Drug Discovery Cluster
Drug Discovery Cluster
Turning Discovery into Better Therapies
Cluster Overview
The Drug Discovery and Precision Therapeutics Cluster brings together researchers dedicated to developing innovative therapies that improve health and well-being for both animals and humans. By combining pharmacology, molecular biology, and animal modeling, the cluster focuses on discovering new therapeutic targets, optimizing treatments, and translating research into real-world solutions. This cluster is a hub for collaboration, training, and hands-on learning, where faculty, students, and practitioners explore cutting-edge therapies, share knowledge, and contribute to the next generation of translational medicine.
Core Research Themes
- Therapeutic Target Discovery: Identifying new molecular targets to address unmet medical needs.
- Precision Pharmacology: Optimizing drug effectiveness and safety through advanced models.
- Translational Drug Development: Moving promising compounds from preclinical research toward clinical applications.
- Innovative Treatment Strategies: Creating next-generation therapies, including novel formulations and combination treatments.
- Training & Collaboration: Offering seminars, journal clubs, and hands-on experiences to foster learning and interdisciplinary teamwork.
Meet the Team
Cluster lead
Mohadeseh Abouhosseini Tabari, DVM, PhD
Expertise: Veterinary Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Drug Delivery Systems, Novel Therapeutics
[Publications] | [Contact]
Elena Contreras, DVM, MS, PhD, MANZCVS (Animal Welfare)
Expertise: Animal Welfare, Veterinary Behavior, Veterinary Ethics, Feline Upper Respiratory Tract Disease, Clinical Research Methodology
Rao Dukkipati, BVSc, MVSc, PhD
Expertise: Immunology, Vaccines, Diagnostics, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Breeding
[Publications] | [Contact]
Kallesh Jayappa, DVM, PhD, DABT, DABVT
Expertise: Comparative Oncology, Cancer Therapy Development, Nanomedicine, and Toxicology.
[Publications] | [Contact]
Kavitha Kongara, BVSc, MVSc, PhD
Expertise: animal pain, analgesia, electroencephalography, animal behavior and welfare, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, molecular markers of pain and inflammation, renal markers.
[Publications] | [Contact]
Omar Tliba, DVM, MS, PhD
Expertise: Airway smooth muscle biology, pulmonary pharmacology, glucocorticoid signaling and resistance, inflammatory and allergic lung disease, translational respiratory immunology
[Publications] | [Contact]
Maged Abdelmalak, PharmD, RPH
Dr. Abdelmalak’s research focuses on initiatives to develop and implement medication safety protocols for animals to ensure optimal drug therapy and reduce adverse effects. He aims to enhance the safety and efficacy of veterinary medications through evidence-based practices fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and contributing to translational research.
Expertise: Veterinary Pharmacotherapy, Medication Safety, Translational Pharmacy Practice, Regulatory Compliance & Policy Development
[Contact]
Trainees and Collaborators
Mohammad Reza Yousefi, DVM, MSc, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow, Tabari Lab)
Phu Do, PhD (Postdoctoral Fellow, Tliba Lab)
Featured Research Projects
Bio-adhesive Paromomycin (Formulation Development, Characterization, and Therapeutic efficacy)
Lead: Dr. Tabari in collaboration with Dr. Ramanujachary’s Lab
Leveraging Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Data to Identify Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases of One Health Importance.
Facilities and Resources
Our cluster leverages state-of-the-art laboratories, molecular biology platforms, and animal modeling facilities to support translational research. These resources enable target identification, efficacy and safety testing, and optimization of therapeutic strategies across veterinary and biomedical applications.Current Opportunities
Summer Research Experience: Open to veterinary, graduate, and undergraduate students interested in drug discovery, molecular biology, pharmacology, animal welfare, pain management, exotic medicine, and translational therapeutics.
Open Positions: Projects available in drug delivery systems and exotic clinical pharmacology.
Contact faculty for details.
Contact
For inquiries about research, training, or partnerships, please contact Dr. Mohadeseh Abouhosseini.
