Tennessee Tech chemist honored for innovative pharmaceutical research and student mentorship
From left: Tennessee Tech graduate student Patience Mansah Nortey and Assistant Professor
of Chemistry Oana Andreea Cojocaru are pictured conducting research in Tech’s Lab
Science Commons building.
An assistant professor of Chemistry at Tennessee Tech University and her students
are tackling one of medicine’s persistent challenges: how to make life-saving drugs
more effective by helping them dissolve better in the human body.
That work – and the innovation, collaboration and education it entails – has earned
Oana Andreea Cojocaru the 2025 Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, prestigious recognition that supports early-career
faculty through seed funding and professional development.
“Research holds significant value for me because it provides the opportunity to engage
students in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences,” Cojocaru said. “Watching their
curiosity grow and seeing their excitement when they discover something new is one
of the most rewarding aspects of my work.”
Her research team includes both undergraduate and graduate students. They are investigating
ways to increase aqueous solubility in drug compounds, which is a key factor in how
well a medication works.
Matching support for the ORAU award from Tennessee Tech will help extend her research
into the conversion of solid-state pharmaceuticals to more soluble liquid forms, potentially
improving bioavailability and therapeutic outcomes.
“It’s a great honor to be associated with an award that celebrates the legacy of such
a respected research leader,” Cojocaru said. “I’m especially grateful for my exceptional
research students whose hard work makes this recognition possible, and I’m proud to
represent Tech and our department in this way.”
Powe was a longtime administrator at Mississippi State University and a significant
figure within ORAU. His dedication to mentoring and supporting junior faculty is commemorated
through this award that continues to foster early academic excellence.
The award is presented only to researchers from ORAU member universities, which include Auburn, Perdue, Penn State, Rice, Texas A&M, University of Arizona, Yale and other nationally known institutions.
Cojocaru credits Tech’s supportive research environment and strong emphasis on undergraduate
involvement as major factors in her team’s progress.
“The university offers access to advanced instrumentation and fosters a culture that
encourages early student engagement in research. That foundation helps us explore
meaningful questions and prepare students to thrive in their future careers,” she
said.
Cojocaru’s project aligns with ORAU’s mission to support early stages of high-potential
research and advance scientific innovation while also supporting Tech’s broader goals
in student success and research excellence.