New science program on its way

By: Rie Nakanishi

Posted: 10/2/08

Beginning this fall, the SJSU College of Science has established a new professional science master's degree program, the master of medical product development management, sponsored by global health care company Abbott.

"We've been developing this program for almost four years," Stephan Crothers, the director of biomedical initiatives, wrote in an e-mail.

The two-year program is designed for graduate students who are seeking a higher education and career in "clinical research and development, product development, regulatory affairs and project management in medical products companies," according to the medical product development management brochure.

Brad Zaro, an SJSU alumnus and the founder of clinical research organization Clinimetrics, suggested a new program to educate students in preparation for the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, a leading clinical and medical research organization, Crothers said.

Inspired by Zaro, the College of Science saw a need for prepared personnel in the field of clinical trials and medical product development and management, Crothers said.

"We began to investigate the need for such persons with the local employers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostic," he said. "We learned there was a wide spread shortage of such people in the medical products companies."

The new graduate program provides advanced courses on management of the development in medical products, such as new drugs, vaccines, medical diagnostic and devices that are under regulation of the Federal Food and Drug and Drug Administration, according to the same brochure.

Abbott's involvement came after the College of Science presented its new program concept to the management of Abbott Vascular, a branch of the company, in Santa Clara. The company has given $100,000 to the university as a program-establishment expense and two $5,000 grants as scholarships for students, Crothers said.

Representatives from Abbott were unavailable for comment.

"My intention (of taking this program) is to fill holes in my work experience such as regulatory affairs and clinical development, so that I can move into a director of quality position in the future," wrote Michael N. Morad, a graduate student of the program and an employee of Abbott, in an e-mail. "As I have looked at potential programs for the past two years, I have not found anything like this one and I am very excited to be a part of it."

Morad said program materials have been practical and very applicable to his current work experiences.

"I was surprised how much I learned in this course despite my seven-plus years of management experience," he said. "I am sure those who graduate from this program will be highly sought after in the biotech industry."

Austin Wu, a graduate student of the program and a system scientist of BD Biosciences, wrote in an e-mail that the program has been challenging for him, being a full-time worker and a graduate student.

"We all work full-time jobs, and it is tiring to have class until 10 p.m. at night," he said. "However it is very fulfilling. … I feel there is good balance of classes pertaining to our particular industry with a mix of business schooling necessary for corporate management." he added.

The program will begin in the fall of each academic year, and the master of medical product development management will soon start accepting applications for the Fall 2009 semester, Crothers said. The scholarship grants from Abbott have not been awarded to any students yet, Crothers said, but they would be granted to students who meet requirements and financial status.

"We encourage SJSU students who are seeking medical science/engineering-related careers in the Bay Area to look seriously into this graduate program," Crothers said.

Abbott is an international health care company dedicated to advance medical science, inventing new medicines, medical technologies and news ways for health management.