Aditya Venkatesh

Student in PSM Program Drug Development Course

Aditya Venkatesh

I was in the sixth year of my PhD program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School when I took the Drug Development: Process and Regulation Class offered by Framingham State University. My career goal was to transition to the biotech/pharmaceutical industry following my PhD and therefore wanted more insight into how the industry functions. As basic researchers in the academic environment, we are often unaware of the steps and challenges that are involved in the approval of a drug following the identification of a lead candidate.

The course provided an extensive overview of the various stages involved in the drug development process, which gave me a whole new appreciation for the industry. I also liked the format of the classes because it focused more on team-based discussions/presentations and assignments that required critical thinking, as opposed to memorization based exams. Additionally, we had several lectures presented by speakers from various spheres of the industry ranging from regulatory affairs, clinical trial management to business development, which provided ample scope for expanding one's network as well.

The course also prepared me for interviews, which helped me secure an industry position even before I completed my PhD. Above all, it was a great pleasure to interact and learn from the course instructor Dr. Sunny Tam, who put together a fantastic course and continues to be my mentor.