Ifra Rehman
Pfizer/Rutgers – U.S. Medical Information/Global Medical Affairs Internal Medicine
Ifra Rehman moved with her family to North Carolina from Pakistan in 2006. She earned a B.S. in Psychology at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, followed by a M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem. She took pharmacy classes and worked as a certified nursing assistant before opting for the PharmD program.
“The diversity of the field attracted me to pharmacy,” said Rehman.
As a PharmD student, the multitude and variety of electives and rotations positioned her well for her next step: a rotation in Medication Safety at Pfizer, and in Global Regulatory Affairs at the Japanese pharmaceutical and biotech company Kyowa Kirin Co.
“Pfizer exposed me to what industry life is about - work life balance - and interaction. Everyone comes together to give the best they can for patients. I like the team interactions,” she said.
The opportunities and support on campus were invaluable, said Rehman, including the many leadership roles she was able to take on that enabled her to work closely with faculty and network with industry speakers she invited to campus.
When her father died during the pandemic, Rehman was distraught and considered leaving school. Her professors got on Zoom with her to offer support and convince her to stay the course.
“You don’t even have to knock on a professor’s door,” she said. “It’s the best quality of Touro. They’re deeply invested. I would not be here without them.”
