Devam Desai, M.S., a second-year graduate student in the University of Florida College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutics, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to research at the 34th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation, held Oct. 17-20, in Ahmedabad, India.
At the meeting, Desai delivered a presentation titled, “A Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) platform model for pre-clinical to clinical translation of in-vivo CRISPR-Cas therapy.” His research focuses on the administration, biodistribution, and mechanism of action of in-vivo CRISPR gene therapies. By developing a QSP model, Desai enables accurate predictions of both the first dose administered to humans and the optimal final dose for safety and efficacy. This groundbreaking work plays an important role in addressing genetic disorders and was featured in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology.
“This recognition validates the effort and commitment I have devoted to my research but is also a testament to the invaluable support and collaboration of my colleagues, mentors, and the broader community,” Desai said. “It fuels my determination to pursue excellence in my field and deepens my contributions to the progress of clinical pharmacology, pharmacometrics, and systems pharmacology. I am profoundly thankful and inspired to continue making a meaningful impact.”
Desai’s mentors include Rodrigo Cristofoletti, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pharmaceutics, and Stephan Schmidt, Ph.D., F.C.P., the Certara Endowed Professor and director of the Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology in the UF College of Pharmacy.