IPhO is the organization whose pharmacist members are universally recognized within the pharmaceutical industry as being the most professionally equipped to contribute to the development, commercialization, promotion, and optimal use of medicines.
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.
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...
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.