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Elective Rotations

How far will you take healthcare? ACPHS students have pursued Pharm.D. rotations in Switzerland, China, Japan (Maruzen Pharmaceuticals and Showa University), and Brazil. Read more below. 

Program Overview
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Credits: 12 week Double Elective Rotation
Preceptors: Dr.  Kevin Hickey (ACPHS) & Dr. Jürgen Muser
Program Fee: Varies (Participants’ only costs are airfare, food, and excursions outside Basel) 
Travel Dates: 12 weeks beginning in May

Program Highlights
Research
You will devote roughly 75% of your time to your research project, highlights include:
> Training in the “pharmaceutical capital of the world,” Basel, Switzerland
> Conducting research at either the University Hospital or Bruderholz Hospital
> Presenting and potentially publishing your findings

Pharmaceutical Outings
You will expand your knowledge of pharmacy by devoting roughly 25% of your time to pharmacy related outings such as:
> Touring the Pharmacy History Museum
> Visiting the Medical Heroin Clinic (JANUS) 
> Engaging in independent community, hospital, and homeopathic/plant-based pharmacy practice
> Spending time at some of Basel’s allopathic, homeopathic, and plant based pharmaceutical research & development companies

Excursions
Substantial time to explore Europe will be built into your schedule. In addition to the Alps, the following major cities are easily accessible:
> Amsterdam
> Barcelona
> Berlin
> Florence
> Munich
> Paris
> Rome
> Vienna

Program Overview
Location: Shanghai, China
Credits: 6 or 12 week Elective Rotation
Preceptors: Dr. HaiAn Zheng (ACPHS) & Dr. WeiMin Cai
Program Fee: Approximately $3,000 - $4,000 (includes housing, food, airfare, and some excursions) 
Travel Dates: 6 or 12 weeks beginning in May

Program Highlights
From attending classes and research programs at Fudan University’s world renown School of Pharmacy to working at Shanghai’s top hospitals, your time in China will help you develop into a multi-faceted healthcare professional by: 

School of Pharmacy
> Observing Pharmacogenomics Research
> Touring the Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum
> Visiting global and local companies in “Pharma Valley”

Hospital Pharmacy
> Practicing compounding, production, and sterile product preparation
> Assisting with inpatient, outpatient, and ICU
> Participating in clinical pharmacy and collaborative patient care
> Learning about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TMC)
> Working at top medical centers such as ZhongShan and HuaShan hospitals as well as Cancer and Children's specialty hospitals

Program Overview
Location: Hiroshima, Japan
Credits: 6 week Elective Rotation 
Preceptor: Dr. Ray Chandrasekara (ACPHS)
Program Fee: Approximately $2,600 (includes housing, food, airfare, and some excursions) 
Travel Dates: 6 weeks beginning in June

Program Highlights
During your time in Japan you will work at Maruzen Pharmaceuticals, a top pharmaceutical company where you will further your personal and professional development by: 
> Performing lab work with natural plant extracts
> Meeting with Maruzen officials at the company headquarters
> Building relationships with coworkers
> Immersing yourself in the Japanese lifestyle by traveling, sightseeing and attending social outings

Program Overview 
Location: Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
Credits: 6 week Elective Rotation
Preceptor: Dr. Ray Chandrasekara (ACPHS)
Program Fee: Approximately $2,600 (ncludes housing, food, airfare, and some excursions) 
Travel Dates: 6 weeks beginning in June

Program Highlights
Your time at Showa University will expand your knowledge of Japanese culture, lifestyle and healthcare by: 
> Attending classes, labs and lectures
> Building relationships with local students
> Practicing language skills with classmates in “English salons”
> Immersing yourself in the Japanese lifestyle by traveling, sightseeing and attending social outings with Japanese students

Research Activities
> Learning and performing techniques to characterize delivery systems such as microscopy (fluorescence, confocal, polarized light), small angle X-ray diffraction, particle size analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and rheological behavior
> Evaluating the delivery of siRNA to the skin and mucosa (buccal and ocular) using analytical techniques, in vitro and in vivo assays
> Analyzing and discussing relevant manuscripts

Specific Research Activities
> Fluorescence and polarized light microscopy
> Particle size analysis
> In vitro and in vivo characterization and evaluation of nanotechnology-based delivery systems

Natural Product Research
> Isolation and structural elucidation of compounds
> Synthesis
> Evaluation of pharmacological activity
> Application of mass spectrometry to identification and kinetics of metabolites of natural products