Lucila Garcia-Contreras, Ph.D.

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Summary

The research goal of my laboratory is “Targeted Drug Delivery” and involves the rational design of dosage forms and their in vitro evaluation, which are used to design in vivo studies. In turn, the information obtained in in vitro and in vivo studies is used to understand the underlying reasons of the performance of the dosage form with the objective of improving its formulation design to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. 

   A recent project that illustrates this process is the formulation of a novel molecule with anticancer and antimicrobial activity for pulmonary delivery as nanocrystals or microparticles. In vitro evaluation included size analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and laser diffraction; stability, using (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We determined the aerosol performance of these formulations using commercial dry powder inhalers and performed pharmacokinetic studies to determine the disposition of the drug after pulmonary administration to mice. Lastly, in collaboration with Dr. Jie Wu from the OUHSC Department of Pathology, we assessed the efficacy of the nanocrystals in a transgenic mouse model of adenocarcinoma.

   My laboratory also designs dosage forms for oral, vaginal and transdermal administration following same procedure.  A second line of investigation of my laboratory is the development of needle-less vaccines to provide mucosal and systemic immunization. We are interested in elucidating the role of cell mediated immune (CMI) response and humoral immunity to the overall protection provided by the vaccine. Examples of vaccines studied in my laboratory include vaccines against tuberculosis, West Nile Virus, Diphtheria and Shigellosis.

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Publications & Presentations

31. Ibrahim M, Hatipoglu M K, Garcia-Contreras L. Cryogenic Fabrication of Dry Powders to Enhance the Solubility of a Promising Anticancer Drug, SHetA2, for Oral Administration. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2019; 20 : 20

32. Mahjabeen S, Hatipoglu M K, Benbrook D M, Garcia-Contreras L. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Escalating Doses of SHetA2 After Vaginal Administration to Mice. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences. 2018; 107 : 3179-3186

33. Garcia-Contreras L. Optimization of a SHetA2 micro-suspension for oral administration to prevent endometrial cancer. merican Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS). 2018

34. Kukut Hatipoglu M, Hickey A J, Garcia-Contreras L. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of high doses of inhaled dry powder drugs. International journal of pharmaceutics. 2018; 549 : 306-316

35. Mahjabeen S, Hatipoglu M K, Benbrook D M, Kosanke S D, Garcia-Contreras D, Garcia-Contreras L. Influence of the estrus cycle of the mouse on the disposition of SHetA2 after vaginal administration. European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V. 2018; 130 : 272-280

Grants

16. Inhaled Caprazamycin for Tuberculosis Therapy . NIH. Start Date: 2011. End Date: 2015.

17. Inhaled SHetA2 (NSC 721689) dry powder aerosols as novel treatment for tuberculosis. State Agency. Start Date: 2014. End Date: 2015.

18. An inhaled dry powder formulation for the treatment multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. NIH. Start Date: 2013. End Date: 2014.

19. DEVELOPMENT OF CATIONIC PEPTIDE ADJUVANTS AND FORMULATIONS FOR A BIODEFENSE VACCINE. NIH. Start Date: 2011. End Date: 2014.

Awards and Honors

1. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Carlisle and Lurline Mabrey Presidential Professorship. Date: 2020.


2. Respiratory Drug Delivery. Posters on the podium. Date: 2012.


3. Graduate Research Association of Students in Pharmaceutics Best poster presentation. Date: 1997.


4. Fulbright. Fulbright-Conacyt Scholarship. Date: 1993.


5. National Autonomous University of Mexico. Gabino Barreda Medal-UNAM. Date: 1991.

Education

1. Degree: Post doctoral education. the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Date: 2001.


2. Degree: Ph D. The University of Georgia. Date: 1999.


3. Degree: MS. The University of Georgia. Date: 1995.


4. Degree: Chemist Pharmacist Biologist. National Autonomous University of Mexico. Date: 1991.

Administrative Assignments

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