News

Analysis by Department of Clinical Pharmacy Chair Jonathan Watanabe, PharmD, MS, PhD, reveals encouraging trends, but also highlights a persistent treatment gap.

The staff awardees include individuals in many different roles and functions across the school.

Danea Horn, PhD, an associate professional researcher in the clinical pharmacy department at UCSF’s Center for Translational and Policy Research on Precision Medicine (TRANSPERS), has investigated how prescription medications and drug pricing programs influence patient and provider behaviors and treatment decisions, with implications for pharmacy practice, health policy, and whole-person care.

Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences Professor Tanja Kortemme, PhD, offers insight into how federally-funded research has America on the cusp of a new dawn in pharmaceuticals, offering hope for curing the most heartbreaking diseases.

The School of Pharmacy held a Town Hall in June 2025 that drew more than 100 faculty, staff and students in-person and online.

Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences Professor Joanne Chun, PharmD ’93, PhD ’96 leads the MS in AICD3 program — the first of its kind in the nation focused on AI’s transformation of drug discovery and development. Learn more about how AI-based research benefit patients and how the program is developing leaders who can think across disciplines.

Congratulations to these PharmD students who are among the 2025 scholarship recipients. Scholarships are a key part of financial support students receive to ensure that finances are not a barrier to their success.

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Professors Brian Shoichet, PhD ’91, and Jason Sello, PhD, are leading a collaborative research project to scour millions of compounds — with help from tiny zebrafish — to create anesthetics safe enough to use without an anesthesiologist.

Muhammad Baluom, PhD, an executive director of clinical pharmacology at Eli Lilly and Company, reflects on his journey from becoming a pharmacist in Jerusalem to pursuing postdoctoral studies in the lab of the legendary Leslie Benet, PhD, and to leading the clinical pharmacology programs behind several approved drugs.

The school's second annual PSR Symposium brought together postdocs, specialists, and researchers for a day of scientific presentations, career discussion, and recognition hosted by the Center for Collaborative Innovation.

World No Tobacco Day is an occasion to reflect on UCSF’s national leadership and innovation in tobacco education — with limitless potential to directly reach patients. Department of Clinical Pharmacy Professor Robin Corelli, PharmD, has been taking on nicotine addiction for more than two decades.

On May 27, UCSF School of Pharmacy proudly celebrated the commencement of the PharmD Class of 2025 at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. The moment marked more than the culmination of academic achievement, with cheering family, friends, faculty, and mentors celebrating the achievements of a new cohort of Doctor of Pharmacy graduates.

The latest publication from the lab of Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences professor and Vice Dean of Research Tanja Kortemme, PhD, along with a $1.4 million award from the National Science Foundation, recognizes major possibilities and support for her vision of integrating AI and molecular design to advance health and sustainability.

Recently published findings reveal how the hypoxic, or low-oxygen, environment characteristic of pancreatic cancer reshapes the proteolytic landscape of the tumor, a discovery that could translate into better diagnostic tools or treatments.

The Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences chair was honored for pioneering advances in room-temperature X-ray data collection techniques and ensemble modeling methods, which have enabled deeper understanding and engineering of proteins. He has also been a champion of collaborative, project-based learning and has advocated for greater accessibility in scientific publishing. 

Lubna Khan, a first-gen graduate in the Class of 2025, has managed to balance the demands of grad school with the challenges of motherhood (she welcomed her third child during final exams) thanks to her family support system and relentless determination.

Her transformative, positive contribution to the human condition through health care and science as a community pharmacy pioneer laid the groundwork for her responses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Executive Vice Dean and Department of Clinical Pharmacy professor is being recognize for a career of thoughtfully directing brilliant minds toward their potential and ensuring equitable access for the next generation of health professionals.