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.

Since taking on the role of interim director of the program at the start of this school year, Dr. Ellis has seen the program through its introductory courses, led the further development of our courses and plan of study, collaborated with faculty from all our departments to build the future of this program and worked with partners inside and outside the university to expand what we’re able to offer our students.

"Dr. Ellis’ experience, including his contributions to the development of an industry concentration for our Pharm.D. program and his efforts to strengthen our partnership with the Medicines for All Institute, will continue to bring untold value to the team as we forge our path ahead," said K.C. Ogbonna, Pharm.D., dean, professor and Archie O. McCalley Chair of the VCU School of Pharmacy. "Our program is poised to grow even more rapidly than initially expected, and we are grateful to Dr. Ellis for the contributions he has made to get us where we are today."

Dr. Ellis has more than 15 years of experience serving students and working closely with community partners to open doors to new opportunities. In addition to dedicating his time to growing partnerships with our school and community partners, he has consistently shared his ideas and insights within our school community as an educator and innovator.

In 2014, he earned our school’s Teaching Excellence Award. Since joining VCU in 2008, he has served our school on numerous committees, including Admissions, Curriculum, Scholarship & Awards, Academic Performance, National Prominence and Promotion and Tenure.

Prior to joining VCU, he was a research associate in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Minnesota, following his postdoctoral training in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Kansas. He earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from UVA and his B.S. in Chemistry from Cornell University.