Research & Service

Benedict C. Albensi, Ph.D., BCMAS, CRQM is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He is best known for his work with factors involved in ageing, cognition, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), a mediator of inflammation but also a required molecule for memory. Over the last few years, Dr. Albensi has largely focused on mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and in AD. The ultimate goal is to slow the negative consequences of aging and to reverse disease related impairments, such as memory and cognitive dysfunction. Recently, the Albensi lab has shown very early deficits and sex-based differences in mitochondrial function before the appearance of plaques and tangles, the classic hallmarks of AD. In addition, his team in collaboration with industrial partners has successfully transfused young healthy mitochondria into older animals and improved mitochondrial electron transport chain protein expression levels in regions important for memory encoding. Other work includes clinical trial research with flaxseed and creatine in order to improve memory in those with suspected AD.

A new study published in the online journal, Public Library of Science One (PLOS One) found that Vitamin B12 levels in the brain are significantly decreased in the elderly and are much lower in individuals with autism or schizophrenia, as compared to their peers at similar ages. For example, children with autism under the age of 10 were found to have three times lower brain B12 levels, which is similar to levels for generally healthy adults in their 50s, indicating a premature decrease. More>>>

Malav Trivedi, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmacology in the College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, recently published several research articles. Trivedi’s research depicts the role of major antioxidant metabolite glutathione in regulation of gene expression via the marks on DNA known as epigenetic status. He investigated the influence of nutrition and dietary peptides on mediating these epigenetic changes. More>>>

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) researchers recently discovered that, contrary to prior belief, tissues of different mammalian organs have very different abilities to repair damage to their DNA. These new findings indicate that the heart has the greatest capacity to repair its DNA, followed by the intestines, kidneys, spleen, testes, and lungs. The brain, however, exhibited no ability to repair damage to its DNA. More>>>

NSU and the dietary supplement company Immunotec are conducting a research study to determine the effects of a supplement to improve behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder. The study will investigate the effects of a cysteine-rich whey protein isolate in children diagnosed with autism. The primary function of this research is to establish whether taking a 90-day diet of cysteine-rich whey proteins (which comes in a powder form), will have a positive effect on autistic behaviors. Improvements in affected behaviors may result in an enhanced quality of life for both children and their families. More>>>

Hossein Omidian, Ph.D., is a professor at NSU’s College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He and his research team are developing technologies (patent-pending) to formulate opioid dosage forms with abuse-deterrent features. These technologies will help prevent drug tampering and abuse, which can increase the speed of drug absorption via smoking, inhaling through the nasal passage, and injection, all of which can cause serious illness or death. More>>>

Yadollah Omidi, Pharm.D., Ph.D. is the founding Editor-in-Chief of Bioimpacts, and also serves the editorial board of several international journals, including Nanomedicine, Biologicals, DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology. Dr. Omidi is a collaborator of several scientists from the U.S., and Europe. Dr. Omidi's research interests are focused on different areas of pharmaceutical sciences, including drug delivery and targeting, multifunctional nanomedicines and theranostics, biological membranes and barriers, vaccines and immunotherapeutics, nanobiomaterials for cell/tissue engineering, and diagnostic nanobiosystems. Since 2003, Dr. Omidi has published over 290 papers in peer-reviewed international journals. He is also the author of 25 book chapters and the recipient of several teaching and research awards. Listed among the top 1% scientists worldwide by the ESI-WoS, he has the h-index of 54 and i10-index of 201. Click the links to see his publications profile at Google Scholar, PubMed , or Scopus. More>>>

Dmitriy Minond, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Rumbaugh Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research. His research interests are drug and probe discovery for metalloproteases in cancer and other diseases. His main contribution to the field is a discovery of non-zinc-binding inhibitors for multiple zinc metalloproteases that are currently used for translational and pre-clinical studies for various therapeutic indications. Dr. Minond’s current research is focused on drug discovery for melanoma and rheumatoid arthritis.Dr. Minond is a member of International Proteolysis Society and American Peptide Society. Dr. Minond authored more 50 scientific articles and book chapters. Dr. Minond is an inventor on patents for drug discovery in cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. He also serves as a reviewer for multiple scientific journals, NIH, and DOD grant review panels. Dr. Minond is a recipient of multiple grants, including Florida Biomedical Council and NIH R01 “HTS for selective inhibitors of meprin a and b” in collaboration with Scripps Florida.

Lymperopoulos, B.Pharm., M.Sc., Ph.D., F.A.H.A., F.E.S.C., associate professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, NSU’s College of Pharmacy, was elected in December 2015 as a Fellow of the prestigious European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

He was officially bestowed with this recognition during the Annual European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress, which takes place later this year in Rome, Italy. Lymperopoulos received this recognition for his research work and contributions to the field of heart failure and of cardiovascular disease, in general.  More>>>

Elizabeth Sherman, PharmD, AAHIVP, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at the NSU College of Pharmacy, served as one of four pharmacists in the nation selected to author the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Guidelines on Pharmacist Involvement in HIV Care. The ASHP clinical practice guidelines provide guidance for pharmacists and health care professionals involved in the care of patients with HIV infection. Pharmacists have long been recognized as essential members of the HIV patient care team and their involvement in managing HIV infection is linked to improved patient outcomes. The guidelines, which emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary teams and collaboration between health care professionals in optimizing patient care, were jointly endorsed by both ASHP and the American Academy of HIV Medicine.