04/23/2021
Humans of Skaggs
Howard Phang (current PharmD/PhD student)
Spring 2021 - Week 4
Q: What can you tell us about your experience with the PharmD/PhD program?
A: My experience in the beginning was unique and challenging since I started the PhD during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this point, lab activities have ramped up and I’m learning a ton, but the slow start has definitely made it harder for me to adjust from pharmacy student to graduate researcher. Other than that, it’s a nice change of pace to not be studying 24/7 and to instead focus on projects that I get to personally develop and flesh out. I’m in a fun, financially-stable lab and have an awesome thesis advisor, Dr. Anthony Molina. I can’t complain!
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Q: What are your future career goals?
A: My long-term end-goal is to become a professor and teach while running my own lab. I’ve always had a passion for teaching others and I want to be in a position to mentor and inspire the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals. We need more diverse role models in higher-level education/academia!
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Q: How have you been adapting since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Honestly, I’m a huge introvert so getting to stay home all the time has been a blessing for me (recognizing my privilege to able to do so comfortably) and not entirely different from life prior, haha! I suppose I’ve been more motivated to work out and prepare healthier meals for myself to avoid a completely sedentary lifestyle.
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Q: What are some small things that make you happy?
A: I’ll list a few: sticky notes with nice messages, pronouns on email signatures and Zoom names, and oxford commas. I am also a fan of literally small things. I have this tiny set of colored pencils that are absolutely useless but are fun to look at.
04/02/2021
Welcome back Skaggies! We hope everyone enjoyed their Spring break and is ready to take on the last quarter of the school year 🙂
Humans of Skaggs
Ryan Ha (Class of 2024, current P1)
Spring 2021 - Week 1
Q: Why did you decide pharmacy was a good career choice for you?
A: Growing up, I was fascinated about how medications could be used to treat so many different illnesses. That curiosity combined with a passion for helping others through patient care drove me towards choosing pharmacy!
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Q: What superpower would you give to all pharmacists?
A: The power to have our brains automatically connected to Clinical Pharmacology and Lexicomp. 200 IQ plays every day!
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Q: If you could travel to any fictional place, where would you go?A: The Pokémon World!
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Q: What are some small things that make you happy?
A: Good company and good food!
03/05/2021
Humans of Skaggs
Penelope Nwaukwa (Class of 2023, current P2)
Winter 2021 - Week 9
Q: Who has had the greatest influence on your choice of pharmacy as a career?
A: I actually didn’t have a big influence on my choice of pharmacy as a career. A lot of my friends and family actually wanted me to be an MD. My decision to pursue pharmacy was something I decided on my own because, after a lot of research, I felt like a career in pharmacy best suited my strengths and interests.
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Q: What is your favorite medication and why?
A: My favorite medication is oxymetazoline because i get the worst nasal congestion at night during allergy season and oxymetazoline relieves my congestion really fast and I am finally able to sleep!
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Q: If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Sushi!
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Q: What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend?
A: Hanging out with my friends! Trying new foods, having movie nights with lots of snacks, and trying new outdoor activities.
02/26/2021
Humans of Skaggs
Masara Issa (Class of 2021, current P4)
Winter 2021 - Week 8
Q: How are you liking rotations of P4 year so far? Do you have any advice regarding preparing for P4 year?
A: Surprisingly, rotations have been going by quite quickly! At first, you think 6 weeks is an eternity but the next thing you know, you are moving on to the next block. My advice is to be flexible, especially due to the changes the pandemic has presented. You may have a sudden site change but I have learned that can bring along great experiences.
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Q: If you could live anywhere, where would live?
A: I would love to live in Montreal, Canada for at least one year. Montreal is multi-cultural, historic, and very European-like. It’s a bilingual city and I would enjoy practicing my French. Plus they have the best poutine out there!
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Q: What are you looking forward to after graduation?
A: Honestly, I am looking forward to having some time off before starting my fellowship in July. I am hoping to make some COVID-safe travel plans and spend time with my friends and family.
