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Rakesh Tiwari, Ph.D.

Rakesh Tiwari, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Pharmacology

College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific - Northwest

rtiwari@westernu.edu

Phone: 541-259-0318

Join year: August 1, 2023

  • Education

    Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, ACBR, University of Delhi, India, 2006

    M.Sc., University of Delhi, India 2002

    B.Sc., University of Delhi, India, 2000

  • Education Experience

    Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, URI, RI, 2013-2013

    Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, URI, RI, 2007-2012

  • Teaching Experience

    Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, COMP-NW, 2023-present

    Assistant Professor of Biopharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, CA, 2013-2023

    Assistant Professor of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, UP, India, 2013-2013

  • Courses

    At the COMP/COMP-NW, Teaching Pharmacology topics to the DO and Podiatry students

    • Fundamental of Osteopathic Medicine 6 (FOM6)
    • Fundamental of Osteopathic Medicine 8 (FOM8)

    At the Chapman University School of Pharmacy in Irvine, I taught courses in Pharmaceutical Sciences for students pursuing the professional Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS), and Ph.D. degrees.

    • Principles of Drug Action (PHARM 601)
    • Integrated Therapeutics: Psychiatry /Neurology (PHRM 531)
    • Drug Discovery and Development (PHS 602)
    • Research Capstone (PHRM711)
    • Research Elective Course (PHRM 682)
    • Seminar in Pharmaceutical Sciences I (PHS 641 and PHS 793)
    • Advanced of Principles of Drug Action (PHS 612)
    • Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Methods (PHS 612*)
    • Undergraduate/Graduate Course for Independent Research (BCHEM-491/PHRM-491/CHEM-499/291/491/682)
  • Research Interest

    Research in my laboratory focus on designing and advancing active lead compounds, containing both small molecules and peptides. Our endeavors are strategically positioned at the interaction of Chemistry and Biology, triggered by the overarching objective of providing novel compounds tailored to address human diseases.

    • Developing Amphipathic Cyclic Peptides against Multi-drug Resistant Bacterial Pathogens: Our efforts have unveiled a range of cyclic peptides incorporating both natural and unnatural amino acids, demonstrating potent membranolytic activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens. These peptides exhibit synergistic effects when combined with conventional antibiotics or stand alone as promising candidates for the next generation of antibiotics. Presently, our endeavors are dedicated to optimizing the safety and efficacy of these cyclic peptides, aiming to develop novel compounds in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, particularly targeting ESKAPE pathogens and nontuberculous mycobacteria.
    • Targeted Drug Delivery using Peptide-Drug Conjugates (PDCs): Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), containing arginine, tryptophan, and histidine, serve as versatile intracellular cargo carriers. CPPs are successfully combined with disease markers for targeted drug delivery, as evidenced in our lab and others. We're eager to collaborate to assist others in conjugation chemistry, particularly focusing on CPP-based PDCs. These PDCs include ligands, siRNA, and biopolymers, all for precise targeting. Our enthusiasm lies in sharing expertise and facilitating collaborative work to enhance drug delivery. Our goal is to contribute to a safer and more precise drug delivery system through innovative PDC development.
    • Aging and Neurotherapeutics: The aberrant mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways play a pivotal role in aging and diverse cognitive functions, including memory impairment and motor dysfunction. We are dedicated to harnessing the power of AI models to design and evaluate compounds that adeptly modulate mTOR signaling. Collaborating closely with fellow experts in the field, our primary objective is to comprehensively explore the pharmacological impacts of these compounds, considering their potential as interventions for effectively addressing the complex challenges of aging and neurodegenerative disorders.
    • Development of Synthetic and Bioanalytical Methodology: In our laboratory, the synthesis of bioactive molecules is a fundamental and essential endeavor, producing compounds for a range of biological assays. Consequently, our attention is firmly directed toward advancing synthetic methodologies for the synthesis of novel compounds, encompassing both small molecules and peptides. Furthermore, we are actively involved in devising conjugation strategies tailored for Peptide-Drug Conjugates (PDCs). In tandem, we are also interested in establishing bioanalytical techniques capable of both qualitatively and quantitatively estimating bioactive compounds within biological matrices. To achieve comprehensive analyses of compounds and metabolites, we employ the use of higher resolution mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography.
  • Research Grant

    Selected Grants

    NIH STTR subaward with AJK Biopharmaceutical LLC (1R41AI164997-01A1), Role: Multi-PI (contact PI: Assad Kazeminy), Development of Broad-Spectrum Cyclic Amphiphilic Peptides against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria, ~$240,000 (Total award amount~$600,000), 08/2022-07/2024

    The Potts Memorial Foundation, Hudson, NY, Role: PI, Amphipathic Macrocyclic Peptide Against Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), $25,000, 11/2020-04/2022

    CONRAD/USAID (NXS-19-008), Role: Co-PI (PI: Keykavous Parang), Design and Evaluation of Long-Acting EFdA-Fatty Acid Conjugates, $175,842 (Total award amount $439,605), 06/2019-05/2022

    AKJ Pharmaceuticals LLC, Role: PI, Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Antibiotic-Cyclic Peptide Conjugates Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens, $52,700, 07/2019-06/2022

    NIH STTR subaward with Aingeal LLC (1R41 MH118747-01A1), Role: Co-I (contact PI: John Marshall), Development of a lead cyclic PDZ Enhancer drug for Anxiety and Depression, $63,454.47. (Total award amount $911,475), 09/2019-07/2022

  • Awards

    Mentorship of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award by Chapman University (2020-2021)

    Young Scientist Award from the Association of Pharmacy Professionals (APP), India (2020)

    Selected for participation in 4th Annual Training in Neurotherapeutics Discovery and Development for Academic Scientists Course (March 16­19, 2016) supported by NIH

    Postdoctoral Fellow Research Excellence Award, the University of Rhode Island, for Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering (2013)

    American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship award from AHA Founder Affiliate (2010)

  • Organizations

    2007-present Member of American Chemical Society (ACS), USA

    2015-present Member of American Peptide Society (APS), USA

    2018-Present Member of Asian Council of Science Editors

    2020-Present Lifetime executive member for American Branch of Association of Pharmacy Professional (APP), India

    2009-2013 Member of College of Pharmacy Professional Research Society, URI, USA

    2014-2023 Member of American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)

    2014-2020 Member of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)

    2015-2020 Member of American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS)

  • Publications

    Selected Publications

    Full List of Publications/Articles

    Selected Abstracts

    • K. Parang, and R. Tiwari. Cyclic Peptide-Doxorubicin Conjugates to Overcome Multi-Drug Resistance and Reduce Toxicity. 28th American Peptide Symposium in Scottsdale, Arizona. June 24 – 29, 2023. Poster # P024.
    • M.S. Rai, M.I. Sajid, K. Parang, R. Tiwari. Silencing of STAT3 Gene in Breast and Ovarian Cancer Cells Using Fatty Acylated Cell-penetrating Peptides. 28th American Peptide Symposium in Scottsdale, Arizona. June 24 – 29, 2023. Poster # P080
    • D. Akinwale, K. Parang, R. K. Tiwari, J. Yamaki. Mechanism of Action of Cyclic Amphipathic Antimicrobial Peptide [R4W4] Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. 28th American Peptide Symposium in Scottsdale, Arizona. June 24 – 29, 2023.
    • T. Alrubaie, R. Stueber, R. K. Tiwari. Synthesis and Evaluation of cyclic [H2R2W4] and N-Methylated H2R2W4 Antimicrobial Peptides. Chemistry and Biology of Peptides, Gordon Research Conference, Oxnard River Ridge, Oxnard CA. October 30-November 4, 2022.
    • M. I. Sajid and R. K. Tiwari. Oleyl-Histidine-Arginine Peptides as Efficient siRNA Delivery Carriers to Silence the STAT-3 Gene in the Breast Cancer Cells. 27th American Peptide Symposium, June 11-16, 2022, Whistler, Canada.
    • M. I. Sajid, N. S. El-Sayed, R. K. Tiwari. Fatty acylated cell-penetrating peptides for siRNA delivery to silence STAT-2 in the triple negative breast cancer. ACS Spring 2022 National Meeting & Exposition, San Diego, CA, March 20‐24, 2022, MEDI Board #2023 and paper ID 3678253.