Dr. Kalpana Nagpal: Associate Professor & Center Head at Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida (India)

Dr. Kalpana Nagpal is a dedicated Associate Professor at Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, with a strong academic background and research expertise in pharmaceutical sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology and has carved a niche in the fields of novel drug delivery systems and pharmaceutical regulatory affairs. Dr. Nagpal combines teaching, innovative research, and mentorship, contributing significantly to the advancement of pharmaceutical education and healthcare technology. She is known for her commitment to fostering research excellence among students and peers alike.

Online Profiles

Google Scholar Profile

Dr. Kalpana Nagpal’s research has garnered significant recognition, with a total of 2,937 citations overall and 1,760 citations since 2020 alone. Her scholarly impact is reflected in an h-index of 23 (20 since 2020) and an i10-index of 34 (27 since 2020), indicating both the productivity and influence of her published work in the pharmaceutical sciences community.

Education

Dr. Nagpal’s academic journey is marked by consistent excellence, having secured gold medals in both her Bachelor’s (B.Pharmacy) and Master’s (M.Pharmacy in Pharmaceutics) degrees from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology (GJU S&T), Hisar. She further pursued a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at GJU S&T, awarded the prestigious Sir CV Raman Scholarship for her doctoral research completed in 2013. Her educational foundation has enabled her to explore and contribute to complex areas of drug delivery and pharmaceutical regulations with a strong scientific rigor.

Research Focus

Her research primarily revolves around developing novel drug delivery systems that improve therapeutic outcomes and patient compliance. She is especially focused on nanotechnology-based approaches, including lipid-based nanocarriers and brain-targeted delivery systems, aiming to treat neurological and systemic diseases more effectively. Additionally, Dr. Nagpal is deeply involved in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, studying drug safety, efficacy, and packaging guidelines to ensure compliance with evolving global standards. Her work often integrates in silico studies, in vitro characterization, and in vivo validation to innovate safer, more effective therapies.

Experience

Dr. Nagpal has amassed over 15 years of academic and research experience, having held progressive teaching and research roles. Starting as a Lecturer at Lord Shiva College of Pharmacy, she advanced through Assistant Professor positions at Lovely Professional University and Apeejay Stya University before joining Amity University as an Associate Professor. Her leadership in research supervision has guided numerous M.Pharm and Ph.D. students towards successful completion of their theses. She is known for creating an engaging learning environment, integrating research into teaching, and actively participating in curriculum development and institutional projects.

Research Timeline & Activities

Since 2009, Dr. Nagpal has spearheaded various funded research initiatives in areas such as neuropharmacology, anticancer drug delivery, and pharmaceutical formulation development. She currently holds ongoing projects supported by bodies like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO). Her research timeline reflects continuous scholarly productivity, with multiple publications, book chapters, and presentations at international forums. She also organizes workshops and seminars to disseminate knowledge and foster scientific dialogue within the pharmaceutical community.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Nagpal’s exemplary contributions have earned her numerous accolades at the national and international levels. Notably, she received the Haryana Yuva Vigyan Ratan Award for outstanding scientific achievements and was featured among the Top 75 Women Scientists in India by the Principal Scientific Adviser Office’s “She Is Science” initiative. International recognition includes the Young Scientist Award from the Pharmaceutical Royal International Society. Additionally, she has been honored for her innovative teaching methods and research presentations, reflecting her status as a leading figure in pharmaceutical sciences.

Top Noted Publication

Among Dr. Nagpal’s impactful scholarly contributions, the 2012 publication titled “Nanoparticle mediated brain targeted delivery of Gallic Acid: in vivo behavioral and biochemical studies for improved antioxidant and antidepressant-like activity,” published in Drug Delivery (Impact factor 6.819), stands out. This work advanced understanding of brain-targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles, demonstrating significant improvements in therapeutic efficacy and safety profiles in preclinical models. The paper is widely cited and regarded as a key reference in the development of novel neurotherapeutics.

  • Chitosan nanoparticles: a promising system in novel drug delivery
    K. Nagpal, S.K. Singh, D.N. Mishra
    Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 58(11), 1423-1430 (2010)
    Cited by: 849

  • Niosomes: a controlled and novel drug delivery system
    R. Rajera, K. Nagpal, S.K. Singh, D.N. Mishra
    Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 34(7), 945-953 (2011)
    Cited by: 486

  • Supercritical fluid technology: a promising approach in pharmaceutical research
    P. Girotra, S.K. Singh, K. Nagpal
    Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 18(1), 22-38 (2013)
    Cited by: 215

  • Drug targeting to brain: a systematic approach to study the factors, parameters and approaches for prediction of permeability of drugs across BBB
    K. Nagpal, S.K. Singh, D.N. Mishra
    Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 10(7), 927-955 (2013)
    Cited by: 125

  • Optimization of brain targeted chitosan nanoparticles of Rivastigmine for improved efficacy and safety
    K. Nagpal, S.K. Singh, D.N. Mishra
    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 59, 72-83 (2013)
    Cited by: 116

  • Nanomedicine-based delivery strategies for breast cancer treatment and management
    P. Tagde, A. Najda, K. Nagpal, G.T. Kulkarni, M. Shah, O. Ullah, S. Balant, …
    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(5), 2856 (2022)
    Cited by: 105

Strengths for the Best Innovator Award

1. Pioneering Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems

Dr. Kalpana Nagpal has emerged as a leading innovator in nanotechnology-driven drug delivery, focusing on the development of novel nanoscale carriers that enhance targeted therapy, particularly for neurological disorders. Her groundbreaking research on brain-targeted nanoparticles has addressed one of the most challenging barriers in pharmaceutical science — the blood-brain barrier — thereby enabling improved therapeutic efficacy and safety. This work not only advances fundamental science but also paves the way for translational applications in treating neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases.

2. Integration of Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs with Drug Development

Innovating beyond the lab bench, Dr. Nagpal uniquely bridges the gap between drug development and regulatory compliance. She has extensively contributed to pharmaceutical regulatory affairs by developing guidelines for drug safety, packaging, and quality standards, ensuring that novel drug delivery systems meet global regulatory requirements. This dual expertise accelerates the translation of innovative formulations from research to market, enhancing patient access to safe and effective medications.

3. Outstanding Research Leadership and Mentorship

With over 15 years of academic and research experience, Dr. Nagpal has demonstrated exemplary leadership in mentoring the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists. She has successfully supervised more than 20 postgraduate and doctoral students, guiding them to award-winning theses and fostering a research culture that encourages innovation and scientific rigor. Her ability to manage multidisciplinary research projects funded by prestigious agencies like ICMR and IBRO showcases her capability as an effective leader and innovator.

4. Multidisciplinary and Translational Research Approach

Dr. Nagpal adopts a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that integrates computational (in silico) modeling, laboratory-based (in vitro) experiments, and animal model (in vivo) validations. This full-spectrum methodology accelerates the design, optimization, and clinical relevance of novel pharmaceutical formulations. Her translational focus ensures that innovations are not only scientifically sound but also clinically applicable, directly impacting patient care and treatment outcomes.

5. Internationally Recognized Scholarly Impact

Dr. Nagpal’s research has garnered over 2,900 citations globally, with an h-index of 23 and an i10-index of 34, reflecting the high impact and relevance of her work in pharmaceutical sciences. Her widely cited publications, including seminal papers on chitosan nanoparticles and brain-targeted delivery, underscore her contribution to the field. Recognition from international bodies and collaborations further attest to her role as a global innovator driving advances in drug delivery technologies.

Kalpana Nagpal, Pharmacology, Best Innovator Award