Dr.
Divya Vohora Shangari
Name
:
Divya Vohora Shangari
Date
of Birth:
December 09, 1973
Address
Office:
Department of Pharmacology
Faculty of Pharmacy
Jamia Hamdard
New Delhi 110 062, India
Tel: 91-11-2605 9688/Ext.5657
Fax: 91-11-2605 9663
Residence:
114, Kailash Hills, East of Kailash,
New Delhi 110 065, India
Tel: 91-9811477917
Academic Record
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Degree Year Institution Subject
PGDOM 2003 IGNOU Operations
Research
New
Delhi, India (R&D and Innovations)
Ph.D. 2001 Hamdard University
Pharmacology
New
Delhi, India (Neuropsychopharmacol.)
M Pharm* 1997 Hamdard University Pharmacology
New
Delhi, India (Neuropharmacology)
B Pharm 1995 Hamdard University Pharmacy
New
Delhi, India
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* First rank in University for Part I and Second rank
(missed first rank by one mark) for Part II
Positions
Held
Present:
Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology
Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University
New Delhi 110 062, India
Past:
1999
May – Oct. 1999 :
Senior Research Fellow
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR), New Delhi.
1998 Feb. – April 1999 : Lecturer (Pharmacology)
1997
Dec. – Feb. 1998 :
Research Fellow, Central Council for Research
in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), New Delhi.
Areas of Interest
CNS
Pharmacology, Epilepsy, Cognitive Functions,
Neurodegenerative disorders, Histamine
Research Experience
Projects
2005 “Selective H3 receptor ligands,
brain histamine and intrasynaptosomal calcium as novel tools to study neuropsychiatric
disorders” (UGC project: Rs 7.5 lacs).
Principal Investigator: Dr Divya Vohora
Co- Investigator: Prof. K. K. Pillai
2004 “Sodium Hydrogen Exchange Inhibitors
and Selective Histamine H3 Receptor Modulators as novel targets for developing
drugs against Cerebral Ischaemia” (DST project: Rs 2.5 lacs).
Principal Investigator : Dr Divya Vohora
2004 “Evaluation and Standardization
of Unani Medicines as Metabolic Interceptors of Epileptogenesis for the
Treatment of epilepsy” (ISM project : Rs 24 lacs, Provisionally approved,
pending clearance from institutional clinical ethics commmittee).
Principal Investigator : Dr. Farhan J Ahmad
Co-Investigator : Dr. Divya Vohora
2002-till date “Evaluation of combined
therapy of antiepileptic drugs with psychotropic and nootropic agents with
special reference to behavioral, cognitive and motor function” (AICTE
project : Rs. 06 lacs).
Principal Investigator : Dr Divya Vohora
Co-Investigator : Prof. K.K. Pillai.
2000 – 2001 Involved in a study of impact factors of scientific journals for critical appraisal of their utility.
1998-1999
“Rational Drug Use in Delhi Hospitals”. A DSPRUD - India WHO
Essential Drugs Programme.
Principal Investigator : Dr. S.N. Pal
Co-Investigator : Dr. Divya V. Shangari
1997-2000 “Research on Epilepsy and Cognitive mechanisms with special reference to histamine” funded by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.
Techniques
Well versed with varied pharmacological and biochemical techniques especially:
• Methods of inducing epilepsy in rodents using electro- and chemoshock techniques. Behavioural models in rodents such as active and passive (inhibitory) avoidance response, spontaneous alternation, elevated plus-maze etc. for evaluation of drugs affecting cognitive function.
• Intracerebroventricular administration in conscious mice.
• Biochemical analysis including spectrofluorimetric estimation of neurotransmitters (eg. histamine, serotonin etc.) in rodent brain and estimation of intracellular calcium in brain synaptosomes using Chemiluminescence spectrometry.
• Sectioning and identification of brain regions in rodents (brain-box technique).
Teaching Experience
Graduate Programmes (Pharmacy Diploma/Degree courses)
• Theory and Practical classes in Pharmacology, Human Anatomy and Physiology.
Postgraduate Programmes (Pharmacology/Toxicology)
• Supervised three M.Pharm research projects. Currently supervising two Ph.D. and one M.Pharm scholar.
•
Practical demonstration of various experimental techniques involving CNS
and behavioural studies in rats and mice to M.Pharm and PhD students.
Scientific
Documentation
1999 Commissioned to write report of two International Conferences by Investigational Drugs, UK.
1995-1997 Pre-clinical and clinical scientific data on assignments from Triclin Research Management Services, New Delhi, India and Quest Picong, Nyon, Switzerland.
Other Academic Activities
Reviewer:
•
Epilepsia, USA
•
Indian
Journal of Experimental Biology.
Examiner:
•
Guru
Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi
Kasturba Polytechnic, Delhi
•
Maharishi
Dayanand University, Rohtak
Kakatiya University, Warangal
Anangpura Institute of Pharmacy, Faridabad.
Supervisor: M.Pharm:04; PhD:02
Member:
Publications Committee
•
International
Behavioral Neuroscience Society (IBNS), USA
•
Placement
Cell, Hamdard University
•
Web Cell,
Hamdard University
•
Animal
Ethics Committee, Hamdard University
•
Academic
Council, Hamdard University
Membership of Learned Societies:
•
Society
for Neuroscience (SFN), USA.
•
International
Behavioral Neuroscience Society (IBNS), USA.
•
International
Brain Research Organization (IBRO), France.
•
Indian
Pharmacological Society (IPS).
•
Indian
Pharmacy Graduates Association (IPGA).
•
Society
of Biosciences, India.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions
2004 Fast Track Proposal for Young Scientists by Department of Science & Technology (DST), India.
2003 Appointed as Member, Publications Committee for International Behavioral Neuroscience Society, USA for the period 2003-2008.
2002 Awarded International Travel Fellowship by Society for Neuroscience, USA for attending its annual meeting at San Diego.
2001 Chandra Kanta Dandiya Prize (comprising of Rs.10,000/-) for the best research paper published in Pharmacology in the year 2000.
2000 Awarded travel grants by DST, CSIR, UGC & INSA, India.
2000 Awarded best paper presentation at the CME on New Drug Developments in the Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Sept.5-7, Institute of Human Behavior & Allied Sciences, Delhi.
1998 Senior Research Fellow, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India.
1997 Research Fellow, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), New Delhi, India.
1997 First rank in University for M.Pharm (Part-I).
Training/ Orientations Courses
2003 Attended the UGC Refresher course for Pharmacy Teachers on Current Trends and Methods in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Feb. 15-7 March, Hamdard University, New Delhi.
1999 Attended the AICTE 3rd Quality Improvement Program for Pharmacy Teachers on Recent Advances in Drug Delivery Systems, Oct 16-20, College of Pharmacy, New Delhi.
Presentations/Participation in National and International Conferences/Symposia/Meetings
2005 (Poster paper) 3rd North Zone Conference of Indian Pharmacological Society, April 23, DIPSAR, New Delhi.
2005 (Delegate) DIPSAR, New Delhi.
2005 (Host) IPR Awareness Seminar on Pharmaceuticals, Feb26, Hamdard University, New Delhi.
2005 (Delegate) Symposium on Drug Discovery & Development, March 21, DIPSAR, New Delhi.
2004 (Poster paper) 5th Annual Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedicine Research at ACBR, Univ. of Delhi, March 14-16.
2004 (Poster paper) International Symposium on Recent Advances in Pharmacology, Jan 7-8, Hotel Grand, New Delhi.
2003 (Two poster papers) XXXVI Annual Conference of Indian Pharmacological Society, Dec. 5-7, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
2001 (Delegate) 53rd Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, Dec 21-23, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
2000
(Oral paper & Round table discussion) International Conference on the
Holistic
Concept of Training for the Promotion of Sustainable Development (EUROECO
- 2000), Sept. 15-16, Krakow, Poland.
2000** (Poster paper) CME on New Drug Developments in the Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Sept.5-7, IHBAAS, Delhi.
1999 (Poster paper) International Congress on Frontiers in Pharmacology and Therapeutics in 21st Century, Dec.1-4, New Delhi, India.
1999 (Poster paper) International Colloquium on "Brain Research", Oct.1-3, National Brain Research Centre, New Delhi, India.
1999*: (Rapporteur) International Symposium on Prudent use of Antibiotics, Annual Meeting of PC Dandiya Endowment Trust, March 5-7, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, India.
1998: (Oral paper) 31st Indian Pharmacological Society Conference, Dec 18-20, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
1998: (Oral paper) Inter-State Co-ordination Meeting on Rational Use of Drugs, Nov.30, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India.
1998*: (Host) National Symposium on Toxicology and Environmental Health., Nov.20-21, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
1998: (Delegate) 5th Annual Symposium of Ranbaxy Science Foundation entitled: Molecular Interventions in Disease, Oct. 31, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India.
1998*: (Poster paper & Host) International Symposium on New Drug Development, Feb.6-8, Hamdard Univesity, New Delhi, India.
1997: (Oral paper) Tridecennial Annual Conference of Indian Pharmacological Society, Nov.14-16, Govt. Medical Collge, Jammu, India.
1996: (Delegate) 29th Conference of the Indian Pharmacological Society, Dec 20-22, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India.
1995*:
(Host) 28th Conference of the Indian Pharmacological Society, Nov.23-26,
Punjabi University, Patiala, India.
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*
Helped in organization in various capacities.
** Best poster presentation award.
PUBLICATIONS
A total of 28 publications in National (10) and International journals (18) of repute excluding abstracts and theses.
NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL
Theses: 06 -
Book Chapters: - 02
Review Articles: 01 04
Research Papers: 08 09
Meeting Reports: - 02
Correspondence: 01 01
Abstracts: 13 01
TOTAL
29 19
(48)
PUBLICATIONS
* International Theses
• Ali A (Supervisor: Vohora D, Co-supervisors:
Pillai K K, Ahmad F J). Development of new drug delivery systems of pharmacological
agent and its evaluation in epilepsy. PhD Thesis, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi,
2005.
• Bharal N (Supervisor: Vohora D, Co-supervisor: Pillai K K). Effect of Sparfloxacin on CNS functions in mice. M.Pharm Thesis, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 2004.
• Arora S (Supervisor: Vohora D, Co-supervisor: Khanam R). Effect of Streptozotocin induced diabetes on cognitive functions in mice. M.Pharm Thesis, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 2003.
• Shahid M (Supervisor: Vohora D, Co-supervisor: Pillai K K). Reversal of phenytoin induced cognitive deficits by piracetem in mice: involvement of cholinergic system. M.Pharm Thesis, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 2002.
• Vohora D (Supervisor: Pillai K K, Co-supervisor: Pal S N). Modulators of Experimental Epilepsy and related Cognitive Function: Potential Clinical Relevance, Ph.D. Thesis, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 2000.
• Vohora D (Supervisor: Pillai K K). Noradrenergic mechanisms in the pro-convulsant effects of buspirone, Thesis M Pharm, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 1997.
Book Chapters
• Vohora D and Mishra LC. Ayurvedic Management of Cognitive Dysfunction (Alzheimers’ disease): Ancient knowledge and modern research. In: Scientific Basis of Ayurvedic Therapies, CRC Press, USA, 2003 : 411-426.
• Vohora SB and Vohora D. Skin-care and herbo-mineral beauty aids in India. In: Women and Health: Ethnomedical Perspectives (eds: Gottschalk-Batschkus CE, Schuler J and Iding D.), VWB, Berlin, Germany, 1997.
Review Articles
• Khanam R, Pillai KK and Vohora D. Depression in diabetics: current perspectives. www.pharmainfo.net (as special article, 2005).
• Vohora D. Histamine, Selective H3 receptor ligands and Cognitive functions: An Overview. Investigational drugs 2004; 7: 667-73.
• Vohora D. Histamine as an anticonvulsant inhibitory neurotransmitter. Current Neuropharmacology 2004; 2: 419-425.
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Histamine H3 receptors as modulators of CNS function. Indian J Pharmacology. 33: 17-28, 2001.
• Vohora D and Vohora SB. Elemental basis of epilepsy, Trace Elements and Electrolytes, Herne, Germany. 16: 109-123, 1999.
Correspondence
• Vohora SB and Vohora D. Why are Indian Journals’ impact factors so low? Nature 412: 583, 2001.
• Vohora SB, Shah ZA and Vohora D. Low impact facotors for Indian journals: Do factors other than quality influence? Current Science 81, 2001.
Meeting Reports
• Vohora SB, Vohora D and Raisuddin S. Frontiers in Pharmacology and Therapeutics in 21st Century-International Congress (New Delhi, India, Dec.1-4, 1999). Investigational Drugs 2000; 3: 299-303.
• Vohora D and Vohora SB. International Colloquium on Brain Research (Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, India, Oct. 1-3, 1999). Investigational Drugs (weekly highlights) 1999; Week 42: 80-84.
Research Papers
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Modulation of spontaneous alternation behavior of mice treated with thioperamide and tacrine in a cross maze task. Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology 2005 (in press).
• Akhtar M, Pillai KK and Vohora D. Effect of thioperamide on modified forced swimming test induced oxidative stress in mice. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology 2005 (in press).
• Ali A, Ahmad FJ, Pillai KK and Vohora D. Amiloride protects against pentylenetetrazole induced kindling in mice. British J Pharmacol. 2005 (in press).
•
Ali A, Ahmad FJ, Pillai KK and Vohora D. Evidence for antiepileptic
potential of amiloride with neuropharmacological benefits in rodent models
of
Epilepsy and Behavior. Epilepsy and Behavior 2004.
• Ali A, Pillai KK, Pal SN, Ahmad FJ and Vohora D. Addtion of folic acid ameliorates neuropharmacological complications in mice. Asia Pacific J Pharmacol. 2004 (in press)
• Shahid M, Pillai KK and Vohora D. Reversal of phenytoin induced impairment of spontaneous alternation by piracetam in mice. Indian J Pharmacol. 2004;36: 20-24.
•
Ali A, Pillai KK, Vohora D, Pal SN, Dua Y, Ahmad FJ. Lamotrigine
is not hepatotoxic in mice. Indian J Pharmacol. 2003; 35 : 248-249.
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Histamine
and selective H3-receptor ligands: a possible role in the mechanism and
management of epilepsy. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2001; 68: 735-741.
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Thioperamide, a selective histamine H3 receptor antagonist protects against PTZ-induced seizures in mice. Life Sciences 66: 297-301, 2000.
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Protection of phenytoin-induced cognitive deficits by Bacopa monniera, a reputed Indian nootropic plant. J Ethnopharmacol 71: 383-390, 2000.
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Effect of locomotor activity on the passive avoidance paradigm for the evaluation of cognitive function in mice. Indian J Pharmacol 32: 242-245, 2000.
• Vohora D and Pillai KK. Noradrenergic mechanisms in the pro-convulsant effects of buspirone. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 43: 63-69, 1999.
• Vohora SB, Siddiqui R and Vohora D. Role of magnesium in neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive function. Biul. Magnezol. Warsaw (Poland) 4: 236-240, 1999.
• Vohora D and Pillai KK. Potassium-channel independent pro-convulsive effects of buspirone. Advances in Biosciences 18: 73-78, 1999.
• Ayesha N, Sonia Bajaj, Vohora D and Vohora SB. Effect of calcined gold and silver preparation on experimental model of epilepsy. Indian J Toxicol 7: 11-17, 2000.
• Siddiqui R, Vohora D and Vohora SB. Pro-convulsant effects of calcined arsenic preparations used in Unani-Tibb. Indian J Pharmacol 31: 150-152, 1999.
• Vohora D and Pillai KK. Pro-convulsant effects of buspirone and its modulation by ?2-adrenoceptor agonist in mice. Indian J Pharmacol 30: 329-333, 1998.
Abstracts
• Akhtar M, Pillai KK and Vohora D. Effect of thioperamide on modified forced swimming test induced oxidative stress in mice. 3rd North Zone Conference of Indian Pharmacological Society, April 23, DIPSAR, New Delhi.
• Ali A, Pillai KK, Ahmad FJ and Vohora D. Antiepileptic potential of amiloride in pentylenetetrazole induced kindling in mice. Annual meeting of International Behavioral Neuroscience Society (IBNS), June 16-20, Key West, Florida, USA, 2004.
• Akhtar M, Pillai KK, Khanam R, Arora S and Vohora D. Effect of Streptozotocin induced diabetes on spontaneous alternation behavior and passive avoidance response in mice. 5th Annual Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical Research, April 14- 16, Dr B. R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, New Delhi, 2004.
• Ali A, Pillai KK, Ahmad FJ and Vohora D. Antiepileptic potential of amiloride with neuropharmacological benefits in rodent models of epilepsy and behavior. International Symposium on Recent Advances in Pharmacology, Jan 7-8, Hotel Grand, New Delhi, 2004.
• Vohora D, Akhtar M, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Modulation of spontaneous alternation performance of mice treated with thioperamide and tacrine in a cross maze task. XXXVI Annual Conference of Indian Pharmacological Society, Dec. 5-7, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, 2003.
• Khanam R, Arora S and Vohora D. Effect of experimental diabetes on spatial and working memory in mice. XXXVI Annual Conference of Indian Pharmacological Society, Dec. 5-7, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, 2003.
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Understanding and management of epilepsy and cognitive deficits: Novel approaches using H3 receptor antagonists and herbal nootropics. International Conference on the Holistic Concept of Training for the Promotion of Sustainable Development, Sept 15-16, Krakow, Poland; 2000.
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Histamine and selective H3 receptor ligands: A novel approach to understanding epilepsy and its management. CME on New Drug Developments in the Neuropsychiatric Disordres, Sept. 5-7, IHBAS, Delhi, India: 2000.
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Effects of histaminergic H3-receptor modulation on PTZ-induced seizures in mice. International Congress on Frontiers in Pharmacology & Therapeutics in 21st Century, Dec.1-4, New Delhi, India; 1999.
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Anticonvulsant effects of thioperamide a selective H3-receptor antagonist, in mice. International Colloquium on Brain Research, National Brain Research Centre, Oct 1-3, New Delhi, India; 1999.
• Vohora D, Pal SN and Pillai KK. Locomotor activity affects parameters for memory evaluation in a passive-avoidance paradigm in mice. Indian J Pharmacol 31: 64, 1999.
• Vohora D and Pillai KK. Noradrenergic
mechanisms in pro-convulsant effects of buspirone. Indian J Pharmacol 30:
115, 1998.
• Pal SN and Vohora D. Baseline data
on Actual Drug Availability to outpatients in some Delhi Hospitals : Implications
and use in Interventions for Promoting Rational Drug Use. 50th Indian Pharmaceutical
Congress and 17th Asian Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dec. 10-13,
Mumbai: 167, 1998.
