Iliana Bustamante

Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate
Iliana Bustamante

Hometown: Tucson, AZ
 

Why did you choose to get your PharmD Degree?

It was the natural progression for me, after pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science, to pursue my PharmD degree. I enjoyed the topics of pharmacy I covered in undergrad and wanted to further expand my pharmacy knowledge and provide help to others as well. 
 

 

Why did you choose the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy?

I chose the College of Pharmacy because it is one of the top pharmacy schools in the country in terms of NIH funding as well as because I was familiar with the professors from my undergrad and I love the U of A as well due to growing up with the college practically in my backyard. 
 

 

What are you most excited about in the versatile WORLD of Pharmacy?

I am most excited for the different aspects of pharmacy that are open for me to pursue, such as working in the hospital within a specialized field to working in a compounding pharmacy and helping create medications for people in house. I am excited to see where the future takes me and which field I will end up in within the larger world of pharmacy. 

 

What are your career interests?

I am currently most interested in pursuing hospital pharmacy, with the goal of entering a residency following the completion of my PharmD. I aim to work in oncology pharmacy or pediatric pharmacy and to help directly aid these specific populations in the future. 

 

What advice would you give to a prospective PharmD student?

A piece of advice I would give a prospective PharmD student is not to overwhelm yourself when entering your graduate studies. It is very easy to make things harder or more complicated for yourself when entering your graduate career, so take a deep breath and try not to overcomplicate the simple things. 

 

On and off-campus involvement

  • UA Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) 08/2024-Present Member
  • UA International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF) 08/2024-Present Member
    Summer Pharmacy Experience Abroad via IPSF - gained valuable knowledge in pharmacy education and practice in the Japanese culture
  • National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA) 08/2024-Present Member and Director of Social Media and Communications
  • National Hispanic Pharmacists Association 08/2024-Present Member
  • Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists (SSHP) 08/2024-Present Member
  • Kappa Psi-Gamma Upsilon 08/2024-Present Member