UCSF School of Pharmacy

We’re thrilled to welcome the first cohort of our new Master of Science program in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Drug Discovery and Development (AICD3). Meet Isaac Yeoh! Q: Why did you decide to apply to a program in AI and computational drug discovery? What are you most excited to learn? A: I’ve always been drawn to building algorithms and models. As I delved deeper into the vastness of the field, I realized the need to specialize. I’m excited to learn about pharmacology and how to integrate it with machine learning and AI. Q: What attracted you to UCSF? A: Groundbreaking research and the opportunity to learn from world-renowned faculty members like Dr. Atul Butte, Dr. Brian Shoichet and others. And after learning more about the executive committee, I was confident this program is designed to provide strong support and foster student growth. Q: How will AI help advance your research interest? A: With my interest in cancer research and pharmacometrics, I believe AI can play a pivotal role in accelerating and simplifying the discovery process. Given the current limitations and potential inaccuracies of AI, I plan to rely on traditional pharmacology techniques to validate and interpret the results it generates. Q: What will this degree make possible for your career? A: While I’m still undecided about pursuing a PhD or entering the biopharmaceutical industry, this degree and the capstone project will keep both paths open, equipping me to contribute meaningfully to the field of pharmacology. Q: Where do you see the future of AI and health care? A: The real turning point will come if we can develop AI that matches human intelligence. AI could be tasked with handling routine health issues, managing prescriptions, and escalating more complex cases to human professionals, improving overall efficiency in patient care. More on University of California, San Francisco's MS-AICD3 program: https://lnkd.in/g-CXpxqc

Bringing with it new discoveries, new opportunities and even a new graduate degree program with AI at the forefront, 2024 was a year of innovation and continued excellence at the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy.  Here are just a few of the many highlights that advanced our mission of leadership in research, education, clinical care, and entrepreneurship — expanding knowledge and improving the health of people everywhere.  https://lnkd.in/gtyh5AFy

This year at QBI was unforgettable! From exciting events to groundbreaking research, we celebrated partnerships and advancements that made a global impact. Take a look back at some of our moments! https://lnkd.in/gKCuU6JX

In the world of precision medicine, molecular diagnostics (MDx) have the power to transform patient care by using genetic information to guide individualized approaches to care and improve clinical outcomes. Yet access to these advanced tests often lags their development, primarily due to cost and uneven insurance coverage. Department of Clinical Pharmacy Assistant Professor Emily A. Hammad Mrig, PhD, is tackling this issue by using AI tools to identify patients and solutions that make MDx more affordable and equitable. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gnm5pmyy

#50ScientistsThatInspire systems biologist Dr. Nevan Krogan discusses using new technology to break down barriers in research and encourages up-and-coming scientists to surround themselves with supportive people. #CP50 Read the full interview: https://lnkd.in/eve4iv8w

🎥 Step into a day in the life of a future pharmacist! Follow Rhea M., a PharmD learner in the Class of 2026 from San Ramon, CA. She decided to pursue pharmacy as a career after working at a local pharmacy during the pandemic, administering COVID vaccines and tests. She loved the patient interaction and the ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. She was drawn to the way the University of California, San Francisco curriculum is structured around blocks. “I like that I’m learning everything about a system in a way that connects it all,” she said. “Like in cardio, I’m learning everything — pathophys, biochem, thermo — everything there is to know about the heart and the medications used for it.” When she’s not on campus, she works as an intern at a startup focused on AI in the pharmaceutical industry. She continues to be passionate about clinical work, and also intrigued by how AI could shape the future of pharmacy. “When I first started pharmacy school, I thought I had a clear plan,” she said, “but now I’m realizing there are so many opportunities out there.” #PharmacySchool #PharmDLife #FuturePharmacist #UCSFLife 

🎥 Step into a day in the life of a future pharmacist! Follow Ashley Leong, a Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate in the Class of 2025 who is currently an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) student on an inpatient cardiology rotation. Her typical day balances rounds with the cardiology team, discharge rounds, patient handoffs, and meetings with her preceptor — while also making time for vital self-care moments. See firsthand what it’s like to pursue a career transforming lives through pharmacy! 💊 #PharmacySchool #PharmDLife #FuturePharmacist #UCSFLife 

Congrats to PharmD students Keo Chui and Immanuel Tjahjadi, both Class of 2025, who took third place in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) 29th Clinical Skills Competition. The event, which drew teams from 133 schools and colleges of pharmacy, was held at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, Dec 8-12 in New Orleans, LA. The national interactive competition challenged student pharmacists to analyze complex patient case scenarios and make treatment recommendations for them. Chui and Tjahjadi were advised by Mike Trillanes, PharmD, BCCCP, faculty advisor of UCSF’s chapter of the California Society of Health - System Pharmacists (CSHP), who helped prepare them for the team-based analysis of clinical scenarios faced by hospital and health-system pharmacists. 

We’re thrilled to welcome the first cohort of our new Master of Science program in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Drug Discovery and Development (AICD3). Meet our learners! Yagmur Su Oner received her BA in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and is also a speech and debate coach. Her research interests include the intersection of biotech and law, as well as the computational development of therapeutics for neurological, dermatological, and oncological conditions. Q: Why did you decide to apply to a program in AI and computational drug discovery? What are you most excited to learn? I’ve always been drawn to spaces where science, technology and business converge. However, this convergence also presents new legal and ethical challenges, particularly concerning intellectual property, regulatory frameworks, and patient data protection. By mastering the tools to apply AI in drug discovery, I’ll not only be able to push the boundaries of what’s possible in personalized medicine but also help navigate the legal and business complexities that come with this transformative technology. Q: How do you feel AI will help advance your research interest? AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data allows us to uncover previously hidden patterns, which could lead to breakthroughs in understanding the underlying causes of these diseases. The use of patient data to fuel these AI models for advancements in personalized medicine should not come at the cost of individual rights, so I’m looking forward to contributing to scientific progress from both a technological and ethical lens. Q: Where do you see the future of AI and health care? AI will continue to drive innovations in personalized medicine, ensuring treatments are tailored to individual genetic profiles and reshaping clinical trials by identifying ideal candidates and predicting outcomes with greater accuracy. In the long term, AI could help democratize health care by making sophisticated diagnostic tools and treatments more accessible worldwide. But the future of AI and health care is dependent on [training] a generation of future leaders who have had their technical skills nurtured, and who have the tools and knowledge to build ethical, impactful innovations. Q: What have you enjoyed most about the program so far? What I’ve enjoyed most about this program is its unique interdisciplinary approach, which brings together leading experts and students from diverse fields such as biology, computer science, engineering, and medicine. This creates an incredibly dynamic, collaborative environment where innovative ideas are constantly exchanged. #ucsf #ucsfproud

Recognizing University of California, San Francisco’s research excellence, several faculty members from the School have been included in the Clarivate 2024 list of Highly Cited Researchers, recognizing the significant impact of their scholarly contributions. Researchers were chosen by their authorship of multiple Highly Cited Papers—those that ranked in the top 1% of citations within their fields and publication year in the Web of Science over the past decade. The list includes:   Nevan Krogan, PhD, director of the School’s Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI), renowned for his work in systems pharmacology. Brian Shoichet, PhD, co-vice dean of graduate pharmacy education programs, for the field of pharmaceutical chemistry and a leader in computational drug discovery. Aashish Manglik, MD, PhD, a faculty member in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and an expert in molecular pharmacology. Kathy Giacomini, PhD, BSPharm, a leader in pharmacogenomics, drug development, and regulatory sciences and the School’s dean. Of all the world’s scientists and social scientists, Highly Cited Researchers are 1 in 1,000. This recognition reflects the school’s commitment to fostering groundbreaking research that addresses critical issues in health care and pharmaceutical sciences.