Andy Eckert

When I walked out of my last final at the University of Maryland, College Park two decades ago, I remember saying to myself, "That was the last test I'll ever take".” Yet, I am now in my second and final year of the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Pharmacy’s Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program offered at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG).

So, how did I get here? Well, I've been in the biotech space in Montgomery County and the BioHealth Capital Region for nearly my entire career. This includes commercial operations and communications work that has involved building tools to help people who market and sell for their jobs, and getting the word out through newsletters, press releases, or social media posts.

I started out in an entry-level position at MedImmune (acquired by AstraZeneca in 2007) and have seen their industry continue to grow past simply just medicines and vaccines over the years. Digital Health, Healthtech, Cell Therapy, etc., all have become part of the biohealth world, and I strongly believe Medical Cannabis should, and will be next.

During the pandemic, I saw an online call for applications to the Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program at USG. I reached out to a few people I trusted, including one who went from the biotech world to starting a Medical Cannabis company in Florida. Every conversation came to the same central point, that "Cannabis is Medicine," and if I could be someone to help this space take the next step past social, legal, and medical barriers, that would be something worth doing. So, I applied, and I’m grateful to have been accepted for the third class to go through this program.

Graduation for my class will be in May 2023. I hope to combine my experience in biotech and bring it to a medical cannabis company to help them become and stay successful as they may be held to more and more pharmaceutical industry standards.