AAPS members discuss how they benefit from AAPS activities and programs.
By Joseph W. Polli, Ph.D., FAAPS, President
Being part of AAPS means different things to different people. Many of us use AAPS as a mechanism to learn what others are accomplishing in their research and as a way to stay current in their scientific discipline. Others engage with our association as a means to give back to the pharmaceutical science community through professional service, such as volunteering, mentoring, coaching, or helping others.
Also, AAPS has extensive career development resources that may not be available at one’s employer such as regional discussion groups, webinars, and connections with advocates in your field. What is remarkable about these invaluable, diverse programs delivered through AAPS is that the content is often developed by and for pharmaceutical scientists. In addition to the science, service, and self-development, there are also the social and collaborative elements of being a part of the AAPS ecosystem.
Like many new members, I originally joined AAPS because it is a science-driven association where I could engage in extensive research discussions across the pharmaceutical sciences and have the opportunity to share my research as well. However, over time, AAPS has also helped refine my leadership skills and open many new avenues for collaboration. This “personal development” has occurred at all levels of my service within AAPS, whether it was as a focus group (now “community”) chair or being on the Board of Directors. Even now as president and beyond my term, I will continue growing as a leader and a scientist, and AAPS resources will be part of my career growth plan.
How does AAPS help you grow your career? We asked some of our members what they most enjoy about volunteering with AAPS, and here are some of their insightful responses.
“Through service as an abstract screener, I get an opportunity to keep abreast with recent developments in the field and also give back to the scientific community by contributing to improving the quality of outputs. Please, volunteer your time and expertise where it is needed the most at the AAPS!” - Oluwatoyin Adeleke, Ph.D.
“AAPS is home to like minds. Discovering my own tribe in and out of the classroom has been the most essential component for my academic, scientific, professional as well as personal growth.” - Mohammad Asif Ali
“Working as a guest editor for AAPS PharmSciTech has taught me how to be more confident to speak up when I see something that doesn’t look correct and to provide actionable and critical feedback for authors to resubmit. This skill has benefited me in my current career as a reviewer and researcher in the Office of Research and Standards/Office of Generic Drugs/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the US Food and Drug Administration. We develop guidances, support abbreviated new drug application reviews, and support the regulatory science program under the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments, all of which impact public health. Not only have I learned to be more confident in providing critical feedback to my colleagues to support these important programs, I’ve also learned how to be on the receiving end of the feedback. My experience as a guest editor has taught me that this feedback is coming from a good place and my colleagues providing the feedback want to help me grow as a scientist, make my work more understandable and impactful.” - Heather Boyce, Ph.D.
”The most enjoyable parts of volunteering in AAPS, without a doubt, are the people and its enormous impact on global health through the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences for the development of drug products and therapies. The information that I’ve learned as an AAPS volunteer has had a tremendously positive affect on my current work. I’m able to obtain and share information from scientists and regulators worldwide on the current state of pharmaceutical drug development. The innovative, creative, collaborative, and professional environment that the organization provides fosters an enlightening experience virtually and in-person.” - April C. Braddy, Ph.D., RAC
“As an abstract reviewer, I am always proud when I go to the poster session and know that I have contributed to the dissemination of good science to the participants and also helped young scientists, though their works, to be recognized in the pharmaceutical science community.” - Valérie Brunner, Pharm.D.
“AAPS volunteering provides many opportunities to expand my scientific knowledge while fostering professional growth. It has created ways for me to learn by being a mentor but also a student. I’ve met many industry colleagues during my career and by volunteering in AAPS, I have been able to add to my professional and social network.” - Gary D’Alonzo, Ph.D.
“Volunteering in AAPS is an eye-opener for the active research done by colleagues in both academia and pharmaceutical industry. It is an essential step to promote your career development.” - Tamer E. Fandy, Ph.D., BCGP, FCP
“AAPS provides a unique opportunity to members to network with industry and academic peers, learn the cutting-edge science and product development approaches through AAPS PharmSci 360 and year-round content. For me, the best part is the common platform it offers that facilitates discussions around scientific, regulatory, and quality opportunities to serve patients.” - Parag Kolhe, Ph.D.
“I entered the pharmaceutical industry midway through my career, finding myself in the stressful position of having to quickly learn about drug discovery and development while at the same time building the capabilities of a start-up biotech company and advancing potential new therapies through its pipeline. AAPS provided access to information and people that enabled me to help build a successful business that has now delivered multiple drugs to the market. As my needs and role evolved through the years, I could depend on AAPS to continue to offer key content and opportunities for the growth of my expertise and career. I’m currently Executive Director of Clinical Pharmacology at Pfizer and continue to rely to this day on AAPS as a source of inspiration, quality science, and now great friends and colleagues.” - Kevin Litwiler, Ph.D.
“I have been volunteering for AAPS since 2008 and I love it because it is an amazing association and it gives so much to its members. Even doing something small for them gives you more than you put in, in terms of knowledge, to exchange ideas and opinions, as well as the possibility to connect with other experts worldwide.” - Annalisa Mercuri, Ph.D.
“Those of us focusing primarily on the discovery of new molecular entities, whether they are chemicals or biologics, particularly in academia, are often far removed from the practical realities of getting those molecules into patients as FDA approved therapeutics. AAPS is an unparalleled resource for building knowledge and professional networks across academia, industry, and regulatory agencies, and inspires all pharmaceutical scientists to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the key steps of a drug’s life cycle spanning discovery, development, approval, and manufacturing.” - Lance McMahon Jr., Ph.D., M.S.
“Being an Editor with AAPS PharmSciTech gave me the opportunity to increase my background as a pharmaceutical scientist and learn more about the research and innovation in all aspects of pharmaceutical technology, drugs, and medicines carried out in the pharmaceutical industry and academic institutions all over the world. As a member of the international editorial team, one of my purposes is to encourage younger scientists in Latin America and other regions to publish their original work and critical reviews to share the advancement of their research with the pharmaceutical community worldwide.” - Claudio Salomon, Ph.D.
On behalf of the AAPS Board of Directors, thank you for participating in AAPS programs, events, and activities! We look forward to providing more valuable career growth opportunities going forward, including our upcoming PharmSci 360 conference, October 26–November 5, which will include virtual scientific programming. I look forward to seeing/hearing you there!