FDU Student Spotlight Michael Alexander Karros, MHS, PharmD’26
A Passion for Healing, A Drive to Discover
Michael Alexander Karros, MHS, PharmD’26
In the quiet early hours before classes begin at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Michael Alexander Karros is already at work. Whether he’s consulting for a contracting firm, training clients in the gym, interning at a local pharmacy, or rehearsing behind a drum kit, Michael embodies what it means to pursue excellence in every corner of life.
Currently on track to earn both his Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Health Science in Clinical Research & Administration by May 2026, Michael’s academic path is as ambitious as it is personal.
“I chose to study pharmacy after losing one of my closest mentors to ALS,” he shares. “Then, during my first year at FDU, I lost my aunt to the same disease. That’s when I decided to add the master’s degree—so I could focus on rare disease research and clinical trials. Those two losses are what lit the fire.”
Michael chose FDU not only because of its top-tier pharmacy program but also thanks to a personal connection—his sister, an FDU alumna, whose stories of Hennessy Hall and the Monninger Center drew him in.
“I transferred from County College of Morris and FDU offered unmatched scholarships,” he says. “The proximity and affordability made it an easy decision. But it’s the community that’s made it special.”
His resume speaks to that engagement. Michael juggles five professional roles, including:
- Savon Pharmacy Intern
- Student Admin Staff at FDU Madison
- Consultant at Karros Contracting LLC
- Personal Trainer at Hoplite Fitness
- Professional Studio Drummer
In addition to his work and studies, Michael serves as:
- President, American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Chair, Interprofessional Education Committee
- Director of National Engagement, Industry Pharmacist Organization
- Student Ambassador & Mentor
Ask Michael how he defines success, and you won’t get a list of titles or accolades. For him, it’s about daily discipline and personal growth.
“Success is the ability to exceed your current capabilities, no matter how small the step,” he says. “It’s about getting up each day and moving toward your dreams—even when they feel far off.”
And he’s not shy about what keeps him going:
“Honestly, fear of not reaching my full potential motivates me. That, and the dream of driving a ’64 Lincoln Continental someday,” he jokes.
Among the many memories he’s made at FDU, one stands tall: the White Coat Ceremony at the end of his first year.
“It marks your transition to the clinical phase of pharmacy school. That day, wearing the coat, standing on stage—I felt like I’d taken a real step toward my purpose.”
Michael is candid about the realities of pursuing higher education while supporting himself and balancing five jobs. Scholarship support has been more than helpful—it’s been essential.
“It’s helped me buy groceries, pay medical bills, and even start chipping away at student loan interest,” he says. “It’s allowed me to keep going and keep growing.”
Looking back, Michael would remind his younger self that the only limits are the ones you place on yourself.
“You are capable of more than you believe. Tear down the ceiling. And remember—what you do in the dark shines in the light.”
His advice to fellow and future students?
“Prepare thoroughly. Stay curious. And know that every moment of effort adds up. Even the small steps move mountains.”
With a heart set on service, a mind built for science, and an unstoppable spirit, Michael Alexander Karros represents the very best of what it means to be an FDU student—bold, compassionate, and fiercely determined to make a difference.