Afsaneh Lavasanifar, PharmD, PhD

Area of Study / Keywords

Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmaceutics Drug Delivery Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine.

About

Education

Ph.D, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta

Pharm.D, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran university of Medical Sciences

Academic Experience

Professor, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (2011-Present)

Adjunct Professor, Chemical and Material Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (2009-present)

Associate Professor, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (2005-2011)

Assistant Professor, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (2001-2005)

Lecturer, Pharmacy, Dr Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (1992-1996) 

Additional roles:

Associate Editor, Molecular Pharmaceutics (2018-present)

Co-Founder and scientific chief officer Meros Polymers Inc (2009-present)

Expertise:

Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug formulation and delivery, Nanomedicine

Short Biography

Dr Lavasanifar's area of expertise and interest is Pharmaceutics and drug delivery. Her research is focused on the design and development of polymer based delivery systems that can increase solubility, modify the pharmacokinetic pattern, reduce toxicity and increase the efficacy of different therapeutic agents. The ongoing research projects in her laboratory include development of novel polymeric nano-carriers and stimulus responsive gels for application in cancer chemo and immunotherapy or deliver of anti-inflammatory agents. Her research has been funded by grants from Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC), Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI); Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS) and Alberta Cancer Foundation (ACF). Dr Lavasanifar has currently >170 peer reviewed published/in press manuscripts in highly ranked journals in pharmaceutical sciences, 3 book chapters, several abstracts and numerous conference presentations. Her research has been highly cited with an H index of 55. She is an inventor in 10 patent/patent applications on novel polymer based formulations for drug delivery. She has been the recipient of the 2007 GlaxoSmithKline/CSPS Early Career Award; the 2009 Sanofi-Aventis/AFPC award in recognition of outstanding research in Pharmacy and the 2013 and 2016 TEC Edmonton Innovation makes sense prize.

Dr Lavasanifar is the Associate Editor of Molecular Pharmaceutics and ACS Bio & Med Chem Au, from American Chemical Society (ACS) publication. She is also a member of the Editorial Board in Materials Sciences and Applications, and Iranian Polymer Journal. In addition to her academic appointment, Dr Lavasanifar is the Scientific Chief Officer and Vice President of Meros Polymers Inc., a spinoff company established based on the technology developed in her lab.

Lab Website

Folio 2019

Folio 2021

Research

1. Design and development of nanotechnology products for improving response to cancer chemotherapy. Research on this topic is pursued in two avenues: 

a. Development of polymeric nano-carriers for the targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. The mission of this research program is to develop innovative pharmaceuticals (with particular focus on nano-medicine) that offer bio-available, less toxic, and more effective alternativeness to current drugs in combating hard-to-treat and resistant cancers. Particular attention is paid to the development of engineered carriers that provide specific delivery of anti-cancer drugs to cellular and intracellular targets.

b. Development of polymer based nano-carriers for the tumor targeted delivery of modulators of drug resistant. It is the objective of this research to either silence the expression or inhibit the function of oncoproteins responsible for resistance to therapy in several tumors. 

2. Development of new biodegradable block copolymers for mucosal and regional delivery. This project is seeking development of a new family of biodegradable polymeric micellar delivery systems and thermo- and pH responsive hydrogels for the solubilization of poorly water soluble drugs and/or depot drug release. 

3. Development of nano-delivery systems for cancer immunotherapy. The nanoparticle delivery of therapeutic cancer vaccines to dendritic cells (DCs) for the modulation of T cell mediated immune responses constitutes is an alternative method that (in combination with targeted chemotherapy) has the potential to make an extraordinary world-wide advancement in cancer eradication. A major barrier to cancer immunotherapy is cancer-induced immune tolerance. The objective of this research is to exploit development of tumor or DC targeted nano-delivery systems for overcoming immunotolerance against cancer. A second objective under this project will seek design of tumor or DC targeted nano-delivery systems for overcoming immunotolerance against cancer vaccines. We also have an interest in the development MRI and PET nano-probes for DC and T-cell imaging in the context of cancer immunotherapy. 

Teaching

Teaching 

PHARM 331 Pharmaceutics 1:

OE3 (fi 6) (second term, 6-1S-3 in 8 weeks). Principles of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Factors affecting the physical and chemical behavior of drug products. Rationale underlying the formulation and compounding techniques of pharmaceutical preparations.

 PHARM 361 Pharmaceutics 2:

OE3 (fi 6) (first term, 6-1S-3 in 8 weeks). Physicochemical principles of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Factors affecting the physical and chemical behavior of drug products and dosage forms. Rationale underlying the formulation and quality control of pharmaceutical preparations.

 PHARM 610 Advanced Drug Delivery Systems:

OE3 (fi 6) (first term, 3-0-0). The focus of this course is on the design and development of novel delivery systems for various treatment and diagnostic applications. A particular attention will be paid to the physicochemical principles behind the development of different drug delivery systems, their biological application and significance. Emphasis is given to polymer based systems and assembled nano-carriers for the delivery of therapeutic drugs, proteins, vaccines and genes. Prerequisite: Consent of Faculty.

PHARM 202 - Pharmaceutics 1

Introduces students to the principles of pharmaceutical dosage forms. This course will focus on factors affecting the physical and chemical behavior of drug products, the rationale underlying their formulation, and compounding techniques of pharmaceutical preparations. (Restricted to Pharmacy students.)

PHARM 302 - Pharmaceutics 2

Provides students with fundamental knowledge of physicochemical and biological factors that affect the manufacturing, compounding, application, and behaviour of drug products and pharmaceutical dosage forms. This course explores the rationale underlying, as well as the standards governing, the formulation and quality control of pharmaceutical preparations. Emphasis on advanced dosage forms, biologicals as pharmaceuticals, and more complex compounding practices. (Restricted to Pharmacy students.)

PHARM 610 - Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

The focus of this course is on the design and development of novel delivery systems for various treatment and diagnostic applications. A particular attention will be paid to the physicochemical principles behind the development of different drug delivery systems, their biological application and significance. Emphasis is given to polymer based systems and assembled nano-carriers for the delivery of therapeutic drugs, proteins, vaccines and genes. Prerequisite: Consent of Faculty.

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