Fellows Spotlight: Ahhyung Choi
Research focus: Pharmacoepidemiology
Can you describe your background and where you came from before this fellowship?
I completed both my PharmD and PhD in pharmacoepidemiology from Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea. During my PhD course, I conducted several observational studies such as evaluation on the utilizations or outcomes of medication use based on the real-world data.
What does your current research focus on, and who do you work with?
My current research focuses on investigating the safety or effectiveness of medication use during pregnancy, primarily using large healthcare utilization databases. Recently, I have also expanded my research to include pediatric populations. This area of research is crucial because pregnant and pediatric populations are often excluded from randomized clinical trials, making real-world evidence particularly important. My mentors are Dr. Krista Huybrechts and Dr. Yanmin Zhu.
Why did you choose to pursue this fellowship opportunity?
This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to delve deeply into perinatal and pediatric pharmacoepidemiology and to integrate these scientific findings into the regulatory science domain.
What is your favorite thing about being part of the center?
I appreciate the numerous opportunities to interact with experts from diverse backgrounds, each contributing to different aspects of regulatory science. I enjoy learning about research areas vastly different from my own and understanding how these various research topics collectively contribute to the field of regulatory science. The excellent community at this center provides many exciting opportunities for collaborative, translational research as well.
Where do you plan to go next?
I am still exploring my strengths and haven’t decided whether to pursue career in academia or industry. However, I am determined to generate high-quality real-world evidence that will assist patients, clinicians, and regulatory bodies in making informed decisions.
Is there anything else you want to share?
Please feel free to reach out if you have any question!