Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences offers PhD degrees through the College of Graduate Health Sciences. The four areas of specialization are Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Bioanalysis, and Pharmacometrics.
Graduates of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences are prepared to assume positions of responsibility in academia, government, the pharmaceutical industry, and other health-related organizations and institutions. The nature and variety of research projects available to students reflect the stimulating and dynamic environment of the health science center.
Vision and Mission
Vision: To be a top-tier, internationally recognized pharmaceutical sciences program in research and graduate education.
Mission: To advance pharmaceutical sciences in Tennessee and beyond through focused, cross-cutting, and collaborative research, and pharmacy and graduate education relevant to career advancement.
We will achieve our mission through the following goals:
- Providing a strong and relevant foundational basis to pharmacy education
- Delivering excellence and relevance in graduate education aligned with student career advancement
- Significantly contributing to being in the top-ranked pharmacy schools in NIH research funding
- Developing and maintaining individual and collaborative research projects of complex and programmatic nature
- Performing clinically driven pharmaceutical research directly impacting patient health
- Ensuring the availability and affordable access of departmental research resources
- Nurturing career growth and well-being of all department members including students
- Empowering collegiality through positivity, civility, and approachability among all department members
- Providing community outreach in research and science education
- Cultivating alumni and research partner relationships
PhD Specialization Areas
Medicinal Chemistry
Medicinal chemistry research includes the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of new medications with potential use in treating diseases such as cancer or infections and disorders of the endocrine, cardiovascular, central, and peripheral nervous systems.
Bioanalysis
Bioanalysis research includes the development and application of state-of-the-art analytical technology to detect and quantify molecular entities of biological and pharmaceutical interest, such as drugs or biomarkers.
Pharmaceutics
Pharmaceutics research includes the design, development and evaluation of drug delivery systems, injectables, and biotechnology drugs, including their production.
Pharmacometrics
Pharmacometrics research includes the quantitative assessment of drug disposition (pharmacokinetics) and effects (pharmacodynamics) using mathematical models based on biology, physiology, pharmacology and disease.
Department News and Events
Fall 2024 Graduate Seminar Schedule
The Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Seminar series is held Tuesdays, 1 – 2 pm in room 105 in the UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy Building.
Date | Speaker | Affiliation |
Tuesday, August 13 | Dr. Hassan Almoazen | Pharmaceutical Sciences/UTHSC |
Tuesday, August 20 | Dr. Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti | St. Jude/Department of Immunology and Comprehensive |
Tuesday, August 27 | Dr. Daohong Zhou | University of Texas Health/Center for Innovative Drug |
Tuesday, September 3 | Dr. Chao-Yie Yang | Pharmaceutical Sciences/UTHSC |
Tuesday, September 10 | Dr. Adam Durbin | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital/ Dept. of Oncology |
Tuesday, September 17 | Dr. Jane Hankins | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital/ Dept. of Global |
Tuesday, September 24 | Mr. James Parrett Jr and Mr. Tod Ponzio | University of Tennessee Research Foundation |
Tuesday, October 1 | Osama Alaidi/ Ishita Kathuria | Graduate Students/UTHSC Pharmaceutical Sciences |
Tuesday, October 8 | Alexander Jenner/Ruaa Al-Aqtash | Graduate Students/UTHSC Pharmaceutical Sciences |
Tuesday, October 15 | Nelufar Yasmen/Paridhi Gupta | Graduate Students/UTHSC Pharmaceutical Sciences |
Tuesday, October 22 | Harrison Thorn/ Jinhong Xie | Graduate Students/UTHSC Pharmaceutical Sciences |
Tuesday, October 29 | Sandip Godse/ Hyunseo Park | Graduate Students/UTHSC Pharmaceutical Sciences |
Tuesday, November 5 | Masuma Akter Brishti/ Daniel Nnamani | Graduate Students/UTHSC Pharmaceutical Sciences |
Tuesday, November 12 | Dr. Karen Corbin | Founder of Geeks that Speak |
Tuesday, November 19 | Lidya Gebreyesus/ Kumar Kulldeep Niloy | Graduate Students/UTHSC Pharmaceutical Sciences |
Tuesday, November 26 | Ahmed Rakib/Bhargavi Thalluri | Graduate Students/UTHSC Pharmaceutical Sciences |