Research Opportunities at Purdue

Few Universities can match the depth and breadth of Purdue Engineering’s research capabilities and talent. We are focused on 21st century impact — leading the way in reshaping the research universe through discovery and innovation.

Research programs in the College of Pharmacy are located within the College’s three departments (Department of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Department of Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacology, Pharmacy Practice). In addition to the departmental research programs, some of the College’s faculty also participate in specialized research centers, some of which are interdisciplinary, inter-departmental, or inter-college as well as involve a consortium of research institutions.

The broad scope of scientific research at Purdue is our strength. Across the research areas of the college you will find our faculty and students working on discoveries like the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, improving health care through improved diagnostics and individualized medicine, searching for dark matter, refining artificial intelligence methods, pushing the boundaries of Mars exploration and finding routes to sustainability in a rapidly-changing environment.

Together, College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) researchers address challenges people face daily. HHS cultivates an environment that supports innovative research and creative thinking by promoting interdisciplinary research, supporting collaborative initiatives and providing state-of-the-art technology. Within this environment, no challenge is too great and no goal is beyond our reach. From fighting disease to tackling food insecurity to improving financial literacy, each of our research laboratories and centers aspire to discover new knowledge that contributes to our persistent pursuit to improve human health and well-being across all stages of life.

Dedicated to advancing their understanding of cancer and its causes to improve lives, the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) is one of only seven National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Basic Laboratory Cancer Centers in the nation.

With more than 120 researchers representing more than 16 countries around the world, and disciplines ranging from biomedical engineering to medicinal chemistry to fluorescence-guided surgery, our scientists bring a rich diversity of experience to pharmaceutical discovery. Working across disciplines and in collaboration with clinical partners, we develop and promote innovative drug candidates for cancer, neurological disorders, trauma, infectious diseases, immune disorders, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

The Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN) is structured around four program areas: Neuroengineering, Development, Genetics & Neuropharmacology, Neurotrauma & Neuropathology, and Aging & Neurodegeneration

Purdue University’s cutting-edge research and innovation extend to the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease (PI4D). With unparalleled expertise spanning eight colleges and 27 departments, the institute serves as a leading hub for groundbreaking research, advanced education, and commercialization in the fields of inflammation, immunology, and infectious disease. 

The mission of the Purdue Autism Research Center (PARC) is to support individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities by (1) advancing scientific discovery through interdisciplinary research that bridges cell cultures to community cultures, (2) mentoring the next generation of thought leaders, including scientists and practitioners, and (3) partnering with self-advocates, families, and communities to translate scientific discovery for lasting societal impact. 

CEREBBRAL is a center started within the College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) as an Area of Research Excellence.  CEREBBRAL leverages strong collaborations between basic and applied scientists across units to answer big questions about how to improve quality of life, not just extend it, and how to predict disease- and aging-related declines in large highly variable populations.