Mrs Zinah Al-Qaysi

Research project: Brimonidine derivatives as a potential therapy for glaucoma: synthesis, characterisation, and evaluation

Abstract

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the eye, and it is the most cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Glaucoma characterized by high intraocular pressure associated with progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells. Current glaucoma therapies target a reduction in IOP to reduce the risk of progression and vision loss. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist brimonidine effectively lowers IOP through reduction of aqueous humour production and increase aqueous humour outflow. Topical administration of brimonidine eye drop is the most common method for treating glaucoma. However, precorneal loss, high tear fluid limited its bioavailability, along with ocular side effects lead to un responding to conventional glaucoma therapy. Therefore, chemical modification of brimonidine may be effective in glaucoma treatment. A topical combination of brimonidine derivatives may be able to reduce IOP effectively. Enhancing the bioavailability of the drug, longer duration of action and better efficiency, reducing side effects, increase drug solubility and better action in reduction of IOP are the features of the formulated drug.

  • Research degree: PhD
  • Title of project: Brimonidine derivatives as a potential therapy for glaucoma: synthesis, characterisation, and evaluation
  • Research supervisor: Professor Raid Alany
  • Other research supervisor: Dr Ali Athab Al-Kinani

Biography

In 2009, I have achieved my BSc degree in Pharmacy, which gave me the opportunity to practice as a pharmacist for over 2 years. Working in a community pharmacy allowed me to deal with the patients, check and dispense the medications. In 2011, I have achieved MSc. degree in pharmaceutical science and my project focus on the compatibility of excipients with water-soluble drugs. The project allowed me to carry out lab work in one of the big pharmaceutical industries.

 In 2018, I started my PhD in Pharmaceutics at Kingston University London. My research work focuses on formulation studies and In-vitro characterisation, evaluation of the prepared compound formulation for the ocular delivery, and biological examination on epithelium lens tissue.

I am an Associate Fellow of The Higher Education Academy in the UK (AFHEA). It has provided me with the essential skills to engage and challenge different students with various educational needs.

Areas of research interest

  • Ocular drug delivery and formulation
  • HPLC analysis and method development
  • Cell culture and biological work
  • Chemistry and organic synthesis

Qualifications

  • Bachelor degree in pharmacy (2009) , faculty of pharmacy & medical science, AL-Ahliyya Amman University ,(Amman-Jordan).
  • Master in Pharmaceutical Science (2011), College of pharmacy, Petra University (Amman-Jordan).
  • Associate Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)