Highlighting Virginia Commonwealth University’s position as a leader in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing, engineering professor James Ferri has been named chair-elect of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology & Education faculty.
Ferri, Ph.D., is associate chair of VCU’s Department of Chemical and Life Sciences Engineering in the College of Engineering. NIPTE brings together academic professionals and researchers, industry leaders and other stakeholders to improve how medicines are designed, developed and manufactured to meet patients’ needs in the 21st century. Leading Pharma
In 2021, VCU Engineering became a member of NIPTE, alongside 17 other universities with the highest-ranking pharmaceutical education and research programs in the U.S.
Ferri’s research focuses primarily on supply-chain improvements to more efficiently provide active pharmaceutical ingredients, and he has been integral in facilitating research between VCU and NIPTE. Recently, Ferri has been working with NIPTE members to build a Center of Excellence in Advanced and Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in the region. In his chair-elect role, which began June 1, he is supporting a wide range of emerging initiatives and activities.
Ferri’s projects related to pharmaceutical manufacturing have been supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, and his work on interfacial phenomena and formulations of disperse systems has been supported by NASA and the chemical industry. Ferri also was part of the NIPTE visiting team to the White House in April to propose a plan entitled “Overcoming Global Risk to the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain.”
With the chair-elect honor, Ferri offered his thanks to a number of collaborators.
“It's been a pleasure working with NIPTE leadership and mentors, including Fernando Muzzio, Ph.D., Rutgers University; Vadim Gurvich, Ph.D., University of Minnesota; Rodolfo J. Romañach, Ph.D., Recinto Universitario de Mayaguez; and Peter Wildfong, Ph.D., Duquesne University,” Ferri said. “I am also grateful for the continuing support of Frank Gupton, Ph.D., and Barbara Boyan, Ph.D., in the VCU College of Engineering.”
Subscribe to VCU News at newsletter.vcu.edu and receive a selection of stories, videos, photos, news clips and event listings in your inbox.
VCU awarded $3 million from the NIH to continue research training of students underrepresented in the sciences
VCUarts undergrad brings her eye to a unique canvas: the university’s research hub
Anonymous VCU alum donates $2.5 million to help students study abroad
Loose Parts connects art and play to the serious work of child development
Engineering professor receives $5 million federal grant to build a diverse STEM workforce
Meet-a-Ram: Isabel Dingus, an interior designer who studies how space reflects cultural identities
In annual survey, VCU staff report increased job satisfaction
Getting to the root of oral health
Enzyme Biotechnology Keep up with the latest at VCU