Pharmacy Graduate Stresses the Importance of
Mentors
It was during his time, as a graduate student in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, that Mansoor Khan, Ph.D. decided on
the path his life would take.
Currently serving as the Director of the Division of Product
Quality Research for the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Khan chose the College of
Pharmacy for his doctoral studies because of the reputation of its
outstanding faculty. He eventually received his Ph.D. in Industrial
Pharmacy in 1992.
Dr. Khan has published more than 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts,
four texts including Pharmaceutical and Clinical
Calculations, 15 book chapters and given more than 150 invited
presentations in conferences and workshops nationally and
internationally.
“St. John’s program in Industrial Pharmacy was geared toward those
who wanted a career in the industry,” Dr. Khan stressed. “Most of
the well-known companies were nearby, and the students in the
evening program were bringing their expertise to the table —
working to solve the practical problems faced by the
industry.”
“In my mind,” he added, “there are very few programs like that in
the country.”
During his time at the College of Pharmacy, Dr. Khan found a mentor
in Indra Reddy, Ph.D., a former assistant professor there who had a
profound impact on him. He stressed that Dr. Reddy’s mentoring
included a focus on practical, cutting-edge research, as well as
being fair and patient with his students. Dr. Reddy is now the Dean
of School of Pharmacy at Texas A&M University Health science
Center.
“He treated all his colleagues, students and others with the utmost
respect and fairness.”
The pair developed a friendship, and inspired by Dr. Reddy’s
example, Dr. Khan pursued a career in academia. After receiving his
doctorate, Dr. Khan joined the faculty of the University of
Louisiana at Monroe as an Assistant Professor. Later, he joined
Texas Tech University Health Center, eventually becoming a full
professor there in 1999.
In 2004, Dr. Khan was recruited by the FDA to heighten its profile
in product quality work. As Director of the Division of Product
Quality Research, he oversees four teams that examine the science
behind products submitted to the FDA for approval.
Throughout his time in academia, Dr. Khan has served as a mentor to
10 doctoral students and numerous postdoctoral fellows, in much the
same way Dr. Reddy was for him. He continues to mentor graduate
students, post docs and several scientists in the FDA.
Dr. Khan recalls his St. John’s experience fondly. “If you can
succeed in New York, you can succeed anywhere. A highlight for me
was the confidence I developed after completing my comprehensive
examination and dissertation defense. I still carry those with me.
If we are trained well and work hard for a defined mission and
goal, our dreams will come true.”