Teaching
National Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Velu's Organic Chemistry course was identified as an example of Best Practices in a National Study of Chemistry courses conducted by the Center for Educational Policy Research (CEPR) on behalf of the College Board. A total of 166 courses from across the nation were reviewed in this study.
Teaching Philosophy
Dr. Velu is committed to providing students with a strong foundation in organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry. His teaching approach emphasizes understanding fundamental principles, problem-solving skills, and the practical applications of chemical concepts to real-world drug discovery and development.
He teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses, mentoring students in research methodologies, experimental design, and critical thinking. His laboratory provides hands-on training in organic synthesis, spectroscopy, molecular modeling, and bioassay techniques.
Courses Taught
Graduate Courses:
- •Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery (CH-771)
- •Natural Product Chemistry (CH-772)
- •Organic Reactions and Synthesis (CH-732)
- •Foundations of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry (CH-701)
- •and Modern Drug Design and Development (IBS-708)
Undergraduate Courses:
- •Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery (CH-471)
- •Natural Product Chemistry (CH-472)
- •Cancer Biology Colloquium (CNBY-210)
- •Organic Chemistry I (CH-235)
- •Organic Chemistry II (CH-237)
- •Senior Research (CH-497)
- •Honors Research (CH-499)
UAB Undergraduate Program in Cancer Biology
Dr. Velu serves as the Co-Director of the Undergraduate Program in Cancer Biology at UAB. The UAB undergraduate degree in cancer biology is the only one of its kind in the entire United States. Students in this program will graduate with a strong educational and research background that maximizes their chances to achieve career goals in cancer biology and life sciences in general.
More information on the program can be found here.
Research Training for Students
Students working in Dr. Velu's laboratory receive comprehensive training in:
- ✓Organic Synthesis
- ✓Compound Purification
- ✓Compound Characterization
- ✓Spectroscopy (NMR, MS, IR, UV, Fluorescence)
- ✓Structure Based Drug Design
- ✓Fragment Based Drug Discovery
- ✓Molecular Modeling
- ✓In-Silico Virtual Screening
- ✓Lead Identification
- ✓Structure Activity Relationship Studies
- ✓Lead Optimization
- ✓In Vitro Enzymatic and Cell-based Assays