was a senior vice president at MedImmune, where she founded the biopharmaceutical development function and led the integration of MedImmune into AstraZeneca following its acquisition.
Her work has contributed to the development of several major biologics, including Synagis, the first antibody licensed to prevent an infectious disease (RSV in infants), as well as Flumist, Fasenra, Imfinzi, Tezpire and Beyfortus. She holds four patents and has made significant advancements in vaccine and biologic drug development.
Recognized by PharmaVOICE as one of the 100 Most Inspiring People in 2011, Folena-Wasserman is also committed to mentoring future leaders. She serves on the Biopharmaceutical Innovation Advisory Board at the University of Delaware and chairs the board of the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology at Montgomery College. Her efforts support academic-industry partnerships and promote innovation in workforce development.
She has received multiple awards for her accomplishments, including the Eberly College of Science Outstanding Science Alumni Award in 2003 and the Penn State Alumni Association Alumni Fellow Award in 2007.
Nominations for the 2026 Fox Graduate School Alumni Awards will open in fall 2025. More information will be available then on the Fox Graduate School website.