Kavi Oeur

When faculty believed in Kavi Oeur, he started to believe in himself.

“In my first years of college, I struggled academically and mentally, but my faculty advisors saw my potential and encouraged me to continue,” says Oeur, a first-generation college student who is majoring in the pharmaceutical sciences, marketing and management option. “Eventually, I started to think that I could be successful in my studies and become the person I aspire to be.”

Oeur always wanted to work in health care, either directly as a doctor or nurse or indirectly as a medical lab scientist. 

“I realized that the pharmaceutical sciences, marketing and management option program was the major for me, because I have flexibility to work in a lab or pursue a more business-related job in the pharmaceutical industry,” says Oeur, who grew up in Chelmsford and Lowell.

To confirm that it was the right career for him, Oeur enrolled in the university’s Professional Development Seminar to prepare for and find a co-op experience. It paid off: He secured a six-month paid co-op at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Norton. 

“My co-op experience solidified my passion for the pharmaceutical field and erased any doubts that I was having,” says Oeur. “I am really eager to finish school and get back out there in the industry.”

As a member of the quality control team at Alnylam, Oeur learned Good Documentation Practice and Good Laboratory Practice guidelines—vital skills needed in the biotech industry that support data integrity and regulatory compliance. 

“The UML labs and courses prepared me for the work I was doing at Alnylam and, I believe, helped me secure the job,” says Oeur. 

In the Alnylam lab, Oeur helped make reagents and lab solutions for the high-performance lipid chromatography and ultra-performance lipid chromatography analytical lab testing. 

“I learned so much more than I was expecting,” says Oeur. “Not only did I develop new lab skills and strengthened those I already had, I gained interpersonal skills and lessons that I will take with me as I grow in my professional career.”

With the support of his managers, Oeur realized what he’d like to do in the future. 

“I have a goal of becoming a medical or pharmaceutical lab manager where I could foster a family-like work culture,” says Oeur, who has also worked as a pharmacy technician at CVS while in college. “I want to become a leader who inspires by example with empathy, compassion and transparency, encouraging a spirit of teamwork.”