Dr Mehra Haghi

About me

I have completed a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Degree in 2007 at Faculty of Pharmacy, Azad University of Tehran. The thesis component of my undergraduate research studies has focused on the controlled release oral drug delivery systems. I received my PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Faculty of Pharmacy, in the area of applied respiratory cell biology at University of Sydney. Subsequent to my PhD, I held post-doctoral research associate positions under the supervision of Prof Paul Young and Prof Daniela Traini, first at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney (2012-2013) and then at Respiratory Technology group, at the Woolcock Institute (2013-2014). In 2014 I was appointed as a Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), a position I still hold. However, during this time I have also held two Alexander von Humboldt fellowships at Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany in 2014 and 2015.

My Expertise

My research encompasses epithelial cell biology, molecular pharmacology, respiratory technology and the development of representative in vitro models that mimic healthy and diseased lung tissue. 

Specifically my focus is on understanding the complex mechanisms that occur when inhaled micro-particles are deposited at the lung epithelia. To achieve this, my research encompasses both formulation and delivery of respirable therapeutics using novel realistic in vitro models, closely related to clinical relevant pathologies with a view to create new and more effective approaches to treat a range of respiratory diseases. Furthermore, through collaboration with health care professionals I aim to ensure that my research remains clinically relevant and translational.

Research project

Decreased pharmacological effects can be observed due to the difficulties associated with intracellular delivery of some medications used in treatment of respiratory conditions. The intended outcome of this project is to develop a novel delivery platform by using biocompatible strategies to increase the penetration of these drugs. This delivery platform is anticipated to increase the concentration of the drug in the cells and improve the therapeutic outcome by reducing the duration of treatments and side effects.