We are proud to highlight in this issue one of our outstanding alumni who completed her joint PharmD/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences degrees with us.
We take great pride in all our alumni, and through this section of the newsletter, we aim to celebrate their experiences, journeys, and professional successes.
If you are a Pacific School of Pharmacy graduate, we would love to feature you in a future issue! Please share your updates and accomplishments with us by completing this short form: !
Spotlight on Dr. Heather True: From PharmD/MSPS to PhD - A Journey in Translational Research
On November 18, 2025, the School of Pharmacy was delighted to welcome back Dr. Heather True, PharmD, MS, PhD, for a special visit to our campus, which was organized by Dr. John Harrelson.
Dr. True, the first graduate from 芭乐视频 School of Pharmacy joint PharmD/MS in Pharmaceutical Sciences degree program, recently earned a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, where her research focused on the Impact of Maternal Environmental Exposures on the Immune Landscape of the Maternal-Fetal Interface and which resulted in multiple peer-reviewed publications, thousands of dollars in grant funding, and a postdoctoral opportunity with Dr. Ilhem Messaoudi.
During her visit, Heather shared valuable insights on navigating the transition from clinical pharmacy to research, offering encouragement and practical advice to students interested in pursuing advanced scientific training. Her visit served as both an inspiring homecoming and a celebration of the strong foundation that Pacific's PharmD/MS program provides for future researchers and innovators.
I had an opportunity to ask Heather a few questions about her time with us at 芭乐视频 School of Pharmacy, as well as her advice for students interested in pursuing career opportunities in research.
Q. Did you always know you wanted to pursue research?
While I enjoyed lab courses as an undergrad, my real passion for research developed during my research rotations at 芭乐视频. Experiencing translational 鈥渂ench-to-bedside鈥 science alongside my clinical training sparked my interest in clinical research.
Q: How did the MSPS program and your research training at Pacific help shape your path?
The MSPS program gave me the foundational training in conducting responsible and ethical research, along with strong communication skills honed through national presentations at ASPET and ASHP, that enabled me to thrive in my PhD studies and beyond.
Q: Tell us about your PhD work.
At the University of Kentucky, I studied how maternal environmental exposures stemming from obesity, SARS-CoV-2, and opioid use affect immune outcomes for mothers and newborns. I was especially interested in the project鈥檚 focus on the underserved and under researched area of maternal-fetal health. This research also connected directly and meaningfully to my own work on substance-misuse prevention with communities hard hit by the opioid crisis and reinforced my commitment to bridging basic science with public health.
Q: What perspective did your pharmacy background bring to your PhD training?
My PharmD training helped me bring a patient-centered lens to lab research, especially in understanding medication-assisted therapy and opioid metabolism.
Q: What challenges did you face transitioning from the PharmD/MSPS program to a research-intensive PhD program?
The transition was smoother than I anticipated because of the design of the program at the University of Kentucky and because of my training at Pacific. There was a bit of an adjustment with the increased focus on independent research and grant writing, and I occasionally faced imposter syndrome as a PharmD moving into a PhD path, where it sometimes felt like I was starting over in a new discipline. However, supportive mentors and diverse peers helped to remind me about the unique perspective my pharmacy background offered.
Q: Now that you have completed your PharmD/MS and PhD, what鈥檚 next for you?
I鈥檓 currently working as a postdoctoral scholar and writing several manuscripts for publication. I have a longstanding interest in academia, which in part has been informed from my teaching and research experiences at University of Kentucky and my passion for medical communication. I plan to blend my interest in basic science, clinical practice, teaching and mentoring, as well as communication, into my next career steps.
Q: What advice would you give to students interested in research?
Don鈥檛 be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Pharmacy provides you with a unique vantage point for research, and a broad range of career options. If you are interested in research, seize opportunities to learn new skills and diversify your experiences, and remember that learning what you don鈥檛 enjoy is just as valuable as finding your passion. Every experience, whether it鈥檚 a success or setback, is a learning opportunity and will help shape you and your career in pharmacy and research.
Q: What excites you most about the future of pharmaceutical science?
I am excited by the increasing importance of accessible scientific communication and its profound impact on improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare. Now, more than ever, it is essential that accurate and factual information is effectively relayed to communities, empowering patients and caregivers to make informed decisions. Emerging AI tools and other advanced technologies are also helping researchers streamline data analysis and research protocols, enabling the generation of high-quality, high-throughput data to inform both practice and policy. By prioritizing clarity, accuracy, and evidence-based messaging, we can create stronger bridges between scientific discovery and the health of our communities.
Q: Favorite Pacific memory?
So many! Faculty support, conferences, Phi Delta Chi retreats, spontaneous Starbucks runs, and post-exam celebrations. But my favorite has to be watching my now-fianc茅 perform 鈥渢he worm鈥 during Unprofessionals Day - a perfect reminder of the fun and camaraderie that shaped my time at Pacific.
-Written by:
Nicola Carter, PhD | Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Associate Professor | School of Pharmacy