Ireoluwa Adams always knew that he wanted to pursue a career in medicine.
While he was growing up in Nigeria, his mother took medicine to stay healthy. Adams saw the good they did for her firsthand, sparking his curiosity and interest in medications. As a child, he even dressed in a white coat and played with first aid kits to emulate the medical professionals he admired.
“I always thought it was really cool how these people could be so selfless and do their best to take care of people,” Adams said. “It’s always been my goal to do that.”
Today, Adams is taking swift strides towards that goal. In 2026, he graduated with a bachelor’s in biological sciences as part of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s 3+3 pre-pharmacy program. A partnership between UWM and the Medical College of Wisconsin, the program allows students to earn their undergrad degree in three years followed by three years of pharmacy school.
For Adams, the program provides a direct pathway to becoming a pharmacist — and realizing his dream of supporting patients with the medications and care they need.
“I think an accelerated program was meant for me and people like me,” he said. “It’s less time and less money spent. It’s a very good feeling.”
The path to pre-pharmacy
In high school in Nigeria, Adams continued to nurture the seeds of his future career. He remembers the thrill of watching powdered chemical compounds bubble and belch while simulating a volcanic eruption in one class project.
“I liked imagining it in this bigger frame,” he said. “Just that you could mix these compounds in a specific way and create something very cool or very helpful to humanity.”
Later in high school, Adams took on his first work experience. He leapt at the opportunity to work at a pharmaceutical company. In that role, he immersed himself in every aspect of the business, from finances and manufacturing to direct patient care.
“I appreciated seeing how retail or hospital pharmacists are helping patients one-on-one,” he said. “But what excites me most is helping people within the industry side of pharmacy.”
After graduating from high school, Adams moved to Minnesota to continue his education. He spent a semester at Inver Hills Community College before enrolling in UWM’s pre-pharmacy program at the age of 16.
A passion for research
At UWM, Adams quickly moved though his required coursework. He was especially drawn to his chemistry classes, fueled by the camaraderie he felt with his peers and the satisfaction of working in a lab.
“It was a great learning environment that also happened to be fun,” Adams said. “And I met wonderful mentors there.”
That work in the lab spurred Adams to get involved in research. He received two awards from UWM’s Support for Undergraduate Research Fellowship program, which provides recipients with paid research assistantships and pairs them with a faculty mentor.
In one project, Adams worked closely with John Berges, professor of biological sciences, to study an invasive species of shrimp called Hemimysis anomala found in the Great Lakes Equipped with flashlights and nets to catch the tiny, red crustaceans, the pair waded into nearby lakes to collect samples. Then, they would bring them back to the lab to analyze under the microscope.
“It was a lot of data collection,” Adams said. “Since they’re an invasive species, we have to learn a lot about them to see how we can remove them or control their population.”
Later, Adams worked alongside Shama Mirza, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, to study the brain cancer glioblastoma in rats. Together, they identified proteins expressed in those with the disease and looked at how that information could advance the methods used in cancer research. Adams found it particularly rewarding to present their findings at a research symposium.
“That was one of the best parts of our research,” he said. “Just being able to find ways to explain the research we’re doing to others and the impact we’re trying to make. It was another reason I became interested in the industry side of pharmacy.”
Preparing to make an impact
At the Medical College of Wisconsin, Adams is eager to forge new connections, gain mentors and build experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He expects to graduate with his pharmacy degree in 2028. “I’m looking for opportunities where I can,” he said. “The Medical College of Wisconsin is already giving me resources and connecting me with people.”
Ultimately, Adams hopes to inspire others to recognize the importance of the profession. “I want to make an impact,” he said. “And encourage people to give more respect to pharmacy in general. The work pharmacists do in healthcare is often understated despite the versatility and hard work they bring to it.
“I always wanted a white coat, but making an impact is more important to me now,” he added. “The white coat will always be with me.”
