Class of 2025: Sagun Poudel trains her eye on novel drug delivery

By Joan Tupponce

Sagun Poudel had a lot to say – but little time to say it – in what became one of her proudest moments at Virginia Commonwealth University.

In 2024, as a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the School of Pharmacy, Poudel won VCU’s 3MT competition, as in 3-Minute Thesis. In the event sponsored by the Graduate School, she had to simplify her complicated work – Long-Acting Polymeric Microparticles for Age-Related Macular Degeneration – into a simple but powerful story, which focused on patients with retinal diseases.

She described how engineering biodegradable microparticles and dispensing them in a single injection can deliver medicine to the back of the eye and release it slowly for at least six months. 

“On a deeper level, this win reinforced why I do what I do. It wasn’t just about the research – it was about its potential real-world impact,” said Poudel, who graduated in August with her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences with a concentration in pharmaceutics.

Another bonus: “Winning the competition boosted my confidence in public speaking and my communication skills,” she said.

The road from Nepal to VCU

Poudel grew up in Pokhara in central Nepal and became interested in pharmaceutical science when she was 19.

“My broader interest was in the medical field, in a sector that would be flexible and allow me to pursue my career either in Nepal or beyond,” she said.

Her undergraduate pharmacy studies at Kathmandu University drew her to the concept of novel drug delivery – and ultimately to VCU, where pharmacy professor Qingguo Xu, D.Phil., has been exploring advances in ocular treatment.

“He was working in an area that felt unique compared to the mainstream research I had seen at the time. His work in nanomedicine and translational drug delivery aligns perfectly with my interests,” said Poudel, noting that Xu’s interdisciplinary focus and mentorship framed her doctoral studies.

“What stood out to me was that his lab doesn’t just do basic science – they develop innovative therapies with real-world impact,” she said, including a nanoparticle-based eye injection that slowly releases corticosteroids over months, potentially reducing the frequency of treatments for corneal transplant patients.

Getting involved in the VCU community

Poudel also made a mark beyond her classroom and lab work. Her efforts included a term as president of the Pharmaceutics Graduate Student Association, serving on the School of Pharmacy Student Executive Council to promote student engagement and inclusivity, working as a teaching assistant and mentoring students in the Research Experience for Undergraduates program.

During her GSA presidency, Poudel organized a multicultural day at which pharmacy graduate students came together to celebrate their diverse backgrounds.

“Many students prepared dishes from their home countries, shared stories and created an atmosphere of warmth and joy among their family and friends,” she said. “The response was overwhelming, and it became one of the most memorable events during my tenure as president.”

Poudel’s work has been acclaimed both within and beyond campus. Among her awards at VCU were this year’s Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Study as well as the Pharmaceutics Leadership Award. External citations include grants and awards from the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and the BrightFocus Foundation.

Family and the future

Poudel credits her husband as her biggest mentor and cheerleader during her time at VCU. When she doubted herself, he reminded her of her strengths and her commitment.

“From him, I’ve learned that my identity is not defined solely by my roles or accomplishments, but by who I am inherently as a person,” she said. “He’s taught me to always look at the big picture in life and not get caught up in minor conflicts that are only small pieces of a much larger whole.”

Poudel now looks forward to a career in the research and development sector of the pharmaceutical/biotech industry.

“I see myself gaining experience working in the forefront of drug development and eventually growing into managerial roles as my career progresses,” she said. “My time at VCU has been incredible and truly transformative. These years were meaningful, rewarding and full of growth.”