Bringing a New Student Org to the School
Third-year student, Maya Fitzgerald, aims to establish a UNC chapter of an industry-focused organization
Story and photo by Samantha Lewis | Published March 19, 2024
What does it mean to pursue an interdisciplinary education? How can you begin to tackle that idea while studying in a professional school?
Maya Fitzgerald had these questions, and more. A PharmD/MBA dual degree student at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Maya found herself at a crossroads. While seeking opportunities to break into the pharmaceutical industry, she found herself without a space to network effectively and develop further skills in industrial technologies.
She became an active member in Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO), another student-led club at the School, where she participated as a team lead for the IPhO VIP Case Competition. “IPhO primarily focuses on roles that pharmacists are often found in, like Marketing, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, and Clinical Development,” Maya notes. However, she was looking for an organization that allowed her the opportunity to explore pharmaceutical manufacturing, so she began to research options outside of UNC.
The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) is a nonprofit association that leads scientific, technical, and regulatory advancement throughout the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle. She discovered the organization through networking events hosted in Research Triangle Park, and soon partnered with a co-founder, Kohan Goble, to pursue founding an ISPE chapter at UNC.
“It would make a space for students to really explore different areas of the pharmaceutical industry and have access to opportunities that they may not get in school, whether it’s learning, connecting with mentors, or getting experience,” says Maya.
ISPE is not only limited to the School; Kohan is an undergraduate student in the chemistry department. Together, the pair seek to open the organization to any UNC student interested in being involved, whether undergraduate, graduate, or professional.
“I think gaining perspectives from people who aren’t necessarily from the same background as your own is really important,” observes Maya. “I found that in business school. I found that just talking to students in the other programs. And I think it makes for great networking.”
Maya’s vision for the UNC ISPE chapter looks to her like interdisciplinary exploration and collaboration. She intends to create an environment where UNC students can pursue innovation intentionally and with support. With a host of opportunities, training, and events ISPE will encourage UNC students to dream big in their pursuits of educational diversity and experiences.
May and Kohan continue to work with UNC’s Student Organizations Team to become a Registered Student Organization on UNC’s campus.
“One thing I really hope to see is multiple disciplines really actively engaging and finding ways to collaborate,” says Maya. With ambition and experience, Maya plans on bringing just that to the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.