The Team at the Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research at the Temple University School of Pharmacy
Message from the Director
As Director of The Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Temple University School of Pharmacy, I welcome you to discover the people, research projects, and collaborations that contribute to our success by exploring individual faculty pages below.
The Moulder Center is home to a talented and enthusiastic group of scientists dedicated to fostering collaborative research efforts to support the discovery and development of novel therapeutic agents. The mission of the center is to advance high impact, translational research by providing integrated expertise in various areas of pharmaceutical research including target identification and engagement, medicinal chemistry, biologics, ADME-PK, preformulation, and formulation.
We provide a unique opportunity for students and junior-senior level scientists to work alongside experienced drug discovery scientists, learn modern techniques, and play a role in cutting-edge research collaborations. They gain a unique perspective on the drug discovery process and the importance of multidisciplinary, collaborative research required for success in the modern scientific community.
In 2019, the Moulder Center celebrated 10 years of operation, and, on January 1, 2022, I assumed the role of Director. Please consider how you can join us in our efforts as we embark on a second decade under new leadership and continue to build on the successes of the past. We are always seeking prospective students, faculty, staff, and donors.
Sincerely,
John Karanicolas, PhD
John Karanicolas, PhD
Director, Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research
john.karanicolas@temple.edu
Daniel Canney, PhD
Associate Professor, Medicinal Chemistry
215-707-6924
daniel.canney@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Organic Synthesis
• Structure-Activity Relationship Studies
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Neurotransmitter
• Neurobiology
• Receptors
Faculty
Magid Abou-Gharbia, PhD, FRSC
Laura H. Carnell Professor of Medicinal Chemistry
215-707-4949
magid.abougharbia@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Synthesis
• Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Drug Discovery
• Drug Design
Carlos Barrero, MD
Assistant Professor
215-707-9229
carlos.barrero@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Proteomics
• Metabolomics
• Diabetes
• COPD
• HIV
Benjamin E. Blass, PhD
Assistant Professor
215-707-2218
benjamin.blass@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Drug Discovery
• Drug Design
Michael Borenstein, PhD
Senior Associate Dean for Operations
215-707-2976
michael.borenstein@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Method Development
• Pharmacokinetics
• Sample Preparation
• Chromatography
• Liquid Chromatography
• Mass Spectrometry
• Analytical Method Development
• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
• Chromatographic Method Development
• Analytical Chemistry Instrumentation
Wayne Childers, PhD
Associate Professor
Associate Director, Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research
215-707-1079
wayne.childers@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Drug Discovery
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis
• Synthetic Organic Chemistry
• Drug Design
Marc Ilies, PhD
Professor
215-707-1749
marc.ilies@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Material Sciences
• Pharmaceutics
Kenneth Korzekwa, PhD
Professor
215-707-7892
kenneth.korzekwa@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Pharmacology
• Drug Metabolism
• Pharmacokinetics
Salim Merali, PhD
Professor
Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research
215-707-9228
salim.merali@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Cell Culture
• Cloning
• Mouse Breeding
• Apoptosis
• Liquid Chromatography
• Metabolomics
• Pulmonology
• Proteins
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacy
Oscar Perez-Leal, MD
Assistant Professor
215-707-9229
oscar.perez@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Cloning
• PCR
• Yeast and Mammalian cells
• RNA-Protein Interaction Studies
• Protein-Protein Interaction
• Protein Identification by Mass Spectrometry
• Plasmodium
• Molecular Biology
• CRISPR
• Biosensors
Mario Rico
Research Assistant Professor
215-707-9229
marior@temple.edu
Research Interests
• Growth Factors
• RAS
• Inflammation
• Osteoblasts
• Small Animal Procedures
• Drug Development
• Animal Surgery
• Small Animal Surgery
• Oral Gavage
• 4Hydroxynonenol
Scientists
Dennis Colussi
Research Associate, Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research
215-707-1294
dennis.colussi@temple.edu
John C. Gordon, PhD
Manager, Screening Center, Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research
215-707-4654
john.gordon0001@temple.edu
George Morton
Research Scientist, Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research
215-707-5854
george.morton0001@temple.edu
Students
Brian Day
PhD Candidate