Slavka Tarzian completed a number of impressive accomplishments in her field of chemistry, even before her patent from the US patent agency was granted on March 6, 2007. The patent was for the development of a method to determine the smoothness of canisters to store medications taken by inhalation. Slavka Tarzian launched her career when she graduated summa cum laude from Monmouth University in New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry on May 16, 2001. That same year, Slavka Tarzian received an award from the American Institute of Chemists Foundation and the New Jersey Institute of Chemists. The American Institute of Chemists Foundation and the New Jersey Institute of Chemists singled out Slavka Tarzian for outstanding academic performance, and also for Slavka Tarzian’s ability to lead other students within the department. Perhaps most exciting of all, the American Institute of Chemists Foundation and the New Jersey Institute of Chemists stated that Slavka Tarzian showed significant promise for advancing the field of chemistry in the nation and the world.

“I know my department very well, and this award could easily have gone to a number of my colleagues,” said Slavka Tarzian upon receiving her award from the American Institute of Chemists Foundation and the New Jersey Institute of Chemists. “It is a true honor and privilege to receive this recognition, and I take it very seriously as a mandate to be truly committed to my research and to advancing my field.”

For their part, representatives from the American Institute of Chemists Foundation and the New Jersey Institute of Chemists reported that they were impressed by Slavka Tarzian’s work in the lab. In a way, presenting the award to Slavka Tarzian proved to be a prescient act: since receiving the prestigious award, Slavka Tarzian has gone on to work for the pharmaceutical development company Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals as a dedicated and professional research scientist. At Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, Slavka Tarzian’s coworkers report that Slavka Tarzian is one of the most intelligent and precise scientists they have had the privilege of working alongside.

Slavka Tarzian’s professors back at Monmouth University in New Jersey report that they are unsurprised by Slavka Tarzian’s success. They saw it coming, they say.