Alvina Okafor, PharmD Sanofi/HUPIF Global Regulatory Affairs Labeling Postdoctoral Fellow
Talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry; what should companies be doing to continue making progress?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry are essential for fostering innovation and ensuring that therapies meet the needs of diverse patient populations. To continue making progress, companies should invest in regions with high disease burdens, deeply study how those conditions affect local populations, and use those insights to develop more effective, equitable interventions.
Ridhi Sharma, PharmD Gilead Sciences Global Medical Strategic Operations, Medical Information
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
My motivation to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry stems from a desire to drive transformative healthcare innovations that directly advance global health equity, inspired by my experiences volunteering in clinical settings and witnessing the impact of access to life-saving medications. I am passionate about combining my clinical expertise as a pharmacist with the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking therapies and strategic initiatives that improve patient outcomes on a global scale. The dynamic, collaborative environment and focus on scientific innovation within the industry align perfectly with my commitment to making a meaningful difference in patient care and public health.
Talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry; what should companies be doing to continue making progress?
Pharmaceutical companies should drive meaningful progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion by embedding DEI accountability into leadership, setting measurable goals for diverse representation at every level, and fostering inclusive company cultures where all employees and patients feel valued. To advance health equity, companies must prioritize inclusive clinical trial recruitment, partner with communities, and transparently report outcomes to ensure treatments work safely across populations. Sustained commitment—from flexible hiring and ongoing education to innovation in outreach and unbiased advancement opportunities—will empower the industry to better serve global health needs and unlock greater innovation.
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
My motivation to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry came from wanting to combine my pharmacy training with opportunities to improve patient outcomes on a broader scale. I was drawn to the idea of shaping strategy, education, and access in ways that influence healthcare beyond the individual level.
Talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry; what should companies be doing to continue making progress?
Companies should continue embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into recruitment, leadership development, and clinical trial design. It’s also important to create fair growth opportunities and foster an environment where different perspectives are not only represented but also actively valued in decision-making.
Namareq Musa, PharmD US Medical Information/Publications Fellow Pfizer / Howard University
When I first started my fellowship journey, I knew I had to do more than just apply—I had to truly understand what I was getting into. I wanted to learn everything I could, not just about the functional areas, but also about the therapeutic space and the role of a fellow within these pharmaceutical companies.
So, I started reaching out to current fellows, former preceptors, classmates, and anyone willing to share their experiences. There were moments when the process felt overwhelming. I found myself constantly refreshing my inbox, second-guessing whether I had prepared enough, and wondering how I’d ever manage to stand out in such a competitive field. But looking back, fellowship season turned out to be one of the most fulfilling times in my professional life.
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.
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...
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.
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...
Mackenzie Quirk, PharmD, MS, RPh Curia Global/ACPHS/FDA OPMA Clinical Development Fellow Alma Mater: Albany College of Pharmacy (ACPHS)
Meet Mackenzie, a Curia Global/ACPHS/FDA OPMA Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development Fellow and one of the current leads of our VIP Case Competition National Fellows Council Committee.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
The development of MIC assay for a client that had no previous FDA precedent.
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
Monterey, CA
What is your favorite hobby?
I love to exercise!
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
Aliyah Balogun, PharmD Johnson & Johnson Global Regulatory Affairs Fellow Alma Mater: Florida A&M University
Meet Aliyah, a Johnson & Johnson Global Regulatory Affairs Fellow and one of the current members of our Professional Programming National Fellows Council Committee.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
Patient Focused Drug Development. I feel proud of this project because it allows me to make a tangible impact on improving the lives of patients. By advocating for patient input and working to ensure that drugs are developed with their needs in mind, I am helping to bridge the gap between regulatory requirements and patient needs.
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
Zanzibar, Tanzania
What is your favorite hobby?
International traveling
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
Carley Yawn, PharmD IPhO/Clinical Education AllianceHealthcare Education and Outcomes Research Fellow University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
Meet Carley, an IPhO/Clinical Education Alliance Fellow and one of the current leads of our VIP Case Competition National Fellows Council Committee.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
I would say it's our ACCP Visual Abstract. The ACCP Visual Abstract Challenge is an opportunity for postgraduate trainees, including residents, fellows, and full-time graduate students to blend their ability to evaluate primary literature with the art of creatively communicating key research components through visual representations. In our digital age, visually representing research can significantly enhance its impact, making complex information more accessible and engaging.
I’m particularly proud of this project as it perfectly aligns with my dual passions for creating visually appealing content and for clear, innovative scientific communication. My background includes working in the marketing department of InpharmD, an AI-driven startup dedicated to providing clinical pharmacists with drug information answers. The Visual Abstract Challenge honed my skills in making scientific content both easily digestible and aesthetically pleasing.
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
Alaska
What is your favorite hobby?
Thrifting vintage home decor.
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
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