Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 2/1/2025 12:00:00 AM
Mohamed Elmeliegy, MBA, PhD, Director-Clinical Pharmacology, Pfizer, Trabuco Canyon, CA
What does being the life cycle management (LCM) community vice chair mean to you and what are you looking to achieve in this role?
Being involved in ASCPT Communities is both a tremendous honor and a significant responsibility. Life cycle management is an important aspect of drug development, encompassing a wide scope of topics including expanding indication, pediatric development, improving formulations, route of administration, and dosing regimens, with the goal of increasing market access, improving compliance, and enhancing patient outcomes. Being the Vice Chair provides a unique opportunity to help shape the conversation around these pivotal topics and contribute to the growth of the community. I am excited about engaging with members of our Community to optimize drug development and look forward to supporting initiatives that further enhance the visibility and impact of LCM within ASCPT and the broader scientific community.
What is the most important leadership lesson you have learned the hard way?
The art of delegation. Early in my career, I used to be a “Yes man,” agreeing to and accepting all tasks. It was an approach that became unsustainable. Determined to maintain a passion for learning while achieving a healthier work-life balance, I evolved into a model of strategic delegation. This shift allowed me to continue my scientific pursuits and enabled me to mentor and work with talented colleagues who have greater bandwidth. Through this experience, I discovered that effective leadership involves more than just managing tasks; it requires empowering my team, supporting their development, and fostering an environment that enables them to reach their maximum potential.
Who has inspired you in your career?
Throughout my career, many leaders who combine vision with empathy have inspired me. One person I would like to specifically mention is Alan Forrest, PharmD, one of my dear professors at the University of Buffalo, who passed away in 2018. Alan's generous nature, boundless energy, passion for science, and love for his students deeply impacted me. I learned from Alan not only as a professor but also on a personal level. He is dearly missed by all his students and mentees.
Dr. Elmeliegy has been a member of ASCPT since 2017.
