Isaac Asante

Dr. Isaac Asante is an Assistant Professor of Research Ophthalmology at the USC Roski Eye Institute, specializing in translational research at the intersection of pharmacology, metabolomics, and biomedical engineering. His work focuses on developing interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory conditions, and ophthalmic disorders. Key achievements include pioneering a lipidomic 'liquid biopsy' for diagnosing AMD and retinitis pigmentosa, and contributing to the first malaria vaccine through industry partnerships.

Research Interests:

• Metabolomic profiling of disease pathways
• Biomarker development for cancer and neurodegeneration
• Design of targeted drug delivery systems (e.g., nasal sprays, focused ultrasound)
• Mechanistic studies of RAS peptides and cellular senescence
• Lipid-based diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring

Scientific Contributions:

• Validated a novel lipidomic test for age-related macular degeneration
• Developed calcium-dependent phospholipase A2 inhibitors for neurodegenerative diseases
• Pioneered hydroxypropyl-beta cyclodextrin barriers for viral protection

Awards and Recognition:

• Dean’s Innovation Award (USC School of Pharmacy, 2017)
• American Society for Mass Spectrometry Travel Grant (2015)
• Multiple grants from USC School of Pharmacy and Ghanaian institutions

Advising and Grants:

Dr. Asante has secured funding through institutional grants and contributed to collaborative industry research. His work integrates computational modeling with experimental validation to optimize drug delivery parameters.