Unique internships and special projects elevate grad student experiences
Through University of Wisconsin–Madison Professional Degrees & Certificates programs, Fatima Abdul Rasheed discovered a new career, and Natasha Sanchez hopes to advance in hers.
The online PPI program provides an in-depth understanding of the application of psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy, as well as medical cannabis. The accelerated, hybrid or online ADD program helps learners develop the practical and professional skills needed across the lifecycle of drug development, manufacturing and ongoing safety management. Both programs can be finished in 12 months to three years.
“Students have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in their master’s courses to a professional role,” says Eric Buxton, chair of the Division of Pharmacy Professional Development and ADD program director. “Students find that growing their applied professional skills, like gaining hands-on lab experience, can give them a leg up in getting a new job.”
Exploring quality control: Fatima Abdul Rasheed’s path
Fatima Abdul Rasheed
In the ADD program, Abdul Rasheed discovered a new career direction through an internship at Promega in the quality assurance and regulatory affairs departments. After earning her PharmD in Hungary and working as a clinical pharmacist in Nigeria, she wanted to better understand the drug development process beyond the pharmacy counter.
“In Nigeria, most of our drugs are imported, and I wanted to understand what goes on behind the scenes,” she said. “I’m a pharmacist—I dispense the drugs—but what happens from discovery to market?”
At Promega, she managed documentation and trained staff to ensure compliance with FDA standards. The experience gave her a deeper appreciation for quality control, reinforcing her desire to continue in the field.
“My background as a pharmacist helps me ensure people are getting the best quality products, and it gives me joy that my work is producing something good for those who use our products,” she said.
With many courses designed in cooperation with industry experts, the ADD program prepares professionals for a variety of roles within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, including skills required to work in a regulated environment. Beyond developing technical skills, Abdul Rasheed was inspired by the career paths of her colleagues and hopes to apply her knowledge back home in Nigeria.
When you graduate from the ADD master’s program, you can use your knowledge in real life.
Fatima Abdul Rasheed
Building a future in biopharma: Natasha Sanchez’s journey
For Sanchez, the PPI program offered her the opportunity to intern in Santa Clara, California, at Lin-Zhi International, a manufacturer of in-vitro diagnostic reagents to screen for drugs of abuse. She hopes this experience will help her transition from her role as a pharmacy technician to the biopharmaceutical industry.
As a documentation specialist at Lin-Zhi, her role is to ensure all documents used for production are current, properly identifiable and traceable while liaising with various other groups, including the production, quality control and regulatory teams, as well as the vice president of operations.
The highly interdisciplinary PPI program was made to appeal to students looking for careers in the pharmaceutical, academic, government, nonprofit and healthcare industries.
Natasha Sanchez
“My goal is to explore my interests and expand my knowledge while gaining as much experience as possible in the biopharmaceutical field,” she said. She works in a hybrid role at Lin-Zhi, which allows her to balance her PPI coursework, which is fully online, while caring for her family.
Sanchez’s motivation is deeply personal: “I have family members dealing with substance abuse disorders, and working with this company makes me feel useful—like I can make a difference.”
Connecting students with industry opportunities
The ADD and PPI programs emphasize applied learning, equipping students with industry connections and career-building experiences. With faculty support and employer partnerships, students like Abdul Rasheed and Sanchez gain hands-on experience that prepares them for the evolving pharmaceutical landscape.
It’s fun to watch the students grow and see their excitement. Some students say that’s why they chose this program. I’m consistently impressed by the amount of responsibility students are given by their employers. This applied skills experience provides our students with a competitive edge.
Eric Buxton
Chair of the School’s Division of Pharmacy Professional Development and ADD program director
