PETER ZHANG
Professional History

CV

My career journey at a glance.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Pharmaceutical Sciences 2023 – Present

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Master of Business Administration 2020 – 2022

Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

Doctor of Pharmacy with Honours 2017 – 2021

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Honours Bachelor of Science with High Distinction 2013 – 2017

Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto

Research Experience

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Doctoral Student 2023 – Present

Doctoral research on clinician entrepreneurship education.

Supervisors: Dr. Zubin Austin & Dr. Certina Ho.

Project Researcher 2019 – 2020

Investigated the roles of JMJD6 and RBM39 in alternative splicing pathways mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor and the ARGLU1 protein.

Supervisor: Dr. Carolyn Cummins.

Lab Assistant 2018 – 2019

Conducted laboratory techniques including polymerase chain reaction, RNA extraction, and gel electrophoresis.

Supervisor: Dr. Carolyn Cummins.

The Reach Alliance

Co-Mentor 2026 – Present
Researcher 2018 – 2020

Qualitative field study in New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, India; examined strategies for overcoming vaccine hesitancy in the context of polio elimination.

Supervisor: Dr. Anita McGahan.

University of York

Project Researcher 2017

Studied monocyte activation in the immune response to leishmaniasis.

Supervisor: Dr. Paul Kaye.

Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Undergraduate Researcher 2016 – 2017

Examined dendritic cell differentiation in the context of Crohn’s disease.

Supervisor: Dr. Dana Philpott.

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Undergraduate Researcher 2014 – 2015

Studied language acquisition in bilingual learners.

Supervisor: Dr. Xi Chen.

Professional Experience

ODAIA

Director, Business Acceleration 2026 – Present

Leads business acceleration for global life-science clients, helping commercial teams adopt AI to sharpen strategy and execution.

Senior Business Acceleration Partner & Value Delivery Leader 2025 – 2026

Strategic advisor to head-office teams at global top-10 life-science companies; led AI software deployment, end-to-end customer onboarding, impact measurement, and mentored a team of direct reports.

Business Acceleration Partner 2023 – 2025

Led the implementation, delivery, and measurement of AI software for top-10 life-science companies, managing seven figures in revenue and shaping product direction alongside engineering.

Southlake Health

Clinical Pharmacist 2021 – Present

Medication reconciliation and patient interviews on admission and discharge, therapeutic drug monitoring, drug therapy interventions, and immunization.

System Technician Intern 2018

Twig Fertility

Clinical Pharmacist 2025 – 2026

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Marketing Manager, Cardiovascular & Metabolism 2023

Built a machine-learning tool to predict and identify high-potential customers for Invokana, and mentored a direct report on omnichannel marketing.

Marketing Associate, Cardiovascular & Metabolism 2023

Ran the omnichannel email portfolio and shaped a machine learning “Next Best Action” solution; led commercial sponsorships across the diabetes space.

Marketing Associate, Neuroscience 2022 – 2023

Led national patient-support and reimbursement programs for Invega and delivered brand financial forecasts to leadership.

Marketing Associate Intern, Dermatology 2021

Created competitive messaging assets and led sales analytics and a data-utilization strategy.

3DPPE GTHA (3D-Printed Personal Protective Equipment, GTHA)

Co-Founder 2020

Led a volunteer network that turned home 3D printers into a distributed manufacturing line, delivering more than 20,000 face shields across Ontario.

Teaching

Academic Appointments

Adjunct Lecturer · Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy 2026 – Present

Guest Lecturer, University of Toronto

Change Management · PHM310 2023 – Present
Introduction to Financial Literacy · PHM215 2022 – Present
Business Planning · PHM215 2022 – Present
Microbiology in the Clinical Setting · HMB312 2021 – Present
Power & Leadership · PHM215 2025
AI in the Pharmaceutical Industry · BTC2030 2024 – 2025
Entrepreneurship · PHM327 2024
Antimicrobial Stewardship · NEW116 2018 – 2023
Vaccine Hesitancy · NEW106 2017 – 2023

Instructional Roles

Clinical Instructor · Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy 2021 – 2022
Scholar, Managing Consumer Value · Rotman School of Management 2021
Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Research Assistant · Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy 2020
Pharmacy Lab Teaching Assistant · Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy 2018 – 2021
Lead Residence Don · New College, University of Toronto 2020
Residence Don · New College, University of Toronto 2017 – 2020
Senior Peer Mentor · First Year Learning Communities 2016 – 2017
Peer Mentor · First Year Learning Communities 2014 – 2016
Program Instructor · City of Markham 2012 – 2017

Peer-Reviewed Publications

  1. Zhang, P.C., Khan, K., Ho, C., & Austin, Z. (2026). Entrepreneurship, Education, and Clinical Practice. In Encyclopedia of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy (2nd ed.). Elsevier. doi:10.1016/B978-0-443-26472-6.00093-0
  2. Zhang, P.C. & Tadrous, M. (2025). Empowering pharmacists in Canada’s drug shortage response. Canadian Pharmacists Journal, 158(6), 341–343. doi:10.1177/17151635251365666
  3. Ng, K.K.Y., Matsuba, I., & Zhang, P.C. (2025). RAG in health care: A novel framework for improving communication and decision-making by addressing LLM limitations. NEJM AI, 2(1). doi:10.1056/AIra2400380
  4. Zhang, P.C., Matinnia, N., & Austin, Z. (2024). To maximise impact, hospital pharmacists need to increase visibility. European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 31(3), 185–186. doi:10.1136/ejhpharm-2024-004137
  5. Ng, K.K.Y. & Zhang, P.C. (2023). Advancing medical affair capabilities and insight generation through machine learning techniques. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 16(1), 165. doi:10.1186/s40545-023-00670-w
  6. Zhang, P.C. & Austin, Z. (2023). To succeed as health care innovators, pharmacists need to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. Canadian Pharmacists Journal, 156(3), 110–111. doi:10.1177/17151635231164622
  7. Ho, C. & Zhang, P.C. (2022). Patient safety from a pharmacy perspective. In Encyclopedia of Evidence in Pharmaceutical Public Health and Health Services Research in Pharmacy. Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-50247-8_72-1
  8. Zhang, P.C. (2022). The future of pharmacy is intertwined with digital health innovation. Canadian Pharmacists Journal, 155(1), 7–8. doi:10.1177/17151635211044474
  9. Daud, A., Hussein, I.M., Zhang, P.C., et al. (2021). 3D-printed personal protective face shields during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey of Canadian frontline workers. Cureus, 13(9), e18141. doi:10.7759/cureus.18141
  10. Bellatin, A., Hyder, A., Rao, S., Zhang, P.C., & McGahan, A. (2021). Overcoming vaccine deployment challenges among the hardest to reach: Lessons from polio elimination in India. BMJ Global Health, 6(4), e005125. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005125
  11. Zhang, P.C., Ahmed, Y., Hussein, I.M., et al. (2020). Optimization of community-led 3D printing for the production of protective face shields. 3D Printing in Medicine, 6(1), 35. doi:10.1186/s41205-020-00089-y

Knowledge Translation & Public Scholarship

Invited Speaking

“Advancing Safe and Responsible AI Adoption in Community Pharmacy Practice” · Network for Improving Health Systems, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy 2026
“AI in the Modern Workforce” · Bausch Health 2026
“Artificial Intelligence, e-Therapies and Virtual Care” · Canadian Psychiatric Association 2025
“The AI Revolution in Healthcare” · Pharmacy Changemakers, University of Toronto 2024
“COVID-19 Vaccine Update” · British Columbia Pharmacy Association 2024
“3D Printing Face Shields” · CAPSI Professional Development Week 2024
“Designing & Evaluating Impact” · The American Field Service Youth Assembly 2024
“Harnessing the Power of Communication and Storytelling for Business Growth” · Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association 2023

Interviews & Podcasts

“Pharmacy Awareness Month” · Southlake Health 2025
“Collaborative Care: A Pharmacist’s Insights on Research and Medicine with Peter Zhang” · Canadian Federation of Medical Students 2024
“Artificial intelligence holds promise for pharmacy” · Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto 2024
“Faces of PharmSci: Peter Zhang” · Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto 2023
“Real Humans of J&J: Peter Zhang, Toronto Rotman PharmD/MBA ’22” · Clear Admit 2023
“Reach: Building Community and Sharing Insights in New York City” · Reach Alliance 2023
“2022 Best & Brightest MBA: Peter Zhang, University of Toronto (Rotman)” · Poets & Quants 2022
““Superstar” pharmacists play critical role at vaccine clinic hosted on U of T’s St. George campus” · University of Toronto 2021
“Why choose a PharmD-MBA at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy?” · Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto 2021
“Pharmacy Students Lead Initiative to Supply Vital Equipment to Health Care Workers” · Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto 2020
“3DPPE GTHA Printing Milestone of 20,000 Face Shields” · Ontario Minister of Health 2020

Media Publications

  1. “Is Canada ready for the promise and price of gene therapies?” The Hill Times, July 2026.
  2. “How AI is changing the future of medication delivery” Canadian Healthcare Network, June 2026.
  3. “Why Most Pharma AI Deployments Fail and What the Best Ones Do Differently” ODAIA, June 2026. Co-authored with Michael Goulart & Kimberly Wong.
  4. “Defying early-onset colorectal cancer, a disease increasingly affecting younger age groups” Healthy Debate, June 2026. Co-authored with Mahima Kaur Trivedi.
  5. “A CEO’s advice for the next generation of leaders” Canadian Healthcare Network, May 2026.
  6. “Cross-border prescriptions: What Canadian pharmacists need to know” Canadian Healthcare Network, April 2026. Co-authored with Jia Qi Gan & Mina Tadrous.
  7. “Three ways AI enables the entrepreneurship process” Canadian Healthcare Network, April 2026.
  8. “Why (and How) Teachers Should Use Generative AI in the Classroom” Faculty Focus, March 2026. Co-authored with Nidhi Sachdeva.
  9. “Bridging intergenerational tensions in the workplace” CareerWise | CERIC, February 2026. Co-authored with Brennah Danchuk-Lauzon.
  10. “It’s never too early to join a board!” Canadian Healthcare Network, January 2026.
  11. “Universities face a financial crisis. The key to survival is the scholar-entrepreneur” The Globe and Mail, January 2026.
  12. “MaaTRx: When a pharmacist entrepreneur builds a novel drug shortage response platform” Canadian Healthcare Network, January 2026.
  13. “Pharmacists: Bridging the gap between AI and patient-centred care” Healthy Debate, November 2025. Co-authored with Mona Samani & Savana Elsays.
  14. “What pharmacists can learn from Asepha’s $4M seed fund raising” Canadian Healthcare Network, September 2025.
  15. “As pharmacists, we must be empowered to act in the face of Canada’s painkiller shortage” Toronto Star, August 2025. Co-authored with Mina Tadrous.
  16. “The future of healthcare depends on investments in clinician entrepreneurship education” Canadian Healthcare Network, July 2025.
  17. “How to leverage clinical skills in non-traditional careers” Canadian Healthcare Network, June 2025.
  18. “Breaking into the pharmaceutical industry: a guide for pharmacy students” Canadian Healthcare Network, April 2025.
  19. “Everyone wins when we invest in pharmacist entrepreneurs” Canadian Healthcare Network, April 2025.
  20. “In the face of growing uncertainty, Canada needs to double down on innovation” Healthy Debate, April 2025. Co-authored with Anser Daud.
  21. “Will an MBA help clinicians grow?” Canadian Healthcare Network, March 2025.
  22. “The importance of health-system navigators” Healthy Debate, January 2025. Co-authored with Avital Pitkis & Perrine Tami.
  23. “5 Ways to Propel Inclusive Climate Action” Mastercard, September 2024. Co-authored with Jason M. Lo Hog Tian, Aisha Shafaqat, & Safaa Yaseen.
  24. “Cybersecurity attacks highlight the need for patients to keep their medication records accessible” Healthy Debate, September 2024. Co-authored with Melanie Seladurai.
  25. “Climate Resilience at the Margins: Five Key Lessons from Last Mile Populations” Global Policy Journal, July 2024. Co-authored with Jason M. Lo Hog Tian, Aisha Shafaqat, & Safaa Yaseen.
  26. “British Columbia found the key to attracting more family doctors, Ontario should do the same” Toronto Star, May 2024. Co-authored with Laxsanaa Sivanthan & Avital Pitkis.
  27. “AI Disruption is Coming. Are Healthcare Professionals Ready?” MedCity News, April 2024. Co-authored with Karen Ka Yan Ng.
  28. “Governments should pay the high price of gene therapy” Healthy Debate, February 2024. Co-authored with Cameron Peters.
  29. “Canadian pharmacists have an important role this RSV season” Canadian Healthcare Network, December 2023.
  30. “Prescribing community for mental health - lessons from Australia” Healthy Debate, December 2023. Co-authored with Jayden Battey.
  31. “Canada must invest in global leadership programs within higher education institutions” The Hill Times, November 2023. Co-authored with Aisha Shafaqat & Dexter Tan.
  32. “Untapped potential: Young leaders have the tools to help address health-care challenges” Healthy Debate, October 2023. Co-authored with Savannah Verhage & Jason M. Lo Hog Tian.
  33. “Pharmacist prescribers fill important gaps in the Canadian healthcare system” Healthy Debate, September 2023. Co-authored with Marwah Younis.
  34. “Clearing the air: fighting for a breathable future” Toronto Star, September 2023. Co-authored with Sudarshan Bala & Gillian Goobie.
  35. “Naloxone kits in TTC stations a necessary tool to address overdoses” Toronto Star, August 2023. Co-authored with Abrar Ahmed & Donna (Jinyuru) Yang.
  36. “Free menstrual hygiene products are on the way, if you work at a bank, an airline or the public service” Toronto Star, June 2023. Co-authored with Natalie Philbert.
  37. “Preventive health care: Why privately funded programs are reluctant to fund it” Toronto Star, May 2023. Co-authored with Liju Mathew.
  38. “Synthetic data may revolutionize clinical trials - and save lives” Healthy Debate, April 2023.
  39. “Modernized home care can help stabilize health costs” The Globe and Mail, March 2023. Co-authored with Anser Daud.
  40. “The benefits of giving include tax credits” Toronto Star, March 2023. Co-authored with Avital Pitkis.
  41. “Overcoming language barriers key to providing health-care” Toronto Star, March 2023. Co-authored with Avinash Pandey.
  42. “Ask a pharmacist before you split tablets for your children” Toronto Star, November 2022.
  43. “Internet-based mental-health care deserves a boost” Ottawa Citizen, November 2022. Co-authored with Jinyuru Yang & Abrar Ahmed.
  44. “Vaccine hesitancy is reviving long dead diseases” Healthy Debate, September 2022. Co-authored with Jinyuru Yang & Abrar Ahmed.
  45. “How pharmacist prescribing can alleviate health-care system pressures” Policy Options, May 2022. Co-authored with Mina Tadrous.
  46. “The Rotman Review: How Trade Missions Teach MBAs To Think International” Poets & Quants, May 2022.
  47. “Elon Musk, social media giants, must prioritize mental health and well-being” Toronto Star, May 2022. Co-authored with Anser Daud.
  48. “The Rotman Review: Navigating the Future of Digital Marketing” Poets & Quants, March 2022.
  49. “The Rotman Review: A Year In The Life Of A MBA Board Fellow” Poets & Quants, February 2022.
  50. “Bleeding disorders in women need more attention” The Hamilton Spectator, February 2022.
  51. “The Rotman Review: How An MBA Shapes Success In Finance” Poets & Quants, February 2022.
  52. “Despite a place on pharmacy shelves, homeopathy has no role in patient care” Toronto Star, December 2021.
  53. “The Rotman Review: Why Sustainable Finance Is Critical To MBAs” Poets & Quants, December 2021.
  54. “The dangers of antimicrobial drug resistance must not be ignored” Healthy Debate & the National Post, November 2021. Co-authored with Abrar Ahmed.
  55. “The Rotman Review: Building Your Own Time ’Portfolio’” Poets & Quants, November 2021.
  56. “The Rotman Review: How Academic Research Makes MBAs More Valuable” Poets & Quants, September 2021.
  57. “As election day looms, voters have the chance to be heard on the federal funding of health care” Toronto Star, September 2021. Co-authored with Abrar Ahmed.
  58. “The Rotman Review: Preparing For The Future Of Machine Learning” Poets & Quants, August 2021.
  59. “Communication must become an essential component of the science education curriculum” Healthy Debate, August 2021. Co-authored with Morgan Garland & Abrar Ahmed.
  60. “To overcome vaccine hesitancy, governments need to show citizens what’s in it for them” Rotman Insights Hub, August 2021. Co-authored with Anita M. McGahan.
  61. “To move beyond the pandemic, Canada needs to look globally” The Hill Times, July 2021. Co-authored with Abrar Ahmed.
  62. “Clinicians as community advocates: interplays of vaccines and society” University of Toronto Medical Journal, June 2021. Co-authored with Yousuf Ahmed & Jennifer Kwan.
  63. “When COVID-19 meets allergy season” Hospital News, May 2021. Co-authored with Annie Yao & Certina Ho, BScPharm, MEd.
  64. “Rigorous scrutiny of COVID-19 vaccines should bolster, not erode, confidence in immunization safety” Toronto Star, May 2021. Co-authored with Anser Daud.
  65. “Should more of our foods be fortified with vitamin D?” The Hamilton Spectator, April 2021. Co-authored with Jinglin Tang.
  66. “COVID-19 and insomnia: Pills are not the answer” Healthy Debate, April 2021. Co-authored with Yousuf Ahmed & Anser Daud.
  67. “Prioritize one-shot COVID-19 vaccines for the hard to reach” Toronto Star, April 2021.
  68. “Mobilizing pharmacists is key to immunization success” The Hamilton Spectator, March 2021. Co-authored with Ming Hu.
  69. “Cyberchondria: An unexpected side effect of digitizing medical information” Toronto Star, February 2021. Co-authored with Yousuf Ahmed.
  70. “Bala and Zhang: To win against COVID-19, we must put vaccine hesitancy behind us” Ottawa Citizen, January 2021. Co-authored with Sudarshan Bala.
  71. “Although alarming, mutated strains of COVID-19 are not a cause for panic” Toronto Star, January 2021. Co-authored with Anser Daud.
  72. “Antimicrobial Stewardship in the face of COVID-19” Hospital News, October 2020. Co-authored with Corlissa Chan & Certina Ho, BScPharm, MEd.
  73. “Naloxone needs to be in hands of as many people as possible” Windsor Star, October 2020.
  74. “We need naloxone kits in more hands in this opioid crisis” The Hamilton Spectator, October 2020.
  75. “As pandemic forces change, it’s a good time for Canadians to quit smoking” Toronto Star, September 2020. Co-authored with Anser Daud.
  76. “It’s time to normalize suicide prevention training at the workplace” Toronto Star, August 2020.
  77. “Becoming a Pit Crew for Frontline Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic” CMAJ Blogs, August 2020. Co-authored with Yousuf Ahmed, Anser Daud, Isra Hussein, John Kim, Maroof Khalid, Maham Khalid, & Samveg Shah.
  78. “When COVID-19 pandemic meets the flu season.” Toronto Star, July 2020. Co-authored with Vince Teo & Houman Khosravani.

Awards & Recognition

Emerging Leader in Pharmacy Practice Award · Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy 2024
Youth Assembly Delegate · American Field Service Intercultural Programs 2023
100 Best & Brightest MBAs: Class of 2022 · Poets & Quants 2022
Rotman Scholar Award · University of Toronto 2021
Student Engagement Award · University of Toronto 2021
Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award · University of Toronto 2021
Guy Genest Passion for Pharmacy Award · Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns 2020
Future of Pharmacy Excellence Award · Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns 2020
James D. Fleck Entrance Award · Rotman School of Management 2020
Frank Kwiecien Memorial Scholarship · Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy 2020
COVID-19 Student Engagement Award · University of Toronto 2020
Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists External Affairs Student Writing Award · Undergraduate Pharmacy Society 2020
Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award · University of Toronto 2017
Terry Buckland Memorial Award · University of Toronto 2017
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship · Trinity College, University of Toronto 2017
New College Student Council Leadership Award · New College, University of Toronto 2017
Health Plus Pharmacy Award · Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association 2017
New College Council In-Course Scholarship · New College, University of Toronto 2016
Ruth Reiffenstein Memorial Scholarship · New College, University of Toronto 2016
New College 50th Anniversary Award · New College, University of Toronto 2016

Board Experience

Board of Directors · Centre for Effective Practice 2025 – Present
Board of Directors · Hemophilia Ontario 2022 – 2025
Board Fellow · Hemophilia Ontario 2021 – 2022
Board of Directors · University of Toronto Students’ Union 2015 – 2016

Academic Service & Community

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee 2025 – Present
Alumni Awards Selection Committee 2025 – Present
Curriculum and Assessment Committee 2018 – 2019

Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists

Membership Committee 2019 – 2020
Communications Committee 2018 – 2019

Poets & Quants

Columnist 2021 – 2022

Undergraduate Pharmacy Society

Webmaster 2018 – 2019

New College Student Council, University of Toronto

Speaker 2017 – 2018
Graduating Year Representative 2016 – 2017
Social Director 2015 – 2016

New College Orientation, University of Toronto

General Planning Executive 2016
Director of Training & Scheduling 2015
Orientation Leader 2014

Mackenzie Health Richmond Hill Hospital

Information Desk Volunteer Supervisor 2010 – 2017
Emergency Department Volunteer 2015

2026

Adjunct Lecturer 2026 – Present Teaching

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

“Is Canada ready for the promise and price of gene therapies?” Media

The Hill Times

Director, Business Acceleration 2026 – Present Career

ODAIA

“How AI is changing the future of medication delivery” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“Why Most Pharma AI Deployments Fail and What the Best Ones Do Differently” Media

ODAIA · Co-authored with Michael Goulart & Kimberly Wong

“Defying early-onset colorectal cancer, a disease increasingly affecting younger age groups” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Mahima Kaur Trivedi

Co-Mentor 2026 – Present Research

The Reach Alliance

“A CEO’s advice for the next generation of leaders” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“Cross-border prescriptions: What Canadian pharmacists need to know” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network · Co-authored with Jia Qi Gan & Mina Tadrous

“Three ways AI enables the entrepreneurship process” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“Why (and How) Teachers Should Use Generative AI in the Classroom” Media

Faculty Focus · Co-authored with Nidhi Sachdeva

“Bridging intergenerational tensions in the workplace” Media

CareerWise | CERIC · Co-authored with Brennah Danchuk-Lauzon

“It’s never too early to join a board!” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“Universities face a financial crisis. The key to survival is the scholar-entrepreneur” Media

The Globe and Mail

“MaaTRx: When a pharmacist entrepreneur builds a novel drug shortage response platform” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“Entrepreneurship, Education, and Clinical Practice” Publication

Zhang, P.C., Khan, K., Ho, C., & Austin, Z. In Encyclopedia of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy (2nd ed.). Elsevier. doi:10.1016/B978-0-443-26472-6.00093-0

“Advancing Safe and Responsible AI Adoption in Community Pharmacy Practice” Talk

Network for Improving Health Systems, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

“AI in the Modern Workforce” Talk

Bausch Health

2025

“Pharmacists: Bridging the gap between AI and patient-centred care” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Mona Samani & Savana Elsays

“What pharmacists can learn from Asepha’s $4M seed fund raising” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“As pharmacists, we must be empowered to act in the face of Canada’s painkiller shortage” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Mina Tadrous

“The future of healthcare depends on investments in clinician entrepreneurship education” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“How to leverage clinical skills in non-traditional careers” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“Breaking into the pharmaceutical industry: a guide for pharmacy students” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“Everyone wins when we invest in pharmacist entrepreneurs” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“In the face of growing uncertainty, Canada needs to double down on innovation” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Anser Daud

“Will an MBA help clinicians grow?” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

Senior Business Acceleration Partner & Value Delivery Leader 2025 – 2026 Career

ODAIA

“The importance of health-system navigators” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Avital Pitkis & Perrine Tami

Clinical Pharmacist 2025 – 2026 Career

Twig Fertility

Guest Lecturer: Power & Leadership (PHM215) 2025 – 2025 Teaching

University of Toronto

Board of Directors 2025 – Present Board

Centre for Effective Practice

“Empowering pharmacists in Canada’s drug shortage response” Publication

Zhang, P.C. & Tadrous, M. Canadian Pharmacists Journal, 158(6), 341–343. doi:10.1177/17151635251365666

“RAG in health care: A novel framework for improving communication and decision-making by addressing LLM limitations” Publication

Ng, K.K.Y., Matsuba, I., & Zhang, P.C. NEJM AI, 2(1). doi:10.1056/AIra2400380

“Artificial Intelligence, e-Therapies and Virtual Care” Talk

Canadian Psychiatric Association

“Pharmacy Awareness Month” Interview

Southlake Health

Graduate Department Academic Appeals Committee 2025 – Present Service

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Alumni Awards Selection Committee 2025 – Present Service

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

2024

“5 Ways to Propel Inclusive Climate Action” Media

Mastercard · Co-authored with Jason M. Lo Hog Tian, Aisha Shafaqat, & Safaa Yaseen

“Cybersecurity attacks highlight the need for patients to keep their medication records accessible” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Melanie Seladurai

“Climate Resilience at the Margins: Five Key Lessons from Last Mile Populations” Media

Global Policy Journal · Co-authored with Jason M. Lo Hog Tian, Aisha Shafaqat, & Safaa Yaseen

“British Columbia found the key to attracting more family doctors, Ontario should do the same” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Laxsanaa Sivanthan & Avital Pitkis

“AI Disruption is Coming. Are Healthcare Professionals Ready?” Media

MedCity News · Co-authored with Karen Ka Yan Ng

“Governments should pay the high price of gene therapy” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Cameron Peters

Guest Lecturer: AI in the Pharmaceutical Industry (BTC2030) 2024 – 2025 Teaching

University of Toronto

Guest Lecturer: Entrepreneurship (PHM327) 2024 – 2024 Teaching

University of Toronto

Emerging Leader in Pharmacy Practice Award Award

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

“To maximise impact, hospital pharmacists need to increase visibility” Publication

Zhang, P.C., Matinnia, N., & Austin, Z. European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 31(3), 185–186. doi:10.1136/ejhpharm-2024-004137

“The AI Revolution in Healthcare” Talk

Pharmacy Changemakers, University of Toronto

“COVID-19 Vaccine Update” Talk

British Columbia Pharmacy Association

“3D Printing Face Shields” Talk

CAPSI Professional Development Week

“Designing & Evaluating Impact” Talk

The American Field Service Youth Assembly

“Collaborative Care: A Pharmacist’s Insights on Research and Medicine with Peter Zhang” Interview

Canadian Federation of Medical Students

“Artificial intelligence holds promise for pharmacy” Interview

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

2023

“Canadian pharmacists have an important role this RSV season” Media

Canadian Healthcare Network

“Prescribing community for mental health - lessons from Australia” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Jayden Battey

“Canada must invest in global leadership programs within higher education institutions” Media

The Hill Times · Co-authored with Aisha Shafaqat & Dexter Tan

“Untapped potential: Young leaders have the tools to help address health-care challenges” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Savannah Verhage & Jason M. Lo Hog Tian

Business Acceleration Partner 2023 – 2025 Career

ODAIA

“Pharmacist prescribers fill important gaps in the Canadian healthcare system” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Marwah Younis

“Clearing the air: fighting for a breathable future” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Sudarshan Bala & Gillian Goobie

“Naloxone kits in TTC stations a necessary tool to address overdoses” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Abrar Ahmed & Donna (Jinyuru) Yang

Marketing Manager, Cardiovascular & Metabolism 2023 – 2023 Career

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

“Free menstrual hygiene products are on the way, if you work at a bank, an airline or the public service” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Natalie Philbert

“Preventive health care: Why privately funded programs are reluctant to fund it” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Liju Mathew

“Synthetic data may revolutionize clinical trials - and save lives” Media

Healthy Debate

“Modernized home care can help stabilize health costs” Media

The Globe and Mail · Co-authored with Anser Daud

“The benefits of giving include tax credits” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Avital Pitkis

“Overcoming language barriers key to providing health-care” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Avinash Pandey

Marketing Associate, Cardiovascular & Metabolism 2023 – 2023 Career

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Doctor of Philosophy, Pharmaceutical Sciences 2023 – Present Education

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Doctoral Student 2023 – Present Research

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Guest Lecturer: Change Management (PHM310) 2023 – Present Teaching

University of Toronto

Youth Assembly Delegate Award

American Field Service Intercultural Programs

“Advancing medical affair capabilities and insight generation through machine learning techniques” Publication

Ng, K.K.Y. & Zhang, P.C. Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice, 16(1), 165. doi:10.1186/s40545-023-00670-w

“To succeed as health care innovators, pharmacists need to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset” Publication

Zhang, P.C. & Austin, Z. Canadian Pharmacists Journal, 156(3), 110–111. doi:10.1177/17151635231164622

“Harnessing the Power of Communication and Storytelling for Business Growth” Talk

Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association

“Faces of PharmSci: Peter Zhang” Interview

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

“Real Humans of J&J: Peter Zhang, Toronto Rotman PharmD/MBA ’22” Interview

Clear Admit

“Reach: Building Community and Sharing Insights in New York City” Interview

Reach Alliance

2022

“Ask a pharmacist before you split tablets for your children” Media

Toronto Star

“Internet-based mental-health care deserves a boost” Media

Ottawa Citizen · Co-authored with Jinyuru Yang & Abrar Ahmed

“Vaccine hesitancy is reviving long dead diseases” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Jinyuru Yang & Abrar Ahmed

Marketing Associate, Neuroscience 2022 – 2023 Career

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

“How pharmacist prescribing can alleviate health-care system pressures” Media

Policy Options · Co-authored with Mina Tadrous

“The Rotman Review: How Trade Missions Teach MBAs To Think International” Media

Poets & Quants

“Elon Musk, social media giants, must prioritize mental health and well-being” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Anser Daud

“The Rotman Review: Navigating the Future of Digital Marketing” Media

Poets & Quants

“The Rotman Review: A Year In The Life Of A MBA Board Fellow” Media

Poets & Quants

“Bleeding disorders in women need more attention” Media

The Hamilton Spectator

“The Rotman Review: How An MBA Shapes Success In Finance” Media

Poets & Quants

Guest Lecturer: Introduction to Financial Literacy (PHM215) 2022 – Present Teaching

University of Toronto

Guest Lecturer: Business Planning (PHM215) 2022 – Present Teaching

University of Toronto

Board of Directors 2022 – 2025 Board

Hemophilia Ontario

100 Best & Brightest MBAs: Class of 2022 Award

Poets & Quants

“Patient safety from a pharmacy perspective” Publication

Ho, C. & Zhang, P.C. In Encyclopedia of Evidence in Pharmaceutical Public Health and Health Services Research in Pharmacy. Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-50247-8_72-1

“The future of pharmacy is intertwined with digital health innovation” Publication

Zhang, P.C. Canadian Pharmacists Journal, 155(1), 7–8. doi:10.1177/17151635211044474

“2022 Best & Brightest MBA: Peter Zhang, University of Toronto (Rotman)” Interview

Poets & Quants

2021

“Despite a place on pharmacy shelves, homeopathy has no role in patient care” Media

Toronto Star

“The Rotman Review: Why Sustainable Finance Is Critical To MBAs” Media

Poets & Quants

“The dangers of antimicrobial drug resistance must not be ignored” Media

Healthy Debate & the National Post · Co-authored with Abrar Ahmed

“The Rotman Review: Building Your Own Time ’Portfolio’” Media

Poets & Quants

Clinical Pharmacist 2021 – Present Career

Southlake Health

“The Rotman Review: How Academic Research Makes MBAs More Valuable” Media

Poets & Quants

“As election day looms, voters have the chance to be heard on the federal funding of health care” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Abrar Ahmed

Clinical Instructor 2021 – 2022 Teaching

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

“The Rotman Review: Preparing For The Future Of Machine Learning” Media

Poets & Quants

“Communication must become an essential component of the science education curriculum” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Morgan Garland & Abrar Ahmed

“To overcome vaccine hesitancy, governments need to show citizens what’s in it for them” Media

Rotman Insights Hub · Co-authored with Anita M. McGahan

“To move beyond the pandemic, Canada needs to look globally” Media

The Hill Times · Co-authored with Abrar Ahmed

“Clinicians as community advocates: interplays of vaccines and society” Media

University of Toronto Medical Journal · Co-authored with Yousuf Ahmed & Jennifer Kwan

Marketing Associate Intern, Dermatology 2021 – 2021 Career

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

“When COVID-19 meets allergy season” Media

Hospital News · Co-authored with Annie Yao & Certina Ho, BScPharm, MEd

“Rigorous scrutiny of COVID-19 vaccines should bolster, not erode, confidence in immunization safety” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Anser Daud

“Should more of our foods be fortified with vitamin D?” Media

The Hamilton Spectator · Co-authored with Jinglin Tang

“COVID-19 and insomnia: Pills are not the answer” Media

Healthy Debate · Co-authored with Yousuf Ahmed & Anser Daud

“Prioritize one-shot COVID-19 vaccines for the hard to reach” Media

Toronto Star

“Mobilizing pharmacists is key to immunization success” Media

The Hamilton Spectator · Co-authored with Ming Hu

“Cyberchondria: An unexpected side effect of digitizing medical information” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Yousuf Ahmed

“Bala and Zhang: To win against COVID-19, we must put vaccine hesitancy behind us” Media

Ottawa Citizen · Co-authored with Sudarshan Bala

“Although alarming, mutated strains of COVID-19 are not a cause for panic” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Anser Daud

Guest Lecturer: Microbiology in the Clinical Setting (HMB312) 2021 – Present Teaching

University of Toronto

Scholar, Managing Consumer Value 2021 – 2021 Teaching

Rotman School of Management

Board Fellow 2021 – 2022 Board

Hemophilia Ontario

Rotman Scholar Award Award

University of Toronto

Student Engagement Award Award

University of Toronto

Joan E. Foley Quality of Student Experience Award Award

University of Toronto

“3D-printed personal protective face shields during the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey of Canadian frontline workers” Publication

Daud, A., Hussein, I.M., Zhang, P.C., et al. Cureus, 13(9), e18141. doi:10.7759/cureus.18141

“Overcoming vaccine deployment challenges among the hardest to reach: Lessons from polio elimination in India” Publication

Bellatin, A., Hyder, A., Rao, S., Zhang, P.C., & McGahan, A. BMJ Global Health, 6(4), e005125. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005125

““Superstar” pharmacists play critical role at vaccine clinic hosted on U of T’s St. George campus” Interview

University of Toronto

“Why choose a PharmD-MBA at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy?” Interview

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Columnist 2021 – 2022 Service

Poets & Quants

2020

“Antimicrobial Stewardship in the face of COVID-19” Media

Hospital News · Co-authored with Corlissa Chan & Certina Ho, BScPharm, MEd

“Naloxone needs to be in hands of as many people as possible” Media

Windsor Star

“We need naloxone kits in more hands in this opioid crisis” Media

The Hamilton Spectator

“As pandemic forces change, it’s a good time for Canadians to quit smoking” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Anser Daud

“It’s time to normalize suicide prevention training at the workplace” Media

Toronto Star

“Becoming a Pit Crew for Frontline Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic” Media

CMAJ Blogs · Co-authored with Yousuf Ahmed, Anser Daud, Isra Hussein, John Kim, Maroof Khalid, Maham Khalid, & Samveg Shah

“When COVID-19 pandemic meets the flu season.” Media

Toronto Star · Co-authored with Vince Teo & Houman Khosravani

Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Research Assistant 2020 – 2020 Teaching

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Master of Business Administration 2020 – 2022 Education

Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

Co-Founder 2020 – 2020 Career

3DPPE GTHA (3D-Printed Personal Protective Equipment, GTHA)

Lead Residence Don 2020 – 2020 Teaching

New College, University of Toronto

Guy Genest Passion for Pharmacy Award Award

Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns

Future of Pharmacy Excellence Award Award

Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns

James D. Fleck Entrance Award Award

Rotman School of Management

Frank Kwiecien Memorial Scholarship Award

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

COVID-19 Student Engagement Award Award

University of Toronto

Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists External Affairs Student Writing Award Award

Undergraduate Pharmacy Society

“Optimization of community-led 3D printing for the production of protective face shields” Publication

Zhang, P.C., Ahmed, Y., Hussein, I.M., et al. 3D Printing in Medicine, 6(1), 35. doi:10.1186/s41205-020-00089-y

“Pharmacy Students Lead Initiative to Supply Vital Equipment to Health Care Workers” Interview

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

“3DPPE GTHA Printing Milestone of 20,000 Face Shields” Interview

Ontario Minister of Health

2019

Project Researcher 2019 – 2020 Research

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Membership Committee 2019 – 2020 Service

Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists

2018

Lab Assistant 2018 – 2019 Research

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Researcher 2018 – 2020 Research

The Reach Alliance

Pharmacy Lab Teaching Assistant 2018 – 2021 Teaching

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

System Technician Intern 2018 – 2018 Career

Southlake Health

Guest Lecturer: Antimicrobial Stewardship (NEW116) 2018 – 2023 Teaching

University of Toronto

Curriculum and Assessment Committee 2018 – 2019 Service

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Communications Committee 2018 – 2019 Service

Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists

Webmaster 2018 – 2019 Service

Undergraduate Pharmacy Society

2017

Doctor of Pharmacy with Honours 2017 – 2021 Education

Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto

Project Researcher 2017 – 2017 Research

University of York

Guest Lecturer: Vaccine Hesitancy (NEW106) 2017 – 2023 Teaching

University of Toronto

Residence Don 2017 – 2020 Teaching

New College, University of Toronto

Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award Award

University of Toronto

Terry Buckland Memorial Award Award

University of Toronto

Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Award

Trinity College, University of Toronto

New College Student Council Leadership Award Award

New College, University of Toronto

Health Plus Pharmacy Award Award

Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association

Speaker 2017 – 2018 Service

New College Student Council, University of Toronto

2016

Undergraduate Researcher 2016 – 2017 Research

Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

Senior Peer Mentor 2016 – 2017 Teaching

First Year Learning Communities

New College Council In-Course Scholarship Award

New College, University of Toronto

Ruth Reiffenstein Memorial Scholarship Award

New College, University of Toronto

New College 50th Anniversary Award Award

New College, University of Toronto

Graduating Year Representative 2016 – 2017 Service

New College Student Council, University of Toronto

General Planning Executive 2016 – 2016 Service

New College Orientation, University of Toronto

2015

Board of Directors 2015 – 2016 Board

University of Toronto Students’ Union

Social Director 2015 – 2016 Service

New College Student Council, University of Toronto

Director of Training & Scheduling 2015 – 2015 Service

New College Orientation, University of Toronto

Emergency Department Volunteer 2015 – 2015 Service

Mackenzie Health Richmond Hill Hospital

2014

Undergraduate Researcher 2014 – 2015 Research

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Peer Mentor 2014 – 2016 Teaching

First Year Learning Communities

Orientation Leader 2014 – 2014 Service

New College Orientation, University of Toronto

2013

Honours Bachelor of Science with High Distinction 2013 – 2017 Education

Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto

2012

Program Instructor 2012 – 2017 Teaching

City of Markham

2010

Information Desk Volunteer Supervisor 2010 – 2017 Service

Mackenzie Health Richmond Hill Hospital