IPhO News

Avare’ Smith
Sanofi, Incoming Clinical Sciences and Operations Fellow

What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?

A career in the pharmaceutical industry aligns with my passion for transforming patient lives through scientific innovation and improving healthcare outcomes. Witnessing firsthand the challenges my family faced with drug therapies reinforced my commitment to being an asset in the drug development process to address unmet patient needs. Through my experiences I have gained a deeper appreciation for the critical role pharmaceutical professionals play in bridging the gap between research and patient access. My goal is to contribute to advancing personalized medicine and ensuring that treatment options are both accessible and effective, particularly for diverse and underserved populations.

A new IPhO self-study elective certificate course, Pharmaceutical Industry Essentials (PIE), launched this month.

Designed as a foundational "101" level program, PIE aims to guide both student pharmacists and experienced pharmacists interested in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

The course's primary objective is to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the various functional areas within the industry where pharmacists play critical roles. This knowledge will enable individuals to identify specific areas that best align with their unique interests, experiences, and skill sets, preparing them to be more competitive candidates.

Taysir Chamem, PharmD, RPh, MS
UCB/IPhO Global Clinical Sciences and Operations Fellow
Alma Mater: UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Meet Taysir, a current UCB/IPhO Global Clinical Sciences and Operations Fellow and our National Fellows Council Co-Chief!

What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?

Improving collaboration between education and medical communications to scale across programs

What is the most exciting place you've traveled?

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

What is your favorite hobby?

Reading

Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...

The Notebook

The Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) student chapter at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) proudly hosted the 7th Annual Northeast Regional Meeting (NERM) on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

This event brought together students from across the northeast region to network, gain insights, and engage in meaningful discussions with professionals and experts from the pharmaceutical industry. The meeting served as a platform for fostering connections and enhancing professional development among future pharmacists.

After months of hard work and commitment from students and fellows alike, we are proud to announce the winners of the 2024-2025 IPhO VIP Case Competition!

FIRST PLACE: Virginia Commonwealth University

SECOND PLACE: Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia College of Pharmacy

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.

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.

On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, you'll meet Ajith Varghese, PharmD, Strategy Insights & Planning Associate Consultant.

LISTEN NOW

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 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!

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 is pleased to announce the release of our 11th Annual PharmD Industry Fellowship Analysis for 2024-2025!

VIEW NOW

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.

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

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.

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

As more PharmDs pursue pharmaceutical industry Fellowships, understanding their impact and outcomes has become essential for stakeholders across the industry.

READ THE FULL ANALYSIS

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.

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.

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”

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.

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

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