Ms. Prachi Agrawal | Clinical Pharmacology | Best Researcher Award
Graduate Research Assistant at University of Nebraska Medical Center, United States
Prachi Agrawal is a dynamic and detail-oriented Ph.D. candidate in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), with a focus on drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK). Her research spans in vitro and in vivo ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) profiling of small molecule therapeutics, particularly within the oncology space. With a robust foundation in LC-MS/MS analytical methods and pharmacokinetic modeling, she has developed expertise in evaluating drug behavior in biological systems. Her contributions, both in academia and through internships at major pharmaceutical firms, underline her commitment to advancing drug development strategies and personalized treatment options.
Profiles
Education
Prachi Agrawal began her academic journey with a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Creighton University, completed in 2021 with a GPA of 3.87/4.00. Her master’s thesis focused on the inhaled pharmacokinetics of clofazimine for pulmonary tuberculosis. She subsequently pursued a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at UNMC, where she is currently enrolled with a perfect GPA of 4.00/4.00. Under the guidance of Dr. Daryl J. Murry, she is working on her dissertation titled “Prediction of first-in-human dosing of a B7-H3-Ni1 for medulloblastoma,” showcasing her ongoing research interest in targeted cancer therapy.
Experience
Prachi has accumulated substantial research experience through her roles as a Graduate Research Assistant at UNMC and Creighton University. At UNMC, she investigates the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of experimental oncology drugs, such as Ni1 for medulloblastoma and CDA-D21 for colon cancer, along with the imaging agent ICG. Her work includes in vitro characterization, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies, and simulation of brain drug exposure using software like Phoenix WinNonlin and PBPK platforms such as GastroPlus and SimCYP. Previously at Creighton University, she worked on the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of inhaled clofazimine formulations, gaining expertise in dry powder inhalation technologies and animal modeling. Most recently, she joined GSK as a DMPK Modeling Summer Intern to develop PBPK models for asthma drugs, distinguishing drug behavior in diseased versus healthy populations.
Research Interest
Prachi’s research interests lie at the intersection of preclinical drug development and clinical translation, with a particular focus on DMPK in oncology. Her projects revolve around quantifying drug concentrations using LC-MS/MS, optimizing analytical methods, and developing PBPK models to simulate drug behavior across different populations and routes of administration. She is particularly enthusiastic about integrating modeling techniques into drug development to refine dosage predictions and enhance safety profiles in vulnerable populations, including children with cancer. Her current doctoral research exemplifies this, as it aims to predict first-in-human doses for a novel B7-H3 inhibitor targeting pediatric medulloblastoma.
Award
Prachi has been recognized for both her scientific rigor and presentation skills. She won the second-best oral talk award at the UNMC 3-Minute Thesis competition in 2023 for her presentation titled “Safer Medications for Children with Cancer.” Earlier, she was honored with the Best Poster Award at Creighton University’s St. Albert’s Day in 2021 for her research on the toxicity and tolerability of inhaled clofazimine. These accolades reflect her ability to communicate complex scientific information effectively and her commitment to impactful research.
Publication
Prachi Agrawal has contributed to several publications and scientific presentations, reflecting the translational nature of her research. In 2023, she co-authored a paper titled “A Simple and Sensitive LC-MS/MS for Quantitation of ICG in Rat Plasma: Application to a Pre-Clinical Pharmacokinetic Study,” published in Separations, 10(2), 66, cited by researchers in preclinical pharmacokinetic evaluation. In 2024, she was co-author of “Polymer-based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapeutics,” published in Polymers, 16(6), 843, addressing innovations in drug delivery platforms for cancer treatment. Additionally, she presented “In Vitro and In Vivo Pharmacokinetics of a Novel B7-H3 Inhibitor (Ni1) for the Treatment of Group 3 Medulloblastoma” at the AAPS PharmSci360 conference in 2023. Her earlier presentation titled “Preliminary Results on the In Vivo Toxicity and Tolerability of Inhaled Clofazimine: Hematology” earned accolades at St. Albert’s Day in 2021. Each of these publications and presentations has served to advance understanding in pharmacokinetics and drug delivery, particularly within the field of oncology.
Conclusion
Prachi Agrawal exemplifies the qualities of a next-generation pharmaceutical scientist, bringing together strong analytical acumen, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a vision for translational impact. With demonstrated expertise in DMPK, pharmacokinetic modeling, and oncology drug development, she is well-positioned to make significant contributions to the pharmaceutical industry or academia. Her growing body of publications, academic excellence, and leadership experience reflect a dedication not only to scientific innovation but also to addressing unmet medical needs, especially in pediatric and oncologic care. As she continues her doctoral research and professional development, Prachi remains focused on bridging laboratory findings with clinical application to improve therapeutic outcomes.