Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research is a PhD program in the graduate program in Clinical Pharmacy. This program is housed in the Center for Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research (CePOR, SEE-por), a school-wide center in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy. Our doctoral curriculum is designed to provide competent and highly skilled researchers in the study of patient, provider, or population-level health care and health system interventions. We most often focus on economic, clinical, and humanistic outcomes such as clinical or cost effectiveness or safety. Areas of focus available to students undertaking this course of study include pharmacoeconomics, pharmacoepidemiology, health services research, and drug policy.
Core faculty are methodological experts and provide collaborative linkage to clinical experts in all pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and public health. Programs of study are tailored to student interests in disease or drug areas, such as cardiology, psychiatry, neurology, and cancer. Opportunities exist to link to more basic science colleagues depending on your topic of interests. For example, students interested in drug safety might link with toxicology faculty, or in gene-environment interactions might link with pharmacogenomics faculty.
Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research is a PhD program in the graduate program in Clinical Pharmacy. This program is housed in the Center for Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research (CePOR, SEE-por), a school-wide center in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy. Our doctoral curriculum is designed to provide competent and highly skilled researchers in the study of patient, provider, or population-level health care and health system interventions. We most often focus on economic, clinical, and humanistic outcomes such as clinical or cost effectiveness or safety. Areas of focus available to students undertaking this course of study include pharmacoeconomics, pharmacoepidemiology, health services research, and drug policy.
Applications for all doctoral programs are submitted electronically through the Graduate School of the University of Colorado Denver. After signing up for an account, select 'PhD' under the 'Academic Interests' menu and scroll down to 'Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences' and select "PhD in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research."
Application requirements are:
Additionally:
Application opens September 1, 2023. Applications will not be reviewed until all required materials have been received. The application deadline for Fall 2024 admission is December 1, 2023 for all students.
Admission to the program may include financial support via a stipend awarded on a 12-month basis.
Although a priority of the School of Pharmacy is to provide financial support to its graduate students, payment of stipend, tuition and any fees by the School of Pharmacy or by grants, contracts or gifts to the School of Pharmacy faculty is contingent upon availability of funding, satisfactory academic progress (as defined by the UCD Graduate School, Graduate Student Handbook) and completion of required teaching duties, core courses, and examinations. The School of Pharmacy also reserves the right to review and adjust its funding policies at any time. All students are expected to work full-time toward program requirements for 12 months of the year.
Generally, the first year of financial support will be in the form of stipend support for working as a teaching assistant. Depending on availability, teaching assistantships may be offered beyond one year to students. Faculty may choose to offer research assistant scholarships to students as well. Other funding opportunities in the form of external student grants and awards also exist. Students are encouraged to talk to the faculty about funding and scholarship opportunities. Funds for travel to one meeting where students are presenting a poster or giving a podium presentation are limited to $500 per fiscal year.
Students who do not remain in good graduate standing (3.0 GPA or above) or maintain satisfactory academic progress are placed on academic probation. Probation and suspension policies are described in the UCD Graduate School, Graduate Student Handbook. Payment of stipend, tuition, insurance and fees for a student while on academic probation is at the discretion of the graduate program committee.
Mission:
Advance the science of pharmaceutical outcomes research by training scientists who generate and synthesize evidence to inform practice and policy.
Goal:
The goal of the PhD n pharmaceutical outcomes research is to develop methodological experts. Graduates will have the knowledge and extensive skills necessary to conduct pharmacoeconomic, pharmacoepidemiologic, health services, and drug policy research. We train individuals who can contribute to T3-T4 clinical translational pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, specifically on effective, population health, and policy studies. These contributions should ultimately benefit pharmacists and society with safe, effective, and efficient use of pharmaceutical care.
The Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD program trains graduate students to become proficient and successful investigators who are able to:
Required Courses | |
BIOS 6611/6612 | Biostatistical Methods I and Biostatistical Methods II |
EPID 6630 | Epidemiology |
PHSC 7620 | Research Design and Methodology in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research |
HSMP 6604 | Health Care Economics |
EPID 6631 | Analytical Epidemiology |
PHSC 7611 | Pharmacoeconomics (Campbell) |
PHSC 7613 | Pharmaceutical and Drug Related Policy (Nair) |
PHSC 7615 | Pharmacoepidemiology (Valuck) |
PHSC 7570 | Graduate Student Seminar |
PHSC 7911 | Research Practicum |
Total Required Core Course Credits for All Students | |
CLSC 8990 | Doctoral Thesis |
Approved Elective Courses | |
BIOS 6643 | Analysis of Longitudinal Data |
BIOS 6646 | Survival Analysis |
BIOS 6648/6649 | Design of Clinical Trials and Experiments (can take 6648 OR 6649) |
BIOS 6649 | Design of Studies in the Health Sciences |
BIOS 6659 | Statistical Methods in Genomics |
BIOS 6680 | SAS Programming for Data Analysis |
BIOS 6683 | Introduction to Health Information Technology |
BIOS 7711-7713 | Advanced Statistical Methods Courses |
CBHS 6620 | Survey Research |
ECON 5813 | Econometrics I (UCD downtown campus) |
ECON 5823 | Econometrics II (UCD downtown campus) |
EPID 6632 | Advanced Epidemiology |
EPID 6646 | Introduction to Systematic Reviews |
EPID 6635 | Epidemiology of Communicable Disease |
EPID 6636 | Chronic Disease Epidemiology |
EPID 6638 | Cardiovascular Epidemiology |
EPID 6639 | Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology |
HSMP 6603 | Health Care Systems |
HSMP 6609 | Cost Benefit and Effectiveness in Health |
HSMP 6617 | Introduction to Health Services Research |
HSMP 6625 | Methods in Health Services Research |
The program’s strengths in outcomes research are emphasized in 35 credits of several areas:
The program has experience in accessing a multitude of data such as MEPS, PHARMetrics, University Health-System, Consortium and MarketScan. Students are encouraged to utilize these datasets as well as primary data collection. Students may enroll in courses not listed (e.g courses in downtown campuses and/or newly developed courses) by consulting with the program director.
Kelly E. Anderson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Anderson employs econometric and descriptive methods to answer questions about the financing and delivery of care in the Medicare program. Her current research focuses on payment for Medicare Part B drugs, differences in the cost and quality of care between Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage, and the regulation of Medicare Advantage provider and pharmacy networks. She received a PhD in Health Policy and Management from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as well as Master of Public Policy and Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering degrees from the University of Virginia. Dr. Anderson has also consulted for federal health care agencies, state legislatures, and private companies regarding insurance design and payment policy. She regularly meets with federal and state policymakers to connect the findings from her research to ongoing legislative and regulatory efforts.
Kelly E. Anderson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Anderson employs econometric and descriptive methods to answer questions about the financing and delivery of care in the Medicare program. Her current research focuses on payment for Medicare Part B drugs, differences in the cost and quality of care between Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage, and the regulation of Medicare Advantage provider and pharmacy networks. She received a PhD in Health Policy and Management from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as well as Master of Public Policy and Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering degrees from the University of Virginia. Dr. Anderson has also consulted for federal health care agencies, state legislatures, and private companies regarding insurance design and payment policy. She regularly meets with federal and state policymakers to connect the findings from her research to ongoing legislative and regulatory efforts.
Kelly E. Anderson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Anderson employs econometric and descriptive methods to answer questions about the financing and delivery of care in the Medicare program. Her current research focuses on payment for Medicare Part B drugs, differences in the cost and quality of care between Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage, and the regulation of Medicare Advantage provider and pharmacy networks. She received a PhD in Health Policy and Management from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as well as Master of Public Policy and Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering degrees from the University of Virginia. Dr. Anderson has also consulted for federal health care agencies, state legislatures, and private companies regarding insurance design and payment policy. She regularly meets with federal and state policymakers to connect the findings from her research to ongoing legislative and regulatory efforts.
Antal Zemplényi
Antal Zemplényi, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Center for Health Technology Assessment at the University of Pécs and a senior researcher at the Syreon Research Institute, an international research corporation specializing in health policy, health economic modeling, and technology assessment. He has experience in value assessment, HTA, health economics and outcomes research, and real-world data analysis. He is the past president of the ISPOR Hungary Chapter. Antal is currently a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences working as a visiting research associate in the Pharmaceutical Value (pValue) initiative.
Monica Bianchini is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with a PharmD and MPH in 2017. After school, Monica started a pharmacy residency program at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan . The first year of her residency focused on general inpatient pharmacy practice and the second year specialized in Infectious Diseases. Monica was introduced to outcomes research during residency and decided pursue a PhD in Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research. Since joining CePOR in 2019 she has done research on the cost-effectiveness of new beta-lactam antibiotics, utility of the high-dose flu vaccine, and duration of exposure to common pharmacogenomic medications. Monica's dissertation will focus on the epidemiology and risk factors for developing late syphilis. Monica has maintained pharmacy practice through working part time as an inpatient pharmacist at two local hospitals. Since moving to Colorado, Monica has enjoyed exploring the mountains by hiking, camping, and skiing with friends.
Sue is a fifth year PhD student at CePOR. Her dissertation focuses on characterizing the burden of MS and treatment strategies using real-world claims data. Prior to grad school, she studied Neuroscience in Pomona College. In her free time, Sue enjoys taking her puppies on adventures. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suehkwon
Mahesh Maiyani was born and raised in India. He earned his Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) from India in 2006 and then he came to the US to pursue his Master’s in Business administration. He completed his MBA from The University of Findlay in Ohio. He has work experience in clinical trials and heath care research. He joined the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD program in Fall-2021. His research interests are focused around cost effectiveness in real-world clinical settings. Mahesh enjoys hiking and spending time with family and friends.
Nick Mendola was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He graduated from The University of Akron with a BS in Exercise Science in 2016. He then moved to Washington D.C. to attend The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, where he obtained his MPH in Epidemiology, in 2018. During this time, he worked researching the impact of the pharmaceutical industry’s marketing to healthcare professionals, and its influence on prescribing practices and population level drug utilization. Nick joined the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research program in the fall of 2018. Nick’s current work with Dr. Robert Brett McQueen, explores the use of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) as a novel health technology value assessment tool. His work specifically explores MCDA in evaluating treatments for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a rare neurological disorder. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-d-mendola/
Vanessa Patterson is originally from Kansas City. She graduated from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine with an MPH concentrating in Epidemiology and Maternal and Child Health in 2012. Vanessa went on to work as an applied epidemiologist for government public health agencies for six years. She joined the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research program at CU in the fall of 2018. Working under the mentorship of Dr. Heather Anderson, Vanessa is currently a PhRMA Foundation Predoctoral Fellow and a PhD candidate. Her dissertation focuses on the utilization of cardioprotective medications among women with a history of breast cancer. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys making pottery and spending time outdoors with family and friends. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-paul-patterson/
Sammi is originally from Taiwan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Kaohsiung Medical University. After graduation, she had worked in pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organizations for several years before coming to the US. She completed her Master’s training at the University of Pittsburgh, Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy Research, in 2022. And then she joined Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research PhD program at CU Anschutz in Fall 2022. Her research interest lies in the intersection of pharmacoeconomics, real-world evidence, and pharmaceutical outcomes. Outside the schoolwork, she enjoys cooking, baking, and snowboarding/skiing in winter. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammichentw/
Mouna was born and raised in Tunisia. She graduated with a PharmD from the University of Pharmacy of Monastir in 2016. She then worked for two years at a consulting company focusing on pharmaceuticals’ Pricing, Reimbursement and Market Access (PRMA) in Europe. After that, she was awarded with the Fulbright Foreign student scholarship and moved to Colorado, where she obtained her MPH in Global Health Systems, management, and Policy in 2022. Mouna joined the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research program in the fall of 2022. Her research interests include evaluating the use of Health Technology Assessment in the context of low- and middle- income countries and developing tools that permit equitable patients’ access to cost-effective technologies. In her free time, Mouna enjoys learning new languages, improv theatre and cooking. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mouna-dardouri/
“One key reason I chose to join CePOR at CU was the tight-knit group of faculty and students. Given the program is smaller, the faculty has a better opportunity to stay in touch with all the students and provide support for everyone's research, regardless if they're on the student's committee or not. The student group is also very close as we are together for weekly seminars and enjoy out-of-school gatherings when possible. Another draw of CU's POR program is the diverse expertise of our faculty and alumni. Our current faculty have a range of expertise including: pharmacoepidemiology using big data sources, pharmacoeconomics and drug pricing, rare diseases, opioid use disorder and treatment, and Medicare payment models. Recent alumni have found work in a variety of different fields from consulting to academia to the pharmaceutical industry and the public health department. The wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise covered by our faculty and alumni provide so many resources for mentorship and future career planning. Finally, there are so many unique opportunities within CePOR to work with different data sources (e.g. electronic health records, national claims data, Medicaid claims data) and different methodology experts, so I am confident that our program could be a great fit for prospective PhD students of all backgrounds.” – Monica Bianchini, PharmD, MPH
“CU's Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research Program produces robust interdisciplinary research that spans from pharmacoepidemiology to pharmaceutical economics with a variety of collaborators, such as Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE).” – Sue Kwon, BA
“I joined the POR program because my previous research was focused on population drug utilization and the pharmaceutical industry’s impact on prescribing practices, and the POR program seemed like a natural fit for me to be able to keep learning about the areas of pharmacoepidemiology and drug related policy. What I like most about the program so far has been the core faculty in our program. They seem to truly care about student success and how we progress both academically and professionally. ” – Nick Mendola, MPH
Mission: To educate, increase awareness and promote growth within the 'Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research' field in general and to increase the CU Denver presence among the international society ISPOR. To collaborate across different sciences on campus and different departments worldwide.
Description: Promote pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research education by holding regular seminars on current issues in the field and presenting research at least once a year at the annual meeting in the US-Canada region.
Membership requirements: We expect members to be passionate about the kind of research that is involved related to public health, epidemiology, pharmacoeconomics, and policy. Also, attending our regular educational seminars/webinars is highly encouraged.
Activities: Details will be emailed to members soon!
Benefits: The opportunity to present research, network and collaborate with faculty from different universities around the world, professionals from industry and research organizations at a global level.
Officers for 2020-2021 | |
President | Monica Bianchini |
Vice President | Mahesh Maiyani |
Julia Slejko, PhD ('12)
Associate Professor
Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
R. Brett McQueen, PhD ('13)
Assistant Professor
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
William Padula, PhD ('13)
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical and Health Economics, School of Pharmacy
Fellow, Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics
University of Southern California
David Tabano, PhD ('18)
HEOR Senior Health Economist
Evidence for Access (E4A)
Genentech, Inc.
Katie Sullivan, PhD ('18)
Prescription Drug Epidemiologist
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Angela Czaja, MD, PhD ('19)
Associate Professor
Pediatrics-Critical Care Medicine
Children’s Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Chong Kim, PhD ('20)
Associate Director
Global Value & Access | HEOR
Gilead Sciences
Katia Hannah, PhD ('21)
Senior HEOR Specialist
Dexcom
Isabella Jaramillo
Email: Isabella.Jaramillo@cuanschutz.edu
Phone: 303.724.7263
Kelly E. Anderson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Anderson employs econometric and descriptive methods to answer questions about the financing and delivery of care in the Medicare program. Her current research focuses on payment for Medicare Part B drugs, differences in the cost and quality of care between Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage, and the regulation of Medicare Advantage provider and pharmacy networks. She received a PhD in Health Policy and Management from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, as well as Master of Public Policy and Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering degrees from the University of Virginia. Dr. Anderson has also consulted for federal health care agencies, state legislatures, and private companies regarding insurance design and payment policy. She regularly meets with federal and state policymakers to connect the findings from her research to ongoing legislative and regulatory efforts.