Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 3/1/2023 12:00:00 AM

Nihal M. El Rouby, PharmD, PhD, Pharmacist/Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, St Elizabeth Healthcare, KY

What is it like being an Editor-in-Training for Clinical and Translational Science?
It is such a great opportunity to learn the responsibilities of an editor and to be at the back end of a paper publishing process. It feels great to stretch your horizon and to be a part of the decision-making process of a paper. It also comes with a great responsibility as you need to ensure the robustness and rigor of the science.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am proud of becoming an independent Clinician–Scientist. I am also very proud to see a rapid growth of the clinical practice of pharmacogenetics at St. Elizabeth Hospital, in multiple areas including oncology, primary care, and cardiovascular. I am especially proud that I was selected as an Editor-in-Training for Clinical and Translational Science.

What is the most important leadership lesson you have learned the hard way?
There is not a specific lesson that I have learned the hard way, but I have learned that being transparent, realistic, and clear about the expectations of your team/mentees are important aspects of being a good leader.

Who has inspired you in your career?
Julie A. Johnson, PharmD, has been my career inspiration since I was working toward my PhD.

What has been the greatest challenge in your career?
Fine-tuning my responsibilities to keep the right balance has always been my greatest challenge. As a junior faculty member and a clinician, I am eager to take on all the opportunities presented to me, which I think is very important for one's growth. I am also practicing dividing my efforts so that my responsibilities are not compromised in other areas.

Do you have a favorite tip or trick for clinical practice or research that you want to share with fellow members?
For clinical practice, if you wish to implement a new clinical practice or introduce a new change my tips to my fellow members are: (1) align your goals with the leader's goals in your institution; (2) be patient, because changes take time to happen; (3) make sure to present data that show the clinical impact, keep the momentum, and convert the naysayers. For research, my tips are: (1) persevere; (2) stay after your plans but also be willing to adapt when challenges arise; and (3) reach out to collaborators and experts who align with your research.

When you are not working, how do you spend your free time?
I like to read and watch TV when I am not working.

What's one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am quite an environmental activist. For this reason, I try to take little steps to preserve the environment, one of which was becoming vegetarian. 

 

Dr. El Rouby has been a member of ASCPT since 2016.