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Mark Fineman

M.A.S. 2006

Current Position:
Senior Director, Clinical Pharmacology, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Research Emphasis: Development and commercialization of drugs for  

                                  treatment of metabolic disorders

Education

2006– Present       UCSD Pursing a Ph.D. in Molecular Pathology

2006                     UCSD M.A.S. Clinical Research

1986                     B.S., California Polytechnic State University,

                            San Luis Obispo, CA Microbiology, clinical chemistry                             & medical technology emphasis

From bench scientist to applied clinical researcher at Amylin Pharmaceuticals

It could be a stretch to say he’s done it all at Amylin Pharmaceuticals, but Mark Fineman has covered much of the field during his tenure with Amylin, a biopharmaceutical company with a track record of success in developing and commercializing innovative therapies for metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

Joining Amylin with a degree in microbiology in the late
80s, Mark started as a bench scientist, stepping into multiple roles during leaner startup years, and progressively taking on additional leadership responsibilities as company growth accelerated.

A desire to build academic muscle and gain applied perspectives attracted Mark to Clinical Research at UCSD, where he earned his master’s degree while designing the first post-marketing studies for an Amylin product. At UCSD, Mark also pursued specialized interests by taking electives in UCSD’s School of Pharmacy.

Mark’s next project? Tackling a Ph.D. in Molecular Pathology at UCSD.

Real-world benefits

The program at UCSD delivers unique and relevant benefits for each student. Program highlights for Mark included:

Well-taught, relevant classes:

Three stand-out courses for Mark:

Pharmoeconomics, for new ways of analyzing data to balance cost effectiveness with quality of life;

Study Design, a timely fit with his work on post-marketing drug development studies for Amylin; and

Epidemiology, a fascinating tour of large-scale disease populations.

Relationships with faculty/institution: Meaningful connections established at UCSD help continue Mark’s academic and professional growth.

Flexibility/customization: UCSD’s flexible, part-time program enables students to pursue a graduate degree while maintaining significant responsibilities at work. With department approval, Mark included elective courses from UCSD’s School of Pharmacy.

Transition from bench science: For scientists ready to move away from the bench, this program offers a rigorous academic path to establish a credible position in applied clinical research.

Real-world results

New knowledge and tools strengthen our graduates’ roles within their organizations and industries. For Mark, this meant:

A broader perspective including a strong understanding of ethical, medical, and academic viewpoints—beyond the views of industry and the lab.

Better research design from expanded clinical perspectives, and a keener understanding of the limitations of evidence.

More effective teaching as a leader within Amylin.

Expanded academic and career opportunities.

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