2020 was a difficult year for all. As the new year begins, so do the opportunities for our fellows to get more involved and do things differently in 2021. One of these opportunities includes getting more involved in research projects to learn something new and pursue a topic(s) that interests them.
In this post, we hear from Shaili Rathod, a first year Global Pharmacovigilance fellow with MCPHS/Sanofi Genzyme. Shaili has graciously provided her insight and described her most recent experience on her research project.
What is the title of your research project?
Comparison of Pharmacovigilance Postdoctoral PharmD Industry Fellowships Across the United States
Can you tell us about your project?
This project was aimed to evaluate the different structures of post-graduate pharmacovigilance fellowship programs and the benefits of the program structure from the fellow and alumni’s perspective. The survey results found that current fellows feel prepared for a full-time role in the biopharmaceutical industry based on global pharmacovigilance experience and exposure to products in clinical development and post-marketed setting.
Why did you decide to pursue this topic for your research project?
Fellowship programs are increasing across the US but there is limited information comparing the various pharmacovigilance programs. We chose this topic to facilitate fellowship applicants in their research process when browsing for pharmacovigilance fellowship programs.
Did you experience any hurdles while working on the project?
Making sure we had our data results and poster up to date in order to meet the ASHP conference deadlines was the only hurdle we really faced. Other than that, we had a great team of pharmacovigilance fellows and faculty working on the project to get all our materials turned in successfully.
Have you presented your research project? If so, where?
Yes, at the virtual ASHP Midyear Clinical Conference.
Do you have any advice for any fellow or prospective candidate who wants to pursue a research project?
Find a research topic that you are interested in and start brainstorming and preparing early!
MCPHS Biopharmaceutical Fellows' Network 