Kidney Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Toxicology – Joy Lab
The Joy laboratory specializes in applying pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences and toxicology research techniques to drug development of small molecules and biologics. We also employ delivery approaches and study of new technologies, including medical devices and diagnostics.
Preclinical and Clinical Therapeutic Development
The goal of research under this program is to discover and develop novel drugs, diagnostics and devices for kidney diseases. It is well-recognized that the rate of new drug and device approvals for kidney disease indications is lagging as compared to other therapeutic areas. Current research includes 1) a novel device for reducing the burden of hyperphosphatemia in End Stage Kidney Disease, 2) novel drugs and drug delivery strategies, and 3) repurposed drugs for kidney diseases. The lab conducts testing of novel compounds to determine the preclinical efficacy, toxicity, and PK profiles. Clinical development of small molecules and biologics include Phases 1-IV. Dr. Joy directs a graduate course in Drug and Biologic Development.
Biomarker Discovery and Profiling for Kidney Diseases
Omics approaches are used for the discovery and profiling of novel biomarkers for kidney toxicity and diseases. Current studies are utilizing approaches such as Somamer technology and kidney injury panels.
Toxicology of Kidney Injury
The Joy lab’s research bridges the basic science to clinical science to enhance the translational potential for reducing the burden of kidney injury due to medications. The research in this area incorporates in vitro and in vivo studies. Specific areas of emphasis are 1) mitigation of kidney injury, 2) role of drug metabolism and transport in nephrotoxicity, 3) role of pharmacogenomics in kidney injury.
Bioinformatics Utilizing Electronic Health Record and Genetic Biobank
A current study is evaluating clinical and electronic health record risks and profiles of various phenotypes of drug-induced kidney injury. The studies employ GWAS and PheWAS analyses.
Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
The Joy lab conducts preclinical and clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling and simulation. These techniques have been used in the lab to study the relationship between drug levels and biomarkers of kidney injury response. The lab uses software to conduct population, PBPK, and QSP modeling to understand relationships between plasma and organ concentrations an efficacy or toxicity responses. Dr. Joy directs graduate courses in Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, and in Population PK modeling.
Melanie Joy PharmD, PhD
Professor
Director of Innovation and Commercialization, Director of Entrepreneurship Education, SPARK/REACH Program, Director of the Center of Excellence Program for Model Informed Drug Development
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Email Address:[email protected]
Primary Phone:303-724-7416
Kidney Disease Pharmacology: Drugs, Biologics, Delivery & Devices
Mailing Address:
- CU Anschutz
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Building
12850 East Montview Boulevard
Lab: V20- 4420D/S
Office: V20-4108
Aurora, CO 80045
Areas of Expertise
- Kidney Disease Pharmacology
Education, Licensure & Certifications
- PhD (Pharmaceutical Sciences - Molecular Pharmaceutics) University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
- PharmD, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- BS Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Magna Cum Laude)
Awards
Affiliations
- Professor, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension
- Member, University of Colorado, Cancer Center
- Member, Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine
- Member, Center for Translational Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacogenomics
- Member, Center for Drug Discovery
- Member, Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety
- Founder/Scientific Advisor, Katharos, Inc.
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| Scott Tilden, PhD, PostDoc I am a Colorado native, avid skier, musician, and run my own indoor farming business with my brother. I completed my undergraduate at CU-Boulder and my PhD in Toxicology here at CU-Anschutz. I have over a decade of experience in conducting cutting-edge research, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and presenting at international scientific conferences in the fields of immuno-oncology, pharmaceutical sciences, and toxicology. I have also secured multiple patents, honors, and prizes for my innovative and impactful work. I am currently working as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Melanie Joy to investigate renal toxicity caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors and to help develop a novel kidney-targeted drug delivery method for patients suffering from lupus nephritis. My goal is to significantly contribute to the scientific community while working to improve patient therapies and outcomes. Additionally, I hope to gain the necessary experience to transitioning into medical affairs and scientific communication, where I can leverage my expertise to help bridge the gap between basic research, the clinic, and the public. |  |
| Avisek Ghimire, BS, MS, Instructor Avisek completed his B.S. degree in pharmacy from Kathmandu University, Nepal. His interest and exposure to drug therapy and pharmacokinetics during the undergraduate studies led him to a MS degree in pharmaceutical sciences (clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics track) at the University of Colorado. Avisek completed research on the influence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on CYP2B6 function through assessment of bupropion pharmacokinetics in vitamin D deficient patients as his MS thesis. He is highly engaged with pharmacokinetic studies and analysis of drug data, and conducting pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic modeling and simulations using various platforms including Certara Phoenix and PK-Sim/MoBi. Currently, Avisek is conducting a population pharmacokinetic modeling of vitamin D and its metabolites in patients with vitamin D insufficiency. He also advises MS and PhD students on their thesis projects on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling. During his spare time he likes to hike, play soccer, and hang out at coffee shops. |  |
| Lauren E. Thompson, BS: PhD Student in Pharmaceutical Sciences Lauren completed her BS degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Mathematics from Denison University in Ohio. Lauren’s research focuses on risk factors of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in cancer patients and potential mitigation strategies. Her work includes investigating nephroprotectant compounds in a mouse cancer model of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. She is additionally leading a clinical trial with the goals of elucidating pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic determinants that govern renal exposure to cisplatin, as well as the impact of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) antagonists, a class of antiemetic drugs. A better understanding of the key processes and pathways involved in renal cisplatin exposure will lead to therapy adjustments to decrease renal exposure and toxicity, while maintaining efficacy. | .jpg?sfvrsn=89f7d3bb_1) |
| Sarah Asby, BS: PhD Student in Pharmaceutical Sciences Sarah Asby graduated from the University of Virginia in 2018 with a BS in Engineering Science-Nanomedicine Engineering and minors in Material Science Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. After graduation, Sarah worked in the Pilon-Thomas Lab in the Immunology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center as a research associate studying translational immunotherapies and mechanisms in TIL therapy of cancer. Sarah’s research focuses on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) induced nephrotoxicity in cancer patients. Her work specifically aims to investigate mechanisms and develop physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models of ICI-mediated kidney injury in both a Humanized Immune System (HIS) mouse model as well as cancer patients enrolled in the clinical study. This work also aims to identify and evaluate biomarkers of kidney injury within HIS mice and patients receiving ICI treatment, as well as investigate potential mitigation strategies and treatments of injury. These studies aim to provide a better understanding of ICI-mediated nephrotoxicity to ultimately aid in prevention, earlier diagnoses of injury, as well as offer insight regarding potential therapeutic strategies. |  |
| Sydney Broyles, BS: MS Student in Pharmaceutical Sciences Broyles is originally from central Ohio. She graduated from the University of South Florida in 2022 with a BS in Biomedical Sciences. Currently she is enrolled in the Pharmaceutical Sciences master’s program here at Anschutz with a concentration in pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics. Her research focuses on population pharmacokinetic modeling and PK/PD predictions of rituximab (RTX) in membranous nephropathy patients. This will hopefully lead to more precise dosing and patient specific characteristics being taken into account. |  |
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