As a Pharmaceutical Scientist with expertise in ophthalmic drug delivery systems, I am dedicated to developing innovative solutions to address eye diseases such as dry eyes, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, and ocular infections. My focus has been on drug-eluting contact lenses, and I have extensive experience in managing international research projects in this field. With a strong educational background in pharmacy and pharmaceutics (GATE score =...view more
As a Pharmaceutical Scientist with expertise in ophthalmic drug delivery systems, I am dedicated to developing innovative solutions to address eye diseases such as dry eyes, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, and ocular infections. My focus has been on drug-eluting contact lenses, and I have extensive experience in managing international research projects in this field. With a strong educational background in pharmacy and pharmaceutics (GATE score = 98.59 percentile) and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics under the guidance of Dr. Dinesh O. Shah, I have gained expertise in surface science and nanotechnology. My research has received funding from various organizations, including MediPrint™ Ophthalmics, and I have served as the principal investigator for several projects. My goal is to continue advancing the field of ophthalmic drug delivery and to develop effective, patient-friendly solutions for individuals with eye diseases.
My Grants
- Currently working on ‘Australian research project [National Health and Medical Research Council via an NHMRC Ideas Grant (APP1183597)]’ titled ‘Dual action antimyopia and antimicrobial contact lenses that provide safe myopia control for children’ under Prof Mark Willcox, UNSW, Australia
- SERB-CRG (Science and Engineering Research Board-Core Research Grant) [CRG/2022/ 002091]: Sustained drug delivery to the retina using carbon dots-hyaluronic acid-laden hybrid contact lens.
- ICMR grant [IRIS ID-2021-13732]: Dexamethasone loaded stimuli sensitive polymeric nanoparticles laden graphene oxide-silicone contact lens to treat age-related macular degeneration.
- SSIP grant: Enzyme-triggered ocular delivery of voriconazole from nanoparticle-laden contact lenses.
- GUJCOST (Major Science and Technology Project): Tailored-made drug release kinetics from the cyclosporine-hyaluronic-acid surfactant-laden contact lens to treat dry eye syndrome.
- Under FIST (Fund for Improvement of S & T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions Program) by DST [SR/FST/College-231/2017].
- Dual delivery of Gatifloxacin and Dexamethasone from Digitally Inkjet Printed Contact Lenses.
- pH dependent controlled drug delivery through hydrogel contact lenses to treat glaucoma.
- Histopathological effects of printed contact lenses on rabbit corneo-conjunctival surface.
- Efficacy of timolol printed contact lenses in the treatment of glaucoma.
- Controlled ophthalmic drug delivery through contact lenses using implantation technology.
- Extended delivery of cyclosporine with multilayer printed contact lenses using 3 D Digital Inkjet Printing Technology.
- Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic study of 3D printed Bimatoprost Contact Lenses.
- Extended delivery of ophthalmic drugs by Reservoir Contact Lenses using 3 D Digital Inkjet Printing Technology.
- Ophthalmic drug delivery of Ketotifen and Hyaluronic acid through contact lens using 3D Digital Inkjet printing technology.
- Ophthalmic drug delivery through contact lenses using 3D Digital Inkjet printing technology under Dr. Dinesh O. Shah at Shah-Schulman Center for Surface Science & Nanotechnology (SSCSSN), D.D. University (Nadiad, Gujarat, India).
My Qualifications
Post-Doc Research Fellow (School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Australia, 2023)
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical sciences (Dharmsinh Desai University, India, 2016)
Master in Pharmaceutics (Anand Pharmacy College, 2009)
Bachelor in Pharmacy (Anand Pharmacy College, 2007)
My Awards
- Awarded Post-Doc Research Fellowship at School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
- Awarded 50,000 INR in ‘National level Innovation competition’ by School of Pharmacy (MIT-WPU), Pune for Drug-eluting contact lenses (3rd June 2022).
- Awarded for Excellence in Education by AMP (Association of Muslim Professionals) as one of the top 100 influential teachers from across the country in 2021 felicitation ceremony (10th Sep 2021).
- Awarded 75,000 INR by International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering for designing PhD Project of Mrs. Ditixa Desai (PhD Scholar) (1st June 2021).
- Constituted (Sep 2019) ‘Faiza-ne-Panjatan committee’ to work during Covid-19 to feed 450 families (one time food for 2 months). Recognized by certificate by ‘Surat Municipal Corporation’ and ‘Surat Jain Youth Club’.
- Awarded Mitacs Elevate Fellowship (Application: IT18240, Canada) for Microfluidic platform (16th June 2020) with Prof. Lyndon Jones (University of Waterloo, Canada).
- Awarded 1,00,000 INR by Mr. Dilip Shanghvi (Founder of Sun Pharma Ind.) for designing PhD Project of Ms. Ankita Desai (PhD Scholar) at ‘Sun Pharma Science Scholar Awards for Young Scientists 2019, New Delhi’ (28th Jan 2020).
- Awarded ‘Seal of excellence’ by the Horizon 2020, European Commission in the year 2019, for project proposal 842435, NanoHybrid-Lens (Marie Curie Fellowship) with Dr. Susan Sandeman (University of Brighton, UK)
- The drug-eluting work using contact lens was recognized by Government of Gujarat [Education Department] and on 2nd Feb 2018 Hon'ble CHIEF MINISTER Shri Vijay Rupani awarded the shield (Excellence in Research 2019) and certificate [KCG, Government of Gujarat (Education Department)].
- PhD guide in 2017 [Maliba Pharmacy College, Uka Tarsadia University]
- Awarded for best paper presentation at International level [Poster presentation] at NIPiCON 2016, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat [21st – 23rd Jan 2016].
- Awarded for best paper presentation at International level [Poster presentation] at RAPCOPINC 2014, Ramanbhai Patel College of Pharmacy, Charusat, Changa, Gujarat [27th – 28th Feb. 2014].
- Consultant, MediPrint™ Ophthalmics (formerly Leo Lens Pharma), 9899 Hibert street, Unit A, San Diego, CA. 92131, USA [2013].
- Research Fellowship in 2012 [Shah-Schulman Center for Surface Science & Nanotechnology, D.D. University, Nadiad, India under Dr Dinesh O. Shah]
- Awarded for best paper presentation at International level [Poster presentation] at Pharma Zephyr, Ganghinagar, Gujarat [3rd Nov. 2008].
- Best teacher award in 2010 [Maliba Pharmacy College, Gujarat Technological University].
- Junior Research Fellowship [GATE] by University Grants Commission (2008-09)
My Research Activities
My research focuses on the controlled drug release from contact lenses using graphene oxide, stimuli-sensitive nanoparticles, smart polymers, microemulsion, micelles, gold and silver nanoparticles, and carbon dots without affecting the critical lens properties.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0374-2504