Joshua Sharp

Joshua Sharp is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Research Associate Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. He also serves as Acting Associate Dean of Research and Director of the Glycoscience Center of Research Excellence (GlyCORE). His expertise lies in radical protein footprinting (RPF), mass spectrometry, and glycomics, with a focus on protein-carbohydrate interactions, structural proteomics, and biotherapeutics.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Bio Science from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (2003)
• Postdoctoral studies at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Research Interests:
Dr. Sharp pioneers methods like the Flash Oxidation (FOX) system for hydroxyl radical protein footprinting and investigates glycosaminoglycan structure-function relationships. His work spans malaria pathogenesis, SARS-CoV-2 entry mechanisms, and drug delivery systems using glycopolymeric nanoparticles. His lab also explores protein interactions in HIV, chemokines, and neuronal development.

Publications:
His research trends emphasize structural biology innovations, including protein footprinting for uncharacterized structures, and biomedical applications of glycosaminoglycans in therapies. Recent work includes antiviral strategies against SARS-CoV-2 and malaria.

Awards:

• Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Faculty Research Award
• Ron Hites Award from the American Society for Mass Spectrometry
• Triplett-Behrakis Endowed Professorship

Advising & Grants:
He leads GlyCORE, established via an NIH grant, and advises on national panels for protein/Carbohydrate analysis. As founder/CTO of GenNext Technologies, he bridges academic and industrial innovation.

Labs & Teams:
His lab focuses on mass spectrometry-based technologies and collaborates globally, including with Prof. Ali Salanti on placental malaria studies.