Alumni Spotlight: PharmD Excels in Industry Project Management

Christopher Nowak, PharmD ’22, PMP, always imagined himself in a clinical pharmacy career. But deciding to pursue his project management strengths led him to the pharmaceutical industry, where he is making an impact on drug research and development in ways he never expected at AstraZeneca Rare Disease. 

“One of the most alluring things about being a pharmacist to me was it seemed like there was a lot you would be able to do with the degree in addition to those more traditional roles,” he said. 

An internship at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where Nowak managed quality-improvement initiatives, first opened his mind to different possibilities. “I got to manage timelines and coordinate with different team members, which is classic project management,” he said. “I realized that I really enjoyed that aspect.” 

But Nowak wasn’t ready to fully lean in until he was unable to match for a residency. He was devastated initially, but when he reflected on the residency interviews, he realized that he consistently responded to questions about his long-term goals with answers about how he wanted to become a hospital supervisor –– essentially managing projects. 

Fellow students and colleagues recommended applying for fellowships in medical affairs. One interviewer told him that he was a top candidate and strongly encouraged him to consider broadening his search, so Nowak applied for a project coordinator role. 

“I didn't even know pharmacists could be project managers or project coordinators, but it sounded like a role with high EQ (emotional intelligence)” he said. “I initially aimed  at just getting a foot in the door, but I ended up thriving in the role.” 

From project management to market approval 

The company where Nowak is still excelling is Alexion Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, where he quickly become an interim global program manager for research and development, helping to oversee project plans and strategic goals. 

“At first, I felt a mix of apprehension and excitement about managing multimillion-dollar drug development programs and overseeing a diverse group of collaborators, including clinical development scientists, regulatory affairs, and medical affairs," he said. "However, I surpassed my own expectations by learning and performing exceptionally well.” 

Nowak gained confidence in his project management certification when one of the programs he managed reached market approval. "It was a huge point of pride for me, because I remember when regulatory affairs were discussing their interactions with the FDA, and we were preparing dossiers and making some large decisions at our meetings,” he said. “Seeing it all actually come to fruition, seeing it on the market, and seeing the news articles about the FDA approving this medication I was the program manager for? Wow.” 

Breadth of therapeutic knowledge 

Nowak’s interpersonal and technical skills help with coordinating budgets, timelines and communications between stakeholders from many different departments and disciplines. He added that the accelerated pace of learning for UCSF’s three-year PharmD program helped him thrive in what has turned out to be an all-encompassing role.

“I don't need to be an expert in clinical development, regulatory affairs or medical affairs, for example, but I need to be knowledgeable and know what each person's responsible for, and who to follow up with.

“Working in rare diseases unfortunately means that a significant number of these conditions affect pediatric patients. My pediatric rotation at UCSF was invaluable in preparing me for this aspect of my work and better understanding the patient population we work with,” Nowak added. “My PharmD has helped me gain a comprehensive understanding across therapeutic areas. For instance, I’m involved in the fields of hematology, nephrology, neurology and ophthalmology, and having diverse knowledge has been extremely beneficial.” 

Nowak’s advice to future PharmDs is to explore –– especially at industry sites and conferences that are so accessible in the tech hub of San Francisco—to see what resonates.

“Don't limit yourself, even if you think you’re so sure about what you want to do,” he said. “There are so many roles in industry that I don't think I really understood. With the expertise they bring, pharmacists can find success in all areas of industry.” 

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About the School: The UCSF School of Pharmacy aims to solve the most pressing health care problems and strives to ensure that each patient receives the safest, most effective treatments. Our discoveries seed the development of novel therapies, and our researchers consistently lead the nation in NIH funding. The School’s doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) degree program, with its unique emphasis on scientific thinking, prepares students to be critical thinkers and leaders in their field.