Nourhan Mostafa (left), a doctoral candidate in the University of Mississippi's Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, works in the lab under Eman Ashour, assistant professor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery. The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists has honored Mostafa with its 2024 AAPS Best Abstract Award. Photo by Sage McNamara/School of Pharmacy
Nourhan Mostafa abstract details study on CBD drug delivery
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists has recognized University of Mississippi pharmacy graduate student Nourhan Mostafa for her work on a project to improve therapeutic availability of a compound sometimes used to treat seizures in children.
The organization presented Mostafa with the 2024 AAPS Best Abstract Award at its PharmSci 360 meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. The award is presented to the top 10% of abstract submissions from graduate students, postdoctoral candidates and primary investigators with less than three years of experience.
This was the first abstract by Mostafa, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery from Cairo, Egypt.
“Receiving this award for my first abstract is an extraordinary honor and a deeply fulfilling experience,” Mostafa said. “As my first research work, this recognition is especially meaningful and reinforces my passion for pharmaceutical research.
“It has boosted my confidence in my abilities and is a strong foundation for my future achievements. This milestone will undoubtedly provide new prospects and motivate me to seek excellence in my work with even greater determination.”
Mostafa’s abstract represents efforts to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of cannabidiol, known as CBD, to increase its effectiveness. The nonpsychoactive compound is well known for its potential medicinal uses, particularly in the treatment of childhood seizures.
However, as Mostafa details, its effectiveness is limited because it doesn’t dissolve well in water and is easily broken down by liver enzymes.
“We used the self-emulsifying drug delivery systems approach to develop the CBD formulations,” Mostafa said. “This approach has the potential to improve CBD solubility and avoid metabolism in the liver, leading to better therapeutic outcomes.”
Mostafa works in the lab of Eman Ashour, assistant professor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery and graduate program coordinator.
“Working with Dr. Ashour has been a transformative experience, and nothing I have achieved would have been possible without her unwavering support and guidance,” Mostafa said. “She has had an immense impact on my life, not only shaping my career but also influencing my personal growth.
“She creates an amazing work environment where lab mates collaborate easily and enjoy working together. Her mentorship has taught me how to approach challenges with confidence and creativity, and her ability to make complex situations manageable has truly made life easier.”
Ashour praised Mostafa for her work as she celebrates the win for the team at large.
“My lab research heavily focuses on cannabis drug delivery, particularly CBD formulation development,” Ashour said. “I am incredibly proud of Nourhan for receiving this award at a premier pharmaceutical conference like the AAPS PharmSci 360 meeting.
“This recognition reflects Nourhan’s dedication, creativity and the rigorous effort she has put into CBD formulation development research. This award is not only a recognition for Nourhan but for our research group and the School of Pharmacy.”
By Natalie Ehrhardt
