A lifelong student of a Torrance, CA Catholic school, Lisa Akrabian began her college application process with her love of science and desire to stay connected to her friends and family guiding her decision making.
“Throughout my high school, middle school, elementary school, and preschool years, I attended a Catholic school with a very tight-knit community. I am still friends with some of the individuals I met in preschool!” she said. “In high school, I developed a strong passion for the sciences. My science teachers practiced a hands-on approach, which captured my interest and made me want to learn as much as I could. Specifically, chemistry was the class that I would look forward to the most.”
Akrabian chose to continue her education at nearby UC Irvine, which offered a proximity to her hometown that allowed her to maintain her relationships and commute to campus while providing a taste of independence and new experiences.
“UCI is known for its academics and opportunities for students,” she said. “The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program and the incredible professors here made UCI an obvious choice for me.”
Currently, Lisa Akrabian is a third-year undergraduate student in the UCI School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and an intern at Cloudbreak Pharma in Irvine. Initially securing a six-month contract with the company in 2023, her performance led to an extension, and she has now been with Cloudbreak Pharma for over a year.
As an intern with the pharmaceutical company, she assists their Chief Patent Officer, Project Manager, and Chief Operations Officer on various projects in the process of patenting and approving ocular drugs (Cloudbreak Pharma’s focus). She recently had the opportunity to travel with her team to Boston and represent Cloudbreak at an ophthalmology conference.
In addition to her studies and work with Cloudbreak, Akrabian commits a significant amount of time to student organizations. She tutors students in chemistry as part of Peers Under Pharmaceutical Sciences (PUPS) and is a member of the Pre-Pharmacy Society and Armenian Students Association, as well as the treasurer of the Lebanese Social Club.
“Being on the board of the Lebanese Social Club has allowed me to connect with my culture and strengthen my leadership and management skills. There is a lot of work in planning and carrying out events, and I have been fortunate to be part of the team that makes the events come to life,” she said. “Additionally, being a part of the Pre-Pharmacy Society has been helpful in gaining an understanding of the various paths and opportunities available in pharmacy.”
With a similar goal of looking into the breadth of career options that a pharmacy education offers, Akrabian recently participated in the KGI Pre-Pharmacy Enrichment Program, which featured presentations from pharmacy professionals who work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, retail, hospitals, ambulatory care, and more. The speakers provided students with real-world examples of career pathways available to those with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, which Akrabian plans to pursue following graduation. Eventually, she hopes to earn an MBA as well, expanding on the business management minor she is currently earning in addition to her BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
“I am so thankful for my internship, as it has presented me with new skills and opportunities that I would not have received otherwise,” she shared. “It has allowed me to apply the practical knowledge I learned in class to my work and develop a better understanding of the industry.”
