The IPhO Podcast

Episode 60: Answering the Call—A Life of Purpose in Pharmacy with Dr. Earl Ettienne

On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Earl Ettienne, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs and Industrial Partnerships at Howard University, and a nationally respected pharmacy leader, researcher, educator, and mentor.

As a child, Dr. Ettienne did not see the remedy prepared, but he witnessed its impact. After his godfather suffered severe burns, a pharmacist’s custom mixture helped save his life, inspiring Dr. Ettienne to pursue pharmacy and help others.

Dr. Ettienne recalls and recounts the name of everyone who impacted his life. He remembers every opportunity he was given, and every challenge he overcame. He places an incredible amount of importance on trust, integrity, and resiliency. And he shares his best advice and most personal, meaningful experiences with us on this podcast episode. This is one you don't want to miss!

Episode 59: Leading with Clarity, Curiosity, and Confidence with Dalila Masic

On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, we’re spotlighting the inspiring journey of Dalila Masic, PharmD, Regional Medical Director - T1D Immunology at Sanofi.

In this conversation with host Alena Abraham, PharmD, Dalila shares her path from completing PGY1 and PGY2 residencies in critical care at Loyola Medicine to beginning her industry career as a Medical Science Liaison in cardiovascular medicine and how she progressed into her current role, where she leads a team of 10 MSLs focused on autoimmune type 1 diabetes.

She reflects on her transition from clinical practice to industry, the transferable skills that supported her pivot, and her leadership philosophy when coaching her team: anchored in clarity, curiosity, and confidence. Dalila also debunks myths about Medical Affairs, offers actionable advice for breaking into pharma without a fellowship, and shares strategies for students and early-career professionals to build credibility via science communication, curiosity, and networking.

Whether you’re exploring Medical Affairs for the first time or seeking leadership insights to guide your path, this episode delivers perspective and inspiration you won’t want to miss!

Episode 58: An IPhO Annual Meeting Q&A

In this special episode of the IPhO Podcast, Waleed Elsweesy, Current National Student Officer for Marketing & Partnerships, sits down with Melissa Rodenbach, IPhO Vice President, Marketing and Communications; and Daniel Ghattas, Former National Student Officer for Marketing & Partnerships and current first-year Fellow at Pfizer in U.S. & Global Medical Affairs, Hematology/Oncology; to talk all things IPhO Annual Meeting!

They answer some of the most common student questions: Why should I attend as a P1, P2, or P3? What makes the meeting valuable for P4s preparing for fellowship recruitment? How can I make the most of networking and content sessions? What deadlines do I need to know about now?

Whether you’re just starting your journey exploring the industry or you’re preparing to take your biggest step yet, this episode gives you insider advice on how to navigate the meeting, connect with industry leaders, and leave with a plan for success.

Episode 57: An Inside Look at Late Stage Clinical Development

On this exciting episode of the IPhO Podcast, we’re shining a spotlight on the unique experiences of fellows working in one of the most critical phases of drug development: late-stage clinical development!

Joining us are three fellows from the Merck Late Stage Clinical Development Fellowship Program: Vivian Tran, PharmD, Late Stage Clinical Development, General and Specialty Medicine; Lauren Dougherty, PharmD, Late Stage Clinical Development, Oncology; and Shakhzoda Rakhimova, PharmD, RPh, Late Stage Clinical Development, ID/Vaccines.

In this conversation with their co-fellow and host, Alena Abraham, PharmD, they share their personal journeys into clinical development, what guided them toward their specific therapeutic areas, and how they’ve tackled common challenges, such as steep learning curves and navigating collaboration difficulties.

They also highlight the key skills that have helped them thrive in their roles and offer valuable advice for students considering a similar path.

Whether you're exploring fellowship options or have a strong interest in clinical development, this episode offers insider insight you won’t want to miss!

Episode 56: Leading the Competition, A VIP Case Spotlight

On this special episode of the IPhO Podcast, we’re doing something a little different!

Instead of featuring pharmaceutical industry leaders or fellows, we’re spotlighting our incredible pharmacy students—specifically, the top two winning teams from the 2024-25 VIP Case Competition: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (SJU)!

Join us as we sit down with Anna Liu, team lead from VCU, and Christ Do, team lead from SJU, to hear what set their teams apart. They’ll break down the key elements that led to their success, including their team strategy and timeline, how they leveraged their networks to gain insight from fellows, and the leadership styles and team dynamics that helped them stand out.

If your chapter is planning to participate in the next competition and you want to know what it takes to win, you won’t want to miss this episode!

Episode 55: AI in Pharma, What's Now and What's Next

On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, we’re joined by Bolu Oladini, PharmD, BCMAS, Director, Generative AI Medical Content Lead at Pfizer.

Bolu walks us through his career journey, from starting in medical communications, where he mastered the art of storytelling, to his transition into medical affairs and his current leadership role.

He shares how his passion for innovation led him to explore the intersection of AI and medical affairs, and offers insights on how to thoughtfully leverage AI in the pharmaceutical industry.

Beyond his work in pharma, Bolu opens up about his new book, which focuses on resilience and finding strength through hardship.

This episode is packed with inspiration, forward-thinking perspectives, and practical advice for navigating both career and personal growth. We hope you enjoy it!

Episode 54: Navigating Career Transitions with Ajith Varghese, PharmD

On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, you'll meet Ajith Varghese, PharmD, Strategy Insights & Planning Associate Consultant.

Ajith takes us along on his career journey, which began in retail pharmacy and has culminated in a successful transition to the pharmaceutical industry.

He shares his advice on how to craft a standout resume that captures your unique skills and experiences, strategies for effective interview preparation, and the key skills and mindset needed to thrive in a competitive industry.

Whether you're a pharmacy student, a recent graduate, or a professional considering a career shift, this episode has plenty of practical advice and inspiration to help you take the next step in your career journey. Enjoy!

Episode 53: An Exciting Hello and a Bittersweet Goodbye with Alena Abraham

On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, you'll meet Alena Abraham—our newest podcast host—and say goodbye to Rita Youssef as she interviews her final guest.

Alena chats with Rita about her inspiring journey into pharmacy, which was deeply influenced by her mother’s impactful role as a pharmacist in her community. She offers thoughtful advice on how to network effectively, including how to confidently connect with fellows and professionals.

You'll be hearing a lot more from Alena in the months ahead. We're thrilled to welcome her to the team and incredibly grateful to Rita for her year of inspiring podcast content.

Episode 52: A Few Familiar Voices

On this special episode of the IPhO Podcast, we put our hosts on the spot!

Long-time friends and co-hosts Sergio Gatoulis, PharmD, Senior Medical Director/US Medical Lead at Pfizer, and Alex Schepart, PharmD, MBA, Senior Director, Medical Affairs at Shionogi Inc. (U.S.), chat with fellow co-host Rita Youssef, PharmD about their personal career journeys, connections to IPhO, and how the pandemic inspired this very podcast nearly four years ago.

You've heard their voices since 2021, now it's their turn to share their own experiences. Don't miss this fun and heartfelt episode—it's one of our favorites!

Episode 51: Navigating Regulatory Science

On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, we're joined by Marla Quintana, PharmD, RPh, a second-year Regulatory Sciences Advertising and Promotion Fellow at Biogen/MCPHS; Ibrahim Hegazy, PharmD, a second-year GRA/RAI Regulatory Strategy Fellow at Merck/Rutgers; and Lana Zaki, BPS, PharmD, a Rutgers fellowship alumna who completed her fellowship in Regulatory Affairs Global Labeling Strategy at Novartis.

Each guest shares personal anecdotes from their journey into regulatory affairs, starting with fellowship experiences that shaped their careers in pharma. They explore the diverse areas within regulatory sciences—advertising and promotion, regulatory strategy, and global labeling—offering insights into how these functions come together to support product development and market access.

Additionally, Marla, Ibrahim, and Lana discuss the challenges and rewards of their work, the skills they’ve found essential for success, and their advice for PharmD graduates looking to break into the industry.