Ohio State Graduate Students Advance Careers with Online Pharmacology Degree

By Lisa Hijazin | March 22, 2023

The Ohio State Online Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology program has helped clinical researchers Omar Kalash and Demi MacLennan excel in their careers. Both graduates have leveraged the program’s flexible, online format to deepen their expertise in clinical research and pharmacology, leading to industry recognition and career advancement.

Although they attended the Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology program at different times, both Kalash and MacLennan pushed the boundaries of their knowledge and participated in the prestigious PharmaTimes Clinical Researcher of The Year – The Americas competition, a highly respected event that allows clinical researchers to showcase their talents to top industry experts.

The competition also served as a networking opportunity for these two Ohio State graduates. At the 2022 awards ceremony, Kalash—who competed in the Clinical Research Coordinator category—and MacLennan, a competitor in the Clinical Trial Manager category, met and shared their experiences as fellow Buckeyes in the clinical research field.

Omar Kalash: Two-Time Gold Winner and Career Advancement
Omar Kalash, a Summer 2022 graduate of the Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology, earned back-to-back gold medals in the Clinical Researcher of The Year competition (2021 and 2022). Kalash credits his success and career growth to the knowledge and skills he gained through Ohio State’s online pharmacology degree program.
“The Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology taught me the fundamentals of clinical trial design, pharmacokinetics, and biostatistics. The online program’s support and structure made it easy to manage my studies while working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center,” Kalash said.
Shortly after graduating, Kalash landed a new role as a Project Coordinator at Labcorp Drug Development, where he works alongside fellow graduate Demi MacLennan.

Demi MacLennan: Bronze Medalist and Industry Leadership
Demi MacLennan graduated in December 2022 and, like Kalash, participated in the PharmaTimes competition, winning the bronze medal in the Clinical Trial Manager category. MacLennan works as a Global Clinical Trial Project Lead at Labcorp, where she has been promoted twice since starting the online pharmacology program.

“The Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology helped me gain the knowledge I needed to excel in my position,” MacLennan shared. “I really believe the skills I developed in pharmacology, clinical trial management, and translational science were instrumental in my career progression.”

MacLennan particularly appreciated the program’s flexibility, which allowed her to balance her studies while working remotely. During her final semester, she collaborated with faculty members from both the College of Pharmacy and the College of Nursing on her capstone project, which focused on promoting diversity in clinical research. Her research, completed with the mentorship of faculty members Jen Plahovinsak, MS, DABT, and Carolynn Jones, DNP, MSPH, RN, has since gained widespread recognition.

In April 2023, MacLennan presented her work at the ACRP conference alongside Plahovinsak and Jones in a session titled “Improving Diversity: Site Practices and Perspectives.”

A Degree Designed for Career Advancement in Pharmacology
Ohio State’s Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology offers graduate students a pathway to advance their careers in clinical or preclinical pharmacology. With specializations available in clinical trial design and preclinical toxicology, this online pharmacology degree equips students with the skills needed to succeed in roles like clinical research coordinators, project managers, or pharmacology experts.

The curriculum, which follows the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency framework, covers a range of essential topics, including toxicology, biostatistics, and drug development. Students benefit from a flexible, online learning environment that allows them to balance their studies with professional responsibilities.
Whether you’re aiming to enhance your current role or break into a new field, earning your clinical research degree through Ohio State prepares you for the future of pharmacology and contributes to the well-being of your community.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore the Ohio State Online Master of Science in Translational Pharmacology and learn how this flexible, online program can help you advance your career in clinical research and pharmacology.