Rowan’s College of Science and Mathematics launches new Ph.D. program in pharmaceutical chemistry

Rowan University is expanding its degree offerings with a new doctoral program in pharmaceutical chemistry. 

Offered in collaboration with researchers at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, the School of Osteopathic Medicine and the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, the interdisciplinary degree program in the College of Science & Mathematics prepares students to create and analyze new drugs, understand how they work in the body, and study their effectiveness.

Whether students plan to advance research in the pharmaceutical industry, find employment with a government agency like the Food and Drug Administration, or pursue a postdoctoral fellowship and a career in academia, Rowan’s Ph.D. program in pharmaceutical chemistry can help them get there. 

“We have top-notch faculty working on groundbreaking research that provides solutions to global challenges,” said Dr. Vojislava Pophristic, dean of the College of Science & Mathematics. “Students seeking their doctoral degrees in pharmaceutical chemistry at Rowan will be making discoveries that push the boundaries in health solutions.”

The college has a long-standing and successful master’s degree program in pharmaceutical chemistry and the new doctoral program is the “logical next step in growth,” noted Dr. Suzanne Bausch, vice dean of the College of Science & Mathematics.

“Given that New Jersey has one of the largest concentrations of pharmaceutical companies in the United States, our new pharmaceutical chemistry Ph.D. program is also key for the state of New Jersey’s economy and workforce development,” Bausch added.

The program is housed in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and is coordinated by Dr. Kandalam Ramanujachary.

“Program faculty are working on cutting-edge research, with many supported by grants from agencies, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health,” said Dr. Subash Jonnalagadda, head of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. “Our Ph.D. students will contribute to these projects, and many will gain teaching experience, as well.”

Robert J. Chitren, who earned his master’s degree in pharmaceutical science at Rowan, is among the first eight students in the program. 

"This program has given me all the resources and tools I need to conduct meaningful science and make an impact in the scientific community," said Chitren, who has already published multiple journal articles in the course of his studies in Jonnalagadda’s research lab. "I hope that one day, the drugs our lab synthesizes will be used to help people."

Indu Mithra Madhuranthakam, who also earned a master’s degree in pharmaceutical science at Rowan, will start the program next semester.  

"Rowan feels like home," Madhuranthakam said. "During my two years as a master’s student, I loved my research work in Dr. Thomas Keck’s behavioral pharmacology lab. I already knew I wanted to pursue my Ph.D., but at that time, Rowan had no Ph.D. program in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. When I came to know Rowan was starting a Ph.D. program, my happiness had no bounds."

Prospective students may apply directly to the doctoral program or follow a path to their Ph.D. from Rowan’s master’s degree program in pharmaceutical sciences. Every accepted doctoral student receives a stipend and a partial tuition waiver. For more information, email PhDPharmChem@rowan.edu