Industry leaders gather for the annual IAB meeting

Industry Advisory Board

The Industry Advisory Board (IAB) connects key leaders in the pharmaceutical and health care industry with talent and research in the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPPS). Through networking opportunities and events with industry leaders, the IAB prepares graduate, Doctor of Pharmacy, and post doctoral students for future careers in drug development, translational research, and clinical practice. The IAB members are professionals in the pharmaceutical and health care industries who collaborate with the college, advise on academic programs, and help inform future research directions, as well as mentor individual students.

Objectives

  • Advance collaborations among trainees, faculty, and IAB members, including developing new research directions.
  • Create opportunities for graduate, post doctoral, and Doctor of Pharmacy students to transition into leaders in their fields.
  • Ensure regular curricular updates in the graduate and Doctor of Pharmacy programs based on industry needs to maintain the highest academic quality.
  • Support the strategic plan and mission of the college.
  • Develop a highly skilled workforce to become the next generation of leaders of the pharmaceutical and health care industries.

Key Initiatives

Guests interacting with each other at the Industry Advisory Board annual meeting.

Mentorship Opportunities

One of the top reasons why students choose Washington State University to pursue their degrees is the unmatched opportunities to network with those who are already working in the professions that they are interested in pursuing. Mentorships are also a fantastic way for those working in key industries to recruit new talent into their companies.

Guest Lecturing

You can get a taste of diverse career paths by learning from those who have been in the pharmaceutical industry for years. Members on our Industry Advisory Board have had illustrious careers working in a variety of settings from clinical, to research and business development.

Salah-uddin Ahmed with graduate student Meena Shanta observing samples collected from patients with juvenile arthritis

Research Collaboration

Our researchers are always looking for ways to better align with current pharmaceutical industry inquiry, practice, and trends. The Industry Advisory Board allows us to build connections that find mutually beneficial opportunities with pharmaceutical companies to help support our students and research labs.

Upcoming Events

Industry Advisory Board Annual Meeting: August 13, 2026

This annual meeting brings together pharmaceutical companies, health care systems, faculty, alumni, and students from across the country for a dynamic exchange of ideas shaping the future of health care. This premier networking and collaboration event creates opportunities to explore emerging industry trends, discuss today’s biggest health care challenges, and spark innovative partnerships that drive progress in patient care, research, education, and workforce development.

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the event or contact Director of Development and Alumni Relations Kelly Sylvester.

Research Day: August 14, 2026

Discover the future of pharmaceutical science at our annual Research Day, where undergraduate, graduate, and Doctor of Pharmacy students showcase innovative research to faculty, researchers, and industry leaders. From groundbreaking discoveries to real-world health care solutions, students present the results of months of hands-on investigation and scientific collaboration. The symposium is more than a presentation event—it’s a celebration of curiosity, innovation, and the next generation of health care leaders.

Crimson Gala: September 25, 2026

Join us for the college’s premier annual fundraising celebration—an unforgettable evening bringing together alumni, students, health care leaders, community partners, and friends of the college to celebrate the strength and impact of our Coug pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences community. This signature event features exclusive auction experiences to support student success, research, and innovation in health care education. Guests will also celebrate the achievements of distinguished alumni during our Alumni of the Year Awards presentation, recognizing leaders making a difference across the profession and beyond.

Industry Members

Industry members comprise of scientists and business leaders from the following companies. Students interested in learning more about a specific company or field of interest are encouraged to contact Director of Industry Advancement Mary Paine for mentorship or internship opportunities.

  • AbbVie, Inc.
  • Alturas Analytics
  • Amgen
  • AstraZeneca
  • Bristol Myers Squibb
  • Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Charles River Labs
  • Chinook Therapeutics
  • Covance Inc
  • Daiichi Sankyo
  • Discovery Life Sciences
  • Eli Lilly
  • Genentech
  • Gilead Sciences
  • GIV-Gastrointestinal Vitality
  • Incyte
  • Jade Biosciences
  • Janssen Research & Development
  • Jubilant HollisterStier
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • KBP Biosciences
  • Lonza
  • Med-Aditus
  • Merck
  • Pfizer
  • Seagen
  • Solvo Biotechnology
  • Takeda
  • Terminal Phase Consultancy