Medicinal Chemistry News

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.

(From left to right) Curtis N. Sessler, M.D., School of Medicine; Anika L. Hines, Ph.D., School of Medicine, School of Population Health; Deborah L. Polo, College of Humanities and Sciences; Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs; VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D.; Emiola Oyefuga, Ph.D., School of Education; Martin K. Safo, Ph.D., School of Pharmacy; Evan M. Sisson, Pharm.D., School of Pharmacy; and Michael F. Miles, M.D., Ph.D., School of Medicine. (Tom Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Excellence – and commitment – celebrated at VCU Faculty Convocation

Sept. 7, 2023

Seven educators and researchers are highlighted at 41st annual ceremony, where President Michael Rao links education and empathy.

Faculty Convocation will honor seven VCU educators and researchers for excellence

Aug. 31, 2023

Annual ceremony on Sept. 6 highlights teaching, scholarship and service.

Rebecca Martin, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Medicine, is a co-founder of Pleros Therapeutics. Its leading product is a molecule drug that targets enzymes involved in allergy responses, specifically asthma. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

More than ever, startups at VCU are turning ideas into businesses

July 11, 2023

Where science meets commerce, TechTransfer and Ventures is helping inventors find an audience beyond campus.

The Blick Scholar award is a premier recognition for those junior faculty members who have been exceptionally successful in research. (File photo)

Five new Blick Scholars reflect how VCU junior faculty are making their mark in medical research

June 20, 2023

From longevity and neuroscience to asthma and health equity, these assistant professors are rising stars in their fields.

Rachael Flammia works with Yan Zhang, Ph.D., in his lab. Zhang is studying the development of a means to reverse the acute and chronic toxicity of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 30 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. (Photo: Tyler Trumbo, MCV Foundation)

Fighting fentanyl

May 17, 2023

VCU researchers are spearheading efforts to reverse the toxicity of the potent synthetic.

Nibir Dhar, Ph.D., director of the Virginia Microelectronics Center in the VCU College of Engineering, leads a tour for National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, Ph.D., Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Rob Wittman on Monday. Photo by Kevin Morley, VCU Marketing.

NSF director visits VCU and calls it one of the U.S. universities that ‘matter for the future’

Feb. 7, 2023

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Rob Wittman spent Monday at VCU seeing how VCU is advancing science and innovation and helping to expand diversity in STEM.