Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Programs

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

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 Guselkumab® for psoriasis.

Dr. Fridman’s tenure with Janssen was extended four times, equating to two full years of service. During this time she had very positive experiences and 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. 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. 

Peter Attia, Pharm.D., is the 2024–26 St. John’s University/American Regent fellow in Medical Affairs.    

Dr. Attia earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Studies from the University of the Sciences. He then graduated with his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP) at Saint Joseph’s University (formerly known as University of the Sciences).

For the past two years, Dr. Attia has worked part time at Mirador Global as an Oncology and Rare Disease Commercialization Intern. During this internship he conducted in-depth research on multiple oncology and rare disease states, analyzed market trends, and interacted with key opinion leaders through interviews.

Additionally, Dr. Attia completed a 12-week internship at MannKind Corporation, working with experts in diabetes care. During this internship he participated in the preparation of an advisory board, development of a Phase 2/3 protocol, attended the American Diabetes Association conference, and worked on a data analysis project focused on the interplay between carbohydrate intake, glucose values, and timing of inhaled fast-acting insulin. The latter was presented internally to executive leadership team members.

During his time at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Dr. Attia served as President of the Drug Information Association, where he educated students about the various opportunities a Doctor of Pharmacy candidate can secure in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Attia was born in Egypt and was raised in California. In his free time, he plays and coaches basketball games in his church league. Basketball is his favorite sport, and he is a huge LA Lakers fan. He also enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.

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

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

Dr. Koshy earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at Saint Joseph’s University (formerly known as University of the Sciences). During his time in pharmacy school, Dr. Koshy 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 and St. John’s University, hoping to have a major impact in bringing new therapies to the hands of patients around the world.

Priyam Patel, Pharm.D., is the 2024–26 St. John’s University/Pfizer Inc. Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow in Oncology Global Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research. 

Dr. Patel earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at Saint Joseph’s University (formerly known as University of the Sciences). During his time in pharmacy school, he cofounded the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research student chapter, where he served as Vice President. He also led a student research poster on the cost effectiveness of an oncology product on various forms of melanomas. It was during his rotations at GlaxoSmithKline and Eisai Inc. where he became committed to pursuing an opportunity within the pharmaceutical industry, with a focus in oncology.

In his free time, Dr. Patel loves to play all kinds of sports, including soccer, tennis, and skiing. Additionally, he loves to travel around the world and meet new people.

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

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 US 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 Radiological 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 European Union 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. 

In her free time, 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.

Noor Elbershawi, Pharm.D., is the 2024–26 St. John’s University/Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, Clinical Development fellow. 

Earning her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Elbershawi spent her time during pharmacy school participating in various industry-related activities. She led her school’s team to a first-place win in the national Industry Pharmacists Organization VIP Case Competition in 2023. She also completed an internship with the consulting firm East Coast Institute for Research in medical information and scientific communications. 

Dr. Elbershawi also conducted preclinical drug development research in computational novel drug discovery. These experiences collectively provided her with a well-rounded understanding of the scope of the pharmacist’s role within the industry and motivated her to pursue a fellowship in drug development.  

In her free time, Dr. Elbershawi enjoys Pilates, kayaking, and making her own pottery. She loves spending time with her family and friends and is always searching for new experiences in which to participate. She looks forward to expanding her knowledge of the industry during this fellowship and is excited to be part of this program.

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

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 Pharmacy 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.

Amanda Kay Flood, Pharm.D., is the 2024–26 St. John’s University/PTC Therapeutics Pharmaceutical Industry Fellow in Global Regulatory Affairs. 

Dr. Flood earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Arizona in 2024 and a Master of Legal Studies in 2023. Building a foundation of legal knowledge alongside her pharmacy education shaped Amanda’s interest in regulatory affairs.  

While at the University of Arizona, Dr. Flood was actively involved in the Industry Pharmacists Organization, participating in the VIP Case Competition and being a team member who received a perfect score for the regulatory affairs portion of the activity. She completed a US Food and Drug Administration rotation at the Office of New Drug Policy, as well as a Regulatory Affairs/Public Policy rotation at Amazon Pharmacy during her final year of pharmacy school. These experiences, combined with the additional community, internal medicine, and hospital rotations, shaped Amanda’s passion and goals for her career in pharmacy.  

Dr. Flood is eager to join the St. John’s University/PTC Therapeutics fellowship team. She is beyond grateful for the opportunity to gain experience in a role with organizations whose goals align with hers.

Dr. Flood’s vibrant nature is evident in her love for dance, reading, and hosting game nights with friends and family. She enjoys exploring new fitness goals and attends frequent yoga and kickboxing classes.

St. John’s University/Sumitomo Pharma Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Clinical Regulatory Affairs 

Asna Omarzai, Pharm.D., is the 2023–25 St. John’s University/Myovant Sciences 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 Myovant Sciences/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. Omarzai enjoys exploring new places, spending time with family and friends, and describes herself as a creative.

St. John’s University/Sumitomo Pharma Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Commercial Regulatory Affairs

Michelle Moy ’18Pharm.D., RPh, is the 2023–25 St. John’s University/Myovant Sciences 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 within her community for over 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 global scale.

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

St. John’s University/Sumitomo Pharma Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship—Early Clinical Development

Solomiya Gumenyuk, Pharm.D., is the 2023–25 St. John’s University/Myovant Sciences Industry Fellow in Early Clinical Development. 

Dr. Gumenyuk earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from 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, she is excited to be a part of this new program between St. John’s University and Myovant Sciences. 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 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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!