Ph.D. Faculty

Michelle A. Clark, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Interim Dean, College of Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Garnered in excess of $800,000 in research grants from the National Institutes of Health and private entities, as principal investigator and/or collaborator
Published more than 30 scientific papers, abstracts, and books
Served as a reviewer for numerous journals
Served as an American Heart Association local and national grant reviewer
Served as a reviewer for the NSU President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant

Research Focus:

Central and peripheral signaling pathways for blood pressure regulation and control
Role of the central renin angiotensin system in the regulation of cardiovascular and other diseases

Peter M. Gannett, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Education

Scholarly Activities:

Won $15 million in research grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Department of Justice, and Department of Defense as co-investigator, principal investigator, or program director
Published over 300 scientific abstracts, papers, book chapters, and patents
Serves as a reviewer for 30 journals and numerous NIH, AHA, Israel, and DOD review panels and study sections
Associate editor for Molecules

Research Focus:

Synthesis and structure/conformation of carcinogenic adducted DNA and carcinogenesis
Cytochrome P450 enzymes: structure, drug design, and electron transfer processes
Nanobioscience: fabrication of point-of-care devices, nano-platforms for biochemistry
Computational biology

Appu Rathinavelu, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Associate Dean, Institutional Planning and Development

Scholarly Activities:

Garnered approximately $200,000 in research funding
Published over 50 articles in refereed journals
Made 100 presentations at regional and national scientific meetings
Primary inventor of 6 patents and co-author of 1 patent application
Co-authored 3 book chapters and 1 book
Reviewer for more than 10 scientific journals

Research Focus:

Drug discovery and testing
Biomarker development for disease diagnosis and management
Gene expression analysis in highly metastatic tumors
Understanding intracellular pathway regulating angiogenesis
ANP receptor regulation and cardiovascular function

Drug Development (Pharmaceutics) and Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics Sequences

Ana Maria Castejon, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Interim Chairperson, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

Published 18 scientific research papers
More than 40 national and international scientific presentations
Collaborated in NIH funded grants
Reviewer for several scientific journals and book publishers

Research Focus:

Oxidative stress and autism
Pharmacist intervention in minority populations of diabetics
Statins effects in vascular smooth muscle cells
Molecular biology

Rais A. Ansari, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

Published 20 scientific papers and abstracts
Reviewer of several journals
Grant submissions to NIH and several foundations

Research Focus:

Mechanism of alcohol-mediated hypertension
Toxicology

Luigi Cubeddu, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

160 publications in peer-reviewed journals
23 book chapters
300 presentations at scientific meetings

Research Focus:

Mechanisms and treatment of hypertension associated with obesity
Salt-sensitive hypertension: epidemiology, genetic and acquired factors
Early detection of insulin resistance and abnormalities in glucose metabolism
Statin withdrawal syndrome
Antiviral actions of statins

Richard C. Deth, Ph.D., Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

Over 150 scientific publications, research abstracts, and book chapters
Published a monograph
Obtained more than $1 million in research funding from NIH, the American Heart Association, and private foundations
Reviewer for numerous grant applications and manuscripts
Expert witness in court cases concerning vaccination and autism
Holder of 4 patents pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders

Young M. Kwon, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

Published 25 peer-reviewed scientific research papers
Authored two book chapters
Made 30 national and international scientific presentations
Co-authored 1 U.S. and several international patents
Reviewer for more than 10 scientific journals

Research Focus:

Targeted delivery and triggered release system for therapeutic macromolecules
Bioconjugate chemistry and PEGylation
Nonviral gene carriers and intracellular drug delivery
Protein stability and release from biodegradable polymer

Jean J. Latimer, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Founding Director, NSU AutoNation Institute for Breast and Solid Tumor Cancer Research

Scholarly Activities:

Garnered over $17,455,000 in research grants from the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, the Department of Defense, and private entities
Published 35 scientific papers, reports, book chapters, and books
Presented over 100 scientific abstracts at national and international meetings
Served as a reviewer for five journals, the National Cancer Institute, NASA, and the American Cancer Society
Served as study section chairperson for the Komen for the Cure, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the New York State Department of Health
Authored 4 patents

Research Focus:

Loss of DNA repair as causative factor in cancer formation
Breast tissue engineering
Ancestral disparity in breast cancer development and pharmacogenomics
Drug resistance (via cancer stem cells) in childhood leukemia

Anastasios Lymperopoulos, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) with its Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS) Council since 2011
American Heart Association (AHA)`s Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (2005-2008) and Scientist Development Grant (SDG) active awardee (AHA National Center) for $314,000
2006 American Heart Association`s Melvin L. Marcus Young Investigator Award in Cardiovascular Sciences finalist and 2010 Cardiovascular Research Award of the Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) finalist
Over 28 publications in biomedical research journals
Chapter author in 3 educational textbooks
Peer reviewer for the American Heart Association`s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Council
Member of the editorial boards of the American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease and the Journal of Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis
Scientific manuscript reviewer for five journals
Co-inventor in two provisional patents

Research Focus:

Cardiovascular biology/pharmacology and gene therapy, with a focus on adrenergic system regulation in heart failure
Novel roles of G-protein coupled receptor kinases and their co-factors

David Mastropietro, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

17 peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals
6 patent applications
Two-time recipient of the NSU Chancellor’s Faculty Research and Development Grant
One-time recipient of the Health Professions Division Research Grant
Two book chapters
Over 20 poster and podium presentations

Research Focus:

Abuse deterrent formulations: dosage form development and abuse evaluation
Hydrogels: superporous hydrogels, biomedical applications, and gastric retention
Pharmacy compounding: formulation development, production, potency, and stability of solids, liquids, and semisolid preparations

Enrique A. Nieves, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

Served as reviewer for two scientific journals
Organized a symposium on nanotechnology applications in drug delivery in San Juan, P.R.
Established research collaboration with local and international universities
One-time recipient of the Health Professions Division Research Grant
Various poster and podium presentations at professional meetings
Author or co-author of U.S. and international patents

Research Focus:

Applications of nanotechnology in drug product development and pharmaceutical process designs in small and large scale
Applications of PAT technologies in drug development and manufacturing
Development of co-excipients for improved drug formulations
Nanotechnology applications in the extraction and isolation of new drugs from natural sources
Applied research in new technology applications in drug design and development from molecule to market

Mutasem Rawas-Qalaji, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Founding Director, NSU Center for Drug Discovery and Development

Scholarly Activities:

3 licensing contracts for my patents
Main inventor for 39 provisional, international, U.S., European, and Canadian patent applications
2 U.S. issued patents
Principal investigator and project manager for 4 extramurally funded contracts
Invited grant reviewer for NASA, the University of Connecticut, and California Northstate University
Featured multiple times on national news channels and websites
Published more than 98 peer-reviewed, scientific papers and abstracts
Over 86 presentations in national and international meetings
Reviewer for major pharmaceutical journals
Selected NSU Professor of the Year (2014)

Research Focus:

Enhancing the permeability and relative bioavailability of poorly absorbed drugs by nanotechnology
Formulation and delivery of drug-loaded nanoparticles through non-invasive and user-friendly routes of administration
Formulation and evaluation of sublingual ODT tablet as an alternative, non-invasive dosage form

Hamid Omidian, Ph.D., Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

Primary inventor of 3 issued U.S. patents, 10 patent applications, and 30 invention disclosures
Author or co-author of 81 peer-reviewed journal publications and 150 conference presentations
Author or co-author of 25 books and book chapters
Principal investigator, co-principal investigator, and co-investigator of grant proposals and industry contracts worth $2.9 million
Three-time Golden Apple nominee and one-time Golden Apple winner for teaching excellence
Google Scholar’s citations of 4280, h-index of 29, and i10-index of 46
Frequent reviewer for 8 scientific journals

Research Focus:

Abuse deterrent pharmaceutical formulations
Gastric retention oral drug delivery
Hydrogels
Pharmaceutical polymers

Robert C. Speth, Ph.D., Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

Published over 190 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals
Authored 39 book chapters and other scholarly publications
Co-edited 1 book
Co-edited special issue of the International Journal of Hypertension
Organized symposia for the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics and a symposium for the Southeastern Pharmacology Society
NIH supported research on renin-angiotensin

Research Focus:

Renin-angiotensin system and regulation of the cardiovascular system by the brain
Development and analysis of novel compounds to study the renin-angiotensin system
Radioligand preparation and use to study receptors
Development of a novel rodent brain atlas
Neurodegenerative diseases

Malav S. Trivedi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Scholarly Activities:

Recipient of $500,000 in research/scholarship grants from private organizations and funding agencies as co-investigator or principal investigator
Reviewer for three scientific journals
Associate editor for the Journal of Frontiers in Biosciences

Research Focus:

Nutritional biochemistry and molecular effects of nutritional interventions in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical samples
Pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of metabolic and epigenetic changes on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in neurodevelopmental disorders
Tumor biology and microenvironment
Gulf war illness and chronic fatigue syndrome

Social and Administrative Pharmacy Sequence

Manuel J. Carvajal, Ph.D., Professor and Chairperson, Department of Sociobehavioral & Administrative Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Author/editor of 8 books
Over 120 journal articles, reports, and book chapters
Reviewer for over 10 scientific journals

Research Focus:

Applied econometrics geared to problem solving
Various areas of human capital including fertility, migration, poverty, and discrimination
Gender and ethnic differences in labor market outcomes and job satisfaction
Pharmacist workforce

Barry Bleidt, Ph.D., Pharm.D., RPh, FAPhA, Professor, Sociobehavioral & Administrative Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Published 16 peer reviewed articles
Obtained federal, state, foundation, and private company funding for multiple research projects
Developed one of the first expert systems for computerized drug utilization review

Research Focus:

Developing databases and information systems that assist in evaluation of drug therapy including improving drug selection, avoiding drug therapy problems, and diagnosing drug-induced disease
Use of meta-analysis techniques to obtain evidence from the literature

Nile M. Khanfar, Ph.D., M.B.A., Associate Professor, Sociobehavioral & Administrative Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Published more than 60 articles and abstracts
Over 70 presentations in national and international conferences
Served as a reviewer for multiple scientific journals

Research Focus:

Management leadership
Strategic management/marketing business cases
Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medication and its influence on their behavior

L. Leanne Lai, Ph.D., Professor, Sociobehavioral & Administrative Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Presented 108 research projects at national and international conferences
Published 24 scientific articles
Served as reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and multiple pharmacy associations
Received research funding from multiple sources

Research Focus:

Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research
Pharmacoepidemiology and Secondary Data Analysis
International Education

Alexandra Perez Rivera, Pharm.D., Associate Professor, Sociobehavioral & Administrative Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Participated in 9 funded internal and external research grants
Over 30 peer-reviewed scientific papers and abstracts
Over 60 presentations at local, national, and international pharmacy and non-pharmacy conferences
Manuscript reviewer for several pharmacy and diabetes-related journals
Grant reviewer or panel chair for the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy New Investigator Award and the NSU President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant Programs

Research Focus:

Type 2 diabetes outcomes
Pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics
Racial/ethnic disparities
Pharmacy health services

Ioana Popovici, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Sociobehavioral & Administrative Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Served as investigator on several grants and contracts funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the Florida State Department of Children and Families
Published 24 peer-reviewed articles in multidisciplinary, professional journals
Co-authored 3 book chapters
Frequent referee for 20 peer-reviewed, professional journals

Research Focus:

Specialized in the economics of substance use. Research interests pursued along four interconnected lines:
1) economic evaluation of substance abuse treatment interventions,
2) relationship between substance use and its economic consequences,
3) econometric methods for studying substance use, and
4) effect of public policies on substance use and health outcomes
Pharmacist workforce

Silvia E. Rabionet, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Sociobehavioral & Administrative Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Served as principal investigator or co-investigator on various research grants
Published 15 articles and abstracts in professional journals
Co-authored one book chapter
Co-authored a book and 5 technical reports

Research Focus:

Health disparities
Public health issues
Research capacity building in HIV

Jesús Sánchez, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Sociobehavioral & Administrative Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Garnered in excess of $1.9 million in research grant funding
Published 15 manuscripts in professional journals
Authored one book
Made 36 presentations at international and national meetings

Research Focus:

HIV reduction among high risk Hispanic migrant workers
Building capacity and infrastructure in the migrant farm worker communities of South Florida
Susceptibility to pesticide toxicity in the endocrine systems of migrant farm workers
Prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and associated risk factors among Hispanic intravenous drug users

Georgina Silva-Suárez, Ph.D., Assistanct Professor, Sociobehavioral & Administrative Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Co-investigator on a research grant awarded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Principal investigator of a developmental grant component of a grant awarded by the National Institute for HIV and Mental Health
Co-author of 3 journal articles
Over 20 presentations at national and international scientific meetings

Research Focus:

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy
HIV prevention
Life experiences of youth living with HIV
Adolescent health

Albert Wertheimer, Ph.D., Professor, Sociobehavioral & Administrative Pharmacy

Scholarly Activities:

Authored or edited 43 books
Over 400 journal articles published in scientific and professional journals
Lectured or consulted in nearly 80 countries
Editor of the Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
Conducted outside funded research valued at several million dollars
Fellow of the International Pharmacy Federation
Recipient of the Research Achievement Award of the AAPS, the Dawson Award from the AACP, and a fellowship from the APhA

Research Focus:

Health economics
Outcomes research
Health policy