Alumni Spotlight: Constant Change from Bench to Veterinary Pharmacy

Marcos Contreras, PharmD ’05, MBA, began his career as a research associate in medicinal chemistry but has since carved a unique path in pharmacy, blending expertise in sterile compounding, nuclear pharmacy and now veterinary medicine.

“I started as a chemistry major at UC Davis, and undergraduate research opened doors for me,” Contreras said. “I landed at Chiron, now Novartis, working in medicinal chemistry. Back then, I was in the lab, synthesizing novel small molecules with potential drug activity without knowing much about the pharmacology behind it.”

His pivot to pharmacy came after three years as a bench scientist. “Most people in my role pursued a PhD, but pharmacy had always intrigued me,” Contreras said.

A serendipitous connection during his UCSF School of Pharmacy interview with Joanne Whitney, PharmD, PhD, solidified his path. At the time, Whitney was the director of the Drug Product Services Labor­atory (DPSL) –– now the Drug Research Unit (DRU), a biomedical research and training program in which faculty, postdoctoral fellows, residents and students carry out drug research, with emphasis on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. “[Whitney] saw I had worked at Chiron, where she had also worked,” Contreras said. “That connection led to an internship with her at the DPSL.”

A pathway forged through community

Contreras’ journey after graduation began in community pharmacy at Oakland’s La Clínica, serving Spanish-speaking, underserved patients. “I’m not a native Spanish speaker — I didn’t have much immersion with the language growing up — but I picked some up through my surroundings,” Contreras said. “Working at La Clínica helped me become more multilingual and more connected to the community.”

Throughout, his ties to UCSF remained strong. When a role opened at DPSL, Contreras was invited back. “At DPSL, I became an expert in sterile compounding,” he said. “Back then, large-scale batch production in compounding pharmacies wasn’t well-regulated, but I always believed in going beyond the minimum standards.”

Advancing to nuclear pharmacy

Michael J. Bannasch

Contreras is director of pharmacy at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH).

After DPSL operations were restructured, Contreras transitioned to nuclear pharmacy. Despite lacking nuclear experience, his sterile compounding expertise proved invaluable. “My manager recognized that regulations were changing, setting higher standards for nuclear pharmacy,” he said. “It was a pivotal moment for the field.”

Contreras thrived in nuclear pharmacy, producing isotopes for imaging studies. “It was fun working with isotopes,” he said. “And no, I don’t have two heads!”

Returning to academia in veterinary pharmacy

Drawn back to the UC system, Contreras accepted a position at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH). “I emailed Valerie Wiebe, the director of pharmacy at the time, saying, ‘Remem­ber me from UCSF?’ I didn’t expect much, given my lack of veterinary experience, but they saw my ability to adapt and manage the uncertainty of nontraditional settings.”

Contreras quickly rose to director of pharmacy after Wiebe’s early retirement, supported by his pursuit of an MBA, in which he honed his skills in budgeting, leadership and strategic planning.

In veterinary pharmacy, Contreras grapples with unique challenges, such as adapting USP 800, a set of standards created by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) for safely handling hazardous drugs in health care settings. “It’s easier to control human patients than animals,” he said. “But we aim to set an example as an academic institution.”

Advice for future pharmacists

Through his varied experiences, Contreras has become a staunch advocate for continuous learning and mentorship. Reflecting on his journey, he emphasizes gratitude.

“Never forget those who helped you along the way,” Contreras said. “Stay in touch and thank them. And don’t forget to pay it forward. I hope I’ve done the same for others.”

Contreras also encourages embracing lifelong learning and diverse experiences. “Nothing stays the same in this field,” he said. “Conferences like American Pharmacists Association (APhA)’s nuclear pharmacy series keep me informed of cutting-edge therapies, like new alpha-emitting isotope therapies.”

Contreras said he hopes his continuing emphasis on adaptability, expertise and the value of connections will inspire pharmacists seeking to forge their own nontraditional paths.

As for the future, he remains open to possibilities. “Whether I stay in veterinary medicine or create a niche industry, my PharmD combined with my MBA has made me think beyond traditional roles,” he said. “And along the way, I’ll keep brewing beer — it’s science, fun and a great conversation starter!”

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