Research and Innovation

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

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.

Leadership

Adam Renslo, PhD

Professor

I am the School’s representative in collaborations between our academic scientists and industry, aiming to translate the most promising discoveries and technologies from our research into therapies that reach patients.My research group is engaged at the interface of chemistry and biology. As…
Learn more about Adam Renslo, PhD

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.

Come learn more about our entrepreneurships