Student Spotlight: Blending Patient Care with Innovation

Isela Lopez, PharmD, Class of '26, is pursuing her fascination with how medications improve people's health and quality of life at UCSF. Building on her undergrad studies in physiology and metabolism at UC Berkeley, Lopez aims to use her pharmacy education to improve health outcomes, especially for underrepresented communities.

Q: Why did you choose to study pharmacy?

A: My academic journey has always been driven by a love of learning and a desire to be constantly challenged. I chose pharmacy because I have a deep interest in drug development and clinical work. I’ve always been fascinated by the mechanisms of drugs and their effects on the body, and my undergrad studies solidified my interest in pathways and drug action. I also wanted a career where I could blend patient care with innovation, and pharmacy offers that balance.

I worked as a medical assistant in a rheumatology clinic, where I frequently served as an ad hoc interpreter for Spanish-speaking patients. This experience underscored the importance of culturally competent care and inspired me to pursue pharmacy, where I hope to continue serving the Latino community without language barriers.

Q: What inspired you to choose UCSF?

A: I love the three-year program because it allows me to reduce my student loans and begin making an impact in the field sooner. Additionally, the hands-on research opportunities and the supportive faculty have been crucial to my success. The skills I’ve developed here have prepared me well for real-world clinical challenges.

UCSF has an incredible support system! The opportunities for research and professional development here are unmatched, and I’m grateful to be part of a program that prepares students for diverse careers in pharmacy.

Q: What are some key experiences that influenced your path?

A: Attending networking roundtables through the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) helped me understand the various career paths in the pharmaceutical industry. These events were instrumental in narrowing down my interests, and leading me to focus on clinical development, which perfectly balances my passion for drug development and clinical application.

Q: What are you working on now, and what are your future career goals?

A: I’m currently part of UCSF’s intensive discovery project, where I’m working with the Drug Research Unit on a study related to HIV drugs and kidney rejection in transplant patients. This project has allowed me to gain research experience and learn R, a coding language that is essential for data analysis and creating graphs. It’s an exciting opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge research.

Ultimately, I aim to work in clinical development within the pharmaceutical industry, where I can combine my clinical knowledge with my passion for drug discovery and innovation. I’m excited about the possibility of making a meaningful impact on patient care and advancing the field of pharmacy.