Michael Lim has joined USC Mann as senior director of Industry Fellowship Programs. He brings 25 years of pharmaceutical industry experience to the position, which involves preparing postdoctoral scholars and USC Mann students for industry success and connecting them to fellowship opportunities at the school’s corporate partners. Lim previously served in leadership roles at companies including GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Kite Pharma and Gilead Sciences. In addition to earning his PharmD at the University of California, San Francisco and completing residencies and fellowships, he also received an MBA from the University of Cambridge in England.
What inspired you to join USC Mann in this role?
Fellowships were key to my having a rewarding career as a PharmD in industry. A drug development fellowship with GSK/University of North Carolina catalyzed my career early on and helped me get started in HIV clinical development—which was a great foundation to build upon. After establishing myself in that specialty, I was offered diverse opportunities to stretch and grow in other areas, including oncology medical affairs and commercial strategy. I later broadened my experiences through leadership roles in clinical operations and portfolio and program strategy. I’m grateful for all the support I received, and now I want to help the next generation build their careers.
How did the opportunity to join USC come about?
I first met Executive Director of Fellowship Programs William Gong 25 years ago when interviewing for residencies at USC. More than two decades later, after becoming head of program management and portfolio strategy at Kite Pharma, I approached him to start a USC Mann fellowship with my team. I’ve loved my experience as an industry fellowship director and, as Kite and Gilead both offer USC Mann fellowships, I was excited to get involved in mentoring. Eventually, through my collaboration with Dr. Gong, an opportunity to join USC Mann as senior director for industry fellowships emerged. It was a dream role that I could not pass up.
You completed postdoctoral training at three different research universities. How did those varied experiences help shape your career?
You might say that I took the scenic route, but there are many ways into industry for those with a strong clinical pharmacy background, and a fellowship is not a requirement. At each stage of my journey, I was curious to learn more and get exposed to new opportunities to add value as a clinical pharmacist. Although I did do an industry fellowship, my clinical skills, residency training and academic experiences were all extremely valuable in my career in industry and if I could do it over again, I would likely take the same path.
What should students and recent graduates know as they prepare for careers in the pharmaceutical industry?
Many paths and opportunities will unfold at different points of your career. So stay curious, never stop learning and keep building foundational skills that will translate across the industry in diverse roles. Focus is important, but also keep an open mind so that you don’t miss any chances to build collaborative links and break down silos. Always see the connection to patients and disease impact, and apply your clinical acumen as a pharmacist.
What are your goals for the USC Mann Industry Fellowship Programs?
With the vision and leadership of Dr. Gong, the Mann School has built a great fellowship program. But we can’t be complacent because healthcare will continue to evolve. Having recently worked in industry, I see that the skills needed to thrive are shifting, which impacts future opportunities. I am working with Dr. Gong and USC Mann leadership on a five-year strategy for our fellowship program. In the immediate term, I am building closer engagement with fellows and preceptors to support and continuously improve our program. I see my job as building a talent pipeline for industry. When we succeed at USC Mann, then the industry also succeeds!
Learn more about the USC Mann fellowship programs, which are designed to prepare postdoctoral scholars for rewarding careers in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry. More questions? Visit the USC Mann Fellowship Programs web page or email mannfellowship@usc.edu.