can you get a phd in pharmacy

• PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

The PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC) program is a highly competitive doctoral degree program within the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.

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Learn about our program that supports biomedical graduate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

Training in a highly collaborative atmosphere, our graduates gain the knowledge and skills required for discovering novel biological pathways in human health and disease as well as for the development and delivery of medications for safe and effective therapy.

With state-of-the-art facilities, funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Food and Drug Administration, and pharmaceutical industry, students receive mentorship that prepares them for outstanding careers in academia, the federal government, and the pharmaceutical industry.

This three-minute video presents an overview of the PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, showcasing how the program prepares students to become leaders in the fields of drug discovery and development.

Current faculty and students are making headlines at the School of Pharmacy and beyond.

• February 12, 2024 My UMSOP Story: Angie Nguyen, PhD '16, research director
• November 1, 2023 Grad Gathering Welcomes Alums of PSC, PHSR, and Regulatory Science Programs
• October 23, 2023 School Names Three New Academic Program Directors

I was drawn to the PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences program by its diverse areas of research and collaborative environment. Knowing that I could tackle my research interest from many angles – including biochemistry, chemistry, and molecular biology – greatly appealed to me. PSC faculty members are very knowledgeable and have a profound understanding of their research areas. All of the professors work together to answer any research questions that students have.

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Cu anschutz medical campus.

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Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

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PhD in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research

Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research is a PhD program in the graduate program in Clinical Pharmacy. This program is housed in the Center for Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research (CePOR, SEE-por), a school-wide center in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy. Our doctoral curriculum is designed to provide competent and highly skilled researchers in the study of patient, provider, or population-level health care and health system interventions. We most often focus on economic, clinical, and humanistic outcomes such as clinical or cost effectiveness or safety. Areas of focus available to students undertaking this course of study include pharmacoeconomics, pharmacoepidemiology, health services research, and drug policy.​​​

Core faculty are methodological experts and provide collaborative linkage to clinical experts in all pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and public health. Programs of study are tailored to student interests in disease or drug areas, such as cardiology, psychiatry, neurology, and cancer. Opportunities exist to link to more basic science colleagues depending on your topic of interests. For example, students interested in drug safety might link with toxicology faculty, or in gene-environment interactions might link with pharmacogenomics faculty.

Applications for all doctoral programs are submitted electronically through the Graduate School of the University of Colorado Denver. After signing up for an account, select 'PhD' under the 'Academic Interests' menu and scroll down to 'Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences' and select "PhD in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research."

Application requirements are:

• A completed Graduate School application and $50.00 application fee (Domestic) $75.00 application fee (International)
• A baccalaureate degree of arts or science from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0.** One (1) official transcript of all academic work completed to date with awarded baccalaureate degree. University transcripts from other countries must include a transcript evaluation from World Education Services ( WES ). Applicants who complete a transcript evaluation with WES will have their application fee waived automatically.
• All applicants for the program should complete a year of study in the following subjects: general chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, biology, English and physics. In addition, courses in the following subjects are highly recommended to supplement the student's background: physiology, biochemistry, statistics, cell biology, physical chemistry, and computer science.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from professors or research supervisors familiar with your aptitude for graduate study

Additionally:

• The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not required but is optional.
• The TOEFL is required of applicants for whom English is not their first language, Duolingo and IELTS also accepted (more information on this  here )
• Please use 4875 as the Institution Code so that the test results will be sent directly to our institution
• Under special circumstances, deficiencies in important areas may be made up within the first year after entrance into the program. Normally, admission to the program will be based on an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. However, applicants' recommendations, research experience and additional individual accomplishments will also be considered in the admissions process.

Application opens September 1, 2023. Applications will not be reviewed until all required materials have been received. The application deadline for Fall 2024 admission is December 1, 2023 for all students.

Admission to the program may include financial support via a stipend awarded on a 12-month basis.

Although a priority of the School of Pharmacy is to provide financial support to its graduate students, payment of stipend, tuition and any fees by the School of Pharmacy or by grants, contracts or gifts to the School of Pharmacy faculty is contingent upon availability of funding, satisfactory academic progress (as defined by the UCD Graduate School, Graduate Student Handbook) and completion of required teaching duties, core courses, and examinations. The School of Pharmacy also reserves the right to review and adjust its funding policies at any time. All students are expected to work full-time toward program requirements for 12 months of the year.

Generally, the first year of financial support will be in the form of stipend support for working as a teaching assistant. Depending on availability, teaching assistantships may be offered beyond one year to students. Faculty may choose to offer research assistant scholarships to students as well. Other funding opportunities in the form of external student grants and awards also exist. Students are encouraged to talk to the faculty about funding and scholarship opportunities. Funds for travel to one meeting where students are presenting a poster or giving a podium presentation are limited to $500 per fiscal year.

Students who do not remain in good graduate standing (3.0 GPA or above) or maintain satisfactory academic progress are placed on academic probation. Probation and suspension policies are described in the UCD Graduate School, Graduate Student Handbook. Payment of stipend, tuition, insurance and fees for a student while on academic probation is at the discretion of the graduate program committee.​​

What does "pharmaceutical outcomes research" mean?

What kind of students should pursue a phd degree in pharmaceutical outcomes research why should you apply to this program.

We are looking for students who want to influence healthcare but do not want to be a provider. With the belief that the research done will allow for the application of new knowledge towards health improvement.

What makes the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD program at the University of Colorado different from other PhD programs?

The benefits of this program are multi-faceted. Housed on a major medical campus, students will be able to collaborate with the schools of pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and public health. Also the University of Colorado Hospital, Children's Hospital, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center are located on campus.

By having a small group of graduate students, they are allowed more time with the faculty members. With two faculty members from each component, students will be able to have the support necessary to complete their degree.

What are the job prospects for a graduate with a PhD degree in the pharmaceutical sciences? What can you do with this career?

Graduates of the program will have many career options within these areas:

• Pharmaceutical industry
• Government agencies
• Contract research organization (CROs)
• Organized healthcare systems

There is a critical need for individuals who are able to conduct rigorous, credible, and relevant population and patient-based research within stringent ethical and regulatory guidelines; the demand for such researchers is expected to grow given the developing health care reform and the investment in federal development and expansion on comparative effectiveness research.

Past graduates have gone on to be an interim dean at a Regis University and the director of pharmacy at the University of Colorado Hospital

How are current students doing?

Our students often win awards at regional and national symposium (such as Julia Slejko at ISPOR or SMDM). One holds a prestigious pre-doctoral dissertation award in health outcomes from the PhRMA Foundation. Two have completed comprehensive exams are working on defending their dissertation proposals. All these more advanced students have published manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals as first authors with the mentorship of the CePOR faculty.

Faculty comments on the program.

Heather Anderson, PhD What's great about this campus is that we are able to collaborate with other schools such as public health, nursing, and medicine. While many Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research programs have a major focus on economics, we do that and more. Our program has a strong focus on epidemiology and policy too. I actually got my PhD in epidemiology from our School of Public health and can link up students with the best courses and advise on exciting local opportunities for research assistantships.

Kelly Anderson, PhD Training at a world-class medical campus allows PhD students in the Center for Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research to engage with faculty in the center with expertise in outcomes research, drug pricing, economics, epidemiology, and health policy, and also have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with faculty throughout the Schools of Pharmacy, Public Health, Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing. For anyone who loves big data, our faculty also work with numerous large data sets: Medicare claims, linked EHR-claims data, and all-payer data just to name a few. As a lot of my work is focused on payment policy, I welcome the opportunity to engage students as they think about the real-world implications of their research for policy makers, health insurers, patients, clinicians, and drug companies and disseminate their findings to these key stakeholders.

R. Brett McQueen, PhD Pharmaceutical outcomes research includes aspects of multiple disciplines including math, economics, and epidemiology. I joined the faculty at CU to contribute to comparative- and cost-effectiveness research and to education both for the PhD and the PharmD programs. Our PhD program emphasizes quality over quantity. We maintain a very favorable student to faculty ratio, we offer competitive student financial support, and we strive to graduate scientific leaders in the field of outcomes research.

Kavita V. Nair, PhD Our expectations for graduate students are high and we have structured the education and training requirements to help you meet these goals. I will require a lot of you as a student but will also be your strongest advocate!

Robert Valuck, PhD, RPh I believe that the strengths of our program are the skills and the diversity of the faculty, and size and connectedness of our program with others on campus and in the state and region. With a smaller number of graduate students in our program, they are able to spend more time with faculty members. Our program is well connected with others on the Anschutz campus, and students have opportunities to collaborate both across campus, and with state agencies, provider groups, and others that have an interest in outcomes research and its applications to patient care and policy.

Advance the science of pharmaceutical outcomes research by training scientists who generate and synthesize evidence to inform practice and policy.

The goal of the PhD n pharmaceutical outcomes research is to develop methodological experts. Graduates will have the knowledge and extensive skills necessary to conduct pharmacoeconomic, pharmacoepidemiologic, health services, and drug policy research. We train individuals who can contribute to T3-T4 clinical translational pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, specifically on effective, population health, and policy studies. These contributions should ultimately benefit pharmacists and society with safe, effective, and efficient use of pharmaceutical care.​​

The Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD program trains graduate students to become proficient and successful investigators who are able to:

• demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of central concepts in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research, including the areas of pharmacoeconomics, pharmacoepidemiology, and/or drug policy.
• critically appraise existing literature and sources of information.
• formulate hypotheses based on current concepts in the field and accurately and correctly design, conduct, and interpret their own research projects.
• present research results in peer-reviewed publications and in a dissertation.
• perform research that adheres to the principles and guidelines of ethical conduct.
• communicate research results effectively through oral presentations at scientific seminars, conferences, and other venues

The program’s strengths in outcomes research are emphasized in 35 credits of several areas:

• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Health Policy
• Research/Study Design
• Doctoral Thesis

The program has experience in accessing a multitude of data such as MEPS, PHARMetrics, University Health-System, Consortium and MarketScan. Students are encouraged to utilize these datasets as well as primary data collection. Students may enroll in courses not listed (e.g courses in downtown campuses and/or newly developed courses) by consulting with the program director.

Pharmacoepidemiology

Heather Anderson PhD

Robert Valuck PhD, RPh

Pharmacoeconomics.

Mike J. DiStefano PhD, MBE

Kelly Anderson PhD, MPP

R. Brett McQueen PhD

Pharmaceutical and drug related policy.

Kavita Nair PhD

Antal Zemplényi

Antal Zemplényi, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Center for Health Technology Assessment at the University of Pécs and a senior researcher at the Syreon Research Institute, an international research corporation specializing in health policy, health economic modeling, and technology assessment. He has experience in value assessment, HTA, health economics and outcomes research, and real-world data analysis. He is the past president of the ISPOR Hungary Chapter. Antal is currently a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences working as a visiting research associate in the Pharmaceutical Value (pValue) initiative.

Monica Bianchini

Monica Bianchini is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. She received a PharmD and MPH from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2017. She subsequently completed a hospital pharmacy residency (PGY-1) and Infectious Diseases PGY-2 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Monica joined CePOR in 2019 and currently works as a clinical inpatient pharmacist. Her dissertation will evaluate opportunities to decrease syphilis rates and improve syphilis care in Colorado. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, live music, cooking, and anything outside (running, hiking, backpacking, skiing). 

Sue is a fifth year PhD student at CePOR. Her dissertation focuses on characterizing the burden of MS and treatment strategies using real-world claims data. Prior to grad school, she studied Neuroscience in Pomona College. In her free time, Sue enjoys taking her puppies on adventures.

Mahesh Maiyani

Mahesh Maiyani was born and raised in India. He earned his Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) from India in 2006 and then he came to the US to pursue his Master’s in Business administration. He completed his MBA from The University of Findlay in Ohio. He has work experience in clinical trials and heath care research. He joined the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD program in Fall-2021. His research interests are focused around cost effectiveness in real-world clinical settings. Mahesh enjoys hiking and spending time with family and friends.

Nick Mendola

Nick Mendola was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He graduated from The University of Akron with a BS in Exercise Science in 2016. He then moved to Washington D.C. to attend The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, where he obtained his MPH in Epidemiology, in 2018. During this time, he worked researching the impact of the pharmaceutical industry’s marketing to healthcare professionals, and its influence on prescribing practices and population level drug utilization. Nick joined the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research program in the fall of 2018. Nick’s current work with Dr. Robert Brett McQueen, explores the use of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) as a novel health technology value assessment tool. His work specifically explores MCDA in evaluating treatments for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a rare neurological disorder.

Vanessa Paul Patterson

Vanessa Patterson is originally from Kansas City. She graduated from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine with an MPH concentrating in Epidemiology and Maternal and Child Health in 2012. Vanessa went on to work as an applied epidemiologist for government public health agencies for six years. She joined the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research program at CU in the fall of 2018. Working under the mentorship of Dr. Heather Anderson, Vanessa is currently a PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellow and a PhD candidate. Her dissertation focuses on the utilization of cardioprotective medications among women with a history of breast cancer. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys making pottery and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Nai-Chia (Sammi) Chen

Sammi is originally from Taiwan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Kaohsiung Medical University. After graduation, she had worked in pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations for several years before coming to the US. She completed her Master’s training at the University of Pittsburgh, Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Research, in 2022. And then she joined Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD program at CU Anschutz in Fall 2022. Her research interest lies in the intersection of pharmacoeconomics, real-world evidence, and pharmaceutical outcomes. Outside the schoolwork, she enjoys cooking, baking, and snowboarding/skiing in winter.

Mouna Dardouri

Mouna was born and raised in Tunisia. She graduated with a PharmD from the University of Pharmacy of Monastir in 2016. She then worked for two years at a consulting company focusing on pharmaceuticals’ Pricing, Reimbursement and Market Access (PRMA) in Europe. After that, she was awarded with the Fulbright Foreign student scholarship and moved to Colorado, where she obtained her MPH in Global Health Systems, management, and Policy in 2022. Mouna joined the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research program in the fall of 2022. Her research interests include evaluating the use of Health Technology Assessment in the context of low- and middle- income countries and developing tools that permit equitable patients’ access to cost-effective technologies. In her free time, Mouna enjoys learning new languages, improv theatre and cooking. 

Why CU's Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD Program?

“One key reason I chose to join CePOR at CU was the tight-knit group of faculty and students. Given the program is smaller, the faculty has a better opportunity to stay in touch with all the students and provide support for everyone's research, regardless if they're on the student's committee or not. The student group is also very close as we are together for weekly seminars and enjoy out-of-school gatherings when possible. Another draw of CU's POR program is the diverse expertise of our faculty and alumni. Our current faculty have a range of expertise including: pharmacoepidemiology using big data sources, pharmacoeconomics and drug pricing, rare diseases, opioid use disorder and treatment, and Medicare payment models. Recent alumni have found work in a variety of different fields from consulting to academia to the pharmaceutical industry and the public health department. The wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise covered by our faculty and alumni provide so many resources for mentorship and future career planning. Finally, there are so many unique opportunities within CePOR to work with different data sources (e.g. electronic health records, national claims data, Medicaid claims data) and different methodology experts, so I am confident that our program could be a great fit for prospective PhD students of all backgrounds.” – Monica Bianchini, PharmD, MPH

“CU's Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research Program produces robust interdisciplinary research that spans from pharmacoepidemiology to pharmaceutical economics with a variety of collaborators, such as Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE).” – Sue Kwon, BA

“I joined the POR program because my previous research was focused on population drug utilization and the pharmaceutical industry’s impact on prescribing practices, and the POR program seemed like a natural fit for me to be able to keep learning about the areas of pharmacoepidemiology and drug related policy. What I like most about the program so far has been the core faculty in our program. They seem to truly care about student success and how we progress both academically and professionally. ” – Nick Mendola, MPH 

PhD Student Research Projects

• Comparative Effectiveness of Rare Disease Therapies Using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: Case Example in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder, a Rare Neurological Disorder
• Characterizing Real-world Burden of Multiple Sclerosis and Treatment Strategies in a Colorado-representative Population
• Utilization of Cardioprotective Medication Strategies Among Women with a History of Breast Cancer
• Opportunities to Improve Syphilis Care in Colorado

Mission: To educate, increase awareness and promote growth within the 'Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research' field in general and to increase the CU Denver presence among the international society ISPOR. To collaborate across different sciences on campus and different departments worldwide.

Description: Promote pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research education by holding regular seminars on current issues in the field and presenting research at least once a year at the annual meeting in the US-Canada region.

Membership requirements: We expect members to be passionate about the kind of research that is involved related to public health, epidemiology, pharmacoeconomics, and policy. Also, attending our regular educational seminars/webinars is highly encouraged.

Activities: Details will be emailed to members soon!

Benefits: The opportunity to present research, network and collaborate with faculty from different universities around the world, professionals from industry and research organizations at a global level.

Julia Slejko, PhD ('12) Associate Professor Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

R. Brett McQueen, PhD ('13) Associate Professor Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

William Padula, PhD ('13) Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics, School of Pharmacy Fellow, Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics University of Southern California

David Tabano, PhD ('18) Principal Health Economist Evidence for Access (E4A) | Public Affairs & Access Genentech, Inc.

Katie Sullivan, PhD ('18) Prescription Drug Epidemiologist Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Angela Czaja, MD, PhD ('19) Associate Professor Pediatrics-Critical Care Medicine Children’s Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Chong Kim, PhD ('20) Associate Director Global Value & Access | HEOR Gilead Sciences

Katia Hannah, PhD ('21) Lead HEOR Specialist Dexcom

Kimberly Deininger, PhD ('22) HEOR Manager Amgen

For questions regarding graduate school programs contact:

Isabella Jaramillo Email:  [email protected]     Phone:  303.724.7263 ​​​​​

Kelly Anderson, PHD, MPP

Assistant Professor; Director, Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD Program Email: [email protected] Phone: 434-466-1990

CU Anschutz

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303-724-2882

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PhD Program

The graduate programs in the College of Pharmacy offer advanced education in all aspects of pharmaceutical sciences including drug discovery, development and application.

The PhD program in pharmaceutical sciences includes coursework as well as cutting-edge research focused on topics like discovery and evaluation of novel drugs, determination of a drug's effects on the body, delivery methods to improve drug treatment, and how medication is used and applied to enhance patient outcomes. 

Because the scope of pharmaceutical sciences is so broad, our graduate program has a number of specialty disciplines: 

• Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy focuses on the interdisciplinary application of chemical, biochemical and molecular principles to the identification and development of therapeutic agents. This includes both synthesis of new chemical entities and isolation of medicinal agents from natural sources (pharmacognosy). 
• Pharmaceutics and Pharmacology  focuses on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, with a special emphasis on drug delivery and targeting systems and on determination of biochemical and physiological mechanisms by which drugs exert their effects. 
• Translational Science conducts research across the interface from the laboratory bench to the patient bedside. 

Admission to the PhD program does not first require application to the MS program.

In this section

Medicinal Chemistry & Pharmacognosy Graduate Studies

Pharmaceutics & Pharmacology Graduate Studies

Translational Science Graduate Studies

Pharmacology, PhD

School of medicine.

The Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences hosts the Pharmacology Graduate Program, which offers a program of study and research leading to the Ph.D. degree. Research training opportunities within the program cover a broad spectrum of biomedical sciences including chemical biology, immunology, virology, cancer, and neuroscience. The mission of departmental research is to understand the molecular processes underlying physiology and pathology, and to apply this knowledge to discovering new drug targets and developing novel therapeutics. Within the program, students may choose to focus their efforts in any of a large number of specific research areas including signal transduction, structural biology and drug design, NMR spectroscopy, molecular genetics, cancer chemoprevention, viral immunosuppression, cancer immunology, cell-mediated immunity, mechanisms of HIV infection, vaccine development, glycobiology, biomedical mass spectrometry, clinical pharmacology, drug delivery, anti-parasite drug development, histone acetylation and gene regulation, melatonin and circadian rhythm, drug metabolism, Vitamin D pharmacology, natural product biosynthesis, telomerase and chromosome stability, T cell activation and tolerance, DNA repair, DNA topoisomerases, molecular imaging, and the clinical pharmacology of cardiovascular agents. The department is also pleased to host students and award doctoral degrees to M.D./Ph.D. degree candidates and students in other Ph.D. graduate programs in which Pharmacology faculty participate (Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Immunology, Neuroscience, and Pathobiology).

Financial Support

Financial support covering normal living costs, individual medical insurance, and tuition is provided.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a B.A. or B.S. degree with a major in any of the biological or physical sciences. Entering students are expected to have completed college-level courses in chemistry (inorganic, organic, and physical), calculus, and physics; a strong background in biochemistry is particularly desirable. A completed application form, at least three letters of recommendation, undergraduate transcripts, and a statement of interest must be received by December 8th.

Program Requirements

Students in the Pharmacology program must successfully complete the following courses:

Students must also take two advanced elective courses selected from those offered by this or other departments. Students are able to select a course of studies uniquely suited to their own career goals.

During their first year of study, students will complete ~10-week research rotations in addition to their coursework. They will initiate dissertation research by the end of their first year and complete elective courses relevant to their developing interests in subsequent years of training.

During the second year of study, students will be required to pass a qualifying examination conducted as prescribed by the Doctor of Philosophy Board of the University. This examination will probe the depth and breadth of the student’s knowledge of the biomedical subjects taught in the core courses.

The candidate is required to present a written dissertation based on original research undertaken while in residence as a graduate student and to present a departmental seminar describing the thesis research.

Combined M.D.-Ph.D. Degrees

Students seeking admission to or who are already participating in the M.D. program in the School of Medicine may participate in a program leading to both the M.D. and the Ph.D. degrees.

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College of Pharmacy - Chicago | Rockford

Phd in pharmacy (pharmacy systems, outcomes and policy).

About the program

The PhD in Pharmacy is a highly competitive, STEM-designated graduate program that attracts students from all over the world. Housed in the UIC Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy (PSOP), the PhD program is supported by PSOP faculty and staff who are dedicated to the education of future pharmacists and pharmacy researchers.

The program provides intensive coursework and strong emphasis is placed on combining fundamentals of statistics and research design with theoretical frameworks from decision and information sciences, economics, psychology, epidemiology, communication, public health, and education.

Using research to inform better policies and practice Heading link Copy link

With today’s emphasis on both the cost and quality of health care, opportunities abound for those with research expertise in pharmacy systems, outcomes, and policy. Employers from the pharmaceutical industry, consulting organizations, government agencies, managed care companies, academia, and others are highly interested in individuals who can integrate and apply knowledge in biostatistics and research design with social sciences in order to study pharmacy services, pharmaceutical products, patient and health system outcomes, and pharmaceutical and health policy.

Focus areas Heading link Copy link

Students benefit from the research strengths of the PSOP department , which are facilitated by local, national, and international partnerships with government agencies, insurance companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, professional associations, and with other researchers.

Areas of emphasis and specialization for PhD in Pharmacy students include:

• Pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research
• Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
• Pharmacy systems and policy
• Pharmaceutical education research

Work alongside top faculty Heading link Copy link

Students in the program will work with faculty who are national and international leaders in their field. Department faculty have leadership positions in academic and professional associations, are editors of major medical and pharmacy journals, and serve on boards of pharmacy and healthcare-related companies and foundations. In addition, the department has adjunct and affiliate faculty members from government, industry, and pharmacy practice who provide expertise and mentorship.

Successful Alumni Heading link Copy link

Joining our graduate program provides access to tremendous networking opportunities through faculty and past alumni, many of whom hold senior positions and have become leaders in academia, pharmaceutical industry, and health care-related business organizations.

• View Program Alumni

Get in touch: Contact us

• College of Pharmacy

Prospective Students

• Graduate Programs
• PhD Graduate Admissions

Admissions for PhD Programs

Admissions requirements, application deadline for fall 2024 admission: january 10, 2024, who can apply.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program Concentrations in  Medicinal Chemistry , Pharmaceutics and  Pharmacology  must have, or nearly have, at least a Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, biology, biochemistry, chemistry or a related discipline. In addition, applicants to the Pharmacology  Concentration must have taken at least 3-credit hour course in human physiology and at least one 3-credit hour course in biochemistry. A minimum undergraduate (and graduate, if applicable) GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale is required.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program's  Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy  Concentration must have either completed or expect to complete a B.S. degree in a similar area with an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale. The average GPA of students admitted in 2018 and 2019 was 3.6. A GRE score is required for this concentration.

We DO NOT offer a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences  at the present time.

Download/View Frequently Asked Questions PDF for additional information about the Ph.D. program and available concentrations

Application Process

Before you start your application, please make sure you are applying for the correct program concentration ( Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy , Medicinal Chemistry , Pharmaceutics , or  Pharmacology ). Check with the academic advisor if you are not sure; contact information is at the bottom of this page. Students are only admitted in the Fall semester of the academic year (Spring semester admission is not available).

1. Go to https://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/prospective-students/how-to-apply/ , and follow the instructions

2. Please review and comply with the following special instructions:

• If you would like to submit abstracts, manuscripts or other documents describing your accomplishments or special qualities, you may upload them as PDFs to Additional/Supplemental Materials.
• For the application, you may upload a scan of your transcript. If accepted, you will be required to submit an official, stamped paper transcript.
• The campus code for GRE (if required) and TOEFL score delivery is 6870 . There is no department code.
• The resume should be restricted to professional and academic achievements. A list of publications and research experiences is very helpful.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation must be on official letterhead, and written and properly signed by teachers, mentors, work supervisors or others with whom you have had professional relationships. They should directly address your academic abilities, scientific talents, work habits and personal character. Letters not meeting these qualifications will be disregarded.
• For PHOP : The statement of purpose should be no more than 2-3 pages long, and discuss your research interests, career goals, motivation and background. You also can highlight relevant achievements, and summarize your research experience. See the online application form for more details. For Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry, answer the specific questions asked in the application concisely. DO NOT upload your generic statement essay.
• For Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics or Medicinal Chemistry : for each question below (A-D), compose an answer as a short essay (300 words or less). Creat a single file containing the four essays and upload it under the Personal/Goal Statement on the document upload page later in the application
• Describe your career interests, as well as short- and long-term professional goals.
• Describe your research experiences and skills (for example, your specific roles in research projects, peer-reviewed publications, oral/poster presentations, or other research-related experiences).
• Explain the reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a concentration in Medicinal Chemistry (or Pharmacology, or Pharmaceutics) at the University of Houston.
• Provide any additional information that you would like the graduate admissions committee to consider.
• Application fees (payment must be made with credit card only ) Domestic/Resident Students: $50 International/Non-resident Students: $80
• No personal checks or cash will be accepted .

International Applicants

• See English language requirements here: https://uh.edu/graduate-school/international-students/english-proficiency/ . Because many of our students are Teaching Assistants, they may have to meet additional requirements for spoken English proficiency.

Transfer Students

Transfer students should follow the same application process, as specified above. Students may be able to transfer a maximum of 9 credit hours of completed course work from an accredited program, as long as those credits were not used to complete a previous degree. Transfer students can seek admission only for the Fall semester (Spring admission is not available to any students).

For more information, please contact:

University of Houston College of Pharmacy 4349 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Room 6007 Houston, TX 77204-5037 Phone: 713-743-8443 [email protected]

PhD Requirements

Graduate students in Pharmaceutics are also students of the Graduate School and as such must satisfy the general requirements of the Graduate School and the requirements of the Department in which they undertake their graduate training.

A full description of requirements of the Graduate School can be found on their website . Some of the pertinent requirements of the Graduate School and Department are described below. They deal with scholarship, residence, supervisory committees, research dissertations, and examinations (general and final).

The following include a combination of pertinent Graduate School and Department requirements for the PhD degree in Pharmaceutics:

• Residence: A minimum of three academic years of resident study is required, two of them being at the University of Washington. Residence is defined as 10 credits per quarter (A,W,Sp) or 2 credits during summer quarter. Only courses numbered 300 and above count toward residence. Thesis research must be conducted at the University of Washington, unless the research is of a collaborative nature requiring off-campus facilities
• Credits and Scholarship: A minimum of 41 credits of course work, exclusive of thesis and non-thesis research, must be satisfied. An average grade point of 3.0 in all numerically graded courses numbered 300, 400, and 500 is required. A minimum passing grade in any given course is 2.7, except required pharmaceutics courses (see Graduate Program Handbook ) in which a passing grade is 3.0. Credits earned for a Master’s degree may apply towards the doctoral degree
• Teaching experience: A minimum of two quarters of teaching assistantship experience is a required component of training for the Pharmaceutics PhD. Students will not be asked to assist more than 1 class an academic quarter (< 12 contact hrs/week). Most students will complete this requirement during the first three years in the program
• Examinations and Progress Evaluation: All graduate students must participate in the departmental examination program. An oral General Examination is required for advancement to PhD candidacy, and a final examination (dissertation defense) is required for the degree. Upon establishment of the Doctoral Supervisory Committee, students should meet with their Committee at least once a year; however, more frequent meetings (every six months) are recommended. The Doctoral Supervisory Committee form must be filled out each time students meet with their committee and once a year their Individual Development Plan is discussed with their advisor.
• Seminars: All graduate students must present a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 seminars while in the doctoral program (PCEUT 520). In addition, presentation of papers from current literature is required twice a year, starting at the beginning of the second year until defense of the thesis (PCEUT 583).

For questions regarding the PhD Program, or your application, please contact [email protected]

Careers in Pharmaceutical Sciences

What pharmaceutical scientists do.

While pharmacists are directly involved in patient care and work with existing drugs, it’s pharmaceutical scientists who create new drugs, therapies, and approaches to maximize benefit established therapies. The pharmaceutical sciences draw on a wide range of disciplines to discover, test, and manufacture new drugs and therapies, as well as evaluate their effectiveness and safety.

Pharmaceutical scientists can find employment at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities, regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, and national laboratories such as the National Institutes of Health.

Fields that pharmaceutical scientists work in include:

• analysis and pharmaceutical quality,
• biotechnology,
• clinical pharmacology and translational research,
• drug design and discovery,
• formulation design and development and pharmacoengineering,
• pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and drug metabolism,
• physical pharmacy and biopharmaceutics,
• regulatory sciences, and
• social and behavioral pharmacy, pharmacoepidemiology, and pharmaceutical outcomes.

Job Outlook and Compensation

• Seventy-five percent of the members of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists were employed full time in 2013, down three percentage points from 2012 but still up three points from 2011.
• According to the AAPS 2013 salary survey, the mean annual base salary of its members who were employed full-time in the United States was $141,500, a 2.2 percent increase from 2012.
• Employment of medical scientists (including pharmaceutical researchers) is projected to grow by 13 percent between 2012 and 2022, compared to 11 percent for all occupations.
• According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2012 median salary for scientists working in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing was $92,940.

Becoming A Pharmaceutical Scientist

More information.

• AAPS salary survey and calculator
• Is A Career in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Right for Me? (PDF)
• Profile for Pharmaceutical Scientist on explorehealthcareers.org
• Pharmaceutical Science Primers by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists

— Sources for the information on this page: American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, explorehealthcareers.org

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What Is a PharmD Degree? Your Guide

A PharmD, or Doctor of Pharmacy, is a key qualification to become a licensed pharmacist in the United States. Learn more about what earning this degree entails.

If your career goal is to become a pharmacist in the United States, you'll have to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, often abbreviated as PharmD. This professional degree qualifies you to sit for the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). Passing this test can lead to a career as a retail pharmacist, informatics pharmacist, or drug safety specialist. 

Doctor of Pharmacy degree: The basics

A PharmD degree is a professional graduate-level degree designed for people who want a pharmacist career. In many ways, this degree is like the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degrees. You may start by earning a bachelor's degree in a related field and then enroll in a PharmD program to demonstrate your interest in the field and your plans to embark on a journey toward a pharmacy career.

PharmD program length and options

Between the coursework, internship, and residency, you can expect to spend about six years earning a pharmacy degree. A pharmacy degree program typically takes four years to finish, and the residency may be one or two years. You may be able to participate in an accelerated program that shaves off about a year of the total time. 

PharmD cost

You can expect an average tuition for the entire program of $14,800 to $82,000 at a public school. A private school can cost between  $74,800 and $160,000 [ 1 ].The price you’ll pay for tuition depends on several factors, like where you attend and how long it takes to complete the requirements. You may qualify for scholarships or tuition reimbursement opportunities through your employer to help cover some or all of the cost of your education.

How to earn a PharmD

To earn a Doctor of Pharmacy, you must earn a bachelor's degree, get accepted into an accredited pharmacy school, and complete the required coursework. You may notice some variations in school requirements, but these basic steps should be similar wherever you apply: 

1. Complete undergraduate requirements.

Before attending a pharmacy school, you need a bachelor's degree. You may major in any subject as an undergraduate, but many pharmacy schools have prerequisite courses you need to take before you can be admitted into the program. The coursework you complete for a science major may include some of the prerequisite courses required by the school. 

Another option is to major in pre-pharmacy studies to prepare for the coursework you'll encounter in a PharmD program. Additional requirements at the undergraduate level include a minimum GPA in your undergraduate coursework, an intern pharmacist license, and a criminal background check.

2. Pass the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT).

The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is an entrance exam used by some pharmacy schools to evaluate applicants. While some schools still expect you to take and pass the exam, you can find others that waive this requirement. The test measures your knowledge of biological and chemical processes, critical reading, quantitative reasoning, and writing [ 2 ].

3. Submit your pharmacy school application.

Many pharmacy schools accept online applications through the school's website or the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS). PharmCAS lets you apply to more than one pharmacy school at a time. Note that this service is available for first-year pharmacy students. If you're transferring to a different school, you likely need to complete the application directly with the school you want to attend.

When choosing schools, look for one that has received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). You also may find it helpful to review all the admission requirements, as you may need to pay an application fee, submit letters of recommendation , and more when you submit your application. 

4. Complete PharmD coursework.

Getting accepted to pharmacy school is just the beginning. You also have to complete the required coursework for the degree. Some of the courses you can expect to take include the following:

Becoming a Pharmacist

Integrated Biochemical Sciences

Pharmacy and Population Health

Principles of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology

Principles of Patient-centered Care

Principles of Pharmacy Law & Ethics

5. Gain experience in a pharmacy setting.

Some schools expect applicants to have more than a general understanding of a pharmacist's work. Before you enroll, you may need to spend some time shadowing a practicing pharmacist or completing an externship program. Alternatively, you may volunteer in a health care setting or work in a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician . Your school may also expect pharmacy students to complete an internship, which may be paid.

Required licenses to be a pharmacist

The requirements for licensure to be a pharmacist varies from state to state. Each state sets its own licensing requirements, which typically include a degree from an accredited school, a minimum number of internship hours, and a passing score on an exam. Check with the state where you plan to work to determine which test to take, which may include one of the following:

North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX)

 Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE)

Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC)

PharmD job opportunities and career outlook

Pharmacists work in various environments, including hospitals, pharmacies, drug stores, and food and beverage stores. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 42 percent of pharmacists work at pharmacies or drug stores, and 27 percent work at hospitals [ 3 ]. Overall, the BLS expects the number of pharmacy jobs to decline, but pharmacies still need pharmacists to replace those who change jobs or choose to retire.

Job titles for PharmD graduates 

Earning a PharmD degree prepares you for a career as a pharmacist. As such, many of the job titles you'll find include the term. The list below shows some of the different roles you may be able to pursue: 

Pharmacist: As a pharmacist, your responsibilities include filling prescriptions, maintaining inventory, and updating patient records.

Director of Pharmacy: As the Director of Pharmacy, you’ll oversee all aspects of the pharmacy and work to continually improve its operation and safety.

Clinical pharmacist: A clinical pharmacist works closely with physicians and other health care staff to evaluate patient medications and dispense them appropriately.

Pharmacist in charge: A pharmacist in charge is a supervisory role that requires supervising pharmacy staff, ensuring compliance, working with insurance companies, and filling prescriptions.

Nuclear pharmacist: As a nuclear pharmacist, you’ll work with drugs that have radioactive properties. You’ll prepare and dispense the medications and ensure they are correctly and safely prepared for transport to their destination.

Explore whether a career in pharmacy might be a good fit for you by taking a like Chemicals and Health from Johns Hopkins University or Understanding Patient Perspectives on Medications from the University of Copenhagen. Once you sign up for a free account on Coursera, you can explore more than 5,000 courses - many of which are free to audit.

Article sources

1. Vocational Training.HQ “ How Much Does Pharmacy School Cost? ,   https://www.vocationaltraininghq.com/cost/pharmacy-school/.“ Accessed July 28, 2022.

2. Pearson. “ PCAT Test Blueprint and Sample Items , https://www.pearsonassessments.com/content/dam/school/global/clinical/us/assets/pcat/pcat-test-blueprint-and-sample-items.pdf.” Accessed July 28, 2022.

3. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “ Pharmacists , https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm.” Accessed July 28, 2022.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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• UB’s new mass spectrometer can accelerate discoveries of new drug targets and biomarkers

UB’s new mass spectrometer can accelerate discoveries of new drug targets and biomarkers

Jun Qu,  PhD., professor in UB’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences who serves as the group leader of the Proteomics and Bioanalysis lab in UB's Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, with the new mass spectrometer. He said it is significantly faster than past mass specs and has a sensitivity that is at least 100 times higher. Photo: Douglas Levere

By Laurie Kaiser

Release Date: May 6, 2024

Venu Govindaraju

Smitha James

BUFFALO, N.Y. ­— Imagine if diagnosis and treatment for devastating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease could be developed quickly by extensive profiling of protein signatures in human tissues.

This vision may not be far from reality, thanks to a state-of-the art mass spectrometer that arrived at the University at Buffalo Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences (CBLS) last fall. Researchers and industry partners are already using it to develop treatments for various diseases, among other purposes.

“Mass spectrometers are typically used to identify unknown compounds via molecular weight to determine the structure of the molecules,” said Jun Qu , PhD., professor in UB’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences who serves as the group leader of the Proteomics and Bioanalysis lab in the CBLS.

“It enables us to accurately determine the concentrations of specific molecules within a sample,” he said. “Particularly, in proteomics, you typically already know what proteins are in the tissue, but you want to know what protein changed or how much it changed under certain disease states or drug treatments.”

Much faster and more sensitive technology

Over the past six months, Qu has been using the new mass spec, called the Orbitrap Astral, to assist with his microscaffold assisted spatial proteomics (MASP) strategy, which enables first-ever whole-tissue mapping at the proteomic level. It uses a 3D-printed microscaffold that is capable of mapping thousands of proteins across a whole-tissue slice with excellent quantitative quality.

“The mass spec will substantially enhance the novel proteomics techniques developed by us,” Qu said. “Not only is it much faster than previous mass specs, but it also has a sensitivity that is at least 100 times higher. Sensitivity is very important when you are studying disease biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets.”

Their initial test, conducted in December 2023, indicated that with this new technology, they could cover 70-80% of commonly expressed proteomes in human samples. And that could lead to an improved understanding of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and may eventually lead to better treatment, Qu said. His group is using the MASP technique for extensive and accurate mapping of the brain.

“Not that long ago, scientists and medical professionals thought that plaque in the brain caused Alzheimer’s disease,” Qu explained. “Researchers have since realized that plaque may not be the cause. Rather, it could be a symptom. A machine like this mass spec will enable the de novo discovery of the true mechanism of this intractable disease.”

UB a pioneer with Orbitrap Astral

UB is the first institution within the State University of New York (SUNY) to acquire the Orbitrap Astral. Created by the global scientific equipment company Thermo Fisher Scientific, the Astral has the ability to accurately quantify more than 8,000 protein groups from a single cell and analyze more than a million protein groups across 180 microscopic samples in a single day.

“We were among the top 10 institutions in the country to get this revolutionary equipment,” Qu said. “When Thermo Fisher realized we had the ability to map tens of thousands of proteins , they highly supported our early delivery. Many of the engineers that traveled here with the equipment had never seen it.”

Connecting UB with innovative industry partners

A New York State economic development grant funded the acquisition through UB’s Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships office.

“Access to emerging, next-generation technologies often stands as the primary barrier to groundbreaking discoveries,” said Venu Govindaraju, UB vice president for research and economic development. “By strategically investing in spatial omics technologies, UB is poised to lead pioneering research that catalyzes vital innovations, ultimately enhancing public health and, in critical scenarios, preserving lives.”

The Astral Orbitrap opens the door for exciting new discoveries and innovations that will make a positive impact on human health and elevate the research being conducted at UB, noted Smitha James, senior associate director of life sciences programs with the BEP.

“Having access to this advanced technology will place UB researchers in a much stronger position to compete for future grants,” James said. “In addition, the new acquisition is expected to drive increased industry collaborations and support of life sciences startups.”

Study of retina degeneration in smokers 

Qu, who has been studying whole tissue samples for the last few years, said he’s excited about the opportunities the new mass spec presents.

“We want to provide the research community with access to the best proteomics tool ever devised,” he said. “It offers unparalleled sensitivity, speed and exceptional depth for proteomics analysis.”

Currently, Qu and his team, including UB PhD and postdoctoral students Xiaoyu Zhu, Min Ma, Shihan Huo and Shuo Qian, are using the mass spec as part of a collaboration with researchers at the University of Minnesota on a study of retina degeneration in smokers. Already, Qu said, he can see a huge improvement in the number of quantifiable proteins, in terms of data quality and speed, as they try to determine the mechanism underlying the higher risk of retinal degeneration among smokers.

“If we used traditional biochemical technology, it might take decades to test each protein in a project like this,” Qu said. “Here, we take a very small sample, and we can quantify 10,000 proteins in seconds.” 

Media Contact Information

Laurie Kaiser News Content Director Dental Medicine, Pharmacy Tel: 716-645-4655 [email protected]

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ARVO 2024: How a deep learning model can benefit femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

Dustin Morley, PhD, principal research scientist at LENSAR, discusses research on applying deep learning to benefit FLACS procedures.

At the 2024 ARVO meeting in Seattle, Washington, the Eye Care Network took time to speak with Dustin Morley, PhD. Morley, a principal research scientist at LENSAR, spoke about his recent work investigating the benefit of deep learning models in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) procedures.

Video transcript

Please note: The below transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.

Dustin Morley, PhD:

Hello, I'm Dustin Morley, principal research scientist at LENSAR. And I'm here today at ARVO 2024 to present our research in applying modern artificial intelligence in the form of deep learning to the benefit of FLACS procedures. As we know, correctly identifying the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cataractous lens as well as the cornea is critical for a safe and effective FLACS procedure. So our study goal was to determine if deep learning was a suitable method to completely and fully solve this problem toward the benefit of FLACS procedures.

So to study this, we obtained de-identified Scheimpflug scans for a total of 973 eyes, the vast majority of which contained cataract, and the dataset contained a wide variety of different cataract morphologies within it. On that data set, we also performed aggressive data augmentation to simulate things like illumination changes or geometric differences, such as warping the images, or rotating the images, things of that nature. And on that full composite dataset, we designed and trained a deep convolutional neural network based on the U-Net architecture to identify and classify all pixels belonging to the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lens and cornea. And from those pixels, we then apply a RANSAC algorithm to take those pixels and obtain best-fitting geometric curves, which we could then project into 3D space for a composite 3D reconstruction, which was ultimately needed to correctly position all of the laser pattern for the treatment of the eye. And to assess how well the model performed, we did twofold cross validation, specifically on the 692 images that were both cataractous eyes that were imaged by our newer ALLY system. And we use the ability to obtain that final 3D reconstruction of the surface as our final endpoint. And what we found when we did that was that there were zero failures to reconstruct the anterior and posterior cornea surface and zero failures to reconstruct the anterior lens surface. And there were five failures to reconstruct the posterior lens surface. But for three of those, the task was legitimately impossible because the cataracts were so advanced that the surface itself was just completely invisible. So that leaves, really, only two failures in terms of what was actually doable, for a success rate of 99.7%. And so therefore, from that, we conclude that deep learning is in fact very well suited to fully solve the problem of locating the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cataractous lens, even in...the presence of very advanced and challenging cataract artifacts, as well as the cornea.

And based on that, Lensar has incorporated this deep learning model into our latest next generation femtosecond laser, the ALLY system, and thereby eliminating the need for manual surface placement as part of the FLACS procedure workflow. I found, as the developer doing it, that [there was] the streamlined process, whenever you want to make it better, it's the same. You do the same thing every time: you get more images, you label more images, and then you train it on your new expanded dataset, and then it gets better. So it's just the same thing, it's much better than the old days of trying to cram a set of handcrafted rules together to make it all work. And then finding one case that suddenly doesn't fit into the rules and then having to redesign the whole thing. Again, this is just nice and perfectly streamlined. You just get more data, label it and train it on the extra data. Well, the next research part is, I mean, we're always continuing to collect images and seeing if we eventually run into types of cataracts that are maybe so rare that we haven't seen before, and maybe ones that we might still struggle on. Haven't seen very many of those yet, but there's a lot of people in the world, lots of different ways that cataracts can look. You know, you never know when you're gonna finally hit the one in 100,000 or the one in a million type thing that's completely different from everything else. And so we'll just always be on the lookout for those, and incorporating them, as well as seeing what other avenues we could explore with the same deep learning technology on similar imaging modalities.

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