Bhagwat Prasad, MS (Pharm), PhD

I am a pharmacologist, researcher and the director of the Division of Translational and Clinical Pharmacology. I am trained in pharmacy, translational pharmacology and analytical chemistry, with a specialized focus on drug metabolism, disposition and safety, particularly in pediatric populations. The central goal of my research is to develop noninvasive approaches for predicting drug safety and disease progression in populations typically underrepresented in clinical trials, such as children. By better understanding the variability in drug metabolism, transport, pharmacokinetics and response across diverse populations, my work seeks to improve drug safety and efficacy.

My research interests stem from a deep commitment to improving drug safety and efficacy for children, a population often underrepresented in clinical trials. Early in my career, I recognized a significant gap in our understanding of how drugs behave in pediatric patients, particularly regarding variability in drug metabolism, transport and pharmacokinetics. Children, especially those with complex health conditions, often face unique challenges in receiving appropriate medical treatments due to a lack of evidence-based treatment guidelines. This realization led me to focus on developing noninvasive approaches to predict drug disposition and safety in children. By using advanced techniques such as quantitative proteomics and metabolomics in conjunction with physiologically based modeling, I aim to better understand the biological factors that influence drug responses in pediatric populations, ultimately ensuring that treatments are safe and effective for this vulnerable group. My passion for improving child health drives my research as I strive to bridge the gap between preclinical studies and clinical applications, advancing the development of personalized treatments for children worldwide.

My laboratory uses advanced quantitative proteomics and metabolomics techniques and focuses on quantifying drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters and endogenous metabolites (as biomarkers) in human tissues and biofluids. We integrate these data with genomic information into physiologically based pharmacokinetic models. This integrated approach enhances our understanding of interindividual variability in drug disposition and response, helping to identify biomarkers for drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters and receptors. The insights gained are particularly significant in predicting drug safety and efficacy for vulnerable populations, like children, in whom clinical trials are not always feasible. One of the groundbreaking discoveries from my research includes the development and implementation of quantitative proteomics assays to characterize variability in drug metabolism, transport and safety. Notably, we have advanced the understanding of genetic and non-genetic determinants of variability in understudied enzymes and transporters, such as UGT2B17, aldehyde oxidase, Flavin-dependent monooxygenase (FMO), carboxylesterases, and organic anion and cation transporters. These enzymes and transporters are crucial to drug disposition but are often overlooked in traditional pharmacology studies.

Additionally, we pioneered a metabolomics-based drug metabolism enzymes and transporters (DMET) biomarker discovery approach, which enables the discovery and validation of biomarkers for interindividual variability and drug-drug interactions. This approach has provided invaluable insights into how variations in metabolic pathways contribute to drug safety and efficacy, particularly in populations traditionally underrepresented in clinical research. These advances contribute to developing more precise and personalized therapeutic strategies, enhancing drug safety across diverse populations.

Since establishing my independent lab, I have trained over 45 graduate students, postdoctoral scientists, undergraduates and PharmD students, helping to develop the next generation of pharmacologists. I have also contributed to the academic community through my service on dissertation committees and mentorship roles. Before joining Cincinnati Children’s, I served as a tenured professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Washington State University and assistant professor at the University of Washington. I have published over 150 peer-reviewed articles and delivered over 125 invited talks at global conferences, peer institutions, pharmaceutical companies and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

I am honored to be an elected member of the Washington State Academy of Sciences and have received several prestigious awards, including the New Investigator Award from the International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX), the Early Career Faculty Award from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) and the WSU Chancellor’s Excellence Faculty Award for both Service and Research. I am also actively involved in professional organizations, currently serving as chair-elect of the Drug Metabolism and Disposition Division of ASPET, chair of the Transporter Focus Group of ISSX and vice-chair of the 2025 Gordon Research Conference on Drug Metabolism. In 2024, I had the privilege of serving as a visiting faculty fellow at the FDA. I have been a pharmacologist and researcher for over 21 years and began working at Cincinnati Children’s in 2025.