Pharmaceutical engineering programs at the VCU College of Engineering attract manufacturers like Eli Lilly to invest in Virginia
The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering’s pioneering doctoral program in pharmaceutical engineering played a pivotal role in attracting Eli Lilly’s $5 billion manufacturing facility to Goochland County. As the only program of its kind in the nation, VCU’s integrated approach—combining engineering and pharmacy education—demonstrated a robust workforce pipeline for advanced cancer treatment manufacturing.
Faculty leaders Frank Gupton, Ph.D., the Floyd D. Gottwald, Jr. Chair in Pharmaceutical Engineering for the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, and Kelechi Ogbonna, Ph.D., Dean, Professor and Archie O. McCalley Chair of the School of Pharmacy, have built an end-to-end capability for producing a workforce that will develop active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulated products, aligning academic innovation with industry needs. The partnership also extends to community colleges and includes new undergraduate and credentialing pathways, positioning Virginia as a national hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and education.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/72HFiMlTM54?si=3nAM6w-CehFze6eV
The Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to perform real-world research as soon as they enroll. From delving into the intricacies of pharmaceutical manufacturing to exploring the effects of climate change through heat studies, our students pursue a diverse range of cutting-edge research topics. Browse videos and recent news from the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Chemical & Life Science Engineering