News

Silas Contaifer will earn his doctorate this spring in pharmaceutical sciences with a concentration in pharmacotherapy. (Contributed photo)

Class of 2025: Pharmaceutical sciences student from Brazil brings high-tech touch to health care projects

May 1, 2025

Silas Contaifer, who will earn his doctorate this spring, has built 3D simulation tools that use virtual reality to enhance education and training.

Sunny Makwana plans to focus his doctoral research on respiratory pharmaceutics, including how inhaled medication affects the lungs and body. (Mary Kate Brogan, School of Pharmacy)

Class of 2025: Sunny Makwana emerges from his shell in the School of Pharmacy

April 18, 2025

In a dual-degree program, the first-generation student from a small town embraces leadership roles.

(Left to right) Burnside Watstein Award winners Aurora Higgs, Nicole Killian and Gray Scott. (Contributed)

19th Annual Burnside Watstein Awards highlight community empowerment

April 3, 2025

At a ceremony celebrating this year’s award honorees, the keynote speaker says ‘to go forward fully and freely and fiercely in the fullness of who we are.’

Students in the new accelerated B.S. and Pharm.D. program can complete their required bachelor’s courses in their first three years to get a jump on the Doctor of Pharmacy program at VCU School of Pharmacy. (School of Pharmacy)

New VCU accelerated program will allow students to earn bachelor’s and Pharm.D. degrees in 7 years

March 19, 2025

The accelerated B.S. and Pharm.D. program, which starts in the fall, will help graduate more qualified pharmacy professionals sooner and reduce students’ potential debt.

Ellis appointed Director of B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program

March 18, 2025

After serving as interim director since August, Keith C. Ellis, Ph.D., began his role as the Director of the B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program, effective March 17.

(Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

22 VCU health sciences schools and departments rank in top 50 for NIH research funding

March 7, 2025

Among public institutions, VCU has two units — the School of Dentistry and Department of Family Medicine — in the top 10 of the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research’s 2024 rankings.

SoP student-led project supports patients in recovery from opioid use disorder

March 6, 2025

Pharm.D. students leading the Resilient Smile Project recruited students across VCU Health Sciences to help patients address the oral health side effects of buprenorphine.

Natasha Smith, a dental hygienist student, assembles a kit during a recent service day organized by the Resilient Smile Project. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU student-led project supports patients in recovery from opioid use disorder

Feb. 24, 2025

From the School of Pharmacy and across VCU’s health sciences schools, students leading the Resilient Smile Project address oral health and its connection to buprenorphine.

Shijun Zhang, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Pharmacy, is pioneering drug discovery research focused on an essential component of the immune system. (Christopher Kendall)

Alzheimer’s, antennas and AI are highlighted in VCU faculty research receiving new Commercialization Fund awards

Feb. 19, 2025

Five projects are selected in the latest round of funding that helps bring campus innovation to the marketplace.

Lesley and Andrew Maggard met during their School of Pharmacy orientation and became friends as they were placed in various group projects together. A first date at the Galen Society dinner a few years later helped cement their relationship. (Courtesy photo)

Unbreakable bonds: The philanthropic spirit helped bring Lesley and Andrew Maggard together

Feb. 14, 2025

Through the School of Pharmacy’s Galen Society of donors, the 2013 graduates are close to establishing a scholarship in memory of a fellow VCU alum and colleague.