DR. BRIJESH SUKUMARAN

Academic Background

B.Sc.: Microbiology, University of Pune , Pune, 1998

M.Sc.: Microbiology, University of Pune, Pune, 2000

Ph.D: Applied Biology, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, 2011

Professional Experience

• Assistant Professor: NMIMS Deemed to be University, 2011 Present
• Postdoctoral Fellow: The Foundation for Medical Research, Worli, Mumbai, 2010â€"2011
• Research Assistant B, The Foundation for Medical Research, Worli, Mumbai, 2009â€"2010
• Research Assistant, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, 2000

Research Interest

Our lab is working in the area of advanced drug delivery and formulation science with a focus on nanomedicine, phytopharmaceuticals, and skin therapeutics.

• Nanomedicine and targeted drug delivery: Development of nano-formulations such as solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, niosomes, and nanocomposite-coated scaffolds for targeted and sustained drug delivery in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, breast cancer, and bone infections. Our research employs Quality by Design (QbD) approaches for formulation optimization, with an emphasis on improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing toxicity.
• Phytopharmaceutical development: Screening and identification of phytochemicals with therapeutic potential, especially for inflammatory diseases like arthritis, using a combination of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches to support the development of standardized phytomedicine.
• Skin and topical therapeutics: Development and evaluation of improved topical formulations incorporating anti-aging and dermatologically active molecules, including their safety and clinical efficacy assessment.

Recent Publications:

• Mirchandani Y, Patravale V, Brijesh S. Hyaluronic acid-coated solid lipid nanoparticles enhance antirheumatic activity and reduce toxicity of methotrexate. Nanomedicine. 2022. 17(16): 1099-1114. https://doi.org/10.2217/nnm-2022-0009 (Impact Factor: 4.7) Q1
• Sahoo S, Kharkar PS, Sahu NU, Brijesh S. Anxiolytic activity of Psidium guajava in mice subjected to chronic restraint stress and effect on neurotransmitters in brain. Phytotherapy Research. 2020. 35(3): 1399-1415. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6900 (Impact Factor: 6.3) Q1
• Sahoo S, Brijesh S. Anxiolytic activity of Coriandrum sativum seeds aqueous extract on chronic restraint stressed mice and effect on brain neurotransmitters. Journal of Functional Foods. 2020. 68: 103884. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2020.103884 (Impact Factor: 4.0) Q1
• Martins J, Brijesh S. Anti-depressant activity of Erythrina variegata bark extract and regulation of monoamine oxidase activities in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2020. 248: 112280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.112280 (Impact Factor: 5.4) Q1
• Kargutkar S, Brijesh S. Anti-inflammatory evaluation and characterization of leaf extract of Ananas comosus. Inflammopharmacology. 2017. 26(2): 469 477. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-017-0379-3 (Impact Factor: 5.3) Q1

Teaching

• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• Biostatistics
• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Research Methodology

Awards/Honor

• Best Faculty, Sunandan Divatia School of Science, NMIMS Deemed to be University, 2019