Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Teaching

Doctor of Medicine 

The Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics is actively involved in teaching the undergraduate medical student’s different aspects of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. In the second year, we introduce students to the fundamental principles of pharmacology. In the third and fourth years, our focus shifts to the pharmacology of drugs used across different organ systems. This includes detailed courses within Pre-Clinical Program-1 (covering Hematology and Mechanisms of Malignancies, Infection, Inflammation and Immunity, Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, and Renal and Urogenital Systems) and Pre-Clinical Program-2 (covering Gastrointestinal System, Endocrine and Metabolism, Musculoskeletal System, Neurosciences and Special Senses, and Behavioral Sciences).

Our faculty members deliver these courses through various teaching methods such as lectures, Team-Based Learning (TBL), and Problem-Based Learning (PBL). We utilize advanced teaching tools, including SMART board-based PowerPoint presentations enriched with animations, engaging illustrations, and question-based learning techniques. Additionally, our educational approach integrates problem-based learning sessions and team-Based Learning, ensuring a dynamic and interactive learning environment.

Our mission is to impart the pharmacological knowledge essential for preparing future doctors. We emphasize the importance of rational drug prescribing, equipping our medical students with the expertise needed to ensure effective and safe patient care.

Doctor of Pharmacy, PharmD 

The Department is responsible for the delivery of all the courses in the Doctor of Pharmacy program. The Postgraduate Doctor of Pharmacy is a QFEmirates level 9 professional program (master’s degree) offered to pharmacists with an accredited baccalaureate degree in pharmacy who wish to earn a higher degree relevant to clinical practice. The main goal of the Post Graduate PharmD Program is to train and prepare pharmacists for clinical pharmacy practice. Graduates will become medication and pharmacotherapy experts who will possess the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to deliver comprehensive medication management and direct patient care. The duration of the program is 2 years full time and includes 1600 hours (40 weeks) of placement in clinical environments.

Post Graduate Programs 

Furthermore, the department plays a vital role in the Master of Medical Sciences program, particularly in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Track and in the PhD of Biomedical Sciences program.

Master of Medical Science: Pharmacology and Toxicology track 

The Master of Medical Science program in Pharmacology and Toxicology is a full-time, two-year postgraduate program designed to train highly skilled scientists for careers in the pharmaceutical/bioscience industry, clinical research, or academia. The program provides advanced scientific knowledge and a strong foundation in pharmacology and toxicology, drug discovery, and development processes. The core courses in pharmacology encompass topics such as general and systemic pharmacology, the molecular mechanisms of drug action, the molecular principles of organ toxicology, and the role of neurotransmitters in health and disease. These courses integrate concepts and apply knowledge from various fields including biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, microbiology, and immunology, with a focus on academic and industrial biomedical research. The course consists of a total of 36 credit hours, with 18 credit hours allocated to courses and 18 credit hours dedicated to research and dissertation. In the first year, students will be taught core content through power point lectures, assignments, journal club discussions, seminars, tutorials, and practical exercises. The goal is to ensure that students have a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and application of pharmacology specifically pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in drug discovery and rational therapeutics. In the second year, students engage in hypothesis-driven research and complete a dissertation under the guidance of a faculty member from the department of pharmacology and therapeutics.

PhD of Biomedical Science: 

Our faculty members actively contribute to the PhD in Biomedical Sciences, offering the "Current Advances in Pharmacological Sciences" course and contributing to other courses like “Advanced Cancer Biology” course, “Advanced Research Techniques” course, and Journal club and seminars. We are also involved in supervising PhD students research cross the college.

 

Academic Programs

https://www.uaeu.ac.ae/en/catalog/graduate/programs/master-of-medical-sciences.shtml

https://www.uaeu.ac.ae/en/catalog/graduate/programs/doctor-of-philosophy-in-biomedical-sciences.shtml

Research

The main research areas within pharmacology encompass a broad range of topics, including:

Investigating Molecular Pathways in Cancer Progression and Therapeutic Development Strategies (Prof. Samir Attoub.

My research focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms driving cancer progression, with a particular emphasis on the roles of the Akt/NF-ĸB, NOTCH, STAT3, and PD-L1 signaling pathways in breast, colon, and lung cancers. These pathways are critical in regulating cancer cell survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Additionally, my work involves the development of novel cancer therapeutics aimed at controlling tumor growth and preventing metastasis, thereby improving patient outcomes.

Preclinical Drug Development for Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Prof. Bassem Sadek)

My research deals with the development of innovative projects which focus on the identification and manipulation of brain signalling that are regulated in neuropsychiatric as well as neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, depression, epilepsy, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorder. Numerous novel synthetic ligands have been investigated and continue to be tested in experimental animals which may find their use as preventive or as adjuvant in treatment or as a template for future drug discovery and development in better management of neuropsychiatric degenerative diseases.

Cardiometabolic and neurodegenerative diseases (Prof. Shreesh Ojha)

Prof. Ojha Lab research interests focus on ‘Pharmacological manipulation of the interplay of oxidative/nitrative stress, immune-inflammatory signalling and cell death using natural, synthetic, or semisynthetic agents particularly phytocannabinoids and terpenophenolic compounds of natural origin in cardiometabolic, ischemic heart and neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative Diseases (Dr. Rami Beiram)

My research focuses on developing novel therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease and examining the mechanisms of drug action. The primary objective is to identify and develop new drug targets for treating Alzheimer's disease, including investigating the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and studying their interactions with biological systems. I am also engaged in other projects on neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacy Practice, and Clinical research (Professor Salahdein Aburuz)

The Main aims of my research and practice are to contribute to better patients’ quality of life and treatment outcomes through promoting evidence-based medication use, identifying most appropriate treatment and early identification of risk factors for poor disease control, and implementing strategies to prevent illness and promote health.  To achieve these aims, I am currently involved in several clinical and pharmacotherapy related research in cardiovascular, respiratory, diabetes, and other internal medicine related disorders.

Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (Dr. Amal Akour)

My research interest mainly lies in the fields of biomarkers guided pharmacotherapy, drug repurposing, clinical pharmacy, and therapeutics.

Clinical Pharmacy Practice, Pharmacovigilance, and Patient Care (Ms. Cham Zin Aladdin)

My research interests focus on enhancing clinical pharmacy practices to optimize patient health outcomes. I am particularly interested in studying the impact of clinical interventions, medication therapy management, health-related quality of life measures, and patient education on health outcomes. Additionally, I examine regulatory frameworks, healthcare systems, and the pivotal role of pharmacists in public health and policymaking. I am dedicated to monitoring and improving drug safety through pharmacovigilance practices by investigating adverse drug reactions, medication errors, and implementing safety protocols to minimize risks associated with drug therapy.

These research areas reflect the interdisciplinary nature of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, encompassing basic science, translational research, and clinical applications aimed at understanding drug mechanism of action, improving drug safety, and advancing human health.  To access the research profiles of individual faculty members, kindly use the following link:

Department of Pharmacology — United Arab Emirates University (uaeu.ac.ae)

 

Faculty

Note: If calling from outside the UAEU organization, dial (+971 3 713) before the extension.

Name	Position	Email	Extension
Prof. Samir Attoub	Professor and Chair	samir.attoub@uaeu.ac.ae	7219
Prof. Bassem S. Sadek	Professor	bassem.sadek@uaeu.ac.ae	7512
Prof. Salahdein Aburuz	Professor	saburuz@uaeu.ac.ae	7665
Prof. Shreesh K. Ojha	Professor	shreeshojha@uaeu.ac.ae	7524
Dr. Amal Akour	Associate Professor	aakour@uaeu.ac.ae	7542
Dr. Rami A. Beiram	Associate Professor and Assistant Dean	rbeiram@uaeu.ac.ae	7656
Ms. Cham Zain AlAbdin	Instructor	sham.zain@uaeu.ac.ae	7526

Staff

Note: If calling from outside the UAEU organization, dial (+971 3 713) before the extension.

Name	Position	Email	Extension
Mr. Amar Maghoub	Animal Nurture Technician	amar.omer@uaeu.ac.ae	7652
Azim Ullah Shamsulislam	Laboratory Specialist	azim.sheikh@uaeu.ac.ae	7531
Ms. Kholoud F. Arafat	Medical Research Specialist I	kholoud.arafat@uaeu.ac.ae	7611
Ms. Khuloud K. Al Kaabi	Administrator I	k.kaabi@uaeu.ac.ae	7521
Ms. Petrilla Jayaprakash	Medical Research Specialist I	petrilla.jp@uaeu.ac.ae	7634
Ms. Priya D. Yuvaraju	Medical Research Specialist I	priyay@uaeu.ac.ae	7617

General Enquiries

Thank you for your interest in the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Department. We welcome your query and encourage you to contact us using the information below:

United Arab Emirates University,

College of Medicine and Health Sciences

P.O. Box: 15551, Al Ain, UAE

Email: Cmhs.office@uaeu.ac.ae