Pharmacy Student Credits St. John’s for His Success

Fifth-year Pharm.D. candidate Joshua Fleishman came to St. John’s University for many reasons: he wanted to attend a school known for excellence both in pharmacy and the liberal arts; a native of Brooklyn and Long Island, NY, he wanted to stay close to his family; and he loved the diversity he found at the Queens, NY, campus.

“I felt very much at home here, and I knew that on top of receiving a proper scientific education, I would have an excellent grounding in the liberal arts, which I believe is essential,” Joshua recently recalled.

He chose pharmacy for two reasons. An inquisitive child, Joshua always wondered how and why things worked. “Pharmacy allowed me to answer the fascinating questions as to how and why the body works, and how drugs exert their effects.”

Fascinated by the physical sciences, such as chemistry and physics, he wanted to study a science which at its heart, was physical. “Pharmacy is overwhelmingly practical, whether that be from the clinical side or on the industrial side. COVID-19 showed the real-world impact of both. It is through the ingenuity of the pharmaceutical industry that we have safe and effective vaccinations—which could only be distributed in a patient-centered manner through the role of a clinical pharmacist.”

Joshua quickly realized he belonged at St. John’s. “Since my first day of class, I have been exposed to the professionalism, scientific integrity, depth, and moral character necessary to become a successful pharmacist who does everything in their power to maximize patient care,” he stressed.

“St. John’s has a beautiful campus, which is convenient to Manhattan, but besides the beautiful aesthetics and proximity to much of my industry, what fostered my love for the institution was the people who inhabit it. My classmates, friends, professors, the administration, and my brothers within Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Inc. are the people who truly make St. John’s an incredible place.”

Joshua credited three faculty members as great mentors: Sunil Kumar ’09GP, ’14Ph.D., Assistant Professor/Industry Professional, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Tanaji Talele, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences; and Rajesh Nayak, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pharmacy Administration and Public Health.

“Dr. Kumar repeatedly inspires me to think outside the box,” Joshua noted. “Working with him has shown me the importance of generating new and creative ideas. Although science is stereotyped as being cold and factual, Dr. Kumar has taught me that, viewed through the correct lens, science can be as creative as any other art. A scientist’s ability to perform is exactly the same as an artist’s ability to create art: you need passion, curiosity, and enthusiasm.”

Dr. Talele, Joshua said, places a high value on two words: rationale and expectation. “Whether you talk about the chemical process of medicinal chemistry for drug development, laboratory procedures, or manuscript writing, possessing a clear understanding about why things are done and anticipating what people will ask prepares you for success.”

Joshua added that Dr. Nayak consistently forces him to question his assumptions. “Every unconscious assumption you make reduces the space of ideas you can have. If you limit your unconscious assumptions, or provide reasoning for them, the quality, extent, and novelty of your work expands rapidly.”

The diversity of the St. John’s campus community invigorates Joshua’s student experience. “You meet people from so many different walks of life who truly give you a new perspective on how you view the world. The fact we are all united by the Vincentian mission of St. John’s also truly separates us from other schools.”

After graduation, Joshua plans to enter the field of drug discovery and development. In addition to his studies, he currently works part-time at Stellate Therapeutics, Inc., an international biotechnology company focused on the use of small molecules to treat neurodegenerative disorders.

“My St. John’s education and my employment at Stellate have shown me how fascinating the field can be, and how every step from discovery and development to US Food and Drug Administration approval is crucial. My goal is to contribute to the discovery, development, and approval of novel therapeutics that can help individuals live longer and healthier lives.”

Reflecting on his five-year journey, Joshua said he wouldn’t be who he is today without St. John’s. “Over the years as I have gained proficiency, matured into who I am, and slowly become a professional, I am so thankful for the excellent guidance I was given by the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and St. John’s.”