PIER Team

PittPharmacy PIER is led by a team of determined student pharmacists and faculty.

Meet the Student Coordinators

Head Program Coordinator

Evan Fink

Evan Fink is the PIER Head Program Coordinator for the 2023 programs. Evan is a PIER alum and a P2 student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.  Evan serves as the vice president-elect of interprofessionalism for APhA-ASP,  corresponding secretary and professional development chair for Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity inc., business manager for the Queer Pharmacy Alliance, business manager for the health sciences interprofessional student board, and he works as a student pharmacist for UPMC. Outside of pharmacy, Evan enjoys cooking, fermentation cultures, and playing tennis.

Mentor Coordinator

Roma Usgoankar

Roma Usgoankar is the PIER Mentor Coordinator for the 2023 programs. Roma participated in PIER both as a student as a mentor and is a current second year student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Roma serves as the President of the International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, Inc and Recording Secretary for Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Inc. Her pharmacy interests include industry, regulatory affairs, and health economics and outcomes research. In her free time, she likes dancing, listening to movies, and watching horror movies.

Curriculum Coordinator

Joy Cao

Joy Cao is a second-year student pharmacist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. She has been part of PIER for three years and is currently the curriculum coordinator. In addition, Joy holds leadership positions in SCCP and AMCP and works part time as a hospital intern. Outside of pharmacy, Joy enjoys photography, exercising, and hiking.

Public Relations Coordinator

Sydney Muhando

Sydney Muhando is a second year pharmacy student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. She was a participant of the PIER program back in 2020 and is now the Public Relations Coordinator. She is also a member of SASP. Was a former member of the University of Pittsburgh Women’s Track & Field Program. Outside of pharmacy, Sydney enjoys shopping, exercising, and listening to music.

Meet the Faculty

Dr. Christian Fernandez, PhD

Dr. Christian Fernandez is an Assistant Professor at Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and a member of the Center for Pharmacogenetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy, and he completed his postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Mary Relling at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Dr. Ravi Patel, PharmD

Dr. Ravi Patel is an Assistant Professor and Lead Innovation Advisor at the Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. He also received his PharmD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy.