Career Seminar Series: Miles of Molecules: My scenic career journey with unexpected detours

Manpreet Chahal earned his bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington in 2001. Driven to help develop more effective and safe chemotherapy agents, he pursued graduate studies at Washington State University, enrolling in the Pharmacology and Toxicology PhD program in January 2002. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kay Meier, his dissertation research focused on elucidating aberrant cell signaling pathways in cancer cell line models. In 2006, he concurrently enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy program. He successfully defended his dissertation in August 2008 and earned his PharmD in May 2010.

After working inpatient pharmacy settings, in 2012 he secured a position as a Clinical Oncology Pharmacist at Summit Cancer Centers, fulfilling his lifelong dream of working directly with oncology patients. In this role, he also served as an investigational pharmacist for industry-sponsored clinical trials, gaining valuable experience collaborating with medical science liaisons and clinical scientists.

In 2017, Manpreet started working as Field Medical Director at Pfizer Oncology. In this role he has supported breast cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, cervical cancer, and the Phase 1 pipeline.

Manpreet has continued to give back to WSU in various ways, including serving as an Adjunct Faculty at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where he passionately lectures and mentors PharmD and graduate students—a role he admits brings him great personal fulfillment. Manpreet also contributes his expertise as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council.

Students, please RSVP to receive a lunch compliments of this year’s sponsors!

Spokane Location: SPBS 101
Yakima Location: UCC527 (Hyatt)

Thank you to Albertsons and Walgreens for sponsoring the Career Seminar Series.