D. Nader H. Moniri
Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Education
- B.S., Biological Sciences, Georgia State University
- Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Pharmacology, Duke University Medical Center
Research Background and Interests
Dr. Moniri’s training has focused on molecular pharmacology and signal transduction of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) as well as the design and development of novel agents which modulate GPCR function. Current research interests include characterization of free-fatty acid (FFA) GPCRs, and their role in human health and disease.
Our current projects focus on the role of FFA receptors, including the long-chain FFA receptors FFA1/GPR40 and FFA4/GPR120, as well as the short-chain FFA receptors FFA2/GPR43 and FFA3/GPR41 in metabolism, neurodegeneration, inflammation, and cancers. An NIH/NHLBI-funded grant also supports projects that seeks to understand the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in regulating the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR), which is critical in the treatment of airway disorders such as asthma and COPD.
Another recent NIH grant in collaboration with Dr. Clint Canal supports the study of the mechanisms of the drug of abuse xylazine on α2-adrenergic receptors. Along with Dr. Canal, Dr. Moniri is also co-founder of Channel Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that seeks to develop drugs that act with high selectivity at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors for treatment of a variety of brain, gastrointestinal, urinary, and airway disorders. Dr. Moniri’s lab also collaborates with Dr. Raquib Hasan on three American Heart Association and one NIH-funded projects that examine the roles of various intracellular signaling pathways in hypertension.
Courses
- PHA329 Pharmacy Fundamentals
- PHA467 Endocrine Pharmacotherapy
- PHA468 Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy
- PHA547 Nervous System Pharmacotherapy
- PHA548/549 Project Development/Introduction to Research
- PHA537 Gastrointestinal & Musculoskeletal Pharmacotherapy
- PHA799 Thesis Research
- PHA899 Doctoral Research
Contact Dr. Nader H. Moniri
Moye Pharmacy and Health Sciences Center, #239
(678) 547-6246
moniri_nh@mercer.edu