Alumni Spotlight: Ana Madani, Drug Development

Love of Science Leads to Lifetime of Learning for Drug Development Master’s Program Grad

For Ana Madani, science has always been fascinating.

It was no surprise, then, when she set her sights on a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati (UC) in Drug Development. What was surprising was that she earned that master’s and a second degree in instructional design technology, all while working full-time at UC.

Ana has been a UC staff member since August 2015. She currently serves as a neuroscience graduate program manager, interacting with on-campus students. “My role includes a variety of work — anything from setting up staff meetings to making sure students are enrolled in the classes they need,” she says.

When Ana was younger, she studied astronomy and became interested in medicine and medical technology. In college, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in English.

After graduation, Anna explored a career in technical writing. In 2008, she was instrumental in developing one of the few medical technical writing programs in the country at Miami University.

Before joining UC, Ana was a continuing medical education coordinator at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. “This was when I started learning about accreditation and compliance,” she says. “At that time, regulatory affairs was becoming a well-known subject area. Eventually, I moved on to a role with UC and began exploring new topics and scientific areas of interest to me.”

Online vs. Studying On Campus

It didn’t take long for Ana to quench her thirst for learning. When asked about her early impressions of our university’s vast 100+ online programs, Anna says:

I’m quite fortunate there are so many online degrees. A few years ago, I was interested in clinical research. But school meant evening classes and students were required to be physically present in a classroom for three hours. It was just too much for me after working all day.

When new opportunities for earning a degree online presented themselves, Ana jumped on it because she knew she could fit class lectures and assignments around her work schedule.

Ideal Choice: Drug Development Master’s Degree

Ana’s initial foray into an online graduate program was earning a graduate certificate in clinical and translational research from UC in 2020. Later, she enrolled in the Master of Pharmaceutical Science in Drug Development (MSDD) program through UC’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. Every aspect of the program is 100% online, a learning model that allows students to pick when and where they “attend” lectures and complete assignments.

Online learning has transformed the way universities design programs; it attracts a new type of student — people working full-time in their chosen field who want to advance or those interested in breaking into a new field.

UC isn’t new to online education. Our university has a long, rich history, dating back over two decades, of delivering fully online programs to students from the U.S. and beyond.

For Ana, studying online means education excellence, talking regularly with UC faculty about drug development and building the credibility she initially felt she didn’t have. She says, “I really wanted to challenge myself, and I did.”

Drug Development Program Highlights

The MSDD program, which started in 2004, is ideal for people who work in the scientific, regulatory, or business sectors. The program is a collaborative effort between UC, local businesses and area government. It teaches students the science, rules, and business of making new drugs.

With the online MSDD program, you can:

• Complete it entirely online, so you don’t have to drive to and from UC’s campus.
• Finish the program in two years.
• Start the program at any time throughout the year.
• Study whenever you want because lessons are available 24 hours a day.

Online learning works for thousands of UC students, including Ana. She calls it especially ideal for people with an undergraduate degree, saying: “They likely know how to manage their time and can focus on what they need to learn. Studying virtually offers flexibility, but you must still be committed to your studies.”

Ana believes the online nature of the program doesn’t stymie interaction between students and instructors. She credits UC’s encouraging environment, saying every staff member she interacts with is interested in sharing what they know and helping students.

Newly Minted Drug Development Graduate

Ana recently completed her drug development master’s degree, an exciting accomplishment that adds to her long list of credentials and science-centered expertise. Ana says she learned so much from her two years of studying this pharmaceutical science niche, saying:

If you’re serious about learning the drug development process and have an interest in regulatory affairs or clinical trials, UC is the ideal place for you. Program faculty will be more than happy to answer your questions because they genuinely enjoy discussing drug development. Also, many of UC’s faculty worked in the industry, running trials and doing research, so you get a firsthand understanding of the whole process.

Follow Ana’s Lead and Take the Next Step

Ana’s positive experience in our Master of Pharmaceutical Science in Drug Development program is similar to that of other UC Online graduates. She enjoys the flexibility of online studies, talking with knowledgeable professors, and interacting with like-minded colleagues from across the nation. “I’ve had classmates from Boston and the West Coast. That’s one of the great things about taking classes in the Internet age,” Ana says, “you meet and network with people anywhere, at any time.”

If you’re ready to learn more about the program, explore the admission requirements — then chat online with a representative or email an Enrollment Services Advisor. The advisor will answer your questions about the program and tell you more about the benefits of getting your online MSDD degree.