Faculty Scientist Appointed as Founding Director of New Pharmaceutical and Industrial Fellowships Program

The new program will expand industry-aligned training and strengthen academic–industry partnerships to prepare students for evolving careers in pharmacy and biomedical innovation.

By Pam Carder
January 28, 2026

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) has appointed Audra Stinchcomb, PhD, RPh, FAAPS, FAIMBE, professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC), as founding director of its new Pharmaceutical and Industrial Fellowships Program, a strategic initiative designed to meet growing student interest in industry-focused careers.

The new program reflects UMSOP’s commitment to innovation, workforce readiness, and expanding career pathways for Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and PhD students.

“UMSOP is deeply committed to preparing our students for the full spectrum of careers shaping health care and biomedical innovation,” said Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD, dean and professor of PSC. “The creation of this new office, along with Dr. Stinchcomb’s appointment as its founding director, positions our School to lead nationally in academic–industry partnerships and career-focused training.”

Responding to Growing Interest in Industry Careers

More than 20 percent of UMSOP PharmD students report plans to pursue industry fellowships or other non–patient care roles, while many PhD candidates are seeking translational and industry-facing scientific careers. The new Pharmaceutical and Industrial Fellowships Program was created to respond to these trends and to ensure graduates are well prepared for careers across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

As founding director, Stinchcomb will lead the development and expansion of pre- and post-PharmD and PhD fellowships, while building robust training pipelines that connect students and faculty with industry collaborators.

“This program is about creating meaningful, hands-on experiences that complement academic training and accelerate career readiness,” said Stinchcomb. “By embedding learners in real-world, industry environments, we can help them translate their scientific knowledge into impactful work that advances patient care and innovation.”

Building on a Strong Foundation of Industry Collaboration

The new initiative builds on UMSOP’s longstanding partnership with AstraZeneca, which began in 2009 and includes post-graduate industry fellowships, experiential rotations, summer internships, and alumni mentorship.

“Our partnership with AstraZeneca has demonstrated what is possible when academia and industry work together intentionally,” Michel said. “Our goal is to expand this model with additional partners across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology landscape.”

Industry Co-Mentorship Model

A cornerstone of the program is the Industry Co-Mentorship Model, a career-acceleration approach that integrates academic preparation with immersive, industry-based learning.

Through this model, PharmD and PhD students, and recent PharmD graduates, will have opportunities to participate in co-mentored experiences hosted at partner companies for periods ranging from one month to one year. These placements will provide exposure to FDA-regulated environments and training in areas such as regulatory science, clinical development, AI-enabled drug discovery, and other in-demand skill sets.

“These co-mentorship experiences allow learners to see how science, regulation, and innovation intersect in practice,” Stinchcomb said. “They also create powerful opportunities for collaboration between faculty and industry scientists.”

Benefits for Students, Faculty, and Industry Partners

The expanding suite of industry-aligned programs is designed to benefit the entire UMSOP community:

• Students gain high-impact experiences that build confidence, technical expertise, and competitiveness for fellowships and long-term careers.
• Faculty benefit from new opportunities for collaboration, co-mentorship, and participation in translational and interdisciplinary research.
• Industry partners gain early access to highly trained scientists and clinicians, with opportunities for long-term recruitment and collaboration.

“Industry partners consistently tell us that UMSOP graduates bring exceptional depth in pharmaceutical sciences,” Michel said. “This program strengthens that advantage while creating clear value for our collaborators.”

Existing Program Elements and Next Steps

While the new office is still being established, several foundational components are already in place, including:

• PHMY elective: Introduction to the Pharmaceutical Industry
• Postdoctoral fellowships with AstraZeneca for PharmD and PhD graduates
• Faculty–industry co-mentorship opportunities supporting short-term industrial experiences and collaborative projects

“Mentorship and biotech entrepreneurship have always been central to my work,” Stinchcomb said. “I’m excited to build programs that open doors for our learners and help them envision and achieve their future careers.”

Learn more about the new initiative at pharmacy.edu/admissions/industry-partnerships.

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