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Medicinal Chemistry News

the biotech one building at v.c.u.

Ph.D. student Grace Rilee earns F31 grant from NIDCR

March 31, 2026

Rilee is the second student in the history of the Department of Medicinal Chemistry to earn this prestigious award.

youzhong guo

Youzhong Guo, Ph.D., receives grant renewal from Bayer R&D

March 31, 2026

This project is just one of several examples of the collaboration that exists between our faculty and pharmaceutical industry partners.

two researchers wearing sterile lab covering making balm.

Why pursue a Pharm.D. concentration in pharmaceutical industry

March 21, 2026

How can our concentration in pharmaceutical industry set you up for success in your career? We’re glad you asked.

the biotech one building at v.c.u.

Department of Medicinal Chemistry names 2024-25 awardees

Feb. 15, 2026

The department named five students and postdoctoral fellows as winners of six awards.

Umesh Desai, Ph.D. (left), chair of medicinal chemistry in the VCU School of Pharmacy, and Bhaumik Patel, M.D., of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, are developing novel therapies that target cancer stem cells to help prevent tumor recurrence. (Photo by Karl E. Steinbrenner

No short cuts – but a bit of sugar – in the quest to fight cancer relapse

Jan. 16, 2026

VCU medicinal chemist Umesh Desai has spent decades exploring a frontier of biology, and the molecule he helped develop shows notable promise.

Six people, including a student in formal business attire who has just completed her dissertation defense, smile together for a photo in front of a chalkboard with computational medicinal chemistry formulas written on it.

Dr. Fayyad successfully defends dissertation

Dec. 11, 2025

Rawan Fayyad, Ph.D., defended her dissertation this month and has earned her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences with a concentration in medicinal chemistry.

the biotech one building at v.c.u.

Ph.D. candidate wins Online People's Choice Award for VCU Three-Minute Thesis Competition

Dec. 11, 2025

Albert Opare won the Online People's Choice Award after competing as a finalist in the 3MT Competition in October.

the biotech one building at v.c.u.

Ph.D. candidate wins presentation award at Commonwealth of Virginia Cancer Research Conference

Dec. 11, 2025

Sarita Pandit won a best presentation award at the recent event, hosted by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dickson Donu has published 27 research papers on a range of topics, including studies assessing the prevalence of malaria and the development of new medications to treat or prevent malaria. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

How I found my research: Dickson Donu joins the battle against malaria

Nov. 19, 2025

Donu, who will earn his Ph.D. from the School of Pharmacy next month, says the most fulfilling aspect of his work is the potential to make a real-world impact.

Dean K.C. Ogbonna and Associate Dean Mary Peace McRae stand on either side of graduate student poster award winners Grace Rilee and Yasir Alshehry, at the front of a lecture hall on Research Day.

Ph.D. student wins poster award at VCU School of Pharmacy Research Day

Oct. 27, 2025

Grace Rilee won one of two graduate poster awards at the recent schoolwide event.