Our mission
To be research-intensive with excellence in research, collaboration, communication, and commercialisation surrounding pharmaceutical sciences, clinical and social pharmacy. We view collaboration as a key driver of research and innovation, and as such we are enthusiastic to collaborate, undertake commercial work, and expand our network of research and commercial relationships.
Our key research expertise is in pharmaceutical sciences, clinical and social pharmacy, with numerous key collaborations broadening this focus. Our experienced researchers drive these key portfolios supported by a high level of capability and infrastructure underpinning these research themes. For more information, see below or contact:
Research
Professor Greg Walker
Associate Dean Research
School of Pharmacy and Pharamacology
Email greg.walker@otago.ac.nz
Equipment
Blake Gibson MSc, BSc
Operations Manager
School of Pharmacy and Pharamacology
Email blake.gibson@otago.ac.nz
Our research expertise
Pharmaceutical Science
Pharmaceutical Science research expertise and focus include areas of Drug Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, Formulation Science, and Pharmacology.
- Drug discovery and medicinal chemistry:
- Computational drug design and discovery
- Drug, prodrug, bioconjugates, bio-orthogonal drug/molecule synthesis
- Targeted stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems such as nanoparticles or hydrogels.
- Formulation science is a prominent area of research in the School including:
- Delivery and modified release formulations and therapeutics
- Modification of medicine, for example for inhalation
- Drug delivery devices
- Pharmacology of medicines is assessed and studied looking at metabolism of drugs and pharmacological properties of drugs in models and patient samples
Clinical and Social Pharmacy
Clinical and Social Pharmacy encompasses pharmacy practice and health systems research that bridges individual patient care with broader societal and structural considerations. Our research approach integrates clinical excellence with social understanding to improve health outcomes at both individual and population levels.
Our Clinical Pharmacy research centres on the efficacy and safety of medicines, medicine optimisation strategies, and advancing health equity. We investigate how pharmaceutical interventions can be optimised to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients and their whānau (family) while addressing inequities in healthcare access and treatment.
Social Pharmacy research explores patient and whānau lived experiences within the health system. This work examines how social, cultural, and structural factors influence medication use, health-seeking behaviour, and therapeutic outcomes.
Research areas
Our interdisciplinary approach encompasses:
- Clinical Pharmacy – Evidence-based medicine optimisation and safety
- Social Pharmacy – Patient experience and community health perspectives
- Health Systems Research – Improving healthcare delivery and access
- Global Health – International collaboration and cross-cultural health solutions
Our commitment
Kaupapa Māori research is integral to our mission, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives and methodologies inform our research approach and contribute to achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori.
Our Global Health focus reflects the international scope of our work, extending beyond Aotearoa New Zealand to address health challenges in diverse contexts. This includes research with migrant and refugee populations, collaborative projects in the Middle East and South Asia, and partnerships that enable knowledge exchange across different healthcare systems.
Through this comprehensive approach, our research addresses local health priorities while contributing to global understanding of pharmacy practice and health system improvement.
Equipment and capabilities
Driving the School of Pharmacy and Pharamacology’s research is key infrastructure allowing for extensive advancement, collaboration and commercialisation. In house facilities, equipment and expertise is the cornerstone of the pharmaceutical sciences research theme. We are equipped with research space such as HSNO exempt, PC1 and PC2 laboratories hosting themes such as medicinal chemistry, formulation, GMP-like, commercial, and clinical laboratories, and has patient interview and testing rooms.
Our key research techniques in house include:
- Nano formulation assembly
- Freeze drier, heated and cooled shelves with vial stoppering
- NanoAssemblr, cartridge-based microfluidics system
- Particle sizing, Horiba and Malvern Zetasizer Advance Series Pro Blue
- Pathfinder Microfluidics system
- Pharmaceutical preparation and testing
- Ball mill
- Cary 630 FTIR
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), TA Instruments Discovery 250
- Drug release instruments: Disintegrators and Dissolution apparatus
- GMP-Like facility
- High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
- Microscopy (Polarising, hot stage, Fluorescent)
- Next Generation Impactor (Artificial lung)
- Rheometer, Discovery HR3
- Spray drier system
- Tableting equipment: mixers, granulators, air driers, and tableting machines, friability testers and tablet hardness testers
- Texture analyser
- Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), TA Instruments Discovery 550
- Medicinal chemistry
- Flash Chromatography system, Buchi Pure C-815
- HPLC
- Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS), Agilent 6430, QTrap 5500,
- Melting point systems
- Rotary Evaporator systems and accessories
- Spectrometry
- Materials sciences
- Ball mill
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry
- Freeze drying
- Nano assembly
- Particle sizing
- Texture analyser
- Thermogravimetric analysis
- Biological
- Cell culture and associated equipment, including a hypoxic incubator
- Flow Cytometry, FACS Canto2
- Fluorescent microscope, Olympus
- Microtome
Key contacts
View a detailed list of academics and their key research interests
For more information or to ask any questions please feel free to contact:
Blake Gibson MSc, BSc
Operations Manager
School of Pharmacy and Pharamacology
Email blake.gibson@otago.ac.nz
We look forward to working with you!