USC Mann Class of 2025 Looks to the Future with Purpose
“Society benefits when you think differently, when you challenge norms, when you write your own manual,” alumni keynote speaker Robert Seidman, PharmD ’82, tells the graduates.
The USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commencement took place at 9 am on Friday, May 16 on McCarthy Quad. (Photo by Rey Obrero)
Bringing together hundreds of graduates, family members, friends, and loved ones, the USC Mann School celebrated its 118th commencement ceremony honoring the Class of 2025 on Friday, May 16 on McCarthy Quad at the USC University Park Campus.
“Today, we honor one of the most resilient and visionary classes we’ve ever known,” said Vassilios Papadopoulos, dean of the Mann School, presiding over the ceremony. “In an era of disruption, you chose persistence. In a world often divided, you modeled unity. You demonstrated the compassion, resilience, and innovation this moment demands. You inspired us all.”
Michelle Kalu, PharmD ’22, PhD ’25, spoke on behalf of the PhD and master’s graduates. (Photo by Rey Obrero)
“The future of healthcare demands boldness—and it begins with you.”
Pharmaceutical industry executive Robert Seidman, PharmD ’82, MPH, delivered the alumni keynote address, describing his efforts to persuade the FDA to shift allergy medications like Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec from prescription to over-the-counter status, making them more widely accessible and affordable to consumers.
Seidman, who served as vice president and chief pharmacy officer for Wellpoint, now Elevance Health, urged students to “play the long game,” and step outside their comfort zone as they progress through their careers.
“Staying in your lane often limits your potential,” he said. “Society benefits when you think differently, when you challenge norms, when you write your own manual.”
“Staying in your lane often limits your potential. Society benefits when you think differently, when you challenge norms, when you write your own manual.”
Jasmine Gomez Lopez, PharmD class president, spoke on behalf of the graduating PharmD students. (Photo by Rey Obrero)
Three graduate speakers addressed the audience, sharing stories and lessons learned during their time at USC.
The president of the PharmD Class of 2025, Jasmine Gomez Lopez, reflected on the challenges of starting pharmacy school during a pandemic—when interviews were held over Zoom, classes were divided into smaller cohorts, and COVID tests became routine.
“It was a time filled with uncertainty, isolation and constant change,” she said. “But through it all, we showed up with resilience, heart and hope.”
“We’re stepping into a rapidly changing world,” she said. “But we are not just ready—we are exactly what it needs: pharmacists who lead with knowledge, advocate with empathy, and show up with purpose.”
Michelle Kalu, who received her PharmD in 2022 and is now graduating with a PhD in clinical and experimental therapeutics, spoke on behalf of the PhD and master’s graduates.
“My seven years at USC Mann taught me three simple but powerful words: humility, community and resilience,” Kalu said. “Look around, your presence proves your resilience, and those supporting you today represent the community that will help you forward.”
Pharmacology and drug development graduate Mikey Null delivered the undergraduate address. (Photo by David Zong/USC Mann)
Mikey Null, who received a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology and drug development, spoke on behalf of the undergraduate students.
“Our USC experience would not be complete without like-minded, intelligent, driven peers—our ‘pharmily’,” he said.
Regulatory science graduate Patricia Jumelle, MD, MS ‘25 accepted her degree from Dean Papadopoulos.
A member of the Trojan Marching Band who also served as president of the USC Pre-Pharmacy Society, Null noted the value of resilience. “If being in the band has taught me anything inspirational to share with you today, it would be to keep your head held up high no matter what: Fight On.”
A special milestone
Graduates celebrated with their loved ones at a reception held immediately after the ceremony.
Regulatory science master’s graduate Patricia Jumelle said she was grateful for the presence of her parents, who flew in from Oklahoma, and her brother, who flew in from Ohio. This is Jumelle’s third university Commencement — following a bachelor’s from Yale University and MD from Thomas Jefferson University—and a special milestone that marks the transition from a career in medicine into regulatory science and patient safety.
“My family has been supportive of my regulatory career transition from the beginning, so it is nice to have them by my side during this moment,” says Jumelle, who now works at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center as a Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager.
Alexis Nicole Brown, PharmD ’25, was hooded by her mother Marilyn J. Brown, PharmD ’77. (Photo by Rey Obrero)
PharmD graduate Julieanne Nguyen said she was grateful for the support of her family, including her late father, who passed away the year before she started pharmacy school. “I carry his love and sacrifices with me every step of the way,” said Nguyen, who will soon move to the East Coast to begin a fellowship with Johnson & Johnson in oncology and neuroscience marketing. “This achievement is not just mine—it is a reflection of my family’s resilience, hope, and belief in me.”
Teny Khachadourian, who graduated from the USC Mann pharmacology and drug development bachelor’s program in 2020 before beginning the PharmD program, said she had mixed feelings about preparing to leave USC.
“It’s a mix of excitement, pride, and a little nervousness,” said Khachadourian, who will soon begin a PGY1 residency at Kaiser Permanente Panorama City. “This place has been home for so long, and it’s bittersweet to say goodbye.”
The USC Mann School presented 452 degrees and certificates from the following programs:
6 – PhD, Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics 1 – PhD, Health Economics 1 – PhD, Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology 3 – PhD, Pharmaceutical Sciences 178 – Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) 3 – Doctorate in Regulatory Science (DRSc) 13 – MS, Biopharmaceutical Marketing 3 – MS, Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics 46 – MS, Healthcare Decision Analysis 14 – MS, Management of Drug Development
5 – MS, Medical Product Quality 7 – MS, Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology 22 – MS, Pharmaceutical Sciences 3 – MS, Regulatory Management 34 – MS, Regulatory Science 15 – BS, Biopharmaceutical Sciences 42 – BS, Pharmacology and Drug Development 26 – Residents 30 – Fellows
PharmD graduates Ani Keshishyan, bearing the school flag, and Sarkis Sislyan, carrying the banner, led the processional into the venue. (Photo by Isaac Mora/USC Mann)
