IPhO News

It's summertime—or as I like to call it “Fellowship Preparation Pre-season”—which means a busy time of the year for our IPhO coaches, as proactive industry-interested students begin the process of identifying and selecting their functional priorities and continuing to develop and complete their CVs and cover letters in preparation for submitting fellowship applications in the late summer and early fall. Year after year, the competition for these coveted positions keeps increasing.

Back in the fall of 2023, in the Coach's Corner, I described how challenging it can be for students to select an Industry Career Coach, now that there are more choices than ever. When I created the IPhO Coaching Service in 2013, not only were we surprised how popular it had become, but we also never expected the current quantity of options.

Early bird pricing for the 2025 IPhO Annual Meeting (IAM) ends TONIGHT (Monday, June 30) at midnight! If you've been waiting to register, your time is almost up.

Now is your last chance to sign up and save. We will not offer pricing lower than it is today!

REGISTER HERE

To help spread the word about your attendance and encourage your peers to join you, we've created social media graphics and suggested captions you can feel free to use on your Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.

DOWNLOAD THEM HERE

There are separate graphics for P4 and P1-P3 students, and also a cover image for P4s to use on LinkedIn for an extra boost to let prospective employers and meeting sponsors know they're attending. Be sure to tag IPhO if you post so we can like and share your notes!

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.

Shelby Matthews, PharmD, RPh
UCB/IPhO Medical Affairs - Immunology Fellow
Alma Mater: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)

Meet Shelby, a current UCB/IPhO Medical Affairs - Immunology Fellow and a member of our National Fellows Council Publications Committee!

What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?

Creating medical leave behind resources

What is the most exciting place you've traveled?

Alaska

What is your favorite hobby?

Yoga

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

The Pursuit of Happyness

Congratulations to student pharmacists at Washington State University, the newest addition to our growing student chapter network. IPhO now connects them to a national network of 100+ chapters and thousands of industry-minded 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, contact us here.

For the student benefits of joining IPhO, view the National Student Brochure here!

Congratulations to student pharmacists at Roosevelt University, the newest addition to our growing student chapter network. IPhO now connects them to a national network of 100+ chapters and thousands of industry-minded 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, contact us here.

For the student benefits of joining IPhO, view the National Student Brochure here!

Megan Griffin, PharmD
Regulatory Scientist
UCB

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

As a pharmacy student, I became interested in the pharmaceutical industry after attending IPhO meetings, where I heard regulatory affairs professionals speak with enthusiasm about their roles. Their passion for the dynamic nature of FDA meetings and the complexity of regulatory decision-making sparked my curiosity. I realized that regulatory affairs would allow me to achieve my core goal: increasing patient access to innovative therapies. By helping ensure that safe and effective products reach the market efficiently, I could make a meaningful impact on public health.

IPhO is pleased to introduce the newest member of its leadership team! Juliette Muszka, PharmD, RPh, joins as the Vice President of Student Leadership Development. Dr. Muszka may be a familiar face to some, who know her as their IPhO Career Coach!

She is a passionate industry pharmacy leader with over 30 years of experience optimizing value across Global Research & Development, Commercial and Medical Affairs functions. Earlier in her career, Dr. Muszka worked in clinical and academic pharmacy practice settings with a focus on acute patient care and formulary management.

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 prerequisite course, "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