19/09/2025
University of Peshawar Researcher Shines in NRPU Projects
Dr. Gowhar Ali, Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmacy and Focal Person at the Institute of Health Sciences, University of Peshawar, has successfully completed his second major research project under the National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) funded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The three-year project, titled “Efficacy assessment of topical formulation (10% gel/cream) of small flavonoid derivative(s), gabapentin and ketamine in diabetes-induced vulvodynia – Behavioral & Molecular Approach”, has strengthened the University of Peshawar’s global leadership in pharmacology, neuropharmacology, and pain management.
The research findings were published in Biomaterials Advances (Impact Factor 6.0), a Q1-ranked international journal in the field of biomaterials, drug delivery, and medical biosensing. HEC has recognized the project for achieving all its deliverables within scope, marking a significant milestone for UoP’s research impact.
Dr. Ali’s work focused on developing a 10% gel formulation for vulvodynia, offering new hope for diabetic patients suffering from neuropathic pain.
This is not Dr. Ali’s first achievement under NRPU. He previously led a three-year project (2016–2020) on novel heterocyclic compounds for Alzheimer’s disease as Principal Investigator and is currently serving as Co-Principal Investigator in an ongoing project on nanomedicine for diabetes.
A gold medalist and recipient of the prestigious HEC Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in the USA, Dr. Ali completed his postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University in Neurogenomics & Novel Therapies Lab. With over 71 research publications, an H-index of 20, more than 1,480 citations, and grants worth PKR 17.4 million, he continues to bring international recognition to the University of Peshawar.
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