Ji8������

I have substantial teaching experience in Higher Education that I gained through developing, leading, and teaching undergraduate and postgraduate modules. I am the module leader for two modules, one at postgraduate level and another at undergraduate level. In addition to the modules' leadership, I contribute to the teaching and assessment, and design learning and teaching material for several modules in the School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry. These include Making Medicines (PY4030), Life Sciences and Medicine (PY4140), The Science of Medicine (PY5130), Biomedicines (CH4006), Technology to Care (PY7030) Research Methods and Project (PY7030), Design, Discovery and Development of Pharmaceuticals (CH7070) from Bench to Bedside (PY7940) and Application of Science to Patient Care (PY7960).

I was the course director for the Foundation Degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences in 2020-21 where I provided academic leadership to a team of 8 module leaders, and 16 teaching staff. Student voice is extremely important in my leadership style, and under my course directorship overall student satisfaction in the NSS jumped from 71.4% in 2020 to 82% in 2021.

I am very interested in providing students with an inclusive teaching and learning experience. My teaching is informed by research and practice. Therefore, I attended several teaching workshops including the leadership program "Teaching through Research" (Paris, France) in 2014 organised by the UNESCO Chair of Science which helped me to develop a research informed teaching approach. In my classrooms, I use different teaching styles including incorporating technology enhanced learning (TEL), Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL).

During the pandemic, my aptitude for technology has enabled me to become the Pharmacy Department lead for Online Examinations, Online Exams Quality Assurance (QA) and Proctoring. This role has involved transferring exams from traditional paper-based submissions to an online setting. I followed a research-informed approach to develop an innovative assessment strategy that not only met our accreditation needs, but also informed the pedagogic community in how to conduct invigilated online exams. I shared this knowledge in a talk at the 2021 Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference.

Academic Impact Awards

Nominated for the Personal Project/Dissertation Supervisor Award, 2019 (Ji8������)

Qualifications

• Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA), 2016.
• Associate Fellow of Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), 2015.

Courses taught

• Pharmaceutical Analysis MSc
• Pharmaceutical Science MSc
• Pharmaceutical Science BSc (Hons)
• Pharmacy MPharm (Hons)

I am an active researcher in the Department of Pharmacy whose work spans eye formulations, pharmaceutics, drug delivery, 3D printing for personalised eye medicines and biological evaluation of new drugs and drug delivery systems. My innovative research is developing new treatments for diseases using cutting-edge technologies. My main research focus is on ocular drug delivery, and I am a recognised leader in the field.

During my career I have led projects and built a significant body of work in ocular drug delivery and pharmaceutics. I have developed several pioneering, collaborative and multidisciplinary research projects aiming to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases. Currently, I am the Principal Investigator (PI) on FOUR research projects at Ji8������. These projects involve research into new eye medicines and formulations. The Intellectual property (IP) generated from two of these projects will be protected as these have identified potential new eye medicines.

In addition to my main supervisory role, I co-supervise another four students as either second or 'other' supervisor.

I regularly publish high-quality research outputs under the theme of ocular drug delivery. I have authored or co-authored numerous peer reviewed articles in Q1 journals with high impact factors. Some of these outputs were returned to REF 2021.

In recognition of my expertise in field of ocular drug delivery, I was invited to give talks at international and national conferences where I presented my work, in some cases as a recipient of prestigious awards. These include the annual meeting of the Controlled Release Society, the annual meeting and exhibition of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and the SMI Annual Ophthalmic Drugs Conference.

I am actively applying for internal and external funding to expand my research. Recently I have managed to secure TWO external research grants from Qatar:

2020 –The National Priorities Research Program (NPRP), NPRP13S-0126-200173, PI: Ali Al-Kinani, Qatar Foundation, total value $510K.  

2020 – International Research Collaboration Co-Funding Program (IRCC), IRCC326, PI: Ali Al-Kinani, Qatar University, total value $175K.

In addition to my scholarly activities, I am an editorial board member for Pharmaceutical Development and Technology since 2021 (Taylor and Francis, IF 3.131). I act as the social media editor for the same journal and am also a member of the Topic Advisory Board for Pharmaceutics (MDPI, IF 6.321).

Specialisms

• Ocular Drug Delivery
• 3D Printing Technology
• Biological Evaluation of New Drugs
• Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Biological Evaluation of Drug Delivery Systems

Scholarly affiliations

• Pharmaceutical Scientist Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry
• Member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
• Member of the United Kingdom and Ireland Controlled Release Society
• Member of the Controlled Release Society

My research is applied research related to industry and pharmaceutical formulations, I build internal and external collaborations with academic staff and companies. I was able to attract industrial partnerships which generated an income to Ji8������. I am also working to protect the Intellectual property (IP) generated from my research activities at Ji8������. 

In recognition of my expertise in the research area of ocular drug delivery, I was invited for an interview in mainstream media where I gave a talk about 3D printing and ocular drug delivery, as an expert speaker on the science and technology programme, ‘Future Insight', broadcasted by Polish National Television.

Qualifications and expertise

• Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Pharmacy Examination Board (2007 – 2008), Qatar
• Syndicate of Iraqi Pharmacists

I hold a variety of significant leadership roles within Ji8������, ranging from sitting on the Board of Governors to being the Co-chair of the Institutional Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team. I have strong decision making and problem-solving skills that enable me to successfully and effectively guide, support, and mentor colleagues in different areas of HE, thereby nurturing future academic leaders. Through my roles, I contribute to the strategic direction of Ji8������ in research, teaching and policy making.

University Level Leadership:

Member of Ji8������ Board of Governors, 2019 – Present.

I play an active part in ensuring that the business of the Governing Body including the educational character, research activities and University mission are carried out efficiently and effectively. 

Member of Ji8������ Academic Council (Senate) for two cycles, 2017 – Present.

I provide advice to the Vice-Chancellor on the strategic direction of the University's academic activities and safeguard the academic standards of the University for teaching, research, and enterprise.

Member of the Senate Effectiveness Review Task and Finish Group.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Leadership and Policy Making:          

Co-Chair of the Institutional Athena Swan, 2022 – Present.

I am a strong advocate for equality and diversity and believe that my working experiences in different countries and cultures can provide a wider and more intimate view on equality and diversity in the ever-thriving academic environment. I am the co-chair for the self assessment team for the institutional Athena Swan Application.  

Member of Ji8������ Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team (SAT), 2018 – Present.

Mentor in the Beyond Barriers Mentoring Scheme, Ji8������, 2017 – 2021.   

Network of Equality Champions, Ji8������, 2018 – Present.

Faculty, School and Departmental Level Leadership:

Faculty Research Ethics committee (FREC) member, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Computing, Ji8������, 2018 – Present.  

I support the KU research activities where I regularly review ethics applications for my colleagues' research to ensure the highest standards of ethical conduct are met.

Civic and Outreach Activities.

I am devoted to enhancing recruitment into STEM subjects. As the KU Interactive Floor Champion, I supported the University in two Civic Receptions (2017, 2018) in which I demonstrated the "Periodic Table" interactive floor to the public and the Mayor of Kingston.

Chair of the Organising Committee of the 2nd and the 3rd Interdisciplinary Hub for the Study of Health and Age-related conditions (IhSHA), Ji8������, (2014 – 2015).

Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team (SAT) member and Group leader for the School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry application, 2017 – Present.

I led the staff profile working group in which I compared the staff data and career progression pipeline for KU staff with national benchmarks.  My contribution was a significant factor in the success of the Bronze Award in 2018.

Fitness to Practice committee member, Department of Pharmacy, Ji8������, 2019 – Present.

University responsibilities

• Member of Ji8������ Board of Governors
• Member of Ji8������ Academic Council (Senate) for two cycles
• Member of the Senate Effectiveness Review Task and Finish Group
• Co-Chair of the Institutional Athena Swan
• Member of Ji8������ Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team (SAT)

Public and Civic roles

• KU Interactive Floor Champion