Contents
HEOR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 2026-2028
About Bayer
Bayer is a Life Science company with a more than 150-year history and core competencies in the areas of healthcare and agriculture. With our innovative products, we are contributing to finding solutions to some of the major challenges of our time.
A growing and aging world population requires an adequate supply of food and improved medical care. Our research and development activities are therefore focused on improving people’s quality of life by preventing, alleviating, and treating diseases.
Our goal is to achieve and maintain leadership positions in our markets. In this way, we create value for our customers, stockholders, and employees, while at the same time strengthening the company’s earning power. To this end, our strategy is designed to help solve some of the most pressing challenges facing population health.
Headquarters in Whippany
In the US, Bayer opened its headquarters in Whippany, NJ, in mid-2013, bringing together employees from several sites in the New York/New Jersey area. The 700,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility is situated on 94 acres of property in a thriving suburb, with easy access to several major highways. The secure-access site features desirable amenities, such as a fitness center, large café, outdoor dining area, medical suite, coffee bar, company store, and a modern, open-office floor plan.
Pharmaceuticals
Bayer’s Pharmaceutical Division in the US, headquartered in Whippany, NJ, focuses on researching, developing, and marketing specialty-focused innovative medicines that provide significant clinical benefit and value, primarily in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, oncology, gynecology, and hematology. In this way, we are addressing the growing requirements of patients, physicians, healthcare payers, and regulatory agencies. With our innovative products, we seek to achieve therapeutic benefit for patients while at the same time satisfying the growing requirements of physicians and health insurers.
Bayer’s Live Values
By working sustainably and accepting our role as a socially and ethically responsible corporate citizen—and by committing to our Bayer values—we create benefits for the communities in which we live. Science For A Better Life: this is the promise we all give to our stakeholders.
About the University of Washington
The University of Washington is a national leader in health sciences education and has been consistently listed in U.S. News and World Report as one of the top ten such institutions for its graduate programs. The University is particularly noted for its strong research programs and since 1974 has received more federal funds for research and training than any other public university. It fosters a highly collegial atmosphere between disciplines, creating a particularly attractive environment for such partnerships between the public and private sectors as the UW/Bayer Fellowship.
To coordinate its strong existing program and better serve the pharmaceutical community, the UW School of Pharmacy has established the Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics (CHOICE) Institute within which this fellowship is located. The CHOICE Institute has helped the University of Washington become a nationally recognized center for pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacoeconomics, comparative effectiveness research, and pharmaceutical outcomes research.
The School’s Department of Pharmacy faculty participating in the fellowship have been chosen both for their dedication to teaching and their excellence in research. Each is trained either as a health economist or health services research scientist, and all have an extensive history of effective pharmacoeconomic and pharmacoepidemiologic research.
Facilities
Fellows will be provided with work space and have access to the University’s excellent research facilities, including health sciences and economic research libraries and computing facilities. In addition, during their time at Bayer, they will be provided with office space and have access to The CHOICE Institute healthcare datasets.
Ryan Hansen, PharmD, PhD
Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacy
University of Washington
Jennifer Cameron, MHA
Senior Director, Research Collaboration Strategy
Bayer
Bashir Kalayeh, PharmD, RPh
National Director, HEOR
Bayer
In addition to the fellowship directors, fellows have the opportunity to collaborate with various faculty members of The CHOICE Institute:
Jean Lee, PharmD, MS
2024-2026 UW-Bayer Fellow
Jean earned her PharmD from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy in 2024. Her interest in HEOR and the pharmaceutical industry was sparked by a cost-effectiveness research project, where she contributed as the fifth author by performing literature reviews and data collection. She further explored the field through industry rotations at Bristol Myers Squibb and Cencora, and earned a certificate in pharmacoepidemiology during pharmacy school.
Jean went on to complete her MS in HEOR from the CHOICE Institute. Now in her second year at Bayer, she is focused on supporting the development of asundexian and is preparing her master’s thesis for publication. In her first year, she gained hands-on experiences with SAS and R, learned how to build cost-effectiveness models, and conducted her first real-world evidence study by collaborating with Dr. Ryan Hansen – evaluating healthcare resource utilization and costs in HFpEF patients treated with two different combination therapies.
Abstracts from Fellowship:
- Lee J, Hansen R. Treatment patterns and Efficacy/Safety of the drugs in HER2+ NSCLC: A Systematic Literature Review. UW Corporate Advisory Board, September 2024, Seattle, WA.
- Lee J, Hansen R. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Baricitinib and Ritlecitinib for Alopecia Areata in the U.S. WPEC, March 2025, Seattle, WA.
- Lee J, Hansen R. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Baricitinib and Ritlecitinib for Alopecia Areata in the U.S. ISPOR, May 2025, QC, Canada.
Manuscript from Fellowship:
- Lee J, Yeung C, Hansen R. Comparing Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs in HFpEF patients using SGLT2-Inhibitor Combination Treatments [Manuscript in Progress]
Jake Earl
UW-Bayer HEOR Fellow 2023-2025
MS 2024, University of Washington; PharmD 2023, University of Utah
Thesis: Identifying and Characterizing Commercially Insured HFpEF Patients with Low vs. High Healthcare Resource Utilization
Current Position: Senior HEOR Manager, Bayer (US Medical Affairs, Cardiovascular & Renal)
Arvind Katta
UW-Bayer HEOR Fellow 2022-2024
MS 2023, University of Washington; PharmD 2022, BS 2021, Northeastern University
Thesis: Treatment Patterns of Patients Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Patients Who Have Bled on Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs)
Current Position: Senior Manager, Bayer
Qixin (Sandy) Li
UW-Bayer HEOR Fellow 2021-2023
MS 2022, University of Washington; PharmD 2021, BS 2016, University of Hawaii Hilo
Thesis: Association of Comorbidities with Healthcare Resource Utilization and Cost for Post-discharge Heart Failure Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Current Position: Senior Scientist, Oncology Outcomes Research, Astra Zeneca
Gilbert Ko
UW-Bayer HEOR Fellow 2020–2022
MS 2021, PharmD 2020, MBA 2018, BA 2015, University of Washington
Thesis: Comparing Costs and Healthcare Resource Utilization Between nmHSPC and mHSPC Patients: A Retrospective Claims Analysis
Current Position: Associate Director, Real World Value & Evidence- Oncology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
Ashley Cha-Silva
UW-Bayer HEOR Fellow 2019-2021
MS 2020, University of Washington; PharmD 2019, BA 2015, University of Illinois at Chicago
Thesis: Annual Out-of-Pocket Costs and Productivity Loss Among Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease Compared to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Current Position: Director, Specialty Care HV&E, Pfizer
Thomas Hopkins
UW-Bayer HEOR Fellow 2018-2020
MS 2019, University of Washington; PharmD 2018, University of Illinois Chicago; BS 2014, Loyola University of Chicago
Thesis: Surgical Costs Associated with the Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
Current Position: PhD Student in Health Economics & Outcomes Research, The CHOICE Institute, University of Washington
Lauren Chin
UW-Bayer HEOR Fellow 2017-2019
MS 2018, PharmD 2017, University of Washington; BS 2012, University of Southern California
Thesis: Factors Associated With Direct Health Care Costs among Commercially-Insured Patients With Metastatic Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis
Current Position: Pharmacist, Formulary Resources
Lucille Sun
UW-Bayer HEOR Fellow 2016-2018
MS 2017, University of Washington; PharmD 2016, University of California, San Francisco; BA 2011, Pomona College
Thesis: Risk of Depressive or Anxiety Disorders in Commercially Insured Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) in the US: A retrospective Analysis
Current Position: Associate Director, Curta
Jean Malacan
UW-Bayer HEOR Fellow 2015-2017
MS 2016, University of Washington; Executive Master Strategy and Management of Health Industries 2015, ESSEC Business School; PharmD 2015, Paris-Sud University; French Baccalaureat 2006, Ecole alsacienne
Thesis: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Addition of Bevacizumab to a Standard Chemotherapy Doublet in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Current Position: Senior Director, BeOne Medicines – Global Value, Access & Pricing Hematology
Justin Sammy Yu
UW-Bayer HEOR Fellow 2014-2016
MS 2015, University of Washington; PharmD 2014, BA 2010, University of Southern California
Thesis: Indirect Costs and Outcomes Associated with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Current Position: HEOR Consultancy, Self-Employed
The Bayer Pharmaceuticals and University of Washington Health Economics and Outcomes Research Fellow Program is a two-year program that provides training and hands-on experience in a broad range of health economics and outcomes research topics. This program is structured to allow the fellow to gain proficiency in these areas of research as conducted in both the academic and pharmaceutical industry settings.
The Fellowship Program
Bayer Pharmaceuticals and the University of Washington are pleased to offer two Health Economics and Outcomes Research Fellow positions for the academic years 2026–2028
The first year of the fellowship will be spent at the University of Washington (Seattle, WA).
The objective of the first year is to educate the fellow on principles and methods of health economics and outcomes research. In this first year, the fellow will take core courses to satisfy the Master’s Degree requirements. Courses include biostatistics, health economics, and epidemiology. The fellow will be awarded a Master’s Degree from the University upon completion of all course requirements and a thesis project.
The second year will be spent at Bayer (Whippany, NJ).
The objective of the second year is to provide the fellow with hands-on training and exposure to the process of generating and utilizing strategically focused health economics and outcomes research to support the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. This will be accomplished by working closely with colleagues in the US Health Economics and Outcomes Research group.
Compensation includes a competitive stipend, health insurance, conference travel funding, moving expense support, holiday and vacation time, and other benefits associated with employment as a Postdoctoral Scholar- Fellow at the University of Washington (see UAW Postdoctoral Scholars Contract).
Fellowship Structure – First Year
The first year of the fellowship is conducted at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy in Seattle. The objective of the first year is to provide the fellow with the intellectual tools necessary for pharmacoeconomic research. They will receive an overview of pharmaceutical economics and general health policy and learn methods of economic assessment, health services research design, and statistical analyses.
Fellows will be expected to begin the program in the first week of July and complete didactic requirements by June of the following year. Formal course work will be provided primarily by the Departments of Pharmacy, Health Systems & Population Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics but will draw upon the multidisciplinary resources of the University of Washington.
During the first few months of the program, fellows will work with the program directors at the University of Washington and Bayer HEOR to design an individualized program to meet established research goals. They will meet with their advisor on a regular basis to review progress, discuss their work, and review and assign current research articles or for other scholarly endeavors. In addition to their other classwork, fellows will participate in a research seminar designed to provide them with experience in evaluation, critiquing, preparing, and presenting scholarly research during each quarter of the first year and will be expected to present a report on their independent research once during the first year. The program is rigorous, requiring up to 45 hours a week in classwork and independent study.
Fellows will be required to participate in at least one ongoing research project with a member of the faculty and are encouraged to develop at least one research proposal under the supervision of the faculty mentor and Bayer US HEOR team. Research projects shall be implemented while fellows are at the University of Washington but may continue into the second year of the program. Research will be managed by fellows under the supervision of University of Washington faculty and Bayer researchers.
Fellowship Structure – Second Year
During the second year of training, the fellow will be part of Bayer’s US HEOR team and will conduct an approved pharmacoeconomic study. This part of the program is designed to allow fellows to learn about the role of pharmacoeconomic research in the drug development and evaluation process within the industry setting.
The research may be on an existing or experimental product, a therapeutic class of drugs, or a disease state of interest to Bayer (oncology, cardiology, women’s healthcare therapeutic areas, or others with Bayer approval).
In addition to completing their individual research project(s), fellows will participate in ongoing pharmacoeconomic evaluations or other projects assigned by their Bayer preceptor. They will have the opportunity to interact with departments involved in clinical research, commercial development, and regulatory affairs at Bayer to learn how economic analyses are used by the pharmaceutical industry and will also learn how Bayer uses clinical, epidemiologic, and pharmacoeconomic data to support the utilization of its products. Fellows will be expected to present the results of any individual research projects to the University of Washington faculty, graduate students, and other post-doctoral fellows as well as to their colleagues at Bayer.
Application Requirements
- You must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status to apply. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor non-immigrant visas for this program nor do international students on OPT qualify.
- Degree in pharmacy or health-related discipline.
- Previous research experience (preference will be given to those with a high academic standing).
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, ethics, professionalism, leadership and an interest in the biopharmaceutical industry.
- Curriculum vitae, cover letter, three letters of recommendation.
Selection of fellows will be made by a committee composed of University of Washington faculty members and representatives from the respective company.
Application Process Timeline:
- Eligibility: Degree in Pharmacy by July 1, 2026
- Application Opens: September 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: Monday, October 20, 2025
- Interview Notification: Monday, October 27, 2025
- Interviews: October 29 – November 7, 2025
- Offer Notification: Rolling, after interviews
- Program Start Date: July 1, 2026
How to Apply:
- Login to the Graduate School application: Grad School Application Portal
- Select “Start Graduate Application”
- Complete all sections of the application along the left hand panel, starting with the Profile Information section.
- Under Program Selection, choose the following:
- Application type: Graduate
- Program: Pharmacy – Health Economics & Outcomes Research (MS)
- Review the Program Requirements and indicate the term and year you intend to enroll in the program
- Select Autumn 2026 (this is when the matriculation to the graduate program would begin).
- For the section, “Additional Materials”, download and complete the following Fellowship Selection Form.
- Upload the completed copy to your application.
- Continue with completing all other sections of the application, including Application Materials and Recommenders.
- Review your application and check for any missing required fields or errors. When ready, click Submit Application. Your application is not submitted until you have paid the application fee.
A more detailed instruction guide can be found in this download.
Contact Information
Marina Gano, M.Ed.
Graduate Program & Operations Manager
The CHOICE Institute, Department of Pharmacy
uwsopchoice@uw.edu