About

Ritu Gupta, PhD

Discovery-Focused Scientist · Pharmacokineticist · Academician · Science Communicator

Portrait of Ritu Gupta, PhD

Biography

Discovery-focused scientist with over 12 years of academic and industry experience in preclinical drug development across multiple therapeutic modalities — small molecules, nanoparticles, and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs).

Proficient in non-compartmental and compartmental Pharmacokinetic/Toxicokinetic (PK/TK) analyses using Certara Phoenix WinNonlin® and PKAssist™. Experienced in nonlinear mixed effect PK/PD modeling (Phoenix NLME, Monolix, Simulx) and PBPK simulation with GastroPlus®.

Expert in authoring high-quality GLP/non-GLP study reports supporting regulatory submissions (IND/NDA/BLA), CDISC SEND compliance, and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data management. Strong background in ADME science, quantitative pharmacology, human dose prediction, and clinical trial design.

Well-versed in bioanalytical method development and validation across UPLC and triple-quadrupole LC-MS/MS platforms, and in statistical formulation optimization through Design of Experiments methodologies. Extensive hands-on experience in formulation development spanning novel drug delivery systems as well as conventional solid, liquid, and semisolid dosage forms.

Accomplished academician with a decade of experience as an Associate Professor in India, delivering advanced coursework in Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics, and Drug Regulatory Affairs. Scientific Content Producer at PharmaThinkTank, driving science communication and knowledge translation.

Experience

Professional Experience

Sept 2025 – Present

Independent Researcher | Scientific Content Producer

PharmaThinkTank · Vancouver, BC, Canada

  • Spearhead science communication and knowledge translation initiatives, converting complex pharmaceutical, PK/PD, and biomedical research into high-impact, accessible content for academic, industry, and public audiences.
  • Collaborate with Principal Investigators, university faculty, graduate trainees, and research assistants to advance project milestones and interdisciplinary initiatives.
  • Research, structure, and co-author academic books and chapters across emerging drug delivery systems, AI applications, and translational scientific perspectives.
  • Apply PBPK modeling, IVIVC, population PK/PD, and pharmacometric simulations using GastroPlus®, Phoenix NLME, MonolixSuite, Simulx, and Open Systems Pharmacology.
Jul 2024 – Sept 2025

Research & Development Scientist

Viva Pharmaceutical Inc. · Richmond, BC, Canada

  • Developed and optimized nutraceutical formulations through lab-scale R&D trials and stability testing, enhancing product performance and shelf life.
  • Developed and validated analytical methods (HPLC, HILIC, complexometric titration) supporting product characterization and regulatory submissions.
  • Collaborated with production, QC, QA, and sales teams to ensure timely commercialization of new products.
Aug 2024 – Mar 2025

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

University of British Columbia · Vancouver, BC, Canada

  • Supported health research projects involving opioid use disorder and clinical research populations.
  • Developed and applied LC-MS/MS analytical methods for quantification of morphine, fentanyl, and methadone in small-volume human plasma samples.
  • Conducted literature reviews and synthesized scientific evidence supporting research questions, grant applications, and project development.
  • Contributed to a Mitacs collaborative research grant and Health Research BC–Mitacs research initiatives.
Jul 2022 – Aug 2023

PK Research Scientist (Remote)

Charles River Laboratories · Mattawan, MI, USA

  • Conducted and interpreted pharmacokinetic research supporting GLP and non-GLP studies.
  • Organized, analyzed, and interpreted complex biological and pharmacokinetic datasets.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams on study protocols, data interpretation, and reporting.
  • Prepared scientific reports and contributed documentation supporting IND/NDA submissions.
Aug 2017 – Jun 2022

Graduate / Teaching Research Assistant

Texas Southern University · Houston, TX, USA

  • Mentored TSU LEAP undergraduate students in health research, PK modeling, data interpretation, and scientific communication.
  • Conducted oral and IV in vivo PK studies in Sprague Dawley rats and analyzed data using Phoenix WinNonlin®.
  • Optimized and characterized polymeric nanoparticles using DoE, developed LC-MS/MS methods, and established a surfactant-mediated accelerated and discriminatory in vitro release method.
  • Authored high-impact peer-reviewed publications and presented at national and international conferences.
2007 – 2017

Associate Professor | Multiple Universities

Invertis University, Bareilly · IIMT, Greater Noida · RKGIT, Ghaziabad, India

  • Taught Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, and Drug Regulatory Affairs.
  • Guided and mentored students through the complete research lifecycle — literature review, research planning, data analysis, and scientific reporting.
  • Supervised students in preparing research presentations, posters, and manuscripts.
  • Served on academic and administrative committees including Student Grievance and ISO 9001 Audit.
  • Organized scientific conferences, community health camps, and student research initiatives.

Education

Academic Credentials

2017 – 2022

PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Texas Southern University · Houston, TX, USA

Preclinical Development of Novel Chemotherapeutic Agent AC1LPSZG: Formulation Optimization, In Vitro Characterization, and In Vivo Pharmacokinetics.

2010 – 2013

PhD in Pharmaceutics

Uttarakhand Technical University · Dehradun, India

Design of Drug Delivery System Using Nanotechnology.

2004 – 2006

Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm) in Pharmaceutics

UP Technical University · Lucknow, India

Formulation and Evaluation of Transdermal Drug Delivery System of Tizanidine Hydrochloride.

1999 – 2003

Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm)

MJP Rohilkhand University · Bareilly, India

Recognition

Awards & Recognitions

Jan 2026

Invited International Speaker — Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacokinetics

Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, India

Virtual keynote on AI-driven PK modeling and academia–industry integration.

Mar 2025

Health Research BC / Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Fellowship

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Competitive provincial award for translational PK research (not activated).

Jun 2024

‘BioReady’ Certification

BioTalent Canada BioSkills Recognition Program, Canada

Feb 2023

Best Oral Presentation Award — Second Position

National Conference on Commercialization of Natural Products, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, India

Dec 2022

Fall 2022 Outstanding Dissertation Award

Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, USA

Nov 2021

Excellent Graduate Ambassador Certificate

TSU LEAP Program, Texas Southern University, USA

Credentials

Certifications & Trainings

Pharmacometrics & Modeling

  • In Vitro In Vivo Correlation (IVIVC) with Open Systems Pharmacology
    ESQlabs · Apr 2026
  • MonolixSuite Autumn School — Advanced Modeling in Pharmacometrics
    Simulations Plus · Nov 2025
  • PBPK Autumn School — Basics to Practical Application with GastroPlus®
    Simulations Plus · Nov 2025
  • Intermediate Population Modeling using Phoenix NLME
    Certara University · Apr 2025
  • From Simple to Complex Simulations in Pharmacometrics using Simulx
    Simulations Plus · Apr 2025
  • PKanalix Summer School
    Simulations Plus · Sept 2024
  • Intermediate PK/PD Modeling using Phoenix WinNonlin
    Certara University · Dec 2023

Regulatory, Quality & Statistics

  • Design of Experiments Certificate
    SAS · Mar 2024
  • Design and Interpretation of Clinical Trials
    Johns Hopkins University via Coursera · Jan 2024
  • Six Sigma Foundations
    Project Management Institute (PMI)® · Nov 2022
  • Statistics Foundation 1: The Basics
    NASBA · Nov 2022
  • R Programming Certificate
    Johns Hopkins University via Coursera · Dec 2020

Peer Review & Scientific Writing

  • Reviewer at Publons
    Web of Science · Ongoing
  • Researcher Academy Online Peer Review Courses
    Elsevier · Oct 2022
  • ACS Reviewer Lab Online Course
    American Chemical Society · Sept 2022
  • Writing in the Sciences
    Stanford University via Coursera · Nov 2020

Academic & Technical Training

  • Faculty Development Program
    NSTD Board, Bareilly, India · Jul 2016
  • Quality Improvement Programs on Challenges in Pharmaceutical Sciences
    AICTE, New Delhi, India · Nov–Dec 2011
  • Nanotechnology Teachers’ Training Program
    NSTC, Noida, India · Feb–Jul 2010
  • Workshop on Particle Characterization of Nano-Pharmaceuticals
    Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India · Mar 2010
  • Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
    IIT Kanpur, India · Qualified 2004–2006
  • Industrial Training in Tablet & Capsule Manufacturing
    Signa Pharmaceuticals, Kanpur, India · Jun 2002

Membership

Professional Affiliations

AAPS

American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists

PCI

Pharmacy Council of India

APTI

Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India

Let's Work Together

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