Category: Alumni

Fascination with science, passion for helping others leads pharmacy graduate toward career in infectious disease

Like many health professionals who choose to dedicate their lives to helping others, Rebecca O’Toole’s career path was directed by a harrowing personal experience, which, while stressful and frightening, ultimately proved inspiring thanks to the compassion of the health-care workers on the case. O’Toole was already a student in the University of Rhode Island College […]

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Anna Geraci, B.S.P.S ’18

Quality Control Analyst, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

“The hands on experience that we got through the program, along with the internships and undergraduate research helped me get my foot in the door at an entry level job after graduation”

Topics Covered

  • Working as a quality control analyst
  • The advantages of the small class sizes in the BSPS program
  • Being involved in an internship while at URI
  • 3D printing in the pharmaceutical industry and opportunities to learn the skill in the COP
  • How the BSPS program prepared Anna for a first job
  • Advice to current BSPS students about taking advantage of the opportunities available[/cl-boxout]
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Zoe Perikns, B.S.P.S. ’19

Associate Scientist, Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America

“There is a great network of BSPS out there in the field, so coming to the panels, or the mentorship program, those are really great assets that the college has set up to be able to learn more about a career path”

Topics Covered

  • Working in the biologic industry
  • Deciding upon a career path that is right for you
  • Having your own research project within a lab as an undergraduate researcher at URI
  • How being involved in research as a BSPS student prepares you for your career
  • The different benefits of the BSPS program
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Anthony Aiudi, Pharm.D. / MBA ’14

After earning a dual Pharm.D./MBA degree at URI in 2014, Anthony pursued a career in the pharmaceutical industry holding positions with Cubist, Merck and Stealth Biotherapeutics. For the past two years, Anthony transitioned from the pharmaceutical industry to a career as an investor at the Morningside group, a life science venture capital firm that invests in new and innovative biopharmaceutical and medical device technologies.

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Madison Adams, B.S.P.S ’18

Pre-Clinical Study Manager, Kymera Therapeutics

“When I graduated I really thought my skillset was tailored towards a more lab-based position, but as I spent more time in the industry I realized I knew a lot about the process of what it takes to make a good study… my current role is a really nice extension of the BSPS program”

Topics Covered

  • Working in preclinical study management
  • Careers in the pharmaceutical industry outside the lab
  • How the BSPS program prepares you for industry
  • Pursuing a masters degree after graduation from the BSPS program
  • Taking advantage of internships while at URI
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Abigail Agreda, B.S.P.S. ’20

Associate Scientist, Pfizer

“The variety of required classes and labs I experienced in the BSPS program was a huge part of choosing my career path”

Topics Covered

  • Working on fast paced Oncology projects at Pfizer
  • How the BSPS Program gives you experience of multiple stages in the drug development process
  • Participating in Internships while studying in the BSPS program
  • Preparing your resume, cover letters, and job/ grad school applications with our Experiential Education Coordinator Erin Edmonds.
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Samina Akbar, B.S.P.S. ’18

Associate Scientist, Pfizer

““While I was an undergraduate research assistant I really felt that I was helping the lab progress, and that my contributions were actually doing something”

Topics Covered

  • Applying for a job at Pfizer
  • Undergraduate research through the SURF Program
  • Working closely with your BSPS peers while at URI
  • Using the simulation lab in the BSPS Program
  • How the BSPS program prepares you for industry.
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Dr. Stephanie J. Shiffka, B.S.P.S. ’15

Biologist, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute

“Without the BSPS program and the undergraduate research I did there, I would not be where I am today, so I’m super grateful for that”

Topics Covered

    Pursuing a PhD after graduation from the BSPS program
  • Working for the NIH, and what that looks like
  • How to get started in a COP lab as an undergraduate
  • Skills learned in a molecular biology lab as an undergraduate
  • The diversity of research areas we have here in the COP
  • Deciding on your career path
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Patrick Dumas, B.S.P.S. ’16

Health Policy Advisor for the House Budget Committee Republicans

“The research that happens in the College of Pharmacy at URI makes nationwide news for their successes, and being able to work as an undergraduate in that field is a really unique opportunity”

Topics Covered

  • Working for the government in health policy
  • Building and maintaining a network
  • Reflecting on making a career change
  • Considering all the career paths that are available to BSPS graduates
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