Pharmaceutical Sciences Research
The Pharmaceutical Sciences department offers undergraduate students the opportunity to be at the forefront of groundbreaking research that drives advancements in medicine and healthcare. Our faculty are leaders in scientific innovation, conducting research in bioinformatics, neurobiology, cancer research, gene activation, oral drug delivery, nanotechnology, and computational drug discovery.
In bioinformatics, our faculty are developing cutting-edge algorithms and computational tools to analyze biological data, enhancing our understanding of complex biological systems. Neurobiology research uncovers the intricacies of the neuronal receptors linked to neurological disorders. Our cancer research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of RNA in gene activation.
Our faculty’s work in gene activation explores innovative methods that help us understand how gene expression is regulated. These methods have the potential to significantly impact the treatment of genetic disorders. Our research aims to create more effective and patient-friendly medication administration methods in oral drug delivery. Our nanotechnology projects are also revolutionizing drug delivery systems, making treatments more precise and effective.
Furthermore, our emphasis on computational drug discovery combines the expertise of biologists, chemists, and computer scientists to accelerate the identification and design of new drug candidates. Join us in this interdisciplinary approach to shaping the future of medicine and healthcare.
Faculty Research
Caleb Class
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
317-940-9831, cclass@butler.edu, Office PHSB363
Understanding genomic data through bioinformatics can help us solve some of the most complicated medical problems of our time. Dr. Class’s research involves the data mining and analysis of metabolomic, genomic, and other data to identify potential cancer treatment strategies. Research projects also include the development of new bioinformatics software that allows any researcher to more easily understand complicated biological data. View Dr. Class’s Publications on Google Scholar.
Nandita G. Das, PhD, RPh
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmaceutics)
317-940-9015, ndas@butler.edu, Office PHSB355
Dr. Nandita Das’ research involves targeted delivery of siRNA against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease, and modulation of Multi-Drug Resistance (Pgp and MRP) in cancer. Specifically, Dr. Das’ research projects involve fabrication and characterization of lipospheres and liposomes for nanomedicine applications. View Dr. Nandita Das’ Nanomedicine Research Page.
Sudip K. Das, PhD
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmaceutics)
317-940-9134, sdas@butler.edu, Office PHSB353
Dr. Sudip Das’ research involves nanotechnology approaches in targeted delivery of siRNA and small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer. Specifically, Dr. Sudip Das’ research projects involve fabrication and characterization of polymer nanoparticles for nanomedicine applications. View Dr. Sudip Das’ Nanomedicine Research Page.
Alexandre M. Erkine, PhD
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Bioinformatics & Mol. Biology)
317-940-8569, aerkine@butler.edu, Office PHSB359
Bioinformatics including machine learning combined with methods of modern molecular biology is a powerful tool. Combination of these methods allows to take a fresh look at fundamental problems of biochemistry and pharmacology. View details of Dr. Erkine’s publications.
Hala Fadda, PhD, MRPharmS
Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmaceutics)
317- 940-8574, hfadda@butler.edu, Office PHSB357
Dr. Fadda’s research focuses on bridging the physical and biological sciences in the field of pharmaceutics to gain a better understanding of drug bioavailability and some of the reasons behind the intra- and inter-individual variability in drug exposure. Focus on gastrointestinal physiology to set up an in vitro drug release model that better simulates the diverse and dynamic nature of our guts in different patient populations.
Alican Gulsevin, PhD
Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
317-940-5791, agulsevin@butler.edu, Office PHSB365
Gulsevin Lab focuses on the development and application of state-of-the-art computational methodology for the modeling of proteins and their interactions with drug molecules, including peptides and small molecules. We use a variety of computational tools to help guide structure determination and drug discovery efforts in collaboration with experimental biophysicists, medicinal chemists, and structural biologists. Our work with ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels so far has led to the discovery of small molecules and peptides of potential therapeutic significance and improved our understanding of the allosteric mechanisms governing the activity of these molecules. Although our particular focus has been on membrane proteins, the versatility of the computational methods we use enables us to work with different types of systems and diseases. Overall, the work in our group aims to deploy computational methods to enhance collaborative drug discovery projects relevant to human health.
W. Conrad Hong, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacology)
317-940-9580, chong@butler.edu, Office PHSB351
Dr. Hong’s research focuses on the investigation of signaling mechanisms of dopamine in the brain, particularly the dopamine transporter (DAT), a membrane carrier uniquely expressed on dopamine neurons. DAT and its close homologs (the serotonin transporter and norepinephrine transporter) are important targets of therapeutic agents such as antidepressants and ADHD medications, and abused psychostimulants cocaine and methamphetamine.
C. Patience Masamha, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacology)
317-940-6428, cmasamha@butler.edu, Office PHSB361
Understanding the molecular mechanisms that are involved in oncogenesis is critical in identifying biomarkers for early disease detection and in the development of targeted anti-cancer therapeutics. Projects use techniques of next-generation sequencing technologies, bioinformatics and a wide array of molecular biology techniques to study the global RNA transcriptome, identify genes that are altered in cancer and elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the process. View Dr. Masamha’s publications.