Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
13 years of experience
Dr. Gul Shahnaz is a seasoned formulation research scientist and academic with over 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical technology, specializing in innovative drug delivery systems, nanotechnology, and translational medicine. Her work spans advanced formulation design, process optimization, equipment operation, and hands-on training within scientific and clinical research environments.
As a tenured professor and former department head at Quaid-i-Azam University, Dr. Shahnaz has led cutting-edge research in developing microneedle patches for melanoma treatment, dry powder inhalers for multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, and thiolated nanocarriers for infectious diseases like leishmaniasis and tuberculosis. These projects required the installation, operation, and maintenance of specialized instrumentation such as HPLC, FTIR, DLS, SEM, TEM, XRD, confocal microscopy, and spectrophotometers (UV/Vis, fluorescence, chemiluminescence). Her expertise also extends to flow cytometry, Raman spectroscopy, and in vivo imaging systems, which she routinely uses for formulation characterization and biological evaluation.
During her tenure as a formulation investigator at Inimmune Corp (Montana, USA), Dr. Shahnaz was responsible for designing adjuvant vaccine platforms utilizing lipid nanoparticles, emulsions, and liposomes. She ensured compliance with GLP, GMP, and ICH guidelines while troubleshooting complex formulation and equipment-related issues. Her regulatory and operational knowledge spans USFDA requirements, making her adept at aligning technical work with industry standards.
Beyond technical proficiency, Dr. Shahnaz has developed numerous training protocols and technical manuals for students, researchers, and laboratory technicians. She has mentored over 40 graduate and doctoral students in equipment handling, analytical procedures, and formulation development, ensuring proper laboratory safety and adherence to research ethics. Her leadership in academic settings also includes designing and teaching advanced graduate courses in pharmaceutical biochemistry, nanomedicine, and pharmaceutics, where she integrates practical instrumentation training with theoretical knowledge.
Dr. Shahnaz has contributed significantly to enhancing laboratory infrastructure. She established advanced formulation labs equipped with rheometers, Ussing chambers, and diffusion systems, enabling simulation and evaluation of drug release and absorption. Her hands-on experience includes installation and calibration of chromatographic systems (HPLC, LC-MS), particle size analyzers, and dissolution testers, as well as maintaining complex cell culture environments for therapeutic screening.
In addition to scientific and teaching contributions, she has successfully secured national and international research grants from organizations such as the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, COMSTECH-TWAS, and UNESCO-L'Oréal. She has also edited a technical book on multifunctional polymeric excipients and authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Shahnaz’s cross-functional experience, from lab-based innovation to field-specific training and equipment management, positions her as a uniquely qualified expert in pharmaceutical and biomedical research domains. Her blend of scientific acumen, technical expertise, and mentoring ability continues to influence the next generation of scientists and drive innovations in therapeutic delivery.
With over a decade of hands-on experience in pharmaceutical formulation and nanomedicine research, I have developed deep technical expertise in the operation, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of a broad spectrum of advanced scientific and medical equipment. My specialization spans the following equipment and instrumentation, commonly used in industrial and academic research laboratories:
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) – Analytical and preparative systems used for quantifying drug concentrations, impurity profiling, and release kinetics.
Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) – For nanoparticle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index analysis.
Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) – For identifying functional groups and characterizing chemical modifications in formulations.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) – To analyze thermal transitions, crystallinity, and drug-excipient compatibility.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) & Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) – For high-resolution imaging of nanoformulations and surface morphology.
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy – Used for tracking cellular uptake and drug localization in in vitro and ex vivo models.
Flow Cytometry (including Imaging-Flow Cytometry) – For immunophenotyping, drug uptake studies, and quantifying parasitic burden in host cells.
Raman and UV-Visible Spectrophotometry – Employed in compound identification, purity assessment, and bioanalytical quantification.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy – For structural elucidation of synthesized compounds and excipients.
Zeta Potential Analyzers (Zeta Probe) – For assessing colloidal stability of nanoformulations.
Optical Imaging Systems (Bioluminescence and Fluorescence) – For in vivo pharmacokinetics and biodistribution studies.
Cell and Tissue Culture Facilities – Including biosafety cabinets, CO₂ incubators, and live-cell imaging platforms for mammalian and stem cell studies.
Diffusion Chambers & Ussing Chambers – For permeability and mucosal transport studies.
BET Surface Area Analyzer – For evaluating the porosity and surface area of particulate systems.
Rheometers & Viscometers – For analyzing flow behavior and mechanical properties of gels and semisolids.
UV Curing & Spray Dryers – Used in preparation of films and powders in drug delivery prototypes.
High-Speed Homogenizers & Probe Sonicators – For nanoparticle dispersion and emulsion stabilization.
Microneedle Fabrication Systems – For transdermal drug delivery device development.
In addition to operating this equipment, I have trained postgraduate students, lab staff, and junior researchers in standard operating procedures (SOPs), troubleshooting protocols, and regulatory-compliant documentation. I also participate in drafting technical manuals and safety procedures for proper equipment use and maintenance.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gul-shahnaz-16359915/ https://www.qau.edu.pk/profile.php?id=831008
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