This month, the Chapman University School of Pharmacy, in partnership with Amgen, celebrates a major milestone: onboarding the tenth fellow into its prestigious Oncology Medical Affairs Fellowship program.
“Reaching the milestone of our tenth fellow is a proud moment for Chapman University School of Pharmacy and a testament to the enduring strength of our partnership with Amgen. This fellowship represents exactly the kind of transformative, practice-ready education we aspire to provide, one that equips pharmacists not only with deep clinical expertise in oncology, but with the strategic and professional acumen to thrive in the pharmaceutical industry and ultimately improve patient lives. As we look ahead, I am confident that the Chapman-Amgen Oncology Medical Affairs Fellowship will continue to attract exceptional talent, advance scientific excellence, and set the standard for industry-focused pharmacy training nationally,” said Dean Rennolds Ostrom.
The Chapman-Amgen Oncology Medical Affairs Fellowship program was established in 2018 with a partnership with Amgen, Inc., one of the leading biopharmaceutical companies in the world. The program aims to prepare pharmacists for careers in the pharmaceutical industry by blending clinical oncology training with immersive medical affairs experience. Fellows spend their first six months completing rotations at oncology practices, then transition to Amgen’s Thousand Oaks campus for 18 months for hands-on work in scientific communications, medical strategy, and more.
Driving Excellence
By integrating rigorous clinical training into the fellowship, the program has built an infrastructure that supports a truly unique learning experience for fellows passionate about industry careers.
Sun Yang, B.Pharm, Ph.D, R.Ph, BCPPS, APH, director of the Chapman-Amgen fellowship program, said, “Oncology is a rapidly evolving field, and clinical training during a fellowship provides comprehensive, hands-on experience that deepens fellows’ understanding of oncology care and clinical decision-making. This foundation is highly valuable for scientific communication and for roles such as Medical Science Liaison (MSL) working in the pharmaceutical industry.”
Laila Khoury-Chamoun, Pharm.D., one of the founding directors of the program at Amgen, further highlighted the value of the unique infrastructure of the training, “The Chapman-Amgen fellowship provides a unique opportunity to blend the clinical understanding of Hematology-Oncology and medical affairs expertise into one experience, which I believe is essential for the fellow’s foundational knowledge, growth, and ultimate career success.”
A cornerstone of this program’s clinical training is our collaboration with world-renowned institutions, such as City of Hope Orange County and St Joseph’s Orange, giving fellows an unparalleled look at the forefront of patient care.
Suchi Gandhi, Pharm.D., BCOP, Senior Pharmacy Manager at City of Hope Orange County, said that “ Through interactions with healthcare providers and exposure to complex patient care, fellows develop a deeper appreciation for the patient’s journey and the impact of novel therapies. Our collaboration enhances this experience by bringing together clinical and industry expertise, creating meaningful opportunities for fellows to broaden their perspective and professional development.”
Medical Oncologist, Dr. Timothy Byun, MD, at Providence Cancer Center of St. Joseph Orange, has been an exceptional clinical mentor for our fellows since its establishment. He states, “I find the fellows quite bright and intellectually curious. They ask great questions, and I enjoy teaching them about clinical oncology and patient care.”
In addition, as the inaugural participants, our fellowship program joined the SWOG Drug Information Sub-Committee Resident Pharmacist Writer Program in 2019. During the first six months of the fellowship, the fellows contributed to the development of the Drug Information and Drug Interaction sections of a study protocol.
Attracting National Talent
Over the past several years, the program has become increasingly recognized by the community and colleagues, drawing more Pharm.D. applications from across the nation.
Dr. Tiffany Yarian (2026-2028 Fellow) said, “I chose to pursue this fellowship because the foundational clinical rotations will deepen my understanding of diverse cancer types and innovative treatments. This experience will perfectly prepare me to transition to the Amgen Medical Affairs Team, where I look forward to communicating evidence-based scientific data to stakeholders to improve patient outcomes.”
A Legacy of Success and Impactful Alumni
Since welcoming its first fellow in 2019, the program reached a momentous benchmark this month with the onboarding of its 10th fellow, signifying steady growth and prestige of the Chapman-Amgen partnership. Over the years, the Chapman-Amgen Oncology Medical Affairs Fellowship has proven to be a transformative training ground. The unique structure of the program allows fellows to cultivate a broad spectrum of advanced technical and professional skills, from clinical strategy to cross-functional collaboration. As we welcome our newest fellow to the cohort, we celebrate the growing network of alumni and current participants who continue to bring distinction to the program and make meaningful contributions to the field of oncology.
Looking back, Dr. Julia Albanez (2024-2025 Fellow) expressed her appreciation for the fellowship training, “The fellowship gave me a strong foundation in Medical Affairs and the confidence to transition seamlessly into my current role. The cross-functional experience, exposure to multiple Medical Affairs functions, and opportunities to lead meaningful projects prepared me to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, manage complex timelines, and contribute from day one.”
Championing Student Success and Academic Contribution
Beyond their corporate and clinical responsibilities, the fellows remain deeply integrated into the CUSP campus culture, contributing to academic excellence and mentorship. Fellows participate in the Teaching Certificate Program and dedicate substantial time and effort to supporting CUSP students’ learning experience and extracurricular events. Jason Halfen (2025-2027 Fellow) volunteered to serve as one of the external advisors for the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) VIP Case Competition, where the CUSP student chapter placed an impressive 5th nationally out of 72 competing teams. Fellows have also been actively engaged in student precepting during clinical and Amgen rotations.
This year, Dr. Christopher Nosala took on his role as the new Amgen Director for the fellowship. “I am excited to build on a strong foundation established over the past decade. Having worked closely with many past fellows, I have been continually impressed by their dedication, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to advancing patient care.” He further emphasized that as the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, Medical Affairs professionals will be expected to navigate an increasingly complex landscape shaped by rapid scientific innovation, evolving healthcare needs, and transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence. “My vision is to prepare fellows not only to succeed in this changing environment, but to help shape it.”
Looking ahead, through close collaboration among Amgen, Chapman University, and our clinical partners, the fellowship program will continue to provide meaningful hands-on experiences that develop scientific excellence, strategic thinking, and ethical leadership while empowering fellows to make lasting contributions to oncology and to the patients we serve.
Learn more about the Chapman-Amgen Oncology Medical Affairs Fellowship.
