Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmaceutical Sciences are a broad range of scientific disciplines involved in the discovery, development, and manufacturing of medicines.

Exploring the Pharmaceutical Sciences

Research ranges from basic cell and molecular biology, pharmacology, and toxicology, to drug formulations, stability, and delivery. The department has expertise in these disciplines and conducts research to discover, develop, and deliver medicines across a range of therapeutic categories. Faculty are funded through federal grants, foundation grants and new investigator awards from AACP.

Faculty conduct experiments in state-of-the-art research spaces and in collaboration with institutions and companies across the country and internationally. Students are integrated into these research projects to gain authentic learning experiences and to earn authorship in publications. The experiences enhance their training, prepare them for residency opportunities, and equip them for professional careers to improve the human condition. 

Lab Research Equipment

The labs are equipped with modern instrumentation, including:

Formulations and Drug Stability

  • Four High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Shimadzu)
  • UV/VIS spectroscopy (Cary 50)
  • Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) (TA Instruments)
  • Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) (TA Instruments)
  • X-Ray Diffractometer (Bruker)
  • Moisture Sorption/Desorption Analyzer (TA Instruments)
  • Particle Size Analysis and Processing (Horiba)
  • USP Dissolution apparatus with Optic Fibers (Distek)
  • USP Dissolution apparatus (Vankel)
  • Incubator (Fisher Scientific)
  • Stability Chambers (Thermo Scientific)
  • Natoli Tablet Press
  • Rotary (ten-station) Tablet Press (SMI Piccola)
  • Diosna Wet Granulator
  • Retsch Ball Mill
  • Rotary Solvent Evaporator (buchi)
  • Twin Shell Dry Blender (PK)
  • Quadro Comil
  • Tap Density Apparatus (Varian)
  • Bulk Density Apparatus (Scott Volumeter)
  • Sonic Sifter (Advantech)
  • Sieve Shaker (Rotap)
  • Tablet Friabilator (Varian)
  • Tablet Hardness Tester (Varian)
  • Tablet Disintegration Tester (Varian)
  • True Density Pycnometer (Micromeritics)
  • Buchi Spray Dryer
  • VirTis Lyophilizer (SP Scientific)
  • pH Meter (mettler Toledo)
  • Heratherm Oven (Thermo Scientific)
  • Incubator Shaker (New Brunswick Scientific)
  • Unuator (CITO)
  • Ointment Mill (EXAKT)
  • Milli-Q Purified Water System (Millipore)

Molecular Pharmacology and Cell Biology

  • SpectraMax Microplate Reader for visible, fluorescent, and chemiluminescence assays
  • Applied Biosystems StepOne Real-Time Quantitative PCR System
  • BioRad MyCycler Thermal Cycler for PCR
  • Roche Lightcycler RT PCR instrument
  • Zeiss fluorescence and visible light microscope with AxioVision analysis software
  • BioRad MiniProtean Tetra Western Blotting System
  • Kodak imaging system for gel electrophoresis
  • BioRad VersaDoc imaging system for immunoblot analyses
  • Thermo Scientific NanoDrop Spectrophotometer
  • Cell culture CO2 incubators and sterile biosafety hood
  • Low temperature (-80° C and liquid N2) storage
  • Refrigerated centrifuges for large and small volumes.
  • Autoclave
  • Other Standard bench equipment

Additional facilities, such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, NMR, ultracentrifuge, cell culture facilities, small animal vivarium, and a cold storage room are available through collaboration with the departments of Biology and Chemistry. View the molecular pharmacology and cell biology lab panorama on the campus map.

Related Faculty Research

Faculty are funded through federal grants, foundation grants, and new investigator awards from AACP. Explore their focus areas and research portfolios through their profiles.

Remah Ali
Visiting Assistant Professor
Priyanka Bhatt
Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Todd Camenisch
Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Lipika Chablani
Associate Professor
Vivek Dave
Associate Professor
Janet Lighthouse
Assistant Professor
Melinda Lull
Adjunct Professor
Amy Parkhill
Associate Professor
Ankit Rochani
Visiting Assistant Professor
Ramil Sapinoro
Associate Professor
Fang Zhao
Professor Emerita