Mohammad Najlah

Mohammad Najlah is a Professor of Pharmaceutics and Nanomedicine at Anglia Ruskin University, where he serves as the Lead of the Pharmaceutical Research Group within the Medical Technology Research Centre (MTRC). He has extensive experience in higher education as a teacher, researcher, external examiner, and manager with significant contributions to the development of the SuperLabs Complex including the Pharmaceutical Research Lab. His career spans positions at Damascus University, University of Manchester, University of Central Lancashire, and Al-Baath University in Syria before joining ARU.

Education:

• BPharm (Hons) in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Damascus University
• Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in Industrial Pharmacy, Damascus University
• PhD in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, University of Manchester
• University Certificate in Higher Education, University of Central Lancashire, UK

Professor Najlah's research focuses on advanced drug delivery systems with particular emphasis on nanomedicine applications for cancer treatment. His work spans the development of multifunctional nanomedicines that overcome chemoresistance in cancer stem cells, engineering novel nanomaterials and polymeric prodrugs, pulmonary drug delivery systems, and colloidal formulations including liposomes, aerosols, nanoemulsions, and nanodispersions. His research group has made significant contributions to understanding the pharmacological activities of metal-organic complexes and developing scalable manufacturing processes for nutraceutical dosage forms.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on repurposing disulfiram (an anti-alcoholism drug) for cancer therapy through advanced nanocarrier systems including PEGylated liposomes and PLGA nanoparticles. His work demonstrates how nanotechnology can overcome the limitations of traditional drug delivery by enhancing solubility, extending circulation time, and specifically targeting cancer stem cells that drive chemoresistance and recurrence.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Member of Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Topic Editor for Molecules
• Jussara Personelle Award 2019, 56th Brazilian Congress of Plastic Surgery
• Commendation for Outstanding Science, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), 2007
• Controlled Release Society Outstanding Oral Drug Delivery Award, 2006

Professor Najlah has successfully secured substantial research funding including multiple Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with industry partners and international grants. He has supervised numerous PhD students to completion and maintains active research collaborations with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries as well as UK and international universities. His research group, the Pharmaceutical Research Group, operates entirely on externally funded projects and has established strong connections with industry through multiple Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.