Just last year, the local chapter of the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) was established at Wayne State University's Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Since its inception, IPhO has been busy growing its roster of WSU student pharmacists, preparing them with a working knowledge of industry pharmacist roles and key pharmaceutical industry driving forces, as well as understanding the skills and experiences necessary to become successful industry pharmacists.

"Upon entering WSU Applebaum's PharmD program, I wanted to know how pharmacists could leverage their academic and experiential training in the pharmaceutical industry," said Bhargav Kovuru, founding member and current chairman of Wayne State's IPhO chapter. "I came across IPhO and took the initiative to bring a chapter to our campus to guide like-minded student pharmacists and provide us with the necessary resources and professional networks to excel in our future careers. IPhO offers students a chance to explore pharmaceutical industry-focused career opportunities. It's an organization that can act as a gateway to a whole new field of pharmacy that students aren't exposed to in their curriculum."

IPhO pharmacist members are recognized within the pharmaceutical industry as being the most professionally equipped to contribute to the development, commercialization, promotion and optimal use of medicines. IPhO recognizes that pharmacists' scientific training, medication expertise, clinical acumen, patient focus, and experience as health care providers are key to roles in industry pharmacy.

"I joined IPhO because I developed an interest in the Medical Science Liaison, or MSL, career pathway," said WSU's IPhO President-Elect Ronith Murali. "Joining IPhO is preparing me for an industry career through access to online resources, professional events, national conferences and competitions, as well as informative seminars like the Eli Lilly Visiting Scientist Fellowship program webinars that our members will be attending in September."

Lilly's Visiting Scientist Fellowship (VSF) is a highly respected pharmaceutical industry-based program that develops competitive and marketable industry professionals. Designed to train professionals for a career in the pharmaceutical industry, the fellowship offers a wide array of dynamic and challenging positions, while creating an environment that fosters personal and professional development. VSF is a one-year post-graduate program that presents PharmD, MD, and relevant PhD or master's degree graduates with crossfunctional exposure to clinical development, commercial, medical, project management and regulatory aspects of drug development.

WSU's IPhO chapter is proud to have one of its founding members and recent WSU Applebaum grad Dr. Hussein Safaoui as one of Eli Lilly and Company's 18 current Visiting Scientist Fellows.

"The VSF program has been a great experience and I encourage Wayne State pharmacy candidates who are interested in industry to apply to the program," Safaoui said. "Fellows directly impact the business at Eli Lilly and Company to speed innovation while developing valuable and lifelong career skills. I've always wanted to make an impact on patients on a larger scale and this program is preparing me to do just that. Lilly equips its fellows with many resources from mentors, coaches and tracking your development. From clinical development and project management, health outcomes, medical or regulatory affairs, and bringing medicines to the market, the Visiting Scientist Fellowship is a one-of-a-kind experience."

The first webinar takes place on September 1 at 7 p.m. and will be an introduction to VSF, with an overview of the program and application process. The second webinar will take place on September 13 at 7 p.m. and will feature breakout rooms and a Fellows panel.

Click here to register for the Lilly Visiting Scientist Fellowship informational webinars.

To learn more about IPhO's Wayne State chapter and how to become a member, write to ronithm@wayne.edu.