Student profiles - 2022 cohort

Hannah Cleary

Trinity College Dublin (TCD)

Research:

My research relates to formulation development of long-acting injectable preparations- focussing on their bioavailability at the site of administration. Some factors affecting this that have hindered our understanding of these formulations to date include local physiological effects at the site of administration on release of drug and which pharmaceutical properties play a dominant role in absorption and drug availability in the body. These processes will be investigated using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) and Physiologically Based Biopharmaceutics (PBBP) modelling, in silico and in vitro dissolution testing and related imaging and characterisation methods to determine the possibility of developing in vivo predictive dissolution testing for parenteral products.

Experience:

Before commencing my PhD journey, I qualified as a pharmacist with first-class honours Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) from University College Cork (2022). Some of my highlights in Cork were founding and editing the Apothecary Times magazine, founding UCC Dodgeball Society, and winning a STARS award for immense contribution to student life. Throughout my time in Cork I was involved in many research projects in the regulatory and clinical fields as well as invaluable experience in the pharmaceutical industry and community pharmacy.

In my free time, I love to paint, play music (piano, violin), travel and hike to unwind. I’m also an avid runner- currently training to do a half marathon in the New Year!

Stefana Duca

University of Nottingham (UoN)

Research:

My research revolves around developing non-invasive drug delivery platforms to enable direct drug delivery to the brain. The primary aim of my project is to design permeation enhancers that can be used in combination with specific cancer therapies (e.g. MEK inhibitors), to target paediatric gliomas through an intranasal formulation. I work under the supervision of Dr Felicity de Cogan and Prof. Weng Chan.

Experience:

In 2022 I graduated from University of Birmingham with a first-class honours BSc in Biomedical Science. During my time there I was awarded the Arthur Thomson scholarship allowing me to carry out a summer studentship at the end of my 2nd year, where I gathered preliminary data on the application of HIPEC as an adjuvant therapy approach in ovarian cancer. Additionally, for my final year research project, I investigated the interaction between the gut microbiome and the carotid body in cardiovascular diseases.

For my university-based rotational project as part of the CDT programme, I worked on modelling drug delivery of cell penetrating peptides, a novel non-invasive drug delivery technology. For my industry project at AstraZeneca, I worked on developing and optimising the formulation development process of 3D printing techniques.

Mary Flood

University College Dublin (UCD)

Research:

I am carrying out my PhD research project at the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) and University College Dublin (UCD), where I aim to address the current setbacks of mRNA vaccine stability by designing chemically-modified mRNA formulations and optimising the solid properties of lyophilised lipid-nanoparticles for enhanced therapeutic delivery.

Experience:

I am a recent graduate from Trinity College Dublin with an honours bachelor’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I was involved in two independent research projects. The first project was part of an awarded internship investigating the photochemical, photophysical and electrochemical properties of novel ruthenium-based Sonogashira cross-coupled complexes. In addition, a comparative analysis assessed the photoactive performance of such complexes as linkers within lanthanide-based metal organic frameworks. The second research project was part of my bachelor’s thesis and focused on the synthesis and characterisation of non-proteinogenic amino acids as well as conformationally restricted β-hairpin cyclic peptidomimetics as competitive protein-protein interaction inhibitors of tumour DNA repair.

Antonia Gucic

University College London (UCL)

Research:

My PhD project, titled "Advanced characterisation of drug-carrier interactions to accelerate prediction of new micellar nanomedicines", aims to bring to light a fundamental understanding of the interactions between a series of physicochemically diverse APIs and micellar nanosystems.

The project aims to achieve this on a nanoscale and molecular level utilising advanced characterisation techniques such as NMR, TEM, SANS and SAXS. This approach seeks to enable rational development of novel micellar systems through appreciation of the relationship of micelle and API properties to the stability of the micellar system. The project is undertaken under the supervision of Dr Michael Cook, Dr David Shorthouse and Dr Chris Waudby.

Read my profile

Experience:

I received my Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree from King's College London in 2020, achieving first-class honours. I then completed my pre-registration pharmacist training and worked as a hospital pharmacist within the NHS. My final year university project focused on determining the rate of light-activated release of carbon monoxide from several novel photoactivable carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (photoCORMs) utilising spectrophotometric methods, with the view of investigating any potential correlation of the CO-release rates to the photoCORMs' antimicrobial activity.

Iqra Hassan

University College London (UCL)

Research:

My PhD project is titled “Development and characterisation of an organ-on-a-chip model of the endometrium for disease modelling and drug discovery.” My research aims to develop a state-of-the-art, organ-on-chip model of the endometrium to study endometriosis; the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK. We hope to utilise this model to further disease understanding and drug discovery.

Experience:

I graduated from the UCL School of Pharmacy in 2020 with a first-class honours Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree. During the summer of my third year, I secured a fully funded, five-week Faculty of Life Sciences Alumni Summer Studentship in the Pharmaceutics department. I worked on a project titled “Improving the Readability of Malaria Rapid-Diagnostic Tests”. For my MPharm master’s dissertation project, I received a first-class in my thesis titled “Development of a New Simulated Vitreous Fluid Through The Formation Of Hyaluronic Acid And Tyramine 3D Hydrogels.

Alexandra (Lexie) Howard

University of Nottingham (UoN)

Research:

My PhD project involves developing bespoke polymers for the formulation of an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) with known poorly soluble drug API. This project ultimately will endeavor to improve the compatibility between drug and polymer, resulting in a more stable ASD with respect to inhibiting API crystallization.

As well as using high-throughput “extreme miniaturized” printing, to allow the ready fabrication of ASD micro-arrays at varying drug-polymer loading increments, I will also utilise machine learning, to develop predictive tools for drug-polymer compatibility.

I am under the academic supervision of Dr Jonathan Burley (Nottingham), Dr Giuseppe Mantovani (Nottingham) and Dr Michael Cook (UCL), also industrial supervision of Dr Amjad Abouselo (AstraZeneca) and Ammar Almajaan (Pfizer).

Experience:

I graduated in 2021 from Newcastle University with BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology. During my final year research project, I investigated the PKCδ inhibitor rottlerin, for a potential therapeutic for neuropathic pain management. I then graduated in 2022 with an MSc in Drug Discovery and Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Nottingham. During my Master’s research project, I investigated the potential role of pomegranate juice in altering vascular function in porcine coronary artery vessels.

In my free time, I enjoy playing badminton, reading and eating good food.

Laura Koenitz

University College Cork

Research

During my PhD project, I will investigate the non-invasive delivery of macromolecular drugs via the skin route under the supervision of Dr Sonja Vucen and Prof Abina Crean. After developing a microneedle formulation, it will focus on the in vitro assessment of the dermal bioavailability of the protein drug. Additionally, the project will examine in silico simulations assessing possible factors that affect the drug’s in vivo performance.

Experience:

I recently obtained a degree in pharmacy from Leipzig University, Germany. As part of my studies, I undertook placements in both community and hospital pharmacies in Germany. In 2020, I came to Ireland as an Erasmus student to carry out research for my Diploma thesis on the ‘Development of Anti-fibrotic Functionalized Delivery Hydrogels to Modulate Lung Fibrosis’ at the University of Galway. After finishing my degree, I returned to Ireland to join the EPSRC-SFI Centre for Doctoral Training in Transformative Pharmaceutical Technologies.

Luke Kumeta

University of Nottingham (UoN)

Research

During my PhD project, I will aim to develop lipidic and nano-formulations for the co-delivery of cannabidiol (CBD) and other molecularly targeted drugs. The goal is to optimise the concentration of these drugs in the pons region of the brainstem, utilising their analgesic and anti-cancer properties for the treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), an aggressive and devastating brain tumour commonly found in children. DIPG carries a poor prognosis, with a median survival time of less than one year following diagnosis. Following this, I will analyse the in vivo pharmacokinetics and biodistribution patterns of the drug formulations in various brain tissues, with a specific focus on the pons.

Experience:

Before joining the CDT, I graduated with an MChem from the University of Nottingham. My master’s project was focused on the development of gadolinium-based Magnetic Resonance Imaging contrast agents with biomarker selectivity to aid in the targeted probing of Alzheimer’s disease.

In my spare time, I enjoy rugby, cooking and watching films.

Tianyang Liu

University College London (UCL)

Research:

For my first research training project, I am working under the supervision of Dr Chris Morris, Prof. James Phillips, and Dr Rachael Dickman on the generation of GDNF mimetics using phage display. The aim of this project is to use phage display to identify tight binders of the GDNF receptor GFRα1, as a starting point for the design of potent GDNF mimetics for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) damage and disease.

Experience:

I received my BSc from China Pharmaceutical University in Pharmaceutical Preparation. My BSc research project involved the design of intelligent nano-vesicles dissolving cholesterol crystals for treating atherosclerosis. Following this, I obtained my MSc degree in Pharmaceutics at UCL, where my research project was primarily focused on the analysis of the clinical translational challenges for developing long-acting intraocular formulations.

Before joining the CDT, I spent two years working for Optceutics Ltd as a laboratory scientist, where I was involved in developing the PK-Eye, a compartmentalised in vitro model of the human eye for ocular preclinical development. I came to lead some key projects, including an Innovate UK grant and client formulation projects.

When I am not in the lab, I enjoy spending my time in cinemas and theatres to immerse myself in good stories! I also like travelling, drawing and playing video games.

Ruslan Mohamed

University of Nottingham (UoN)

Research:

My PhD project seeks to improve microneedle transdermal delivery of peptides by using a predictive model that establishes a connection between the properties of microneedle polymers and dosage variability and is supervised by Dr Giuseppe Mantovani, Dr Mischa Zelzer, and Dr Maria Marlow.

For my university-based training project, I worked under the supervision of Dr Mischa Zelzer, Dr Giuseppe Mantovani, and Dr David Scurr to investigate OrbiSIMS as a tool to analyse the sequences of poly(amino acids).

Experience:

I graduated from the University of Southampton in 2022, with an integrated master’s degree in biomedical sciences (MSci). During my degree, I worked on two projects. In my third year, I investigated the effects of various chemicals on the neural basis of feeding, using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system. My master's project focussed on optimising cytoplasmic and nuclear microinjection of Xenopus oocytes to investigate the modification of NMDA receptor function upon the binding of PSD-95 to the recently discovered receptor subunit, GluN2A-S.

In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, playing video games, and going to the theatre.

Sham Nawshirawan

University of Nottingham (UoN)

Research:

My PhD project is focused on the formulation of a long-acting depot for the treatment of a globally neglected disease. I am working under the supervision of Dr Maria Marlow, Dr Pavel Gershkovich, and Dr David Scurr.

Experience:

I completed my undergraduate studies in pharmacy from Kurdistan, Iraq, and worked as a licenced pharmacist for two years. In 2021, I received my master’s in pharmaceutical bioformulations at University of Sunderland, focusing on the application of nanotheranostics in personalized medicine, as part of my research project. Prior to attending the CDT program, I worked as a teaching assistant, teaching physical compounding lab to undergrad students at a private university back home. Upon joining the CDT, the initial academic project focused on targeted delivery of antiretroviral drugs to peripheral and intestinal lymph nodes to enhance the treatment of HIV/AIDS. For my industrial project, I joined Upperton Pharma Solutions for three months where we focused on the development of dry powder nasal formulations.

Outside of lab, I enjoy practising piano, going on walks in nature, and enjoying the company of family and friends.

Ozde Oztekiner

University College London (UCL)

Research:

I am currently undertaking my PhD project under the supervision of Dr Jenny Lam, Dr Chris Morris and Professor Mine Orlu at the UCL School of Pharmacy on a project which aims to design inhaled delivery platforms that consist of a combination of novel biomaterials developed by our sponsor Croda. To enhance stability and aerosolization properties, particle engineering methods will be used to generate powder aerosol of biologics while machine learning approaches will be employed to optimize formulation and pharmaceutical process.

Experience:

I graduated from the Aston University in 2021 with a first-class honours Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree. During second year, I undertook a one-month placement within the Pharmaceutics department on Stereolithography 3D Printing. In my third year, I was chosen as one of the top 5 students of my year group and achieved the highest module mark in Neuropharmacology. My master’s thesis focused on the development and characeterisation of Aripiprazole loaded nanosuspensions delivered in the form of Fast Dissolving Oral Films (FDOFs).

I then undertook my pre-registration year at community pharmacy and later on, at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) where I worked in Product Development and Supply, R&D where I participated in early phase development and lab-scale manufacture of conventional drug delivery systems such as tablets and capsules. For the last 3 months, I lead a process capability project on roller compaction mimicking of two single-punch presses.

Sara Parvar

University College London (UCL)

Research:

My research focuses on the development of formulations for convection-enhanced delivery of therapeutics in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). This aggressive form of paediatric brain cancer is currently untreatable with pharmacological therapies and is challenging to target with systemic chemotherapies due to its location in the brainstem.

The goal of my PhD is to enable the delivery of drugs using direct infusion into the tumour using thin implantable catheters. I am working under the supervision of Dr David Shorthouse, Dr Karolina Dziemidowicz, Dr Chris Morris and Dr Andrew Lewis (Quotient Sciences).

Experience:

I graduated in 2021 with a First-Class Honours Master of Pharmacy degree from University College London. Following this, I completed my pre-registration training year and joined the General Pharmaceutical Council’s register as a pharmacist in 2022. During my first year of the CDT, I completed my academic mini-project in the Basit Research Group, utilising Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing to formulate ozanimod miniprintlets for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

My industrial placement was carried out at AstraZeneca in Cambridge, whereby I worked on formulating lipid nanoparticles for spleen delivery using the NanoAssemblr Ignite and explored their stability following freeze drying. Outside of the lab, I enjoy travelling, practicing taekwondo and yoga, and am an avid Arsenal supporter!

Daniel Yanes

University of Nottingham (UoN)

Research:

Long-acting injectable formulations, often in the form of nanomedicines are a common route of administration.  During product development, a critical quality attribute studied is the in vitro release rate, which is essential for predicting in vivobehaviour.  Currently, there’s a knowledge gap in understanding the key factors that influence drug release in nanomedicines.

My PhD project seeks to explore the relationship between drug release from nanoparticle formulations, formulation properties and the drug release methodology used.  This understanding will be used to (i) Develop a predictive pipeline using machine learning to connect formulation properties to drug release and (ii) Establish a standardised analytical workflow that can be used to characterise drug release from nanoparticles. I am working under the supervision of Dr Mischa Zelzer (UoN), Dr Jamie Twycross (UoN), Professor Cameron Alexander (UoN) and Dr Maryam Parhizkar (UCL).

Experience:

Prior to joining the CDT, I graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2020, completing a BSc in Chemistry with Industrial Experience.  Here I worked at Croda Pharma, working on evaluating a novel naturally derived excipient for pharmaceutical applications and developing a preparative scale flash chromatography method for the separation of a complex polymeric mixture.

After graduating I worked at GSK in Ware as Laboratory Analyst in a GMP environment, where I was responsible for ensuring the chemical compliance and adherence to stringent analytical specifications for respiratory products.

Following this, I returned to research in 2021 – 2022, completing an MRes in Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine at Newcastle University.  During this time, my research focused on exploring the potential of Zinc-based metallogels as a topical drug delivery system.

Student profiles - 2022 cohort

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