The IPhO Podcast

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

An unforgettable milestone like a 50th podcast episode calls for an unforgettable guest—and once again, our team delivered! We are honored to welcome David Epstein, seasoned pharmaceutical executive, innovator, and trailblazer, to the show!

On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, we're joined by Irene Laurora, PharmD, Senior Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Perrigo.

On this episode of the IPhO Podcast, Coach Jerry, Architect of the IPhO Coaching Service, talks about his professional career and the circumstances that led to his commitment and contributions to students, fellows, and experienced traditional pharmacists pursuing industry practice.