Alums: Why I support the School of Pharmacy


Terri Powers

Terri Hubbard Powers (‘78 B.S./ P)

What did you learn from your School of Pharmacy experience that you continue to draw upon?

“Patients come first”! I can still hear Libby Watkins' lecture ringing in my ears. All these years later, I'm happy to still be a member of VPhA, our state association, where the advocacy work they do boils down to patients come first. Whether it's bringing transparency to prescription drug pricing to help make medications more affordable or expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice to improve access and patient outcomes, it's putting patients first. Being a member of VPhA, having served on the Government Affairs Committee and currently co-chair of the RXCare Political Action Committee, I love that I can play a small role in that advocacy — remembering those words, "Patients come first.”

Why do you think people should support the School of Pharmacy?

I chose a career that serves others, and that part of me doesn't end just because the end of my career is fast approaching. Supporting the school is putting something in play that will continue to serve others even after I'm gone.


Vanitha Sekar

Vanitha Jagannathan Sekar (‘96 Ph.D./ P)

Executive Director and Head, Virology Corporate Development, Gilead Sciences

What did you learn from your School of Pharmacy experience that you continue to draw upon?

The immense value of mentorship and friendships during times of change and challenge.

Why do you think people should support the School of Pharmacy?

I would encourage people to do more in terms of philanthropy and giving back to the SOP so that VCU can provide opportunities to those who otherwise would not have access to the kind of education that people with privilege benefit from. 


Kamlesh Thakker

Kamlesh “Kam” Thakker (‘82 Ph.D./ P) - 

Founder/Managing Partner, Notting Hill Consulting LLC 

What did you learn from your School of Pharmacy experience that you continue to draw upon? 

Everything that I learned about pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics. And also the friendships and professional contacts that endure to this day. 

Why do you think people should support the School of Pharmacy?

As a first-generation immigrant, I owe my professional and personal growth and success to the foundational learning that I received while studying at the VCU School of Pharmacy. It is very important to me to show my gratitude and appreciation for all that I have received by giving back to the School of Pharmacy, so as to help inspire and spark the potential aspirations of the future generation of graduate students.  


Chun-Chun Li (‘95 Ph.D./ P)

President and General Manager, Virginia Contract Research Organization, Taiwan

What did you learn from your School of Pharmacy experience that you continue to draw upon?

PK/PD, mathematical modeling, neural network, problem-solving — and resilience! 


Jessicca Rege (‘05 Ph.D./ P)

Vice President, Head of Oncology Clinical Development, Alkermes

What did you learn from your School of Pharmacy experience that you continue to draw upon?

Being flexible, trouble shooting, and solution-oriented. 

Why do you think people should support the School of Pharmacy?

Our support sets up students for career success.