Long Island University is located in the New York metropolitan area, with a network of more than 285,000 alumni, including industry leaders and entrepreneurs from across the world. Founded in 1926, the University continues to redefine higher education and develops innovative academic programs to meet the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical industry in the 21st century.
LIU serves as a leading institution in the sciences. The University continues to achieve global prominence in research and is ranked in the top 7 percent of universities in the United States by The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education for its high research activity.
Long Island University’s transformation has been recognized by global biomedical and pharmaceutical leaders. Fortune Future 50 company Dassault Systèmes recently designated LIU as the world’s first Center of Excellence in Life Science, advancing precision medicine in the digital age using virtual reality, artificial intelligence and 3D engineering. The University also partners with leading companies to host prominent events on campus, attracting leading scientists, medical professionals and pharmacists from around the world to discuss the latest advancements made in regenerative medicine.
The University’s commitment to transformative research and the applied sciences is embedded in its long-standing history. Long Island University’s Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is the New York metropolitan region’s first pharmacy school. More than 20,000 alumni have graduated from the program, attaining successful careers in the pharmacy and in healthcare industries.
Dr. Arash Dabestani, Dean of LIU Pharmacy, connected with The Knowledge Review on The Prime Pharmacy College in the USA, 2023.
In an exclusive conversation, Dean Dabestani takes us through the history of the College and its programming, detailing how Long Island University is one of the premier pharmacy colleges in the world.
The Genesis Story of a Prime Institute of Pharmacy
After the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge was completed, a pioneering group of pharmacists and physicians founded the Kings County Pharmaceutical Society, which established ‘The Brooklyn College of Pharmacy’ in 1886. Formal courses were first held in 1891, attracting aspiring pharmacists.
With its prestigious reputation driving enrollment, the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy affiliated with LIU, one of the largest independent universities in the United States. In 1976, the College was renamed in honor of philanthropic couple Arnold and Marie Schwartz.
After 136 years in operation, LIU Pharmacy continues to draw students from around the world, preparing them for successful careers in an evolving pharmaceutical industry.
Located on Long Island University’s Downtown Brooklyn campus, the College attracts a diverse global student population of students who are eager to pursue diverse career paths in pharmacy and related fields.
Pioneer of Pharmacy Education
One of the first pharmacy schools in New York State and in the country, the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has been a pioneer in pharmacy education. A few of LIU Pharmacy’s accolades include:
- First Radioisotope Laboratory in a New York State college.
- First College of Pharmacy in the United States to participate in the African Scholarship Program
- First M.S. graduate program in New York State for Pharmacy.
- First M.S. in Drug Regulatory Affairs graduate program in the United States.
Educate, Lead and Serve
LIU Pharmacy is on a visionary mission to educate, lead and serve. According to Dean Dabestani,
“Our vision is to achieve preeminence in pharmacy education, research, and service through our commitments to:
- Embrace, educate, and empower individuals who seek to become pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists;
- Lead and advance the profession of Pharmacy and the pharmaceutical sciences through innovative practice, research, and teaching and learning;
- Serve the greater community by utilizing our academic disciplines as avenues for dialogue and creation with the world outside.”
Further explaining how the College advances through its dedication to achieving its goal, Dean Dabestani highlights the following objectives:
- Create a supportive and nurturing environment that allows each student to succeed and flourish professionally.
- Develop analytically strong and empathetic new pharmacists that practice evidence-based Pharmacy utilizing an interprofessional approach to patient-centered care and improved public health.
- Prepare graduate students for teaching, research, and other careers in academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and regulatory agencies.
- Provide academic, professional, and co-curricular opportunities to empower students as intellectually vigorous life-long learners.
- Develop professionals and scientists with inquisitive minds who seek to advance the relevant body of knowledge through research and other scholarly pursuits.
- Foster the service of faculty, staff, and students towards innovation in practice; advancement in basic, clinical, and translational sciences; application of new educational strategies; and engagement of other health care professionals across the disciplines.
- Provide high-quality opportunities for continuing professional development to pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, pharmacy technicians, as well as our faculty, staff, and preceptors.
Programs of Study Offered by LIU Pharmacy
- Doctor of Pharmacy
- Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration
- BPS in Pharmaceutical Studies
- D. in Pharmaceutics
- MS in Pharmaceutics with Specialization in Industrial Pharmacy
- MS in Pharmaceutics with Specialization in Cosmetic Sciences
- MS in Pharmacology and Toxicology
- MS in Drug Regulatory Affairs
- S. in Pharmacy Administration
- MS Artificial Intelligence
Research Institutes at LIU Pharmacy
- The Lachman Institute for Pharmaceutical Analysis supports faculty research, encourages graduate school training, and offers a space for industry-supported research to further the institution’s educational and scientific goals.
- The Natoli Engineering Institute for Industrial Pharmacy Development and Research brings together academic researchers and industrial scientists to carry out important studies and training on topics relating to solid dosage forms and equipment.
A Transformational Leader
Under Dean Dabestani’s leadership, the College has transformed to national prominence through its technologically advanced laboratories and research facilities.
Before joining LIU Pharmacy, Dean Dabestani served as a Senior Director of Pharmacy at New York University Langone. He is also a fellow at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
Dedicated Curriculum for Experimentation and Exploration
The University has developed and enhanced its curriculum in a manner that keeps students engaged in topics related to pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Explaining the opportunities that the students harvest from this unique curriculum, Dean Dabestani says, “Opportunities for shared credit programs related to drug development include an MS in Drug Regulatory Affairs, MS Pharmacy Administration, MS in Pharmaceutics: Cosmetics Sciences, MS in Pharmaceutics: Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmacy Leadership.”
“Research opportunities are available through the Division of Pharmaceutical who wish to explore the drug development sector further.”
LIU Pharmacy also emphasizes a special importance on service units. Dean Dabestani notes, “By offering live and online continuing professional education (CPE) events, the Department of Continuing Professional Education at LIU Pharmacy assists pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in enhancing their continued professional growth. We provide convenient New York City metro area venues for our live, in-person CPE programs. Participating in these live programs allows professionals to advance their educational growth while also providing worthwhile networking opportunities. They may access our web-based CPE activities whenever they need them and from any location. These exercises cover a wide range of subjects and are intended to be completed at their own pace and leisure.”
Developing Passive Skills for Holistic Development
LIU Pharmacy emphasizes practical and hands-on experience in the field in addition to instruction and experiential practices in a classroom environment.
The College’s curriculum allows students to explore opportunities and participate in community programs, allowing them to work alongside practicing healthcare professionals.
Further asserting the intricacies of the co-curriculum, Dean Dabestani says, “The co-curricular program also allows students to track their own personal and professional development, utilizing a portfolio under the guidance of a mentor. The portfolio specifically allows the documentation of students‘ progressive achievement of the competencies throughout the curriculum, co-curriculum, and practice experiences. Portfolios also allow for student self-assessment and reflection of the educational outcomes.”
In view of developing the skills of the students and adhering to successful careers, the program focuses on various educational outcomes, including cultural sensitivity, self-awareness, leadership, innovation, and professionalism.
Highlighting some of the opportunities offered through the LIU Pharmacy program, Dean. Dabestani says, “Some of these opportunities include joining one of our professional student organizations, outreach, and professional development programs. Examples of the outreach that has taken place include providing disease state and medication education to seniors of the NYC Department of Aging, health and wellness presentations to incarcerated populations of NYC correctional facilities, student-run general medicine clinics serving the uninsured, diversity book clubs and professional development programs related to racial inequity in health care, meetings with local legislative representatives to discuss pharmacy related issues, fundraisers to support local or national organizations and community health care screenings and vaccination clinics.”
Creating the Leaders of Tomorrow
The University believes that tomorrow’s pharmacy leaders will build a healthier future for the global community. Dean Dabestani says, “At LIU Pharmacy, we strive to instill leadership skills in our students through participation in the 30+ pharmacy student organizations, our Student Leadership Training Workshop Series, and participation in Professional Development Programs.”
Offering a Global Exposure
As a leading institution, LIU Pharmacy provides its students with opportunities to have a global perspective on the pharmaceutical and healthcare systems. The College offers a study abroad experience in 15 countries. Talking about this global program, Dean Dabestani says, “We also offer a Global Health didactic elective and have a very active student organization dedicated to global health initiatives and awareness across the campus (iGIVE).”
Regarding the global courses offered by LIU Pharmacy, Dr. Dabestani says, “The Global Health Elective Course is a discussion-based course which prepares students to be global citizens and to meet the challenges of delivering effective health care worldwide. A global citizen is someone who identifies as part of an emerging world community and whose actions contribute to building this community’s values and practices. This course explores the forces and interventions which have helped shape the world’s current health, as well as the dynamic between health professionals when working together to address global health issues.”
Changing and Updating with the Current World
With advancements in technology and the life sciences, the world of pharmacy is changing fast.
These changes have altered the industry’s approach by shifting the burden of mundane tasks to machines, allowing pharmacists to focus more on patient care. This shift is presenting pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists with unprecedented opportunities to apply their expertise across multiple disciplines in novel ways.
Highlighting how the College is keeping up with the changing approach, Dean Dabestani says, “In the not-too-distant future, pharmacy practice and the pharmaceutical industry will depend on greater integration with technology and Artificial Intelligence. The College has taken initiatives to expose students to these technologies by modernizing the labs, introducing new labs, and offering a fellowship opportunity in the area of health analytics.”
Paving the Way for the Future
The College continues to invest in state-of-the-art technology while utilizing the University’s partnerships to enhance the student experience. The College’s collaboration with Omnicell and Dassault Systèmes—leaders in AI technologies—signifies the University’s commitment to serve as a leading research institution.
Dean Dabestani, emphasizing his vision for the College for the future, says, “Our partnerships promise developments in research and education by enhancing LIU’s offerings in pharmacy technology, digital health, personalized medicine, and drug discovery through an advanced learning lab. Our drug discovery platform is a pioneering project in the field of AI-driven pharmaceutical sciences. We are excited for the opportunity to lead our students to the next chapter in the evolution of Pharmacy.”
