College of Pharmacy reaches research funding milestone

The UNMC College of Pharmacy continues to climb the rankings of U.S. pharmacy-research powerhouses, cracking the national top 10 for the first time in annual National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for fiscal year 2017. The ranking is compiled by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).

UNMC finished 10th among U.S. pharmacy schools in NIH research dollars with more than $10.5 million in funding. With only 40 full-time faculty, the college is one of the nation’s smallest among the 138 accredited U.S. schools and colleges of pharmacy.

The college continues to punch above its weight class as one of the nation’s best pound-for-pound pharmacy-research institutions. When adjusted to dollars-per-FTE-faculty, UNMC’s College of Pharmacy is No. 3 in the U.S., with an average of $263,943 per faculty member. This is the 10th consecutive year UNMC is in the top 10, based upon FTE.

The University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy led the nation in NIH research funding for the 38th consecutive year.

The UNMC College of Pharmacy has seen a surge of momentum in recent years, finishing No. 23 in 2008 and subsequently rising to No. 18, No. 12, No. 11 and now No. 10 nationally, in NIH funding, according to AACP.

Courtney Fletcher, Pharm.D., oversaw this period of research growth as the College of Pharmacy’s dean. Dr. Fletcher took over leadership of the college in 2007, and this past 2017-18 academic year was his last as dean, though he will remain on faculty.

“This is a wonderful capstone to Dr. Fletcher’s leadership as dean of the College of Pharmacy and will be a great place to start for the next dean, as well,” said Jennifer Larsen, M.D., vice chancellor for research.

Dr. Fletcher thanked the entire college for this latest achievement: “This is your accomplishment, and one that all should take special pride in. Your ability to sustain a high standard of excellence and productivity in research, and an equally high standard in education, is a reflection of your commitment to our vision, and the effort, creativity and passion each of you bring to your job.”