Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 10/1/2020 12:00:00 AM

Shivakuma Mahadeva Lal, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Pharmacometrics and Molecular Discovery, Union University, Jackson, TN

Dr. Mahadeva Lal earned his Master's Degree in Medical Pharmacology in 2011 at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, in India. For him, study at the college was rewarding, and it laid a solid foundation for future studies and enhanced his enthusiasm for medical pharmacology. While working on his projects, he applied his research skills in rat models to explore pharmacodynamic properties of existing pharmacological agents. He also developed teaching skills in pharmacological aspects by conducting practical sessions for medical and dental graduates. Seven years later, he earned his PhD at Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India. In that program he worked on Population pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of methylxanthines in preterm neonates with apnea under the guidance of neonatologist Dr. Leslie E. Simon Lewis. That project helped him develop a basic foundation in modeling and simulation along his co‐supervisor, Dr. Surulivelrajan Mallayasamy. Not only did this pave the way to reach out to the tiny preterm neonatal population and contribute in effective pharmacotherapeutic management, but it also reinforced his efforts to learn about pharmacometrics.

Now, Dr. Mahadeva Lal works as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Center for Pharmacometrics and Molecular Discovery, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee. Dr. Andrew Castleman, his current supervisor, encouraged him to join ASCPT. In Dr. Mahadeva Lal’s work, he is gaining potential insights into various approaches in modeling and simulation. Through his work, he is hoping that several cardinal questions can be addressed during drug development. With everything he learns, he is more and more inspired to have a career in Clinical Pharmacology and to contribute via individualized medicine to the critically ill patient population at the bedside.

ASCPT is an excellent platform to network with clinical pharmacologists, pharmacometricians, regulatory personnel, and various scientific experts. That is what drew Dr. Mahadeva Lal to join ASCPT. He looks forward to exploring avenues for collaboration. He strongly believes that the platform provided by ASCPT enhances thinking and refines thoughts toward novel therapies, trial designs, and modeling approaches by attending meetings, brilliant presentations, and webinars.