|
|
|
|
E-mail
|
Michelle
Marra Research Assistant
Professor Supervisor Dr. Marra’s research focuses primarily on preformulation
and formulation strategies for experimental drug candidates.
This includes assay development, solid and solution state
stability and degradation kinetics, and optimization of parenteral
products for both peptides and traditional drug molecules to be used for
anti-cancer, anti-AIDS, and other therapies. Ongoing research projects include the development of dosage forms
and delivery systems for agents useful in the treatment of AIDS and
cancer, solid state stability investigation and parenteral formulation
development of an antiepileptic peptide drug candidate to be delivered
via the intrathecal route, solution state stability of a thiazolium
compound involving multiple isomers in equilibrium, and the effects of
water on solubility of model compounds in oils. Dr. Marra is responsible for proposals, project management,
personnel management, experimental design and periodic progress reports
of projects for the Pharmaceutical Services arm of the Preclinical Drug
Evaluation Facility (PDEF). Prior
to coming to the University of Kentucky in 2000, Dr. Marra was
co-section head for the Pharmaceutical Services arm of the Preclinical
Drug Evaluation Facility at the University of Utah.
Dr. Marra also spent two years in The Netherlands, where she
worked as a formulation scientist for Octoplus bv.
While at Octoplus, she was responsible for formulation
development, including feasibility, optimization and limited upscaling
of liposome and gene therapy delivery systems. Dr. Marra received her Ph.D. degree in pharmaceutics and
pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of Utah in 1995 and her
bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University
of Kentucky in 1987. Her doctoral
research was concerned with understanding determinants for the barrier
function of lipid bilayer membranes. |
|
|
|
