Nicholas Palacios ✷ ’15 B.S. Chemistry ✷ ’17 M.S. Biotechnology & Bioinformatics
By Pamela DeanNicolas Palacios’ interest in pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical industry began
in community college with a job behind the pharmacy counter at CVS.
“I was able to connect the dots and see how the math and science classes I was taking
translated to what I was doing at the pharmacy,” said Palacios. “I knew I wanted to
work in science.”
Palacios grew up in Newbury Park and graduated from Newbury Park High School. In 2015,
he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry at CI. While in college, he took
a new job at an independent pharmacy in Camarillo where he was able to dive deeper
into pharmacy work, including performing sterile compounding and making products.
“It was really exciting,” he said. “It was helping me put it all together and I became
even more driven to have a career in the industry.”
Wanting to bolster his resume even more, Palacios earned a Master of Science in Biotechnology
and Bioinformatics from CI in 2017.
Based on his work and lived experience, he then decided to go to pharmacy school and
was fortunate to get into the highly rated University of North Carolina.
“While I was there, I decided to tack on an MBA to my Doctor of Pharmacy degree, which
has been key to strengthening my business skills and opportunities,” he said.
The pandemic hit while he was finishing up his degrees in the Tar Heel State. Palacios
realized he wanted to return home to Ventura County to be close to family, friends
and his community.
He completed his degrees remotely in 2022 and was accepted into Amgen’s Commercial
Leadership Program. The program provides an opportunity for participants to rotate
through various departments and experience different aspects of the biopharmaceutical
business.
When the three-year program wraps up in July, Palacios is hoping to land a permanent
position at Amgen, preferably in marketing.
“Pharmaceutical marketing would allow me to help patients on a bigger scale by bringing
them access to life saving and life extending drugs,” Palacios said. “My background
in pharmacies, understanding of how health care is delivered and how medication decisions
are made gives me insight into how to market products, especially to physicians.”
Palacios also volunteers on the CI Alumni & Friends Board. As a first-generation
student, he had no one to help him navigate through his college journey and has enjoyed
mentoring other students who need guidance figuring out the process.
“I have a soft spot for people in similar situations, who have to figure it all out
on their own. I want to help them, and CI, succeed. Also, moving away made me appreciate
being back in Ventura County and I really want to give back to my community.”