- About
- Organization
- Organization Overview
- Dean’s Office
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute
- Org Chart
- Research
- Education
- Patient Care
- People
- News
- Events
Research
Overview
UCSF School of Pharmacy faculty discoveries significantly impact the lives of the world's patients. Our research encompasses an entire spectrum, from understanding molecules at one end to ensuring the right patient receives the right medication at the other. Our scientists reveal the basic biochemical mechanisms of health and disease and explore molecular targets for new drugs. They both develop and share the leading technologies that enable their science. They drive the development of new medicines, medical devices, and diagnostic tests. And they investigate methodologies toward the safest, individualized, and most effective use of affordable, accessible medications for all patients.
Regardless of where their work falls along this spectrum, precise therapeutics is their common goal.
Research areas
Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences
- Therapeutic Bioengineering
- Pharmacogenomics and Genomics
- Computational Biology and Systems Pharmacology
- Drug Development and Regulatory Sciences
Department of Clinical Pharmacy
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry
- Computational Chemistry and Biology
- Physical Biology
- Protein and Cellular Engineering
Organized research unit (ORU)
Dean’s Office
- Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI)
Director: Nevan Krogan, PhD
Research services and facilities
Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences
- Biomedical Micro and Nanotechnology Core (BMNC)
Co-directors: Tejal Desai, PhD, and Shuvo Roy, PhD
Department of Clinical Pharmacy
- Drug Research Unit (DRU)
Director: Francesca Aweeka, PharmD
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- National Bio-organic Biomedical Mass Spectrometry Resource Center
- Director: Alma Burlingame, PhD
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility (NMR)
Director: John Gross, PhD
Associate Director: Mark Kelly, PhD - Resource for Biocomputing, Visualization, and Informatics (RBVI)
Director: Thomas Ferrin, PhD
Executive Director: John “Scooter” Morris, PhD - Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC)
- Director: James Wells, PhD
Associate Director, Biology: Michelle Arkin, PhD
Associate Director, Chemistry: Adam Renslo, PhD
Research programs and collaborations
Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences
- Genetics of Asthma in Latino Americans Study (GALA)
Principal Investigator: Esteban G. Burchard, MD, MPH - Limb Study
Principal Investigator: Nadav Ahituv, PhD - Study of African Americans, Asthma, Genes & Environments (SAGE)
Principal Investigator: Esteban G. Burchard, MD, MPH - The Kidney Project
Co-directors: Shuvo Roy, PhD, and William Fissell, MD - Pediatric Device Consortium
Director: Michael Harrison, MD
Principal Investigator: Shuvo Roy, PhD - Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI)
Director: Nevan Krogan, PhD - UCSF-Stanford Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (UCSF-Stanford CERSI)
Co-directors: Kathy Giacomini, PhD, and Russ Altman, MD, PhD - UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)
Department of Clinical Pharmacy
- California Poison Control System (CPCS)
Executive Director: Stuart Heard, PharmD - Center for Translational and Policy Research on Precision Medicine (TRANSPERS)
Director: Kathryn Phillips, PhD - Program for Outcomes, Pharmaceutical Economics, and Policy Studies (PrOPEPS)
Director: Leslie Wilson, PhD - UCSF Medication Outcomes Center (MOC)
Director: Rosa Rodriguez-Monguio, PhD, MS
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry*
- National Bio-organic Biomedical Mass Spectrometry Resource Center*
- Director: Alma Burlingame, PhD
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility (NMR)*
Director: John Gross, PhD
Associate Director: Mark Kelly, PhD - Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI)
Director: Nevan Krogan, PhD - Resource for Biocomputing, Visualization, and Informatics (RBVI)*
Director: Thomas Ferrin, PhD
Executive Director: John “Scooter” Morris, PhD - Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC)*
Director: James Wells, PhD
Associate Director, Biology: Michelle Arkin, PhD
Associate Director, Chemistry: Adam Renslo, PhD
*The technologies within each of these core facilities are advanced and improved by department faculty members and used by faculty members at UCSF and beyond to conduct their science.
Susan Merrell
COVID-19
Many School faculty members are intensely focused on COVID-19 research, collaborating with PhD students and other scientists in San Francisco and worldwide. See our COVID-19 Research Responses.
Leadership
Vice Dean of Research
James Fraser, PhD, coordinates the School’s broad research efforts, aiming to catalyze collaborations across labs, departments, the university, and outside institutions. He also ensures our research agenda is aligned with staff and learner career goals.
Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship and Industry Relations
Adam Renslo, PhD, is the School’s representative in collaborations between our academic scientists and industry, aiming to translate the most promising discoveries and technologies into therapies that reach patients.
Funding
The School of Pharmacy has been the recipient of more National Institutes of Health research funding than any other pharmacy school in the United States, every year since 1979. See: Funding Rankings.
Entrepreneurship
Founding companies is one way our researchers turn basic science discoveries into new therapies for patients. Entrepreneurship is encouraged and supported throughout the University of California and is an integral part of its technological, economic, and social benefits.