Medicinal Chemistry News

Now in its third year, the VCU Breakthroughs Fund has supported more than 30 projects through investments totaling nearly $6 million. (Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU Breakthroughs Fund provides grants to 10 more faculty-led projects that pursue transformative innovation

July 2, 2024

Health, equity, sustainability and the human experience are the driving forces for transdisciplinary teams that target society’s grand challenges.

Postdoctoral fellow Maggie Freeberg, Ph.D. and Patricia Sime, M.D., chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the School of Medicine, in their lab this spring. The pair are part of a multidisciplinary team studying treatment and a possible cure for fibrosis. (Photo by Jeff Kelley)

VCU researchers explore a promising pathway to treating fibrosis

June 18, 2024

Collaboration between schools of Medicine and Pharmacy focuses on what may be a cellular trigger for the organ-scarring diseases.

VCU ranked in nation’s Top 100 for university utility patents for second year

June 11, 2024

The National Academy of Inventors list recognizes campus commitment to research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Ivelina Metcheva, Ph.D., assistant vice president for innovation at VCU TechTransfer and Ventures; Lauren Siff, M.D., representing the winning team SurgicalED VR; and Brent Fagg, assistant director for innovation at VCU TechTransfer and Ventures, at the VCU Startup Accelerator’s first Pitch Day competition. (VCU TechTransfer and Ventures)

Virtual-reality surgical trainer earns top spot in first Pitch Day event for VCU faculty entrepreneurs

May 29, 2024

Urogynecology team led by Lauren Siff is among the inaugural cohort of the Startup Accelerator, which propels campus innovation toward commercial markets.

Mohammed AlAwadh said his scientific journey at VCU “has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m profoundly grateful for it.” (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2024: Mohammed AlAwadh delves into the intricacies of drug development

April 24, 2024

After graduation, he will return to Saudi Arabia as a professor, teaching others the techniques he has learned at VCU.

Youzhong Guo, Ph.D., an associate professor in the VCU School of Pharmacy, said “better research tools, such as CHEAPS, can help us understand the structure and active mechanisms of many human membrane proteins.” (File photo)

Chemical designed by pharmacy professor launches as tool for cholesterol research and future drug discovery

March 14, 2024

Youzhong Guo, Ph.D., and his team developed the chemical CHEAPS as part of ongoing research on membrane proteins as drug targets.

Martin K. Safo, Ph.D., (left) and Richard T. Marconi, Ph.D., are the latest VCU researchers honored as senior members by the National Academy of Inventors. (File photos)

National Academy of Inventors names two VCU faculty as senior members for their research into treating diseases

March 1, 2024

Richard T. Marconi of the School of Medicine is developing new innovations for testing and preventing Lyme disease, and Martin K. Safo of the School of Pharmacy is targeting sickle cell disease.

Lemont “Monty” B. Kier, Ph.D., a professor emeritus in the VCU School of Pharmacy, had a long and varied career spanning science and the arts. (File photo)

Renowned medicinal chemist, mentor and lyricist of VCU alma mater Lemont Kier dies at 93

Jan. 12, 2024

‘A stalwart’ in his field and the community, Kier developed pioneering scientific concepts while emphasizing student achievement – and embodying the spirit of ‘We Gather Here.’

Samuel Holmes, Ph.D., (left) poses at a presentation with his doctoral advisor Umesh Desai, Ph.D. (right). (Contributed photo)

Class of 2023: Doctoral student Samuel Holmes combines medicinal chemistry and computational modeling at a small scale

Dec. 19, 2023

Exploring the shape of heparin chains, he hopes his research could point to molecular designs for cancer treatment.

A new award, which will be given annually, honors VCU faculty members who were nationally or internationally recognized for exceptional accomplishments during the course of their current evaluation period. (Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU announces first class of faculty scholars honored for ‘exceptional accomplishments’

Oct. 11, 2023

National/International Recognition Award will reward faculty members who personify the uncommon excellence that can be found across VCU.