Personal Statement:
Dr. Pradeep K. Karla is an Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Howard University, College of Pharmacy. The significance of Dr. Karla's research involves the discovery of new drug efflux transporters on human ocular tissue, Cornea, which forms the primary barrier for topical ocular drug delivery. Dr. Karla's research demonstrated for the first time that the Multidrug Resistance associated Protein (MRP) class of efflux transporters play a vital role in decreased bioavailability of drugs employed for chronic disease states, glaucoma and ocular herpes. Current research in Dr. Karla’s laboratory involves the screening of multiple ocular / HIV drugs for possible efflux by MRP efflux transporters and designing formulation strategies (Nano-encapsulation / Pro-drug) for efflux bypass and improved bioavailability. Further, Dr. Karla's research group in collaboration with HIV research pioneers (Dr. Michel Bukrinsky, Dr. Leonid Margolis and Dr. Mary Young) is working on developing a microbicidal nano-gel drug delivery strategy to achieve a complete prevention of HIV sexual transmission. Dr. Karla's research on drug efflux transporters has been cited by American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) as one of the eight outstanding research contributions that have the potential to achieve a therapeutic cure for glaucoma associated blindness. Apart from research, Dr. Karla is interested in implementing new technologies for promoting active learning in classroom. Dr. Karla's research in teaching method development involves integrating tablet touch interface of faculty and students via Wi-Fi network to create a real time interactive platform during the classroom lecture.
Positions:
2009 - Current Assistant Professor - Howard University, College of Pharmacy
Courses taught: Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Compounding Lab,
Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Sciences Lab (Coordinator),
Introduction to Pharmacy (Coordinator), Novel Drug Delivery Strategies (Graduate
Course - Coordinator) and Pharmaceutical Care
Post-Doctoral Mentor: Daniel Oyugi, Ph.D. (10/10/2012 – Current)
Ramesh Chandra Nagarwal Ph.D. (01/23/2013 – Current)
Ph.D. Mentor: Ann-Marie Ako-Adounvo, B.S.
Class Advisor: Pharm.D. 2013 class
2012 Session Chair for Scientific Tracks: OTC Drug Products and Medicines, Safety and
Quality Regulation, Pharmaceutical Business and Education – International
Conference of Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs
2011-Current NIH Clinical and Translational Research Scholar Award (K12 Grant)
2011-Current Editor - Pharmaceutical Sciences – Chronicles of Young Scientists Journal
2010-Current Editorial Board Member - Archives of Pharmacy Practice, Pharmaceutics & Novel Drug
Delivery Systems and Journal of Autocoids
2008-Current Reviewer - Journal of Controlled Release, Pharmaceutical Research, Journal of Ocular
Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Current Eye Research and Drug Dev. and Industrial
Pharmacy, Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs
2004-2007 Graduate Teaching Assistant - University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA
Courses taught: Novel Drug Delivery Systems and Pharmaceutics Lab
2003-2008 NIH Graduate Research Assistant - University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA
Honors:
2012 Teaching with Technology Award by Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and
Assessment (CETLA)
2012 Appreciation Award – Excellent Teacher - Pharmaceutics - Pharm.D. Class 2015,
College of Pharmacy, Howard University
2011 Professor of the Year Award – Pharm.D. Class 2014, College of Pharmacy,
Howard University
2011 First Place for Best Research Presentation in Faculty Research – Howard
University Health Sciences Research Day
2010 Appreciation Award – Excellence in Teaching, Mentoring and Enhancing
Pharmacy Education – Pharm.D. Class of 2013, College of Pharmacy, Howard
University
2010 Appreciation Award – Valuable Contributions to Pharmacy Education – Pharm.D.
Class of 2012, College of Pharmacy, Howard University
2009 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Outstanding research
recognition – Recent top discoveries in Pharmaceutical Research
2007 Scientific Sessions organizing committee Co-chair, PGSRM Annual Meeting 2007