Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 7/1/2024 12:00:00 AM
Parsshava Mehta, PharmD, Graduate Assistant, University of Florida, Orlando, Florida
What was your favorite part of attending the annual meeting?
ASCPT 2024 was my first ASCPT conference. It was an excellent conference, attending as a Presidential Trainee Awardee was the icing on the cake. The Meeting helped me interact with clinical pharmacologists and other pharmacometricians. The best part of the Meeting was my poster presentation. I got some great constructive feedback from other fellow attendees. This feedback will help make my research better and more industry-focused. Because of the diverse backgrounds of my fellow attendees, I enjoyed the networking and discussion opportunities that came along at the dinner table.
How did your experience as a presidential trainee benefit you?
I vividly remember feeling ecstatic when I first read the email informing me that I had received the Presidential Trainee Award. The excitement stayed with me throughout the day, making it difficult to focus on my work. It has been very exciting to see how ASCPT recognizes trainees for their efforts, and it encourages us to think bigger and better. The award is a testament to the hard work put in by all of our team. Additionally, it has also opened doors to future career opportunities and gives me a competitive edge. I am pleased to be a member of this organization, especially because it offers access to conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities that will advance my professional development.
When you are not working, how do you spend your free time?
In my free time, I love to play the drums and annoy people. While I may have joked about annoying people, I do not actually use my drum set for that purpose! I find the rhythmic complexity and physicality of drumming to be both challenging and rewarding. My enthusiasm for playing does come with its challenges. When I practice more frequently, especially before exams, the loud noises can be tough for my family and neighbors to handle. I am grateful that despite the volume, my family has been understanding so far. I have decided to switch to an electric drum kit soon to avoid causing further disturbance. Playing music is a fantastic way to spend my free time and helps me open my mind to new rhythmic concepts and ideas.
How do you stay focused and motivated?
Staying motivated and focused every day can be a real challenge, but I firmly believe in the adage “slowly but surely.” I strive to maintain my focus every day and to move forward by learning something new, even if it is not directly related to my profession. My mentor, Dr. Valvanera Vozmediano, provides me with a positive source of support every day. Having a strong support system like this is crucial for achieving bigger and better results in life. In addition, I recently enrolled in a course called “Inner Engineering.” This course has taught me how to maintain my focus through deep breathing exercises, which have been incredibly beneficial in helping me stay centered and focused on my goals.
Dr. Mehta has been a member of ASCPT since 2021.
