Lucy A. Clunes, Ph.D.

Dr. Lucy A. Clunes is Vice President of Student Affairs and Professor of Pharmacology at St. George’s University (SGU). She earned a B.Sc. (Hons) in Pharmacology from the University of Sheffield and a Ph.D. in Physiology & Pharmacology from the University of Dundee, followed by post-doctoral training at the Cystic Fibrosis Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since joining SGU in 2008, she has progressed from Assistant to Professor, serving as Assistant and Associate Deans in Basic Sciences, as Dean of Students (2021–2025), and now Vice President of Student Affairs.

Her leadership portfolio includes deputy chairing the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Pharmacology; chairing curriculum review committees (BPM1, BPM2) and the Basic Sciences Curriculum Subcommittee; and directing large-scale academic advising and USMLE Step 1 initiatives that support thousands of learners annually.

Dr. Clunes’ research focuses on epithelial ion transport and mucociliary physiology, including CFTR regulation, adenosine signaling, and the effects of cigarette smoke on airway surface liquid homeostasis. Her publications appear in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, FASEB Journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, British Journal of Pharmacology, and SAGE Open Medicine. A multi-recipient of SGU’s Excellence in Teaching Awards and Exceptional Teaching recognitions, she also contributes to national and international dialogues on medical education, serving as a Faculty Council Member in Pharmacology for USMLERx/First Aid and as an invited panelist or presenter at professional conferences. She is committed to evidence-informed, inclusive student support systems; data-driven curricular design; and rigorous, clinically meaningful pharmacology education.