MS, University of Toledo
PhD , University of Arkansas
Rajesh Vadlapatla, PhD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Marshall B. Ketchum University College of Pharmacy in Fullerton, California. He received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, an MS from The University of Toledo, and a BS in Pharmacy from Bangalore University, India. With nearly two decades of academic experience, including over ten years in departmental leadership roles, Dr. Vadlapatla has served as a founding faculty member and inaugural chair, contributing to the development and growth of pharmacy programs across multiple institutions.
Dr. Vadlapatla’s research advances targeted drug delivery and pharmacy education through innovative formulations, translational approaches, competency-based assessment, and data-driven curriculum improvement. He has authored over 90 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and presentations at national meetings.
Dr. Vadlapatla has received multiple teaching honors, including Teacher of the Year awards from Marshall B. Ketchum University and the University of Saint Joseph, as well as the Best Role Model Award from graduating students. He is also the recipient of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Pharmaceutics Section Service Award (2025) for his sustained leadership and contributions to academic pharmacy.
Dr. Vadlapatla has been an active member of AACP since 2007, holding numerous leadership roles within the Pharmaceutics Section, including appointments to leadership teams, committee chair positions, and national service on programming, assessment, and strategic initiatives. His professional service reflects a strong commitment to advancing pharmacy education, mentoring students and junior faculty, and fostering collaborative scholarship within the academy.