Huge therapeutic potential for research
When biomedical sciences PhD candidate Maya Dian began her postgraduate studies at AUT she knew she wanted to do something “with a huge positive impact on current health and treatment plans” but she wasn’t sure what to focus on.
Then she met AUT Associate Professor Ali Seyfoddin who suggested researching cannabinoids (specific extracts of the cannabis plant) and their therapeutic potential.
“Cannabinoids have a wide spectrum of therapeutic potential and a high safety profile for humans, which means they can help billions of people around the world who are suffering from unmanageable chronic pain, neurological diseases and cancers.”
Associate Professor Seyfoddin is the director of AUT’s Drug Delivery Research Group which is focused on identifying and developing ways to safely and efficiently target drugs or bioactive compounds to the parts of the body where the medicines will be most effective.
For her PhD research, Maya is developing a novel nano-carrier for the delivery of cannabinoids.
“The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids is huge. Designing an appropriate drug delivery system for them could unleash their potential and have a great impact on our healthcare system,” says Maya, recipient of an AUT Vice-Chancellor’s Doctoral Scholarship.
As well as receiving guidance from Associate Professor Seyfoddin and other highly respected researchers at AUT’s School of Science, Maya says the Drug Delivery Research Group’s industry partnerships have created some incredible opportunities.
Maya is one of three AUT postgraduate students working on research and development projects with Helius Therapeutics, one of the country’s leading medicinal cannabis companies.
Two of the R&D projects being carried out by AUT researchers have also attracted backing from the New Zealand government’s innovation agency Callaghan Innovation.
Bachelor of Science (Honours) graduate Lizzy Domigan was the recipient of an R&D Experience Grant from Callaghan Innovation and has been working on a tissue culture programme with Helius.
“After finishing my undergraduate studies, I was in a dilemma about what the most valuable next step in my career would be – gaining industry experience or continuing academic learning with postgraduate study? Choosing to study at AUT for my honours degree has granted me the extraordinary opportunity to achieve both.”