David R. Taft

David R. Taft is a Professor of Pharmaceutics at the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University (LIU Pharmacy). He holds a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science from the University of Connecticut. His research focuses on pharmacokinetics, drug disposition mechanisms, and preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutics, particularly anticancer agents. He has collaborated extensively with pharmaceutical companies like Onconova Therapeutics and Parion Sciences, securing grants totaling over $100,000 annually since 2011.

Education:

• B.S. (Pharmacy), University of Rhode Island
• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science, University of Connecticut
• Post-doctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy

Research Interests: Dr. Taft’s work spans pharmacokinetic modeling, drug formulation development, and preclinical drug disposition studies. His recent projects include PBPK modeling for elderly populations, inhaled JAK inhibitor delivery, and radioprotective compound evaluation.

Professional Activities: He serves on the editorial advisory boards of Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy. His awards include the AAPS New Investigator Grant (2004) and the UConn School of Pharmacy Distinguished Alumnus Award (2011).

Grants/Contracts:

• Onconova Therapeutics Inc. (2013–2015): Preclinical studies with novel compounds
• Parion Sciences, Inc. (2011): Renal excretion studies

Labs/Teams: His research lab focuses on drug disposition mechanisms, collaborating with industry partners to advance preclinical drug development.