Medicinal Chemistry

Medicinal chemistry brings together the disciplines of chemistry and pharmacology in the design, synthesis, and development of pharmaceutical drugs. Our work encompasses the transformation of new chemical entities into potential therapies as well as the study and understanding of existing drugs. Medicinal chemistry is uniquely positioned to leverage recent scientific advances into the discovery of novel drug therapies.

Our faculty of distinguished scientists conducts innovative research, leading to such discoveries as new cancer chemotherapy agents and site-specific anticancer prodrugs. Our department hosts visiting professors, collaborates with colleagues across Rutgers, and attracts grant funding for our research groups. The innovative nature of our work is clear in an impressive record of drug patents, investigational new drug applications, and commercial licensures of novel technologies.

We are equally committed to the education of our students. At the undergraduate level, we teach courses in drug design to both pharmacy and non-pharmacy majors and encourage students to conduct faculty-mentored research. At the graduate level, we offer master’s and doctoral degree options. Graduate students pursue research under the close guidance of faculty mentors and have access to modern laboratories across Rutgers with a wide range of instrumentation and equipment.