Gilead Sciences to Support ISPE Foundation’s Student Grant Program to Further Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Pharmaceutical Engineering
The ISPE Foundation is pleased to announce support from Gilead Sciences for its Student Grant Program that will provide transformational opportunities to students. The program will provide financial support for students to attend the 2023 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo in Las Vegas, fostering industry access and professional development opportunities.
The ISPE Foundation is proud to announce the expansion of a transformative Student Grant Program, due to generous support by Gilead Sciences. The Foundation’s Student Grant Program is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the pharmaceutical industry by providing financial support for approximately 25 students focused in STEM to attend the prestigious 2023 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo, scheduled to take place 15-18 October in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The support from Gilead Sciences further broadens the Foundation’s ability to promote diversity in the pharmaceutical industry, and further enables ISPE’s efforts to build the pharmaceutical industry workforce of the future.
With Gilead Sciences being the major supporter, the ISPE Foundation’s Student Grant Program will cover travel expenses and an in-person, all-access conference experience for selected students, enabling them to immerse themselves in the latest advancements, cutting-edge technologies, and industry best practices shared during the 2023 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo. Furthermore, the grant recipients will benefit from an exclusive onsite orientation program, facilitating their engagement and maximizing their networking opportunities. As part of this exceptional opportunity, each student will also receive a two-year membership to ISPE, further nurturing their professional growth within the pharmaceutical industry.
The Student Grant Program holds a special significance as an important DEI initiative for both the ISPE Foundation and Gilead Sciences. By specifically targeting minority students and those from underrepresented populations in the pharmaceutical industry, the program aims to break down barriers, expand access to opportunities, and create a more inclusive and equitable future for the next generation of pharmaceutical professionals.
In expressing his support for this initiative, Joydeep Ganguly, Senior Vice President, Corporate Operations at Gilead Sciences, shared, "Gilead Sciences is dedicated to fostering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive pharmaceutical industry. We believe that initiatives like the ISPE Foundation's Student Grant Program are crucial in empowering underrepresented students to pursue careers in pharmaceutical engineering. By investing in their education and professional development, we are creating pathways for future leaders who will contribute to the advancement of innovative solutions that bring transformational medicines to patients worldwide."
Antonio Moreira, PhD, Chair of the ISPE Foundation Board, expressed gratitude for Gilead Sciences' contribution, stating, "We are immensely grateful to Gilead Sciences for their generous support and unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This Student Grant Program represents a significant step toward building a more inclusive industry, where all individuals have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute their unique perspectives for ultimate benefit of the patient population. We firmly believe that diverse voices and experiences are catalysts for innovation and progress. Through this program, we are not only investing in the future of the students but also cultivating a more vibrant and diverse community of pharmaceutical industry professionals."
The ISPE Foundation and Gilead Sciences remain steadfast in their commitment to advancing DEI in the pharmaceutical industry. By collaborating on initiatives such as this Student Grant Program and ISPE Foundation’s Technology Without Borders Program, both organizations are dedicated to creating an environment that champions diversity, fosters inclusivity, and ultimately leads to groundbreaking advancements that positively impact patients worldwide.
Students interested in applying for a Student Grant are encouraged to do so on the ISPE website. The ISPE Foundation is actively seeking additional support for the Student Grant Program; to learn more, please contact Tori Johnson, Director, Development and Foundation Operations.
About the ISPE Foundation
The ISPE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of ISPE International, is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that supports ISPE’s interests across the globe. The ISPE Foundation is supported by an International Board of Directors and a global staff of association professionals and advisers under the leadership of Board Chair Dr. Antonio Moreira and ISPE’s President & CEO, Thomas Hartman. As an indication of their level of commitment, 100% of Board Members have contributed donations to support Foundation initiatives. Funded by the generosity of our donors, the Foundation champions programs that create opportunity, diversity, and success within the global pharmaceutical industry.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
Gilead has promoted equity, particularly healthcare equity since the company brought its first therapies to the market. Through global partnerships, Gilead’s medicines today reach millions of people in low- and middle-income countries around the world. In the United States, Gilead has committed more than $100 million over 10 years through the COMPASS Initiative® to community organizations that are working to combat HIV in the U.S. South. In 2020, Gilead launched the Racial Equity Community Impact Fund to support organizations tackling racial inequities affecting Black communities across the United States.
