Meet the Team
The Paredes Lab is composed of researchers with diverse backgrounds in pharmaceutical sciences and drug delivery. Together, we work collaboratively to design and translate nanocrystal-based systems for controlled and long-acting therapeutic applications.
Alejandro Paredes
Senior Lecturer
I am a Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Sciences in the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast, where I lead a research group focused on controlled and targeted drug delivery using nanocrystals. To date, my research has attracted >£3.7 millions of funding, with prestigious grants (16 as the PI) from the EPSRC, the Royal Society, Applied Microbiology International, and the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS), and various industrial projects funded by Euroapi, Janssen, GSK, Biomind Labs, and Eakin. I am a part of the National Hub for Advanced Long-acting Therapeutics, a £10 million initiative funded by the EPSRC including the leading researchers of the field in the UK. In 2024, I received the Emerging Scientist Award from the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UK), and the Springboard Award from the AMS, two important awards for early career researchers in the UK. To date, I have published >100 peer-reviewed articles and delivered invited talks at multiple international conferences.
Lucía Lopez Vidal
Research Fellow
I’m a pharmacist and PhD in Chemical Sciences, currently a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast. My work centres on pharmaceutical nanotechnology, particularly the development of drug nanocrystals (NCs) as a practical strategy to overcome poor solubility and limited oral bioavailability. I have extensive experience in nanocrystal production, characterisation, and formulation optimisation, with a strong interest in scalable, resource-efficient approaches. Through my research, I aim to turn robust formulation science into realistic drug delivery solutions, especially for diseases where therapeutic accessibility remains a major challenge.
Pedro Sebastian Londono Ruiz
PhD student
I’m a pharmaceutical chemist interested in the blend between pharmaceutics and nanotechnology. My project in the Paredes Lab aims to bring new solutions to patients with inflammatory eye disease by developing corticosteroids nanocrystals embedded into polymeric nanofibers.
Adriparna Paul
PhD student
I am a PhD student in the Paredes lab studying formulation and application of repurposed radiosensitising drugs into nanocrystal delivery systems for the treatment of glioblastoma. My skills and interests are quite diverse with a bachelor’s in microbiology and master’s in cancer medicine.
Aws Ahmad Al Jayyousi
PhD student
I’m a PhD student with a background in pharmacy; my doctoral research focuses on optimising intra-articular nanocrystal formulations, with the goal of enhancing therapeutic outcomes and improving patients’ quality of life. I’m committed to sharing knowledge effectively on a global scale, bridging the gap between research innovation and real-world impact.
Mohammad Afnan Saiad
Student Intern
I am a student Intern at the Paredes Lab with an academic background in pharmaceutical sciences. I completed my undergrad in Pharmacy in India and am currently pursuing an MSc in Industrial Pharmaceutics at Queen’s University Belfast. My training has provided me with a strong foundation in drug formulation, pharmaceutical analysis, and industrial pharmacy practices. Through my involvement in the Paredes Lab, I aim to develop my research skills further and gain hands-on experience in an interdisciplinary research environment.
Giada Incicco
Erasmus+ Visiting Student
I’m Giada, and I am thrilled to join the ParedesLab as an Erasmus+ student from the University of Pavia. I am currently working on my experimental thesis here at Queen’s University Belfast. I am a Master's student in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at the University of Pavia, and I am keen to deepen my knowledge of pharmaceutical technology. I am excited to begin this journey in a research environment, where I look forward to learning from the team, developing my practical skills, and contributing to the lab's projects during my time here.
Our Alumni
Postdoctoral researchers:
Dr Marta García Fuster
Dr Octavio Fandiño
Dr Marco Abbate
Dr Chunyang Zhang
PhD students:
Dr Yushi Tao
Dr Martina Sangalli
Dr Elise Carlin
Dr Jiawen Wang
MSc students:
Kornelija Juskaite
Akhil Ramesh
Bharath Kanna
Nikhil Gilbile
Erasmus students:
Beatrice Bianchi