College and high school students can explore career opportunities in the pharmaceutical field and have an opportunity to broaden their awareness of one of the state's fastest growing industries at the University's third annual PharmFest on Thursday, March 25.

"PharmFest is an important event for many reasons," said Robert Prezant, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. "Critically, it gives our students an opportunity to see a blending of academic and business forces as the program is planned and comes to fruition through joint efforts of the College of Science and Mathematics, the School of Business, Career Development and a host of pharmaceutical companies as well as other academic institutions."

The program is open to anyone interested in the diverse disciplines that encompass the pharmaceutical industry. Topics will span the interest of high school and college students, science teachers, university professors, researchers and members of the pharmaceutical industry. Participants will gain first-hand information about career opportunities, the business and science of the pharmaceutical industry, its structure and contributions to the state of New Jersey.

"In addition to providing a wide variety of career opportunities for students in the sciences, the pharmaceutical industry employs people whose expertise spans the entire business spectrum," said Alan Oppenheim, dean of the School of Business. "For this reason the School of Business has teamed up with the College of Science and Mathematics as well as the Office of Career Development to create the day-long exposition."

PharmFest 2004, presented in cooperation with the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey and the New Jersey pharmaceutical and medical technology industry, will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms. At 9:30 a.m. Bob Franks, president of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, will give opening remarks followed by George Cole, president of ALTANA Pharma U.S., who will give the keynote address. As in past years, N.J. Gov. James E. McGreevey has been invited to give the welcoming remarks along with President Susan A. Cole.

Participants can choose between two simultaneous panel discussions from 10:30 a.m.-noon. Mike Kahrer, vice president of Human Resources and Business Services at Organon Pharmaceuticals USA, John Bloomfield, senior director of Public Affairs at Merck & Co., Inc., and John Barrett, senior vice president of Research and Development at Memory Pharmaceuticals, will present a college-level panel discussion, moderated by William R. Healey, executive vice president at the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey. Another panel, designed to accommodate the needs of high school students, will be moderated by Adam Mayer of Career Development. The panel will include Bill Izzo, a research fellow at Merck Research Laboratories, Kathleen O. Ashenfelter, clinical research coordinator at International Cutantanous Technologies and Development, Imre G. Bajusz, group leader of Chemical and Analytical Development Pilot Plant Operations at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Marlene Blanos of Hoffman LaRoche, Inc. and William Delfs of Syncom Pharmaceuticals.
"We hope that not only our own students, but also students from nearby high schools and universities will gain a greater awareness of the exciting opportunities that await them," said Oppenheim.

At 1 p.m., roundtable discussions with representatives from the industry and the University will take place in the Student Center fourth-floor meeting rooms. Topics of discussion will focus on science informatics, educational programs leading to careers in the industry, future careers within the industry and effective interviewing techniques. The afternoon roundtable discussions will have several members from the research, business and human resource divisions of various pharmaceutical companies.

"PharmFest has been a way to bring insight of the diverse opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry to our students and to high school students alike," said Prezant. "Hearing about opportunities, including future growth areas, from leaders in the field can impact student perspective. Seeing our faculty in roundtable discussions with pharmaceutical leaders brings the message home to our students that this is a joint venture. And of course, the pharmaceutical industry benefits from the new-found appreciation our students have for the industry. This could very well be a source for some of their best future employees and leaders."
As in previous years, a Career Expo will follow the roundtable discussions from 2-4 p.m. in the Student Center, Ballrooms A and B. Participants include Wyeth, Hoffman-La Roche, Inc., Pfizer, Organon, Novartis, Merck, Deloitte & Touche, College of St. Elizabeth and MSU's College of Science and Mathematics, the M.B.A. program and Career Development.

"This event is important for anyone who wants to learn more about the ever changing pharmaceutical industry in New Jersey and across the world, and wants to hear about it from people who know," said Prezant. "This is a great chance to meet the players and garner some insight into the complexities of the industry and the outlook for the future."

PharmFest is open to the public; however, space is limited. Faculty planning to attend or bring a class should register by March 4. Click here to register.