Seren Horan always wanted a career that combined her love of science, communication, and caring for others. When the Ayr local was deciding what to study after finishing high school, a pharmacy degree at James Cook University felt like the perfect fit.
Four years on, Seren is set to graduate university – and after her standout performance in the Pharmacy Student of the Year competition, she’s already making a name for herself in the profession.
Seren won the 2025 Queensland round of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Pharmacy Student of the Year competition, impressing judges with her knowledge, confidence, and down-to-earth approach. She then headed to Sydney in August to compete in the national final, where she proudly represented JCU and Queensland.
As she prepares to graduate in December, Seren says she’s feeling ready and excited for what’s next. Early next year, she’ll pack her bags for the Sunshine Coast, where she’s starting her first job as a community pharmacist — and living outside of North Queensland for the first time. It’s a job that will perfectly combine her pharmaceutical knowledge and her excellent communication skills.
A passion for community care and connections
Seren says she enjoys the day-to-day interaction with people and looks forward to the opportunity to build long-term relationships with customers in her new role as a community pharmacist.
“I really like talking to people,” she says. “There’s a big difference in the amount of patient interaction you get in community versus hospital. In hospital, you just see a glimpse of the person and that is really rewarding in the moment, but in community you see their whole journey. You get to help them regularly; you can build a rapport and see the difference you’re making over a period of time.”
Seren’s enthusiasm for connecting with others extended well beyond the classroom. During her time at JCU, she immersed herself in all aspects of student life, joining the JCU Pharmacy Student Association Pharmacy taking on the role of social coordinator. She has also been recognised for her academic achievements, taking home the JCU Mario and Matthew Calanna Clinical Counselling Award in 2024.
“I’d encourage other students to get involved in our Association. When you start organising and getting involved in our events, it’s just a lot of fun,” she says. “And because our course is smaller, you form such good connections. I know everyone in my year, many of them are close friends. I even know all the students in my year from the other campuses in Mackay and Cairns. That’s something really special about JCU — you’re not just a number here.”
High achiever on and off campus
This year, Seren was asked to compete in the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Pharmacy Student of the Year competition. Seren won the Queensland head and competed against the nation’s best pharmacy students at the final in Sydney. She was presented with a real-life clinical situation, where a patient presented with symptoms or a specific medicine or product request.
“It was a surprise to win Queensland round of the competition,” she says. “There were lots of universities competing, but I was proud to represent JCU. The national final in Sydney was such a great experience — it was live on stage in front of a big audience, which was definitely intimidating, but also really exciting.”
That balance of hard work, enthusiasm, and composure under pressure has been a hallmark of Seren’s approach to university life.
“This year has probably been my favourite university year to date,” she reflects. “It’s definitely the most stressful because you’re being assessed on four years of content, but it’s also the point where you grow in confidence because you realise you actually know what you’re doing. You finally feel like a pharmacist.
A strong foundation for the future
Seren says studying at JCU was the perfect choice for her, both academically and personally.
“The Pharmacy course here is great,” she says. “The smaller classes mean you really get to know your lecturers and classmates, and that makes such a difference. You always have support.”
As she prepares to graduate and take her first steps into full-time work, Seren is looking forward to continuing to learn and grow in her profession.
“I’m excited to start working, to actually use what I’ve learned and keep developing,” she says. “And yes — it’ll be nice to finally start making money too!”
With her strong academic record, her warmth, and her commitment to patient care, Seren is well on her way to a bright future in pharmacy.
From all of us at JCU — congratulations on your achievements Seren, and best of luck as you begin your next chapter as a community pharmacist.