Dr. Huma Hameed

Research Leadership

Research program spanning advanced drug-delivery systems, nanocarrier engineering, smart polymers, hydrogels, thermoresponsive sol–gels, biomaterials, preclinical evaluation and molecular mechanisms in liver disease, cancer and neurological disorders. The portfolio integrates formulation science with cellular, molecular and in-vivo methods to advance clinically relevant and scalable therapeutic systems.

Competitive / Internal Research Grant

• Principal Investigator | 2026–2027: “Development and Commercial Translation of High-Demand Nutraceutical Products for Preventive Healthcare in Pakistan” — Internal Research Grant Program, University of Central Punjab — PKR 1,142,000.
• PI on three applied international grants this year: ICGEB COMSTECH and ICGEB Collaborative Research Programme (CRP), in collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), United Kingdom and the University of North Carolina Asheville, United States.

Commercialization & Entrepreneurship — BioHealthion (Founder & Faculty Lead, SECP-Registered)

• Established BioHealthion as an SECP-registered, faculty-led startup to convert university research into market-ready nutraceutical and healthcare solutions.
• Successfully commercialized and launched five products, demonstrating end-to-end translation from research and formulation development to industry collaboration and market introduction.
• Built active industry linkages for product development, scale-up and commercialization; next pipeline includes two nutraceutical and three cosmeceutical products.
• Integrated student mentorship, applied research and entrepreneurship to strengthen innovation culture and create sustainable non-tuition revenue opportunities for the faculty.

Patent Applications (Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan)

Research Supervision

• PhD: Six doctoral researchers (supervisor/co-supervisor roles; ongoing appointments to be verified against official graduate-school records).
• MPhil: Fourteen completed or ongoing researchers across advanced nanocarriers, thermoresponsive systems, smart hydrogels, buccal films and targeted drug-delivery projects.
• Undergraduate: Multiple annual cohorts and product-development teams in depression, rheumatoid arthritis, hay fever and formulation development.

Selected Student & Innovation Outcomes

• Four prestigious international scholarships secured by students/alumni under my supervision, including MEXT Research Scholarship 2025 (Japan), Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2025 and Merit Scholarship France 2026.
• Provided acceptance letters for two PhD scholars from foreign supervisors under the International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP).
• TiEC 2024: First Position (co-supervisor), Best Display (supervisor) and SDG-3 winning idea (supervisor).
• TiEC 2023: First Runner-Up and SDG-3 winning idea through supervised student teams.

Teaching Portfolio

Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in pharmaceutical technology, advanced pharmaceutics, dosage-form design, preformulation, industrial manufacturing, controlled and targeted drug delivery, nanocarriers, pharmaceutical biotechnology, regulatory science and analytical characterization. Teaching incorporates Outcome-Based Education, simulation, research-led laboratory instruction and industry-aligned methods, including hot-melt extrusion, electrospinning, nanomilling and 3D printing.

1. Formulation development and preliminary biological evaluation of a menthol modified thermoresponsive tamoxifen sol-gel — Medical Oncology — 2026 — —
2. Lornoxicam-loaded transethosomal gel: formulation, Box–Behnken optimization, ex-vivo and in-vivo characterization — Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation — 2026 — —
3. A novel in-situ gel system for potentiating doxorubicin efficacy through reserpine co-therapy — Journal of Saudi Chemical Society — 2026 — 10.1007/s44442-026-00071-z
4. Dental caries beyond eradication: microbiome-centred and equilibrium-driven therapeutic strategies — Archives of Microbiology — 2026 — —
5. Modulating LRP1 pathways in Alzheimer’s disease: mechanistic insights and emerging therapies — Molecular Neurobiology — 2026 — —
6. A comprehensive review on thermo-responsive targeted and functional therapy for management of rheumatoid arthritis — Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology — 2026 — —
7. In-vitro and in-silico structure-based discovery of furan-chalcones as potent urease inhibitors — Journal of Computational Biophysics and Chemistry — 2026 — —
8. Polymeric β-cyclodextrin/alginate/Colocasia esculenta mucilage nanocomposites for controlled delivery of 5-fluorouracil — RSC Advances — 2026 — —
9. Biomembrane-derived vesicles for targeted cancer therapies — European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics — 2025 — —
10. Nanoparticle-reinforced polysaccharide hydrogels in drug-delivery systems: a review of recent progress — International Journal of Biological Macromolecules — 2025 — —
11. Fabrication and characterization of polysaccharide-based microspheres for ciprofloxacin delivery — RSC Advances — 2025 — —
12. Thiomer-coated solid-lipid nanoparticles for glutathione- and temperature-responsive drug delivery against breast cancer — Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology — 2025 — —
13. Exosome-mediated delivery of amyloid-beta modulators: a potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease — Molecular Neurobiology — 2025 — 10.1007/s12035-025-05189-6
14. Protease-activated receptor inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis: a new frontier in treatment — Inflammopharmacology — 2025 — —
15. Evaluating the efficacy of Chenopodium murale plant extract in inhibiting Streptococcus mutans and reducing dental-caries risk — Scientific Reports — 2025 — —
16. The role of corroles in modern cancer therapy: innovation and prospects — BioMetals — 2025 — —
17. Injectable nanocomposite hydrogels for targeted intervention in cancer, wound healing, and bone and myocardial tissue engineering — Drug Delivery and Translational Research — 2025 — —
18. Chitosan as a multifunctional polymer in drug-delivery systems for diabetic-wound management — Polymer Bulletin — 2025 — —
19. Unravelling the role of withanolides as key modulators in breast-cancer mitigation — Molecular Biology Reports — 2025 — —
20. Exploring the antibacterial efficacy of Opuntia monacantha in combating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus — Scientific Reports — 2025 — —
21. Chondroitin sulfate: an ideal biomaterial-based scaffold for cartilage regeneration and its therapeutic potential — Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications — 2025 — —
22. Engineered biomimetic cell-membrane-coated polymeric nanostructures for cancer therapy — Materials Today Chemistry — 2025 — —
23. Chitin: a versatile biopolymer-based functional therapy for cartilage regeneration — International Journal of Biological Macromolecules — 2024 — —
24. A comprehensive review of hydrogel-based drug-delivery systems: classification, properties, recent trends and applications — AAPS PharmSciTech — 2024 — —
25. Exploring the potential of nanomedicine for gene therapy in neurological disorders — International Journal of Pharmaceutics — 2024 — —
26. Liposomes as advanced drug carriers: from fundamentals to therapeutic applications — Journal of Microencapsulation — 2024 — —
27. Formulation, characterization and evaluation of β-cyclodextrin-functionalized hypericin-loaded nanocarriers — ACS Omega — 2023 — 10.1021/acsomega.3c04444
28. Thermo-responsive sol–gel-based nanocarriers containing terbinafine HCl: formulation, in-vitro and ex-vivo characterization, and antifungal activity — Gels — 2023 — 10.3390/gels9100830
29. Lamotrigine-loaded poloxamer-based thermo-responsive sol–gel: formulation, in-vitro assessment, ex-vivo permeation and toxicology study — Gels — 2023 — 10.3390/gels9100817
30. Anti-arthritic and immunomodulatory potential of Acacia modesta fractions in adjuvant-induced arthritis — Pharmaceutics — 2023 — 10.3390/pharmaceutics15092228
31. Design and evaluation of hydrophobic ion-paired insulin-loaded self-microemulsifying drug-delivery system for oral delivery — Pharmaceutics — 2023 — 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071973
32. Lauric acid provides neuroprotection against oxidative stress in a mouse model of hyperglycaemic stroke (Shaheryar ZA, Khan MA, Hameed H. et al.) — European Journal of Pharmacology — 2023 — 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175990
33. Maximizing extraction yield of plant gum exudate using response surface methodology and artificial neural networking, with pharmacological characterization — Scientific Reports — 2023 — 10.1038/s41598-023-37847-x
34. Mimosa pudica mucilage nanoparticles of losartan potassium: characterization and pharmacodynamics evaluation — Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal — 2023 — 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101695
35. A comprehensive review on transethosomes as a novel vesicular approach for transdermal drug delivery — Journal of Liposome Research — 2023 — 10.1080/08982104.2023.2221354
36. In-vitro/in-vivo evaluation of clomipramine orodispersible tablets for depression and obsessive–compulsive disorder — Pharmaceuticals — 2023 — 10.3390/ph16020265
37. Chitosan–linseed mucilage polyelectrolyte-complex nanoparticles of methotrexate: cytotoxic efficacy, cell viability and toxicological studies — Arabian Journal of Chemistry — 2022 — 10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104463
38. Lack of E3-ubiquitin ligase TRIM21 promotes higher emergence of hepatocellular carcinoma nodules in diabetic mice with NASH — Journal of Hepatology (supplement) — 2022 — 10.1016/S0168-8278(22)01595-1
39. RIPK1 in liver parenchymal cells limits murine hepatitis during acute CCl₄-induced liver injury — International Journal of Molecular Sciences — 2022 — 10.3390/ijms23137367
40. Synthesis of pH-sensitive cross-linked basil-seed-gum/acrylic-acid hydrogels for sustained captopril delivery — Gels — 2022 — 10.3390/gels8050291
41. Prunus armeniaca gum–alginate polymeric microspheres to enhance tramadol hydrochloride bioavailability — Pharmaceutics — 2022 — 10.3390/pharmaceutics14050916
42. pH-responsive Abelmoschus esculentus mucilage for methotrexate administration: in-vitro antitumor and in-vivo toxicity evaluation — International Journal of Molecular Sciences — 2022 — 10.3390/ijms23052725
43. Formulation and evaluation of quince-seed-mucilage/sodium-alginate microspheres for sustained cefixime delivery and toxicological studies — Arabian Journal of Chemistry — 2022 — 10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.103811
44. Switching to a regular diet partially resolves liver fibrosis induced by a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet in mice — Nutrients — 2022 — 10.3390/nu14020386
45. Questioning RIPK1 kinase activity involvement in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mouse — Free Radical Biology and Medicine — 2021 — 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.11.042

• Best Researcher & Innovator Award — Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCP, Lahore, Pakistan.
• Member, UCP 100+ Impact Factor Club; reported cumulative journal impact factor above 300.
• Multiple TiEC innovation and entrepreneurship awards through supervised student teams.
• HEC Faculty Development Overseas PhD Scholarship — France.
• First Position — MPhil Pharmaceutics, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
• Gold Medalist and First Position — Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D), GCUF, Pakistan.
• Vice Chancellor’s Award for outstanding student performance — Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D), GCUF, Pakistan.

2026

• Co-organized the seminar “Drug Repurposing: Concept and Recent Advancements”, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCP, Lahore, 14 April 2026.
• Served as a resource person during the academia–industry engagement visit to Genetics Pharmaceuticals, Sundar Industrial Estate, Lahore, 3 April 2026.
• Conducted the training workshop “Scientific Writing and Mastering Q1/Q2 Journal Publication for Early Researchers”, UCP, Lahore, 1 January 2026.

2025

• Organized and delivered International Training on Pharmlator Simulation Software, UCP, Lahore, 16 January 2025.
• Organized a professional guidance session on the Registration Process for Pharmacists in Norway, UCP, Lahore, 23 January 2025.

2024

• Organized a webinar on the KAPS Examination and Career Opportunities for Pharmacists in Australia, UCP, January 2024.
• Organized a seminar on Higher-Education and Professional Opportunities in Germany, UCP, January 2024.
• Organized a seminar on Higher-Education and Professional Opportunities in France, UCP, January 2024.

2023

• Contributed to the organization of the Second National Pharmacy Scientific Conference and Poster Exhibition, UCP, November 2023.
• Organized training on Pharmlator Simulation Software and Virtual Simulation Tools in Pharmacy Education, in collaboration with VSTEP, UK, November 2023.
• Organized a professional guidance session on the Registration Process for Pharmacists in Norway, UCP, January 2023.
• Organized a webinar on the KAPS Examination and Career Opportunities for Pharmacists in Australia, UCP, January 2023.
• Organized a session on the Importance and Practical Application of Virtual Simulation Tools in Pharmacy-Practice Education, January 2023.
• Facilitated Good Clinical Practice Training in collaboration with Orci Trials (Pvt.) Ltd., the Pan-Asian Clinical Research Association and ACROSS Global.
• Coordinated national and international seminars, webinars and training activities to support the professional development and international employability of pharmacy graduates.

2022

• Attended the International Summit of Health Professionals, University of Lahore, December 2022.
• Attended the Ninth Herbal Research Webinar Series, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, December 2022.

2021

• Attended the International Liver Congress, European Association for the Study of the Liver, June 2021.
• Attended the Fourth Metabolism and Cancer Symposium, Normandy, France, May 2021.

2020

• Attended Journées Scientifiques 2020, Oniris, Nantes, France, December 2020.
• Attended Liver Week 2020, French Association for the Study of the Liver, France, February 2020.

2019

• Completed training in Laboratory Animal Experimentation, Oniris, Nantes, France, June 2019.
• Attended the Quantitative Bioimaging Conference, Inria, Rennes, France, January 2019.