Biography

Saloni is originally from Ahmedabad, India, where she completed her Bachelor of Pharmacy at Arihant School of Pharmacy. Building on this academic foundation, she pursued a Master of Pharmacy in Medicinal Chemistry at Nirma University under the supervision of Dr. Hardik Bhatt. Her master’s research focused on the design and synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives, exploring their potential as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors—a critical target in the development of antiretroviral therapies.

Following this, Saloni moved to Pittsburgh to earn her Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry at Duquesne University. Her research focused on the design and synthesis of innovative heterocyclic compounds for treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. One of her major projects involved the development of selective ATP-site MEK5 inhibitors and dual MEK5/PI3K inhibitors for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancer subtype. Another key project, in collaboration with Cognition Therapeutics Inc., focused on the design and synthesis of Sigma-2 receptor modulators for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

In November 2024, Saloni joined our research lab to work on developing novel small molecules to combat neglected tropical diseases.

Outside of her lab work, she enjoys baking and engaging in fun activities with her family.

Highlighted Publications

  1. Bhatt, K. B.; Patel, S.; Matossian, M. D.; Ucar, D. A.; Miele, L.; Burow, M. E.; Flaherty, P. T.; Cavanaugh, J. E., Molecular mechanisms of epithelial to mesenchymal transition regulated by ERK5 signaling. Biomolecules, 2021, 11 (2), 183. Hoang, V. T.; Matossian, M. D.; La, J.; Hoang, K.; Ucar, D. A.; Elliott, S.; Burks, H. E.; Wright, T. D.; Patel, S.; Bhatt, A.; Phamduy, T.; Chrisey, D.; Buechlein, A.; Rusch, D. B.; Nephew, K. P.; Anbalagan, M.; Rowan, B.; Cavanaugh, J. E.; Flaherty, P. T.; Miele, L.; Collins-Burow, B. M.; Burow, M. E., Dual inhibition of MEK1/2 and MEK5 suppresses the EMT/migration axis in triple-negative breast cancer through FRA-1 regulation. J. Cell. Biochem., 2021, 122 (8), 835-850.
  2. Gupta, M.; Patel, S., Nature-derived quinolines and isoquinolines: A medicinal chemistry perspective. Current Traditional Medicine, 2021, 7 (1), 05.
  3. Patel, S.; Patel, B.; Bhatt, H., 3D-QSAR studies on 5-hydroxy-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-4- carboxamide derivatives as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. J. Taiwan Inst. Chem. Eng., 2016, 59, 61-68.
  4. Patel, S.; Patel, B.; Pannecouque, C.; Bhatt, H., Design, synthesis, and anti-HIV activity of novel quinoxaline derivatives. Eur. J. Med. Chem., 2016, 117, 230-40.

Awards

  • MEDI travel grant, 256th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Boston, MA (2018)
  • CCG Research Excellence Student Travel Award, 254th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Washington D.C. (Fall 2017)
  • Gold medal for securing the 1st position in M. Pharm by Nirma University, India (2015)