Student Highlight Interview

Eman Biltaji, PhDEman Biltaji, PhD

The Student Outreach Committee is honored to present the Student Highlight Interview with Eman Biltaji, PhD. Dr. Biltaji is an active Student Member of ACCP, is a member of the STYP Committe and manages the ACCP Mentoring Program. Thank you, Dr. Biltaji, for sharing your experiences with us!

How long have you been a member of ACCP?
I joined ACCP in May 2017.

Please describe your studies/research.
My research interest focuses on how we can use pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic information to personalize treatment decisions. I am interested in understanding how genetics and patient specific qualities can be used to predict treatment outcomes, in order to develop more genomically-guided cost-effective treatment guidelines. 

Why did you choose the field of clinical pharmacology?
Coming from a pharmacy background, I realized early in my career that clinical pharmacology is crucial to evaluate differences in treatment response and improve patient outcomes. Deep understanding of various pharmacological principles proved to be essential in my clinical practice. My interest in personalizing patient care and improving outcomes fueled my passion to integrate my clinical knowledge with a career focused on research, which landed me in the field of clinical pharmacology.

Who was most influential to you in selecting your career path?
I believe that we can learn a lot from every mentor and experience you go through. My mentors, colleagues, and patients all had a role in selecting this career path.  

What advice would you give to another trainee/young professional considering membership in ACCP?
The true value of an ACCP membership is in becoming more involved with the college. This college offers endless opportunities to learn, network, and grow professionally. I would advise trainees and young professionals to explore the ACCP website and get to know opportunities that are offered all year round. Moreover, I recommend attending the Annual Meetings, as it is a great experience on so many levels.  

What qualities did you work on during your graduate studies to become a successful scientist? 
The main qualities that I worked on during my graduate studies were to understand my strengths and build on them, and realize my limitations and work on them. Flexibility is a crucial quality in graduate work; you need to keep your options open. This quality will lead you to interesting experiences and great opportunities. Another quality is curiosity and following your passion, this was the quality that helped me through my projects.

How has involvement in ACCP helped shape your career and what benefits have you enjoyed as a result of being an ACCP Member (mentoring, committees, posters at Annual Meetings, etc.)? 
During my graduate studies, I attended ACCP online Virtual Journal Clubs which was my first mode of interaction with ACCP. They introduced me to new perspectives for tackling the research questions I have. After I joined the Clinical Pharmacology fellowship, I attended the ACCP Annual Meeting and became involved in the Student Trainee & Young Professional Committee. Involvement in ACCP offered tremendous educational opportunities, a great platform for networking and sharing experiences and research, which are all crucial ingredients for a successful professional career.

How would you recommend that trainees/young professionals get involved in the various initiatives of the college? 
I would recommend exploring ACCP’s website, chatting with your mentors about potential ways of involvement, and reach out to the college and its dedicated staff. There are many opportunities to get involved in the college: You can join a committee, attend webinars and Annual Meetings, share your research, and find a mentor, just to mention a few. The uniqueness of this college is the friendly and supportive nature of its members and its devoted staff. 

Please tell us about your experience as a trainee/young professional at the ACCP Annual Meeting or on an ACCP Committee.
One of the best conferences I have ever been to. I learnt a lot from sessions and workshops, met many scholars and colleagues, discussed research ideas and career advice, and established connections. I had a great poster presentation experience that generated much discussions, great feedback from leaders in the field, and introduced me to potential future collaborators. 

What networking opportunities are available for trainee/young professional attending the ACCP Annual Meeting? 
Beside the common opportunities to network in a regular conference, there were many activities and sessions within the conference that were customized to Students, Trainees & Young Professional group. Such sessions offer an invaluable opportunity for this group to interact with members of the society. Another networking opportunity is during the poster session, either standing by your poster or by exploring other posters.

What are some of the long term benefits of getting involved in ACCP as a trainee/young professional?
As a member, you will always have the privilege to access the latest research and interact with leaders in the field. I think that the long term benefits lies in the connections you establish within the college. Being involved in ACCP will offer limitless opportunities and experiences, which will help in establishing stronger connections with a college that shares your research interests and potentially career paths.   

What do you do when not working (i.e. other activities like sports, art, music etc.)
Cooking, eating, and Zumba to burn the calories.