Commencement Spotlight: Jing Chen
Meet Jing Chen, a Class of 2021 Trojan graduating with an M.S. in healthcare decision analysis from USC Mann. Here, she talks about combining her background in data science with targeted training in the healthcare industry, juggling her classwork while raising a newborn and gives advice to those looking to follow in her footsteps.
Commencement Spotlight: Anthony Sablan
Meet Anthony Sablan, a Class of 2021 Trojan graduating with a PharmD from USC Mann. Here, he talks about how watching his father, a registered nurse, oversee medication management for his grandparents sparked an early interest in pharmacy. He also shares about the interprofessional opportunities he had serving the geriatric and homeless populations alongside other USC health professional students and reveals his next steps after graduation.
Commencement Spotlight: Anushka Rajesh
Meet Anushka Rajesh, a Class of 2021 Trojan graduating with an M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences from USC Mann. As an international student from Mumbai, India, she shares why she chose to attend USC, how the COVID-19 pandemic taught her the importance of being flexible and gives advice to those following in her footsteps: “Befriend people from different fields, age groups and cultures—this will expose you to new experiences and help you grow as a person.”
Commencement Spotlight: Christian Reyes
Christian Reyes is a Class of 2021 Trojan—who after starting college on a pre-med track—is now graduating with a B.S. in pharmacology and drug development from USC Mann. Here, he talks about joining the Trojan Marching Band, why he’s pursuing a progressive master’s in regulatory science and the power of the USC alumni network.
Commencement Spotlight: Anh Truong
Meet Anh Truong, PharmD ’17, who pursued a dual PharmD/PhD degree at USC Mann and is graduating with a PhD in molecular pharmacology and toxicology in May 2021. Here, he shares why he pursued pharmacy after having a career in information technology, the advantages of studying pharmaceutical sciences in Los Angeles and gives advice to others interested in dual degree programs.
Commencement Spotlight: Michael Kessler
What originally attracted you to pharmacy? I was originally attracted to the breadth and depth of the education one gets in pharmacy school and the broad spectrum of career pathways that are possible. Prior to (and during) pharmacy school, I worked as an exercise physiologist in cardiac rehabilitation and transitioned to a primary care clinic […]
Commencement Spotlight: Vicky Wang
Vicky Wang is graduating with a master’s in healthcare decision analysis from USC Mann in May 2021. Here, the Shanghai, China native talks about how the program’s built-in consulting projects helped her land her dream job and why joining the Trojan Family was an easy decision for her.
Commencement Spotlight: Joshua Silva
Meet Class of 2021 Trojan Joshua Silva, recipient of the 2021 USC PhD Achievement Award. Here, he talks about his path to pursuing a PhD in clinical and experimental therapeutics, his passion for promoting diversity within the sciences and the biggest lesson he’s learned from his faculty advisor, Dr. Daryl L. Davies. He also gives advice to students looking to follow in his footsteps: “What you want to do in life may change over time.”
Commencement Spotlight: Teny Khachadourian
Meet Teny Khachadourian, a Class of 2021 Trojan graduating with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology and drug development. Here, she shares why volunteering at a hospital’s oncology floor solidified her decision to pursue pharmacy and how her experiences as an undergraduate student have prepared her for another four years at USC — this time as a PharmD student.
Commencement Spotlight: Kaycey Pearce
Meet Kaycey Pearce, president of the PharmD Class of 2021, who will deliver a message to fellow graduates at the virtual celebration honoring USC Mann Class of 2021 on Thursday, May 13. Here, she talks about how losing close loved ones to cancer inspired a career change, the advantages of studying pharmaceutical sciences in a place like Los Angeles and reveals what’s next for her after graduation.
Student Spotlight: Jason Jang
Meet first-year PharmD student Jason Jang, a new student ambassador who hopes to serve as a mentor and advocate for his classmates. Here, he shares the significance of participating in COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the virtual outreach events he helped organize by serving on PharmSC’s Health Fair Committee and his love for karaoke.
Student Spotlight: Kristine Pisikian
Meet second-year PharmD student Kristine Pisikian, who as a contributing writer at GoodRx, authors articles on the importance of legislative advocacy, value-based care, healthcare disparities, and more. Here, the San Fernando Valley native and first-generation Armenian American shares what attracted her to pharmacy and how she hopes to embark on a nontraditional pharmacy career path.
Student Spotlight: Megan Matthews
Meet fourth-year PharmD student Megan Matthews, who was inspired to pursue pharmacy after a pharmacist helped ease her fears during a medical scare. Here, she shares how her experiences on the frontlines of the pandemic have been life-changing and her career aspirations of working as an ambulatory care pharmacist.
Student Spotlight: Samara White
What attracted you to the field of pharmacy? Any particular moment(s) that made you stop and think, “This is the path I want to take?” I have always had a great interest in the intersection of the brain, behavior and medicine. This led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science and definitely influenced […]
Alumni Spotlight: Donna Keissami, PharmD ’08
When Donna Keissami, PharmD ’08, published “Maddie Visits the Pharmacist,” she fulfilled a lifelong dream of writing a children’s book. Here, she talks about how the book helps children understand prescribed medications and encourages students to use their pharmacy knowledge to “branch out” within the field.