Circular mRNA may improve treatments
SoP researchers are changing the shape of the fight against COVID, cancer and more. Although they’ve been effective at preventing the virus, the VCU School of Pharmacy’s Guizhi “Julian” Zhu, Ph.D., notes that mRNA molecules used in those vaccines still have room for improvement: Their linear shape makes them more susceptible to being broken down […]
Pharm.D. program accredited through 2031
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education has renewed accreditation for the VCU School of Pharmacy’s doctor of pharmacy program for a full eight-year cycle, effective through June 2031. The School of Pharmacy’s Pharm.D. program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, based in Chicago. The accreditation term granted for the doctor of pharmacy […]
Kelechi “K.C.” Ogbonna named dean of School of Pharmacy
By Greg WeatherfordSchool of Pharmacy Kelechi “K.C.” Ogbonna, Pharm.D., M.S.H.A., has been named dean of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy after an extensive national search. Ogbonna has served as interim dean since June 2022. Prior to that appointment, he served as associate dean of admissions and student services at the School of Pharmacy, overseeing […]
Leading the way in pharmacy and health
SoP’s Jean-Venable “Kelly” Goode recognized as one of the nation’s top women in pharmacy By Leah Small Jean-Venable “Kelly” Goode, Pharm.D., had been working for months with a patient who was fighting to control his diabetes while experiencing homelessness. After a frightening pattern of life-threateningly high levels of blood sugar, he was finally on track. […]
To fight cancer recurrence, VCU experts go right to the source
By Lewis Brissman If you think of cancer as a grizzly bear, an attack isn’t the only danger you face. An equal worry is the hibernation. Dr. Umesh Desai is – metaphorically, of course – targeting the beast in both states In the VCU School of Pharmacy, Desai is chairman of the Department of Medicinal […]
DNA responses to childhood trauma offer clues on which children will have long-term health issues as adults
The biomarkers could help predict which children are most at risk of trauma-related health issues as an adult, long-term study finds. By Olivia Trani New research from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Pharmacy brings the medical community closer to identifying children with the highest need for treatment and intervention following traumatic events. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, found […]
Peers and colleagues thank DiPiro for eight years as dean
Colleagues, friends and peers gathered at the Smith Building last week to say thank you to Joseph T. DiPiro, Pharm.D., for eight years of leadership as dean of the School of Pharmacy. DiPiro is stepping aside as dean but plans to continue teaching and will serve as associate vice president of faculty affairs. A nationwide […]
“You are resilient,” Class of ’22 is told at first Hooding and Diploma Ceremony since 2019
By Greg WeatherfordVCU School of Pharmacy An air of celebration and excitement accompanied the School of Pharmacy’s 2022 Hooding and Diploma Ceremony — even more than usual for an event like this. As several speakers noted, and as all recognized, this was the first such celebration to be held in person by the school since […]
School receives top awards as ‘diversity drives excellence’ at 2022 PACME ceremony
“Each PACME winner is an exemplar of the power of relationships.” By Amanda HeymannVCU University Public Affairs Kelechi (K.C.) Ogbonna, Pharm.D., associate dean for admissions and student services in the School of Pharmacy, received the Riese-Melton Award, given each year for contributions made in advancing cross-cultural relations, at the 2022 Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment awards […]
Ferguson brings focus on health equity to Congressional Healthcare Policy Fellowship
Amanda Ferguson, Pharm.D., has been named the American College of Clinical Pharmacy-American Society of Health-System Pharmacists-Virginia Commonwealth University Congressional Healthcare Policy Fellow for 2022-23. This fellowship offers pharmacists an opportunity to gain insight into health care policy analysis and development through immersion in the congressional environment. Over the course of the year, fellows are mentored in legislative […]