Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Programs

The St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers two-year, post-Pharm.D. fellowship programs designed to train the Doctor of Pharmacy graduate in specific practice areas of the pharmaceutical industry. 

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The St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers two-year, post-Pharm.D. fellowship programs designed to train the Doctor of Pharmacy graduate in specific practice areas of the pharmaceutical industry. The College currently partners with five pharmaceutical industry leaders: American Regent, Inc.; Pfizer Inc.; Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company; PTC Therapeutics; Sumitomo Pharma C0., Ltd.

In addition to their responsibilities at our program partners, the fellows have opportunities to engage in teaching and research activities at St. John’s University.

Application Process for fellowships beginning on or about July 1, 2025:

Information pertaining to fall 2024 fellowship webinars and application deadlines will be posted to this website in late summer/early fall 2024.

 

Program Leadership

Professional head shot of Joseph Brocavich, standing in front of a blue background, wearing a blue blazer, teal collared shirt, and multi-colored tie. He wears glasses, has salt and pepper hair, and is smiling.

Joseph M. Brocavich, Pharm.D.
Senior Associate Dean, Pharmacy Program
Associate Clinical Professor
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
[email protected]

 

 

Professional head shot of William Maidof, standing in front of a tan background, wearing a navy blue blazer, white shirt and royal blue tie. He has his arms crossed and is smiling.

William M. Maidhof, Pharm.D.
Program Coordinator
Associate Professor/Industry Professional
[email protected]

 

 

 

Learn More About the Program

St. John’s University/American Regent, Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Medical Affairs

Jacob Beebe headshot

Jacob Beebe, Pharm.D., is the 2022–24 St. John’s University/American Regent, Inc. Industry Fellow in Medical Affairs. 

He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ. He completed an internship with Janssen Pharmaceuticals where he worked with the Medical Affairs team on a CAR-T product for multiple myeloma. During his final year of pharmacy school, Dr. Beebe participated in a 10-week rotation at Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals working with the Medical Information team. These experiences amplified his aspirations for pursing a fellowship in Medical Affairs.

Throughout his time in pharmacy school, Dr. Beebe worked as a part-time pharmacy technician at CVS Pharmacy, as well as gained valuable clinical experiences throughout his rotations in areas such as oncology, psychiatry, and ambulatory care. He was an active member in the student chapter of the Industry Pharmacists Organization. He volunteered at numerous vaccination clinics and was able to administer hundreds of COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the pandemic.

Dr. Beebe loves to play, watch, and talk about sports. He also enjoys traveling and playing golf in his free time. He very passionate about improving the health of patients across the world and looks forward to his journey in Medical Affairs as an American Regent Fellow.

Christina Fridman headshot

Christina Fridman, Pharm.D., is the 2023–25 St. John’s University/American Regent, Inc. Industry Fellow in Medical Affairs.

Dr. Fridman earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Temple University School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, PA. She completed an internship with Janssen Pharmaceuticals during the Summer of 2021, where she worked with the Dermatology Medical Affairs team on GuselkumabÒ for psoriasis. Dr. Fridman’s tenure with Janssen was extended four times, equating to two full years of service, and during this time she realized her passion for medical affairs. 

During her time at Temple University School of Pharmacy, Dr. Fridman served as smoking cessation chair through the American Pharmacists Association, which allowed her to participate in various events and develop leadership skills. During her final year of pharmacy school, she completed a US Food and Drug Administration rotation at the Office of Generic Drugs, Name Creation; a Regulatory Strategy rotation at Novartis; as well as additional hospital, community, and ambulatory care rotations. Each of these experiences helped Dr. Fridman solidify and narrow her focus within the industry, specifically medical affairs. 

Dr. Fridman loves to paint, hike, and attend Broadway musicals. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. She is very passionate about helping her patients and expanding her skill set, and looks forward to this new chapter as an American Regent Medical Affairs fellow. 

St. John’s University/Pfizer Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Oncology Global Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR)

Norbek Gharibian headshot

Norbek Gharibian, Pharm.D., is the 2022–24 St. John’s University/Pfizer Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow in Oncology Global Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR). 

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University Southern California. Dr. Gharibian worked in a specialty/community pharmacy for more than five years but found he could contribute best to global health through the pharmaceutical industry. During his time in pharmacy school, he interned with Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc., where he worked with a sickle cell advocacy group and researched medication-related questions to support patients with sickle cell disease. The impact this experience had on Dr. Gharibian led him to intern with 1798 Market Access Consulting, which helped him find his fit in the industry. 

Dr. Gharibian was raised in Los Angeles, CA, and is excited to make the move to New York City. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, working out, spending quality time with friends and family, and volunteering within his community. 

Abin Koshy headshot

Abin Koshy, PharmD., is the 2023–25 St. John’s University/Pfizer Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow in Oncology Global Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR). 

Dr. Koshy earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at Saint Joseph’s University (formerly known as the University of the Sciences). During his time in pharmacy school, he was actively involved with the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, where he served as President. 

Following his rotations at GSK, PRECISIONvalue, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Koshy became committed to pursuing an opportunity within the oncology space. He is excited to gain valuable experience and collaborate with such a diverse team at Pfizer Inc. and St. John’s University, hoping to have a major impact in bringing new therapies to patients around the world.

In his free time, Dr. Koshy loves to stay active, whether it involves weightlifting or playing basketball. Additionally, he enjoys trying new cuisines and hopes to continue traveling to new and exciting destinations.

St. John’s University/Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Clinical Development

Lexie Villariasa headshot

Lexie Villariasa ’22Pharm.D., is the 2022–24 St. John’s University/Allergan Aesthetics Fellow in Clinical Development.

Dr. Villariasa earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from St. John’s University in 2022. During her time at St. John’s, she was actively involved in both the American Pharmacists Association and the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO), where she served on the chapter’s executive boards. She also served as President of the IPhO chapter, and additionally as a IPhO National Student Officer. These experiences sparked a passion for a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Villariasa has been involved in research projects spanning multiple therapeutic areas and completed several internships at start-up and pharmaceutical companies. As the inaugural fellow, she is excited and grateful to be a part of this new program between St. John’s University and Allergan Aesthetics.

In her free time, Dr. Villariasa enjoys graphic design, dancing, and exploring museums throughout the city. She hopes to continue leveraging her experiences and looks forward to being a part of a diverse and passionate team.

Hira Javed headshot

Hira Javed, Pharm.D., is the 2023–25 St. John’s University/Allergan Aesthetics Industry Fellow in Clinical Development. 

Dr. Javed earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ. She completed an internship at Bristol Myers Squibb, where she worked with the Medical Capabilities team to help manage demand and leverage resources by developing metrics on secondary analyses manuscripts. Dr. Javed continued her work with the team as an individual contractor, expanding the scope of the analysis to include congress presentations. 

In her final year at Rutgers University, Dr. Javed participated in a 10-week rotation at Merck with the Regulatory Affairs team. She developed a process that implemented US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiologic Health, and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research guidance and criteria to differentiate between medical devices and digital health products. 

Following the rotation, she was given the opportunity to continue her work and create a similar process based upon the European Medicines Agency guidelines as a Regulatory Operations Specialist. These experiences helped Dr. Javed find her passion in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Dr. Javed was also involved in research through the Aresty Research Center at Rutgers University. She assisted in designing and implementing the model predictive control into a continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing pilot plant situated at Rutgers University, working as part of a cross-functional team. During her time on campus, Dr. Javed was involved in multiple organizations. She spearheaded the community service sector of Thaakat Foundation, a charity organization, and served as a Cochair for the Self-Care committee of the American Pharmacists Association

Dr. Javed enjoys spending time in nature, reading, and cooking. She also loves exploring and traveling. Dr. Javed is passionate about aesthetic medicine and looks forward to combining her clinical knowledge and real-world experience as she joins St. John’s University and Allergan Aesthetics through this fellowship program. 

St. John’s University/PTC Therapeutics Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Global Regulatory Affairs

Tarik Brakta headshot

Tarik Brakta, Pharm.D., is the 2023–25 St. John’s University/PTC Therapeutics Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow in Global Regulatory Affairs. Dr. Brakta is a highly motivated and accomplished young professional with a passion for improving patient care and promoting the pharmacy profession. 

He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Belmont University in 2023, where he was actively involved in several professional organizations, including the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy.

While serving as an executive member of the Kappa Psi pharmaceutical fraternity, Dr. Brakta demonstrated strong leadership and organizational skills. As the Substance Use Disorder Committee Chair of the local APhA chapter in Belmont, he was responsible for raising awareness about substance abuse and developing strategies to address this critical issue. Additionally, Dr. Brakta held the 2023 class Vice President office for two consecutive years, where he worked tirelessly to ensure that his fellow students had the resources and support needed to succeed within the program of study.

Dr. Brakta’s experiences have prepared him well for his global regulatory affairs fellowship with St. John’s University and PTC Therapeutics. He has a strong passion for the pharmaceutical industry, as well as experience working within multiple organizations and developing proposals to ensure efficacy and success. With his passion for patient-centered care and commitment to excellence, Dr. Brakta is well-equipped to make a meaningful contribution to the field of global regulatory affairs and to improve health-care outcomes for patients around the world.

St. John’s University/Myovant Sciences Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Clinical Regulatory Affairs 

Asna Omarzai headshot

Asna Omarzai ’23 Pharm.D. is the 2023–25 St. John’s University/Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. Industry Fellow in Clinical Regulatory Affairs.

Dr. Omarzai earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. During her time at St. John’s, she was actively involved in many organizations, including the Drug Information Association, American Pharmacists Association, and the Industry Pharmacists Organization, where she served on each of the chapters’ executive boards.

As an inaugural fellow, Dr. Omarzai is very excited to join the Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd./St. John’s University fellowship team and expand her unique skillset. She is grateful for the opportunity to find a role that aligns with her long-term interests.

In her free time, Dr. Omarzi enjoys exploring new places, spending time with family and friends, and describes herself as a creative person.

St. John’s University/Myovant Sciences Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Commercial Regulatory Affairs

Michelle Moy headshot

Michelle Moy ’18Pharm.D. is the 2023–25 St. John’s University/Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. Industry Fellow in Commercial Regulatory Affairs.

Dr. Moy earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Following graduation, she worked as the supervising pharmacist for a specialty pharmacy in her community for more than five years. During this time, Dr. Moy began a preceptor program so she could provide much-needed educational experiences to eager pharmacy students.

Having worked on the front line throughout the pandemic, Dr. Moy is very proud of her ability to coordinate rapid deployment of thousands of vaccine doses, make COVID-19 testing more accessible within her community, and ensure continuous delivery of quality care, despite challenging circumstances. Working in specialty pharmacy, Dr. Moy had the privilege of hearing directly from her patients how innovations in health care directly impacted their lives for the better. As an inaugural fellow, she is excited to utilize her clinical background in such a unique way and make valuable contributions to improve the quality of patients’ lives on a global scale.

When she’s not snuggling with her two puppies, Dr. Moy enjoys Pilates, traveling, and trying new foods.

St. John’s University/Myovant Sciences Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Early Clinical Development

Solomiya Gumenyuk headshot

Solomiya Gumenyuk, Pharm.D., is the 2023–25 St. John’s University/Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. Industry Fellow in Early Clinical Development.

Dr. Gumenyuk earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California, Davis, as well as her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA. During her time in school, she was involved in her community as a board member of the Slavic Association for Ambitious Youth and volunteered at vaccination clinics and Medicare events.

Following her rotations at Travis Air Force Base and Gilead Sciences, Inc., Dr. Gumenyuk was committed to pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry. As the inaugural fellow in her position, Dr. Gumenyuk is excited to be a part of this new program between St. John’s University and Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. She looks forward to contributing to the field of women’s health and working with a team focused on early clinical development.

In her free time, Dr. Gumenyuk’s interests include reading science fiction, playing piano for her local church, and keeping her houseplants alive and well!       

St. John's University and Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship

Programs Offered

Clinical Development

Program Objective

This two-year post-doctoral pharmaceutical industry fellowship is designed to provide the Doctor of Pharmacy graduate a profound and unique experience within a pharmaceutical corporation, Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company. The fellow will have exposure to various departments within Allergan Aesthetics as well as research and teaching opportunities at St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. It is the goal of the program to provide the fellow with the skills and tools necessary for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry.

The overall objective for the fellowship is to provide hands-on experience in Clinical Development, with exposure to additional functional areas selected by the fellow as part of the second-year programming.

Fellowship Goals and Objectives

  • Exposure to various medical and regulatory aspects of clinical development; device and/or drug development.
  • Training of participants for a career in the pharmaceutical industry by allowing them “hands-on” experience.
  • Provision of a hands-on experience and application to the fellow with respect to clinical study design, clinical strategy, data analysis and all aspects of clinical development.

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Component

The fellow may apply for an affiliate faculty appointment at St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Additionally, each fellow will have opportunities at the university to participate in activities to promote professional development including:

  • Formal and informal educational opportunities
  • Collaborative research projects with St. John's University faculty
  • Development of continuing education courses
  • A resident and fellow seminar series in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 
  • Graduate degree programs available at the university to further his or her educational development (Master's or PhD degrees)
  • On-campus teaching opportunities within the Doctor of Pharmacy Program
  • Individual research project(s)
  • Opportunity to participate in a Teaching Certificate Program 

Certificate of Completion

Upon successful completion of the fellowship program, a certificate of completion will be awarded by St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company.

Eligibility for Fellowship

Fellows are chosen from a nationally competitive selection process. To be eligible, candidates must graduate from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program and have a keen interest in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Stipend and Benefits

The fellow will be a full-time St. John’s University employee. A competitive stipend will be provided as well as options for comprehensive health and dental insurance. Travel to professional meetings, conventions, and other facilities of the company may be possible.

St. John’s University and American Regent Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship

Programs Offered

Medical Affairs

Program Objective

The two-year post-doctoral pharmaceutical industry fellowship is designed to provide the Doctor of Pharmacy graduate a profound and unique experience within a pharmaceutical corporation, American Regent. The fellow will have exposure to various departments within American Regent as well as research and teaching opportunities at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. It is the goal of the program to provide the fellow with the skills and tools necessary for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Medical Affairs

Pharmacists in the Department of Medical Affairs provide efficient and unbiased medical information concerning the company’s pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals, consumers, and internal associates. Upon completion of rotation within this department, the fellow will be able to:

Medical Affairs Overview:

  • Develop and utilize strong clinical trial analysis skills to evaluate medical literature, interpret scientific data, and support healthcare professionals and consumers 

  • Create and present educational lectures on products and disease states to internal and external stakeholders 

  • Attend medical/scientific meetings to ensure an in-depth understanding of the latest advances and updated scientific information that will help shape our publication and Investigator Sponsored Study strategies 

  • Work with the Medical Affairs team including, but not limited to: Medical Communications Leads, Medical Science Liaisons, Medical Directors, Medical Writers, and other relevant team members on the development and approval of core clinical material 

  • Manage company expectations while effectively integrating key clinical messages for dissemination to a wide array of audiences 

  • Acquire the medical expertise and experience to thrive in the pharmaceutical industry while complying with FDA and PhRMA regulations 


Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Overview:

  • Establish and maintain working relationships with healthcare professionals 

  • Provide education by creating scientific dialogue around American Regent products and sponsored research 

  • Fellows will have the opportunity to shadow the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) team and attend relevant conferences to deepen their understanding of Medical Affairs in a professional, pharmaceutical industry setting 


College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Overview

The fellow may apply for an affiliate faculty appointment at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and will precept entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy students who are assigned to American Regent, Inc. for experiential training. Additionally, each fellow will have opportunities at the university to participate in activities to promote professional development including:

  • Formal and informal educational opportunities
  • Collaborative research projects with St. John’s University faculty
  • Development of continuing education courses
  • A resident and fellow seminar series in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
  • Graduate degree programs available at the university to further his or her educational development (Master’s or PhD degrees)
  • On-campus teaching opportunities within the Doctor of Pharmacy Program
  • Individual research project(s)
  • Opportunity to participate in a Teaching Certificate Program

Certificate of Completion

Upon successful completion of the fellowship program, a certificate of completion will be awarded by St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and American Regent.

Eligibility for Fellowship

Fellows are chosen from a nationally competitive selection process. To be eligible, candidates must graduate from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program and have a keen interest in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Stipend and Benefits

The fellow will be a full-time St. John’s University employee. A competitive stipend will be provided as well as options for comprehensive health and dental insurance. Travel to professional meetings, conventions, and other facilities of the company may be possible.

St. John's University and Pfizer Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship

Programs Offered

Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR)/Market Access

Program Objective

The two-year post-doctoral pharmaceutical industry fellowship is designed to provide the Doctor of Pharmacy graduate a profound and unique experience within a pharmaceutical corporation, Pfizer. The fellow will have exposure to various departments within Pfizer as well as research and teaching opportunities at St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. It is the goal of the program to provide the fellow with the skills and tools necessary for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry. 

The objective for the fellowship is to provide hands-on experience in advanced techniques pertaining to HEOR evaluation of cancer pharmaceuticals, in addition to market access experience, to introduce and develop valuable skills in an increasingly important discipline. During this unique two-year fellowship, the fellow will use her/his skills to make positive impact on global patient care. The fellowship spans a variety of payer archetypes and involves establishing strong working relationship with market access, HEOR, commercial, medical and clinical develop functions. 

Fellowship Goals and Objectives

  • Build and maintain expertise in payer regulations and priorities across major countries
  • Partner with an asset market access lead to execute the market access and pricing strategy for the assigned oncology asset, which includes but is not limited to, executing payer market research, developing payer value proposition and story, market access and pricing negotiations, payer benefit analysis, and contracting solutions
  • Gain proficiency in the field of health economics, outcomes research, and comparative effectiveness research (CER)
  • In collaboration with global HEOR leads, conduct outcomes research evaluations with real world data, develop health economics models to characterize and communicate product budget impact and cost-effectiveness; participate in HEOR projects and gain experience in how a pharmaceutical manufacturer uses clinical, economic and humanistic data to support the development and commercialization of its products
  • Lead the timely development of United States HEOR launch excellence deliverables including economic models and innovative tools to successfully support launch reimbursement and access requirements
  • Manage multiple projects and budgets to target and interact with vendors to execute projects
  • Determine appropriate action, execution, tracking and monitoring of projects
  • Attend professional meetings, as well as internal business meetings, with travel, attendance, and associated cost reimbursed dependent on active research dissemination and business objectives and need

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Component

The fellow may apply for an affiliate faculty appointment at St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Additionally, each fellow will have opportunities at the university to participate in activities to promote professional development including:

  • Formal and informal educational opportunities
  • Collaborative research projects with St. John's University faculty
  • Development of continuing education courses
  • A resident and fellow seminar series in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 
  • Graduate degree programs available at the university to further his or her educational development (Master's or PhD degrees)
  • On-campus teaching opportunities within the Doctor of Pharmacy Program
  • Individual research project(s)
  • Opportunity to participate in a Teaching Certificate Program

Certificate of Completion

Upon successful completion of the fellowship program, a certificate of completion will be awarded by St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Pfizer.

Eligibility for Fellowship

Fellows are chosen from a nationally competitive selection process. To be eligible, candidates must graduate from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program and have a keen interest in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Stipend and Benefits

The fellow will be a full-time St. John’s University employee. A competitive stipend will be provided as well as options for comprehensive health and dental insurance. Travel to professional meetings, conventions, and other facilities of the company may be possible.

St. John's University and PTC Therapeutics Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship

Programs Offered

Global Regulatory Affairs

Program Objective

This two-year post-doctoral pharmaceutical industry fellowship is designed to provide the Doctor of Pharmacy graduate a profound and unique experience within a pharmaceutical corporation, PTC Therapeutics. The fellow will have exposure to various departments within PTC Therapeutics as well as research and teaching opportunities at St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. It is the goal of the program to provide the fellow with the skills and tools necessary for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry.

The overall objective for the fellowship is to receive hands-on experience in Global Regulatory Affairs, with exposure to other functional areas during the program.

Fellowship Goals and Objectives

  • Serve as the primary liaison between PTC, CROs, and Health Authorities worldwide (e.g., the US FDA)
  • Provide strategic input and tactical support to expedite development, submissions, and regulatory approvals
  • Participate in the development of global regulatory strategies supporting development, approval, and maintenance of drugs and biologics
  • Participate in Health Authority (HA) interactions and assess impact of HA feedback
  • Submit and maintain regulatory applications including INDs, CTAs, NDA/BLAs
  • Work with matrix team members (R&D and Non-R&D) to identify solutions that meet regulatory requirements as well as commercial objectives
  • Provide support to the life-cycle management activities

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Component

The fellow may apply for an affiliate faculty appointment at St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Additionally, each fellow will have opportunities at the university to participate in activities to promote professional development including:

  • Formal and informal educational opportunities
  • Collaborative research projects with St. John's University faculty
  • Development of continuing education courses
  • A resident and fellow seminar series in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 
  • Graduate degree programs available at the university to further his or her educational development (Master's or PhD degrees)
  • On-campus teaching opportunities within the Doctor of Pharmacy Program
  • Individual research project(s)
  • Opportunity to participate in a Teaching Certificate Program 

Certificate of Completion

Upon successful completion of the fellowship program, a certificate of completion will be awarded by St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and PTC Therapeutics.

Eligibility for Fellowship

Fellows are chosen from a nationally competitive selection process. To be eligible, candidates must graduate from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program and have a keen interest in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Stipend and Benefits

The fellow will be a full-time St. John’s University employee. A competitive stipend will be provided as well as options for comprehensive health and dental insurance. Travel to professional meetings, conventions, and other facilities of the company may be possible.

St. John’s University and Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship

Programs Offered

Early Clinical Development
Clinical Regulatory Affairs
Commercial Regulatory Affairs

Program Objective

This two-year post-doctoral pharmaceutical industry fellowship is designed to provide the Doctor of Pharmacy graduate a profound and unique experience within a pharmaceutical corporation, Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. The fellow will have exposure to various departments within Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., as well as research and teaching opportunities at St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. It is the goal of the program to provide the fellow with the skills and tools necessary for a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry.

The overall objective for the fellowship is to provide hands-on experience in either Early Clinical Development, Clinical Regulatory Affairs, or Commercial Regulatory Affairs, with exposure to other functional areas during the program.

Fellowship Goals and Objectives for Early Clinical Development:

  • Provide clinical pharmacology and scientific input into early clinical development plans
  • Contribute to the preparation of early clinical development components of regulatory documents, including Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs), Investigational Medicinal Product Dossiers (IMPDs), Clinical Trial Applications (CTAs), and submission documents
  • Provide scientific input into the rationale, study design, and study assessments/procedures for early clinical development studies, including coordination with pharmacometrics, bioanalytics, and biostatistics
  • Collaborate with the early clinical development operations team to support development of clinical study protocols and study-related activities during the initiation, execution, and close-out of early clinical development studies
  • Collaborate with cross-functional study teams to provide oversight and management of early clinical development studies
  • Contribute to the interpretation of clinical, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety data from early clinical development studies, including co-authoring and review of clinical study reports
  • Support early development teams (EDTs) by participation in team and subteam meetings, including preparation of scientific content relevant to strategic decision making

Fellowship Goals and Objectives for Clinical Regulatory Affairs

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of global regulations and guidance related to drug development and the regulatory environment
  • Support cross-functional product teams by offering strategic guidance on regulatory requirements and design a regulatory strategy for development and market registrations
  • Ensure Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs), New Drug Applications (NDAs), Marketing Authorization Applications (MAAs), and Clinical Trial Authorizations (CTAs) are maintained in compliance with local regulatory requirements
  • Interact with internal and external stakeholders to ensure company compliance with all appropriate federal regulations and guidance
  • Develop a thorough understanding on how to best conduct health authority meetings and prepare teams for effective regulatory interactions

Fellowship Goals and Objectives for Commercial Regulatory Affairs

  • Provide Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. internal stakeholders with strategic regulatory advice on advertising and promotional materials, in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and business goals
  • Gain insight into marketing’s goals and objectives and understand how those measures are reflected in the development of product advertising
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of FDA regulations regarding drug advertising and promotion
  • Apply regulations to the development of product promotion (including, but not limited to, television commercials, social media advertisements, website design, and print brochures)

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Component

The fellow may apply for an affiliate faculty appointment at St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Additionally, each fellow will have opportunities at the University to participate in activities to promote professional development, including

  • Formal and informal educational opportunities
  • Collaborative research projects with St. John’s University faculty
  • Development of continuing education courses
  • A resident and fellow seminar series in collaboration with the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 
  • Graduate degree programs available at the University to further educational development (master’s or Ph.D. degrees)
  • On-campus teaching opportunities within the Doctor of Pharmacy program
  • Individual research project(s)
  • Opportunity to participate in a Teaching Certificate Program 

Certificate of Completion

Upon successful completion of the fellowship program, a certificate of completion will be awarded by St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.

Eligibility for Fellowship

Fellows are chosen from a nationally competitive selection process. To be eligible, candidates must graduate from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education-accredited Doctor of Pharmacy program and have a keen interest in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Stipend and Benefits

The fellow will be a full-time St. John’s University employee. A competitive stipend will be provided, as well as options for comprehensive health and dental insurance. Travel to professional meetings, conventions, and other facilities of the company may be possible.

St. John’s University/American Regent, Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Medical Affairs

Emily Hyunh outdoor headshot

Emily Huynh, Pharm.D., is the 2020–22 St. John’s University/American Regent, Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow in Medical Affairs and serves as this year’s Chief Fellow. 

Dr. Huynh earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP). During her final year of pharmacy school, she completed a pharmaceutical industry rotation in Medical Affairs. She created a presentation that discussed a medication, currently undergoing Phase III trials, which is being used to treat anemia secondary to chronic kidney disease. This experience—in addition to becoming a professional highlight—inspired her to pursue a fellowship in Medical Affairs upon graduation from pharmacy school.

Throughout her time at PCP, Dr. Huynh was devoted to serving her community by participating in numerous patient outreach/philanthropic events and annual walks to benefit cancer research, and traveling to Guatemala for a medical mission trip. She is known for her upbeat attitude, and always tries to spread optimism.

She self-identifies as a “foodie,” and enjoys exploring new restaurants. In her free time, she loves traveling to New York City to attend pop-up exhibits. Dr. Huynh is excited for this fellowship opportunity.

Brittany Nghiem headshot

Brittany Nghiem, Pharm.D., is the 2021–23 St. John’s University/American Regent, Inc. Industry Fellow in Medical Affairs. 

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Neuroscience, as well as her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, PA. 

During her time at the University of the Sciences, Dr. Nghiem’s desire to serve her community allowed for leadership experiences across research, clinical practice, and community outreach. She was an active member of the student chapters of the American Pharmacists Association and Industry Pharmacists Organization. She also served as Media Chair for Script Your Future, an endeavor that went on to earn the 2020 Script Your Future National Award.

Following her rotations at BioCentric, Inc. and the US Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Nghiem was committed to pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry. As a Medical Affairs fellow, Dr. Nghiem aims to bridge health-care gaps and empower patients through medical education. She is excited for the opportunities to collaborate on a multidisciplinary team and expand her unique skillset. In her free time, she enjoys powerlifting, writing, and playing the bass. She also loves to explore new cities and engaging with her community.

St. John’s University/Pfizer Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Oncology Global Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR)

Si Li

Si Li, Pharm.D., is the 2020–22 St. John’s University/Pfizer Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow in Oncology Global Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR). 

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, PA, and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS). During her time at MCPHS, Dr. Li founded the college’s Drug Information Association student chapter, and additionally served on the executive boards of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, and Future Business Leaders of America student chapters. Dr. Li was also inducted as a member of Phi Lambda Sigma.

Dr. Li loves to explore new places, meet new people, travel, sing, and ride her motorcycle in her free time. She is honored to be the inaugural fellow for this exciting new collaboration between St. John’s University and Pfizer Inc. She is passionate about market access and HEOR, and looks forward to being a part of a diverse team bettering health care and making a global impact for patients.

Allison Thompson headshot

Allison Thompson, Pharm.D., is the 2021–23 St. John’s University/Pfizer Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow in Oncology Global Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR). 

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Western Kentucky University, and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD.

During her time in pharmacy school, Dr. Thompson was actively involved with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) and the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. She was the 2019 Paul G. Cano Legislative Intern for ASCP on Capitol Hill, where she attended congressional hearings, tracked drug-pricing legislation, and met with federal regulatory agencies and national coalitions.

Dr. Thompson has also been involved in several research projects, and was recently given the Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research Program Award in recognition of her contributions to the field of geriatric pharmacy. She hopes to leverage her variety of experiences to contribute to the HEOR/market access space. 

In her free time, Dr. Thompson enjoys yoga, reading, and trying new eateries (she is passionate about al fresco dining). She is excited to join the St. John’s and Pfizer Inc. fellowship team, and feels fortunate to work in a role that aligns all of her interests. 

St. John’s University/Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Clinical Development/Oncology

Liane Kuo Headshot

Liane Kuo, Pharm.D., is the 2020–22 St. John’s University/Daiichi Sankyo Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow in Clinical Development/Oncology. 

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Toxicology from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. Dr. Kuo was actively involved with Michigan’s student chapter of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, and the Industry Pharmacists Organization

She completed the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Fellowship at the US Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Clinical Pharmacology, and further pursued her interest in clinical development through rotations within the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Kuo looks forward to working on a cross-functional team to bring novel cancer therapies to patients around the world. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering as a crisis counselor, exploring museums, and trying new restaurants.

St. John’s University/Relmada Therapeutics, Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Clinical Development/Major Depressive Disorder

Dhiviya Samuel headshot

Dhiviya Samuel, Pharm.D. is the 2021–22 St. John’s University/Relmada Therapeutics, Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow in Clinical Development/Major Depressive Disorder. 

She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. During her time at St. John’s, Dr. Samuel served as an Academic Committee member of the Rho Chi Society’s Beta Delta Chapter, and was also an Event Coordinator for the Organization for the Advancement of Women in Healthcare Leadership. 

She was involved in research, specifically working in the area of medicinal chemistry, while on campus. She also worked on additional research projects during rotations at Syosset Hospital Northwell Health

Dr. Samuel is excited to be the inaugural fellow for this new and exciting St. John’s University/Relmada Therapeutics, Inc. fellowship opportunity, and work with a team focused on addressing diseases of the central nervous system. She will work on bringing to market a novel therapeutic option for patients living with Major Depressive Disorder. 

Dr. Samuel is passionate about becoming a pharmacist who utilizes the clinical knowledge and skills learned throughout this fellowshipexperience to ensure proper safety assessments during clinical trials, leading to new and effective therapeutic options available to help patients on a global level. 

In her free time, Dr. Samuel enjoys dancing, swimming, painting, reading, baking, and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys mentoring students and teaching her Samoyed puppy new tricks!