The SOP recently received a $75,000 gift from the Washington Research Foundation (WRF) to establish the Regulatory Sciences Fellowship Program, a new component of the School’s Biomedical Regulatory Affairs Master of Science (BRAMS) program. The gift will support 6 student stipends and their respective practicum projects, UW practicum faculty member support, and regulatory experts as preceptors of the Fellows.
“The BRAMS program at the UW School of Pharmacy is training the next generation of regulatory leaders and we are excited to support it,” said Will Canestaro, ’16, WRF’s managing director. “We believe that the Regulatory Sciences Fellowship will provide students with a meaningful project to help a researcher under the guidance of an experienced regulatory professional.”
“The practicum is the centerpiece of the BRAMS program whereby students conduct their projects with a life science organization, guided by preceptors and our talented faculty,” added Andy Stergachis, Professor of Pharmacy and Global Health and Director of the BRAMS program. “Thanks to this generous gift from WRF, the UW can expand practicum opportunities and continue to provide outstanding experiences with real-world regulatory activities for our students.”
Manisha Ramaseshan is a second-year student pursuing her MS degree in the program, and her practicum was supported through an earlier gift to the UW from WRF. She decided to apply to the BRAMS program because it provides a unique combination of academic and practical training, exposing students to both regulatory affairs and clinical research.
“I come from a life sciences research background and was looking for an ideal career path that could help me support medical product development while utilizing my communication skills,” she said. “I felt biomedical regulatory affairs would be a great way to understand the ‘micro’ and the ‘macro’ aspects of medical product development.”
Manisha added that BRAMS affords a holistic experience, covering academic knowledge, practical knowledge, and regulatory communications. These aspects have helped her pick up new – and further develop existing – skills.
“Breaking into any new industry can be an uphill task and the BRAMS experience has equipped me with foundational knowledge and key skills that has helped me better prepare for the professional roles I intend to pursue,” she added. “The BRAMS program has also given me an opportunity to meet and interact with industry experts, alumni, and cohort members who come from diverse backgrounds.
“Their experiences and interactions have been valuable in shaping my thinking and perspective towards becoming a regulatory affairs professional.”
For more information on BRAMS, visit: https://www.regulatoryaffairs.uw.edu/