IPhO News
In March, the IPhO student chapters of Saint Joseph’s University, Temple University, and Thomas Jefferson University successfully hosted the Third Annual IPhO Philadelphia Conference.
The event provided pharmacy students with an opportunity to explore career pathways in the pharmaceutical industry, connect with industry professionals, and engage with peers from other IPhO chapters.
Industry Pharmacist Success Stories
Andrea Briscoe, PharmD, RPh
Medical Science Liaison at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS)
linkedin.com/in/andrea-briscoe-pharmd-rph-18124520b
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
My motivation to pursue industry stems from various factors, such as a strong desire to contribute to improving people's health and well-being but in a different realm. I was drawn to industry, specifically MSL, because it combines science, innovation, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a broader spectrum. Industry has given me the chance to work on groundbreaking therapies that can change lives.
IPhO News
On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, you'll meet Ajith Varghese, PharmD, Strategy Insights & Planning Associate Consultant.
Ajith takes us along on his career journey, which began in retail pharmacy and has culminated in a successful transition to the pharmaceutical industry.
He shares his advice on how to craft a standout resume that captures your unique skills and experiences, strategies for effective interview preparation, and the key skills and mindset needed to thrive in a competitive industry.
Whether you're a pharmacy student, a recent graduate, or a professional considering a career shift, this episode has plenty of practical advice and inspiration to help you take the next step in your career journey. Enjoy!
IPhO News
IPhO is pleased to announce the addition of two student chapters to our growing national network!
Congratulations to student pharmacists at Wingate University and the Medical College of Wisconsin. IPhO now connects them to a national network of 100+ chapters and more than 6,000 student pharmacists with similar interests, as well as a national network of hundreds of industry fellows and thousands of industry pharmacists.
To start a chapter at your school, visit this page.
For the student benefits of joining IPhO, view the National Student Brochure here!
Fellow Feature
Aakash Patel, PharmD, MBA
UCB/IPhO Medical Affairs - Immunology Fellow
Alma Mater: University of Tennessee
Meet Aakash, a UCB/IPhO Medical Affairs - Immunology Fellow and a member of our Professional Programming National Fellows Council Committee.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
Supporting strategic planning
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
Cyprus
What is your favorite hobby?
Photography
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
IPhO News
IPhO is pleased to announce the release of our 11th Annual PharmD Industry Fellowship Analysis for 2024-2025!
The number of PharmDs participating in Fellowships has increased substantially over the past decade. In 2024-2025, there are 925 Fellows participating in Fellowships, representing over 253% growth from the 2015-2016 Fellowship cycle
However, for the first time, there are fewer Fellows this year than there were in the previous year.
Fellow Feature
Izzabella Christian, PharmD
UCB/IPhO Global Regulatory Affairs Fellow
Alma Mater: University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Meet Izzabella, a UCB/IPhO Global Regulatory Affairs Fellow and a co-lead of our Publications National Fellows Council Committee.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
Contributing to an NDA
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
Alaska
What is your favorite hobby?
Going on walks
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Industry Pharmacist Success Stories
Jaleesa Timberlake, PharmD, MS
Medical Science Liaison
Sanofi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaleesatimberlake1908/
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
My motivation stems from a passion for bridging the gap between science and patient care. Throughout my decade-long career in biopharma, I have enjoyed translating complex scientific data into actionable strategies that enhance patient outcomes. The pharmaceutical industry offers a unique platform to make meaningful contributions to healthcare by supporting the development of innovative therapies and collaborating with diverse healthcare stakeholders.
Fellow Feature
Leen Alyaseen, PharmD, MBA
Clinical Education Alliance/IPhO Healthcare Education and Outcomes Fellow
Alma Mater: Texas A&M University Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy
Meet Leen, a Clinical Education Alliance/IPhO Healthcare Education and Outcomes Fellow and a co-lead of our Marketing and Social Media National Fellows Council Committee.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
REMS Project - Manuscript
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
Dubai
What is your favorite hobby?
Watching historical documentaries
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
The Devil Wears Prada
IPhO News
As more PharmDs pursue pharmaceutical industry Fellowships, understanding their impact and outcomes has become essential for stakeholders across the industry.
This IPhO publication presents an analysis of the post-Fellowship employment outcomes of 418 PharmD Fellows with a planned Fellowship end date in 2024. It examines the characteristics of full-time employment following the Fellowship program, including job titles, functional areas, and company placements.
Industry Pharmacist Success Stories
James Rawls, PharmD
Boston Biodevelopment
Senior Vice President, Head of Regulatory Affairs
IPhO Advisor
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rawls-20bb727/
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
To pursue a career that would be limited only by my own aspirations.
Fellow Feature
Shaliyah A. Sledge, PharmD
Abbott Diabetes Care/Northeastern University Global Medical Affairs Fellow
Alma Mater: Howard University
Meet Shaliyah, an Abbott Diabetes Care/Northeastern University Global Medical Affairs Fellow.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
Facilitated medical resources
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
India
What is your favorite hobby?
Workout classes
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
Finding Nemo “just keep swimming”
Industry Pharmacist Success Stories
Naz Chand, PharmD
Avenacy
Regional Business Manager-Midwest
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazchand/
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
I’m drawn to the pharmaceutical industry because it offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on global health while constantly growing through new research, technologies, and innovations. I’m excited by the chance to work upstream in the provider-patient relationship, helping shape treatments and healthcare solutions that directly improve patient outcomes. The ability to contribute to life-saving advancements while continuing to learn and evolve professionally makes this career path incredibly fulfilling. Ultimately, I want to be part of a field where I can make a lasting difference in both science and healthcare.
Fellow Feature
Veedhi Shah, PharmD, RPh
Biogen/MCPHS Regulatory Strategy Fellow
Alma Mater: Midwestern University College of Pharmacy
Meet Veedhi, a Biogen/MCPHS Regulatory Strategy Fellow and a member of our Fellowship Central National Fellows Council Committee.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
Regulatory Strategy Leadership
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
Banff
What is your favorite hobby?
Singing
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Fellow Feature
Paige Madariaga, PharmD
IPhO/UroGen Medical Affairs Fellow
Alma Mater: University of Florida
Meet Paige, an IPhO/UroGen Medical Affairs Fellow and a member of our Professional Programming National Fellows Council Committee.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
A Data Gap Analysis
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
Milan, Italy
What is your favorite hobby?
Fantasy Football
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Fellow Feature
Joelle Odigie, PharmD
UCB
Global Medical Affairs Fellow
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelleodigie/
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
When I worked as a marketing specialist for a Customer Relationship Management company, I had the opportunity to collaborate with medical affairs organizations, which inspired me to pursue a career where I could make a tangible impact on patient outcomes. This experience ignited my passion for combining strategic thinking with science to have meaningful change in the pharmaceutical industry.
IPhO News
IPhO Executive Director and Founder, Jim Alexander, may have been the only one in the group sporting a Nebraska jacket, but he was still welcomed with open arms by team USC!
Fellowship program leaders, Bill Gong and Michael Lim, spent a sunny afternoon cheering for the USC football team along with Jim and their current fellows. Another fun reunion to celebrate at IPhO!
Fellow Feature
Srayant Gayam, PharmD
Fellow
PumasAI
I am a Class of 2023 graduate from Rutgers University. My story is rather unusual. Going into pharmacy school, I wanted to be like my father, a pharmacist proudly serving his community over the past 20 years. However, I kept an open mind to other perspectives. My journey started in 2018 after networking with Dalton Fabian, who had a unique blend of data science framed within a pharmacy background.
After our discussion, I had an inclination that data science/AI would be the next big break and wanted to get my hands on it to increase my professional skillset and leverage the demand. I grew a liking to data science but was not sure how to incorporate it with my clinical knowledge and strived to find an answer to this question over time. Shortly after starting pharmacy school and hearing IPhO discuss nontraditional ways pharmacists can use their clinical knowledge; this fueled my curiosity to explore an industry career further.
Fellow Feature
Maria Reji, PharmD
IPhO/UCB Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance Fellow
Alma Mater: Midwestern University College of Pharmacy Downers Grove Campus
Meet Maria, an IPhO/UCB Medical Safety and Pharmacovigilance Fellow and a member of our Diversity & Representation National Fellows Council Committee.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
Trend Analysis of the Signal Detection System. This project involved analyzing data trends within our signal detection processes. It was particularly meaningful to me because it provided valuable insights that could be applied to future projects. Working on this project was an invaluable learning experience that underscored the critical role of thorough data analysis.
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
San Francisco, CA
What is your favorite hobby?
Hiking
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
Home Alone
Industry Pharmacist Success Stories
Julian Garcia, PharmD
Amgen
Medical Science Liaison (New England, NYC, and Long Island)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliangarcia1218/
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
From my awareness of the industry, I knew that becoming a medical science liaison would be the ideal role for me as it is the perfect blend of communication, science, and relationship building. As an MSL, I have the opportunity to share complex scientific information in different ways to various audiences. I have always found that my strengths lie in emotional intelligence and the ability to build strong relationships, both of which are key to succeeding in this role.
