Department of Chemistry

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Grayson Jacey is interested in the scientific and engineering side of medicine, especially how drugs are developed and made. (Dean Hoffmeyer, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

How I found my research: Grayson Jacey seeks to help make important medicines more accessible

April 21, 2026

The junior, who says ‘there is always something new to learn,’ has engaged in research projects at VCU, in private industry and in India and Germany.

William Thomas has dived into research while at VCU, including researching sickle cell disease – a condition that he has himself. (Jonathan Haff, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Class of 2026: William Thomas explores biology, medicine and his own disease

March 27, 2026

Sickle cell disease interrupted his freshman year, but the experience inspired him to join a VCU lab focused on the condition.

Thomas, Colleen, Mary Reilly and Todd Cecil each majored in chemistry as undergraduates at various schools before doctoral paths diverged between medicine and analytical chemistry at VCU. (Contributed photo)

Meet ‘The Doctors Cecil’ – 1 family, 2 generations, 4 VCU doctoral degrees

March 9, 2026

40 years ago, Todd and Mary Cecil came to VCU, and kids Thomas and Colleen have made it a family affair.

Xuewei Wang, an associate professor of chemistry, created a portable, at-home calcium monitoring device for people living with hypoparathyroidism, or hypopara. (Christopher Kendall, Kelley & Co.)

At-home calcium testing device could have wide-ranging impact in health care

March 3, 2026

The invention from VCU chemistry professor Xuewei Wang is being evaluated for the marketplace, and the applications could extend to multiple biomarkers.

a professor teaching a large class full of students who are taking notes

Come join our team and work with us in the VCU Chemistry Department

Feb. 20, 2026

The VCU Chemistry Department invites applications for a non-tenure track position (renewable) at the Assistant Professor level in general chemistry and organic chemistry.biochemistry to begin in August 2026.

VCU researcher Matthew C.T. Hartman and his team are fighting cancer at the molecular level as part of their work in chemical biology. (Contributed photo)

VCU researcher using $2M in new grants to explore cancer chemical biology

Jan. 22, 2026

The lab of Matthew Hartman is working toward molecules that could help drugs target disease-linked proteins.

Clinton McFeely stands in front of a research poster hanging up on a bulletin board

Clinton McFeely, Ph.D. (B.S. ’14, B.S. ’17, Ph.D. ’22) experiments at the molecular level in search of new treatments

Oct. 22, 2025

The Departments of Physics and Chemistry alumnus found his niche in theoretical science, experimenting in VCU’s labs to prepare for his professional career.

A group of people in blue uniforms pose for a photo inside a lab; a person in the center of the group holds a flat item with four lit candles

Alumni Q+A: Devleena Samanta, Ph.D. (M.S. ’12) is guiding the next generation of nanoscientists

Sept. 15, 2025

The Department of Chemistry alumna utilizes her experiences at VCU to guide her own students in her lab at the University of Texas at Austin.

VCU announces recipients of 2025 faculty awards for scholarship, teaching excellence

Sept. 10, 2025

Interim Provost Beverly J. Warren today announced 30 winners of VCU’s National/International Recognition Awards and 25 winners of the Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Awards.

aerial view of v.c.u. campus

Dr. Collinson was one of five VCU researchers who were inducted last week into the university chapter of the National Academy of Inventors.

Sept. 8, 2025

Five VCU faculty researchers inducted into National Academy of Inventors