Kiran Sapkota

Kiran Sapkota serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Pharmacy, a position he joined in 2025. His academic journey spans multiple institutions across the globe, reflecting his international background in pharmaceutical sciences and neuroscience.

His educational background includes:

• Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy from Pokhara University in Nepal (2006)
• Master's of Pharmacy in Medicinal Chemistry from Catholic University of Daegu in South Korea (2009)
• MS in Pharmacology from Creighton University (2012)
• PhD in Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience from UNMC (2016)

Dr. Sapkota's research focuses on NMDA receptor pharmacology, CNS drug discovery, and neuropsychiatric disorders. His work spans molecular mechanisms of receptor function, drug development for neurological conditions, and translational studies connecting basic science to clinical applications. His publication record shows consistent productivity with significant contributions to understanding NMDA receptor function and its implications for schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric conditions.

His research trajectory demonstrates an evolution from early work on asthma treatments and melanogenesis inhibitors to a concentrated focus on NMDA receptor pharmacology, with recent publications (2020-2024) predominantly examining receptor subtypes, allosteric modulation, and connections to schizophrenia pathophysiology. His work bridges structural biology, molecular pharmacology, and behavioral neuroscience.

Professional recognition includes:

• University of Nebraska Medical Center graduate fellowship (July 2015-December 2016)

Dr. Sapkota holds memberships in the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) and the American Society for Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), indicating active engagement with the broader neuroscience and pharmacology communities. His teaching responsibilities include Industrial Pharmacy, Delivery and Biocompatibility of Proteins and Nucleic Acid Drugs, and Applications of Molecules to Medicine, demonstrating expertise across pharmaceutical sciences disciplines.