News

A research team led by Virginia Commonwealth University and Columbia University has gained novel insights into a protein suspected to be involved in benzodiazepine-related inflammation. (Getty Images)

Researchers may have solved decades-old mystery behind benzodiazepine side effects

April 14, 2025

Identifying a key protein’s role could improve the common mental health medications and point to new treatments for inflammation-related diseases, VCU medicinal chemist Youzhong Guo says.

Y. Zhang gives seminar as part of a VCU Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology seminar series

March 18, 2025

Yan Zhang, Ph.D., is director of the Center for Drug Discovery.

Ellis appointed Director of B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program

March 18, 2025

After serving as interim director since August, Keith C. Ellis, Ph.D., began his role as the Director of the B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences program, effective March 17.

Qingguo Xu, Ph.D., an associate professor in the VCU School of Pharmacy, and Matthew Banks, Ph.D., a professor in the VCU School of Medicine, co-led a study reformulating an opioid use disorder medication to extend its therapeutic effect. (Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU researchers are developing a long-acting medication for opioid addiction

March 18, 2025

Their latest preclinical study showed promising results in reducing opioid use and withdrawal symptoms.

Y. Zhang joins Chairs’ Interdepartmental Research Collaboration (CIRC) meeting at VCU School of Medicine

March 10, 2025

Yan Zhang, Ph.D., is director of the Center for Drug Discovery.

Wang visits VCU Department of Medicinal Chemistry

March 7, 2025

Xiaodong Wang, Ph.D., is a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Shijun Zhang, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Pharmacy, is pioneering drug discovery research focused on an essential component of the immune system. (Christopher Kendall)

Alzheimer’s, antennas and AI are highlighted in VCU faculty research receiving new Commercialization Fund awards

Feb. 19, 2025

Five projects are selected in the latest round of funding that helps bring campus innovation to the marketplace.

Wang leads recent seminar at the Center for Drug Discovery

Feb. 18, 2025

The title of his seminar was “Defying Conventional Wisdom: Developing Carbon Monoxide as a Therapeutic Agent."

Zhang visits National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program

Feb. 4, 2025

Zhang is the director of the VCU Center for Drug Discovery.

Shijun Zhang named 2024 NIRA Scholar

Nov. 25, 2024

Shijun Zhang, Ph.D. becomes the third VCU Pharmacy faculty member to be named a NIRA Scholar.