UCSF School of Pharmacy

08/31/2026

As the regulatory landscape evolves, how do we ensure innovation keeps moving forward while helping new medicines and health technologies reach patients safely?The UCSF School of Pharmacy is launching a new Master of Science in Regulatory Science and Digital Innovation (RSDI) to prepare professionals to meet that challenge.

“The regulatory field is changing as quickly as the science and technology it oversees,” said program director Liang Zhao. “We need professionals who can anticipate what’s coming and respond effectively.”

The program builds on the school’s long-standing strength in the field, including the UCSF-Stanford Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (since 2014). The program offers two tracks: an executive path for mid- to senior-level leaders looking to gain expertise in the global regulatory landscape and policy , and a foundational path for early-career professionals entering or pivoting into regulatory science, biotech, or digital health.

Students complete the degree in four to five quarters, combining rigorous coursework with a thesis or capstone. Industry leaders from companies such as Intuitive Surgical, Genentech, and Accumulus Technologies are helping to shape the program.

Applications open Sept. 1 and close Dec. 1. The first cohort begins July 2027.

Learn more: https://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/news/2026/08/new-masters-program-aims-to-shape-future-of-regulatory-science

08/27/2026

What if many of the genetic changes linked to ultimately disrupt the same molecular machinery?

A new study published today in Science by researchers at QBI in the UCSF School of Pharmacy and the UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences offers a new view of what happens inside cells.

The researchers mapped more than 1,800 protein-protein interactions across 100 autism risk genes and found that many distinct mutations converge on shared protein networks. They also analyzed 54 patient-derived mutations to see how those changes alter the networks.

Why does that matter? If different genetic forms of autism disrupt the same molecular pathways, those shared pathways could become targets for therapies that address multiple forms of autism rather than one mutation at a time.

The highly collaborative study provides a framework for connecting genetic mutations to molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets—an approach that could extend beyond autism to other complex genetic diseases.

Read more: https://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/news/2026/08/largest-molecular-map-of-autism-opens-path-to-precision-therapies

08/21/2026

Meet the UCSF School of Pharmacy Class of 2029 — from where they come from to the unexpected details that make this group unique.

Swipe through to uncover the fun facts about our newest PharmD students.

08/17/2026

Did you know? The UCSF School of Pharmacy has a rich history of firsts, breakthroughs, and major impact.

From ranking No. 1 in NIH funding among pharmacy schools for 46 consecutive years, to to launching the nation’s first MS program in AI and Computational Drug Development and Discovery — our community continues to lead.

Swipe through for more facts about our students, alumni, and groundbreaking research!

08/11/2026

Congratulations Ryan Hernandez, PhD, for receiving 'The Higher Education Professional of the Year Award', which recognizes a Sloan Scholars Alumni who has made significant contributions to their field, to the areas of teaching and mentoring, or to other forms of service in higher education.

Ryan Hernandez, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Pharmacy. His research focuses on population genetics and the use of evolutionary modeling to understand how evolutionary forces shape genetic and phenotypic variation across the continuum of human populations, with the long-term goal of advancing equitable precision medicine.

Learn more at https://sloan-scholars.ssrc.org/news/11531240

08/07/2026

Meet the UCSF School of Pharmacy’s Class of 2029 as they share what inspires them to pursue pharmacy and why they chose UCSF.

At the 2026 White Coat Ceremony that welcomed them into the pharmacy profession, students reflect on their passion for science, patient care, and public service — and their excitement about the many career paths a pharmacist can take, and the profound impact a single medication can have on someone’s quality of life.

Hear what motivates this next generation of pharmacists as they begin the three-year PharmD degree program at UCSF.

Meet the UCSF School of Pharmacy’s Class of 2029 as they share what...

08/06/2026

The International Chemical Biology Society is holding its conference this year at UCSF in October. Professor Michelle Arkin is among the organizers and professor Tanja Kortemme will be one of the keynote speakers.

The event brings together leading scientists from academia, industry, nonprofits, and government to explore groundbreaking research at the interface of chemistry and biology.

Speakers will be selected from abstracts. Submit abstracts by Aug. 15 to be considered.

07/29/2026

The Quantitative Biosciences Institute, UCSF (QBI) at the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy is expanding its leadership with the appointments of two nationally recognized leaders in translational science, infectious disease research, and pandemic preparedness to newly created executive leadership roles aimed at scientific and strategic growth.

John Young, PhD, joins QBI as chief strategy officer after leading infectious disease research and pandemic preparedness at Roche. Andy Kilianski, PhD, becomes chief science and technology officer after helping oversee more than $1 billion in biomedical R&D investments at Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).

Together, they'll help accelerate QBI's mission to translate discoveries into new therapies by expanding partnerships across industry, government, and global health.

"John and Andy each bring an exceptional combination of scientific expertise, leadership experience, and translational vision," said QBI Director Nevan Krogan, PhD. "Together, they will help expand QBI's impact by building the partnerships and technological capabilities needed to move groundbreaking discoveries from the laboratory toward improving human health."

Learn more about these new appointments and QBI's growing role in advancing therapeutic discovery: https://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/news/2026/07/qbi-adds-strategic-leaders-to-expand-scientific-innovation-and-partnerships

UCSF Science & Health Education Partnership (SEP)

07/28/2026

What makes UCSF special? Hear from our students and graduates!

From a deeply collaborative culture to the unmatched support of faculty, preceptors, staff, and peers, UCSF is a place where students are lifted up while pursuing rigorous training.

They highlight the patient-centered teamwork that defines our community, the incredible network of alumni and mentors ready to guide the next generation, and the unique energy of studying in the San Francisco Bay Area.

At UCSF, you’re never alone on the journey. Thank you for the valuable insight Balpreet Kaur Badhesha ( Balpreet Kaur Badhesha ), Danica Cruz ( Danika Cruz ), Dallon Barfield, Arnav Shankar Rastogi ( arnav r ) , Rhea Ravindra Misra ( Rhea Misra ), Janice Jiang ( Janice Jiang ) and Jayd Hanna.

UC San Francisco (UCSF)

07/24/2026

On Friday, July 17, 129 members of the UCSF School of Pharmacy Class of 2029 received their white coats during the school's 24th annual White Coat Ceremony at San Francisco's Herbst Theatre.

The ceremony marks the beginning of their journey into the pharmacy profession and celebrates their commitment to scientific inquiry, compassionate patient care, and lifelong learning.

Along the way, students heard words of encouragement from Dean Kathy Giacomini, PhD, BSPharm; UCSF Health Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer Noelle RM Chapman, PharmD, MBA; Pharmacy Alumni Association President Matthew Bryant, PharmD, and second-year PharmD student Arielle Chang.

Congratulations, Class of 2029! We're excited to see the impact you'll make while preparing for a profession that is evolving rapidly through advances in artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and emerging technologies.

🔗 Read more: https://pharmacy.ucsf.edu/news/2026/07/white-coat-ceremony-welcomes-pharmd-class-of-2029