Centers, Labs and Initiatives

Unleashing innovation, transforming health care

The VCU School of Pharmacy is home to dynamic research and practice centers dedicated to innovation in health care. These centers and state-of-the-art labs foster a vibrant culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and contribute to advancements in health-related research and therapeutic interventions.

Centers

Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine

Harnessing advanced technology to identify molecular markers and develop new medications and tailored treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders

Research in lab.

Center for Compounding Practice and Research

Offering courses and hands-on practice to educate pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and nurses on safe and effective compounding of sterile medications

Researchers in full coverage lab suits using equipment.

Center for Pharmacy Practice Innovation

Developing, evaluating and improving patient care through integrating pharmacy practices and pharmacists into health care teams

V C U pharmacy student in hospital room grabbing equipment out of drawer.

Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences

Driving collaborative research, education and entrepreneurship to advance pharmaceutical development

Thomas D. Roper, p h d and Sandro R. da Rocha, p h d

Center for Drug Discovery

Advancing the future of drug discovery and development through education, collaboration and fostering entrepreneurial talent

Researching wearing hair cap and lab covering using syringe.

Labs

Bioanalytical

Providing precise solutions and valuable insights to advance health-related research and therapeutic interventions

Student using dropper in bioanalytical lab.

Digital Health

Developing digital health applications and equipping students with skills in this field using state-of-the-art equipment and digital technology-based applications

P h D student wearing V R goggles and hand controls.

Genomics

Integrating genetics, informatics and pharmacology to improve drug treatment for psychiatric and neurological disorders

Researcher using lab equipment.

Proteomics

Spearheading the development of innovative mass spectrometry-based technologies to study the onset and progression of cancer

Students in lab bending down to grab item from cart.

Metabolomics

Investigating diagnostic methods and treatments of critical illnesses and injuries to pioneer new therapeutic agents and approaches

a pharmacist holds up a syringe full of medicine and counsels a patient

Nanomedicine

Optimizing dosage forms and developing innovative therapies that are capable of overcoming drug resistance in solid tumors to improve treatment of cancer

Syringe.

Nanotherapeutics

Advancing the design and optimization of biomaterials and nanotherapeutic-based treatments for cancer, substance use disorder and conditions that cause blindness

Two students using lab dropper.

Neuroscience

Developing and testing small molecules for treating Central Nervous System disorders, such as Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and heart attack.

Students in lab making balm.

Initiatives

Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Program

Bridging gaps in health care delivery for older adults by driving discovery and translational research and training the future pharmacist workforce

A student and faculty member sitting at table.