July 3, 2025
By Ashley MasseyAUBURN, Alabama - Motivated by the opportunity to be a part of real-world applications of health economics and innovation in the health care industry, the Harrison College of Pharmacy’s Ibrahim Alfayoumi is completing an internship this summer at Merck in Rahway, New Jersey.
Alfayoumi, a Ph.D. student pursuing the health outcomes research and policy sequence, was selected for Merck’s Health Economics Internship.
Merck is a research-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative health solutions that enhance the prevention and treatment of diseases in both humans and animals. Merck has a competitive internship program for students to gain real world experience in various fields like human research and development, finance, marketing, communications, and more. The internship program aims to provide the resources to become adaptable and innovative to prepare students within the pharmacy realm.
“Merck’s work in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) has always stood out to me, especially their focus on using evidence to improve patient access and support policy decisions,” said Alfayoumi, “When I saw the internship opening, I felt it was a perfect match with my research interests and career goals.”
Merck’s core goals and objectives revolve around scientific innovation, expanding access to medicines and vaccines to the community, and committing to the patient first. The opportunity to work in this kind of environment stood out to Alfayoumi and encouraged him to pursue the internship.
“I’m looking forward to building on what I’ve learned in school by working on real-world health economics and outcomes research projects, said Alfayoumi. “I hope to strengthen my skills in cost-effectiveness modeling, data analytics, and understanding how evidence is used in decision-making across a global company like Merck.”
Alfayoumi is passionate about providing facts to the public and committed to working in health equity. In the future, he hopes to work on initiatives that reduce disparities in care.
With these goals in mind, he wants to accomplish a lot during this internship, from understanding the pharmacy world to working with a dedicated team. He wants to learn from the team’s personal experience and seeks feedback on his work.
“Being part of a team that’s driving innovation in healthcare is exciting, and I’m eager to contribute, even in a small way, to the impactful work they’re doing,” said Alfayoumi.
Looking ahead in his career, Alfayoumi would like to work in either pharmaceuticals or the biotech industry as a health economist, focusing on generating evidence that improves access to treatments while also informing various health policies.
With a natural curiosity and a passion for helping others in pursuing his research, Alfayoumi credits involvement with other research projects and the input of mentors for putting him on a course to intern somewhere like Merck.
“Dive into research early, connect with mentors and don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals for advice,” said Alfayoumi. “When applying, take the time to tailor your materials to highlight your passion for your interests and your fit for the company, especially if it’s somewhere like Merck where values and mission matter.”
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Auburn University's Harrison College of Pharmacy is ranked among the top 20 percent of all colleges of pharmacy in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. Fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the College offers doctoral degrees in pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and pharmaceutical sciences (Ph.D.) while also offering a master's in pharmaceutical sciences and a bachelor’s in drug and biopharmaceutical sciences. The College’s commitment to world-class scholarship and interdisciplinary research speaks to Auburn’s overarching Carnegie R1 designation that places Auburn among the top 100 doctoral research universities in the nation. For more information about the College, please call 334.844.8348 or visit http://pharmacy.auburn.edu.