In 2000, I received a BSc in Genetics from the University of Otago, then completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Bioethics) and Masters in Health Sciences (Philosophy) in 2001 and 2003, respectively. My Master's thesis title was "Genetic modification and the facts: an ethical analysis of the GM debate". Library details here and was undertaken with supervision by Dr. Neil Pickering at the University of Otago. In 2003, I began studies in Pharmacy at the University of Otago from Second year, then transferred to the University of Auckland in 2004 (Third year) and in 2005, received my BPharm(Hons) and undertook my internship at Middlemore Hospital (2006), and was then employed as a clinical pharmacist in general surgery during 2007. Later in 2007, I was awarded with the Technology for Industry Fellowship (TIF) from the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science & Technology (FRST) with joint funding from Pharmaceutical Compounding New Zealand (PCNZ) to complete a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences – Pharmacy at the University of Auckland. The PhD project title was “Development of a transdermal delivery for progesterone using supercritical carbon dioxide”. The PhD research was supervised by Dr. Jingyuan Wen and Prof. Raid Alany.
During the PhD, we developed a unique supercritical fluid (SCF) method as a preparation alternative to solvent evaporation, co-melting, and physical mixing techniques. In order to characterize the resulting dispersion systems, an in vitro dissolution method was employed to compare conventional diffusion and erosion processes to dual-first order release, also using Raman and infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, scannine electron microscopy, and birefringence. Moreover, I developed a linear and non-linear experimental design to determine significant processing factors and optmise the manufactured SCF prepared dispersion systems. Finally, we developed an ex vivo permeability study using mouse and porcine skin which was used as a simple tool to assess the transfer of progesterone across the skin.
Journal Article: Microfluidic assembly of pomegranate-like hierarchical microspheres for efflux regulation in oral drug delivery
Raza, Aun, Alavi, Seyed Ebrahim, Sime, Fekade Bruck, Han, Felicity Y., Roberts, Jason A., Popat, Amirali, Falconer, James R. and Kumeria, Tushar (2021). Microfluidic assembly of pomegranate-like hierarchical microspheres for efflux regulation in oral drug delivery. Acta Biomaterialia. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.042
Journal Article: PLGA encapsulated γ-cyclodextrin-meropenem inclusion complex formulation for oral delivery
Raza, Aun, Miles, Jared A., Bruck Sime, Fekade, Ross, Benjamin P., Roberts, Jason A., Popat, Amirali, Kumeria, Tushar and Falconer, James R. (2021). PLGA encapsulated γ-cyclodextrin-meropenem inclusion complex formulation for oral delivery. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 597 120280, 120280. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120280
Journal Article: Extraction of medicinal cannabinoids through supercritical carbon dioxide technologies: A review
Qamar, Sadia, Torres, Yady J.M., Parekh, Harendra S. and Falconer, James Robert (2021). Extraction of medicinal cannabinoids through supercritical carbon dioxide technologies: A review. Journal of Chromatography B, 1167 122581, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.122581
(2020–2021) KJMERF Patron's Research Grant
Novel oral delivery for meropenem nanoparticles prepared using supercritical fluid technology
(2017) UQ Early Career Researcher
Advanced Oral Antibiotic Formulations
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation into the selective extraction of cannabinoids from Cannabis using supercritical carbon dioxide
Doctor Philosophy
Development of an advanced delivery system for difficult to formulate medicines using novel preparation technologies.
Doctor Philosophy
Raza, Aun, Alavi, Seyed Ebrahim, Sime, Fekade Bruck, Han, Felicity Y., Roberts, Jason A., Popat, Amirali, Falconer, James R. and Kumeria, Tushar (2021). Microfluidic assembly of pomegranate-like hierarchical microspheres for efflux regulation in oral drug delivery. Acta Biomaterialia. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.042
PLGA encapsulated γ-cyclodextrin-meropenem inclusion complex formulation for oral delivery
Raza, Aun, Miles, Jared A., Bruck Sime, Fekade, Ross, Benjamin P., Roberts, Jason A., Popat, Amirali, Kumeria, Tushar and Falconer, James R. (2021). PLGA encapsulated γ-cyclodextrin-meropenem inclusion complex formulation for oral delivery. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 597 120280, 120280. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120280
Extraction of medicinal cannabinoids through supercritical carbon dioxide technologies: A review
Qamar, Sadia, Torres, Yady J.M., Parekh, Harendra S. and Falconer, James Robert (2021). Extraction of medicinal cannabinoids through supercritical carbon dioxide technologies: A review. Journal of Chromatography B, 1167 122581, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.122581
Ndayishimiye, John, Popat, Amirali, Kumeria, Tushar, Blaskovich, Mark A.T. and Falconer, James Robert (2021). Supercritical carbon dioxide assisted complexation of benznidazole: γ-cyclodextrin for improved dissolution. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 596 120240. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120240
Tan, Madeleine S. A., Honarparvar, Faraz, Falconer, James R., Parekh, Harendra S., Pandey, Preeti and Siskind, Dan J. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between clozapine and norclozapine serum levels and peripheral adverse drug reactions. Psychopharmacology, 238 (3), 615-637. doi: 10.1007/s00213-020-05746-y
Liquid CO2 formulated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for pH-responsive oral delivery of meropenem
Raza, Aun, Sime, Fekade Bruck, Cabot, Peter J., Roberts, Jason A., Falconer, James R., Kumeria, Tushar and Popat, Amirali (2021). Liquid CO2 formulated mesoporous silica nanoparticles for pH-responsive oral delivery of meropenem. ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering acsbiomaterials.0c01284. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01284
Oral meropenem for superbugs: challenges and opportunities
Raza, Aun, Ngieng, Shih Chen, Sime, Fekade Bruck, Cabot, Peter J., Roberts, Jason A., Popat, Amirali, Kumeria, Tushar and Falconer, James R. (2020). Oral meropenem for superbugs: challenges and opportunities. Drug Discovery Today, 26 (2), 551-560. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.11.004
Li, Danhui, Martini, Nataly, Liu, Mengyang, Falconer, James R., Locke, Michelle, Wu, Zimei and Wen, Jingyuan (2020). Non-ionic surfactant vesicles as a carrier system for dermal delivery of C and their antioxidant effects. Journal of Drug Targeting, 29 (3), 1-31. doi: 10.1080/1061186x.2020.1835923
Ndayishimiye, John, Popat, Amirali, Blaskovich, Mark and Falconer, James Robert (2020). Formulation technologies and advances for oral delivery of novel nitroimidazoles and antimicrobial peptides. Journal of Controlled Release, 324, 728-749. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.05.002
Maqbool, Faheem, Falconer, James R. and Moyle, Peter M. (2020). Supercritical fluid assembly of albendazole liposomes targeting gastrin-releasing peptide receptor overexpressing tumors. Nanomedicine, 15 (13), 1315-1330. doi: 10.2217/nnm-2020-0048
Khaw, Kooi-Yeong, Shaw, Paul Nicholas, Parat, Marie-Odile, Pandey, Saurabh and Falconer, James Robert (2020). Compound identification and in vitro cytotoxicity of the supercritical carbon dioxide extract of papaya freeze-dried leaf juice. Processes, 8 (5) 610, 610. doi: 10.3390/pr8050610
Nose-to-brain delivery of antipsychotics using nanotechnology: a review
Tan, Madeleine S. A., Parekh, Harendra S., Pandey, Preeti, Siskind, Dan J. and Falconer, James R. (2020). Nose-to-brain delivery of antipsychotics using nanotechnology: a review. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 17 (6) 17425247.2020.1762563, 839-853. doi: 10.1080/17425247.2020.1762563
Qamar, Sadia, Manrique, Yady J., Parekh, Harendra and Falconer, James Robert (2019). Nuts, cereals, seeds and legumes proteins derived emulsifiers as a source of plant protein beverages: a review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 60 (16), 1-21. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2019.1657062
Chen, Shuo, Hanning, Sara, Falconer, James, Locke, Michelle and Wen, Jingyuan (2019). Recent advances in non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes): fabrication, characterization, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 144, 18-39. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2019.08.015
Maqbool, Faheem, Moyle, Peter M., Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Falconer, James R. (2019). Dispersibility of phospholipids and their optimization for the efficient production of liposomes using supercritical fluid technology. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 563, 174-183. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.03.053
Khaw, Kooi-Yeong, Parat, Marie-Odile, Shaw, Paul Nicholas, Nguyen, Thao T. T., Pandey, Saurabh, Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Falconer, James Robert (2019). Factorial design-assisted supercritical carbon-dioxide extraction of cytotoxic active principles from Carica papaya leaf juice. Scientific Reports, 9 (1) 1716, 1716. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-37171-9
Preparation of albendazole-loaded liposomes by supercritical carbon dioxide processing
Maqbool, Faheem, Moyle, Peter M., Tan, Madeleine S. A., Thurecht, Kristofer J. and Falconer, James R. (2019). Preparation of albendazole-loaded liposomes by supercritical carbon dioxide processing. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 46 (sup3), 1-7. doi: 10.1080/21691401.2018.1536059
Solid nanoparticles for oral antimicrobial drug delivery: a review
Raza, Aun, Sime, Fekade Bruck, Cabot, Peter J., Maqbool, Faheem, Roberts, Jason A. and Falconer, James Robert (2019). Solid nanoparticles for oral antimicrobial drug delivery: a review. Drug Discovery Today, 24 (3), 858-866. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.01.004
Khaw, Kooi-Yeong, Parat, Marie-Odile, Shaw, Paul Nicholas and Falconer, James Robert (2017). Solvent supercritical fluid technologies to extract bioactive compounds from natural sources: a review. Molecules, 22 (7) 1186, 1186. doi: 10.3390/molecules22071186
Erratum: Extemporaneously compounded medicines (vol 40, pg 5, 2017)
Falconer, James R. and Steadman, Kathryn J. (2017). Erratum: Extemporaneously compounded medicines (vol 40, pg 5, 2017). Australian Prescriber, 40 (3), 119-119. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2017.042
Extemporaneously compounded medicines
Falconer , James R. and Steadman, Kathryn J. (2017). Extemporaneously compounded medicines. Australian Prescriber, 40 (1), 5-8. doi: 10.18773/austprescr.2017.001
Improving drug retention in liposomes by aging with the aid of glucose.
Zhang, Wenli, Falconer, James R., Baguley, Bruce C., Shaw, John P., Kanamala, Manju, Xu, Hongtao, Wang, Guangji, Liu, Jianping and Wu, Zimei (2016). Improving drug retention in liposomes by aging with the aid of glucose.. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 505 (1-2), 194-203. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.03.044
Supercritical fluid technologies to fabricate proliposomes
Falconer, James R., Svirskis, Darren, Adil, Ali A. and Wu, Zimei (2015). Supercritical fluid technologies to fabricate proliposomes. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18 (5), 747-764. doi: 10.18433/j3qp58
Strategies to maximize liposomal drug loading for a poorly water-soluble anticancer drug
Zhang, Wenli, Wang, Guangji, Falconer, James R., Baguley, Bruce C., Shaw, John P., Liu, Jianping, Xu, Hongtao, See, Esther, Sun, Jianguo, Aa, Jiye and Wu, Zimei (2015). Strategies to maximize liposomal drug loading for a poorly water-soluble anticancer drug. Pharmaceutical Research, 32 (4), 1451-1461. doi: 10.1007/s11095-014-1551-8
Falconer, James R., Wu, Zimei, Lau, Hugo, Suen, Joanna, Wang, Lucy, Pottinger, Sarah, Lee, Elaine, Alazawi, Nawar, Kallesen, Molly, Gargiulo, Derryn A., Swift, Simon and Svirskis, Darren (2014). An investigation into the stability and sterility of citric acid solutions used for cough reflex testing. Dysphagia, 29 (5), 622-628. doi: 10.1007/s00455-014-9558-1
A study of microemulsions as prolonged-release injectables through in-situ phase transition
Wu, Zimei, Alany, Raid G., Tawfeek, Noor, Falconer, James, Zhang, Wenli, Hassan, Ibrahim M., Rutland, Michael and Svirskis, Darren (2014). A study of microemulsions as prolonged-release injectables through in-situ phase transition. Journal of Controlled Release, 174 (1), 188-194. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.11.022
Evaluation of progesterone permeability from supercritical fluid processed dispersion systems
Falconer, James R., Wen, Jingyuan, Zargar-Shoshtari, Sara, Chen, John J., Farid, Mohammed, El Maghraby, Gamal M. and Alany, Raid G. (2014). Evaluation of progesterone permeability from supercritical fluid processed dispersion systems. Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 19 (2), 238-246. doi: 10.3109/10837450.2013.769570
Preparation and characterization of progesterone dispersions using supercritical carbon dioxide
Falconer, James R., Wen, Jingyuan, Zargar-Shoshtari, Sara, Chen, John J., Farid, Mohammed, Tallon, Stephen J. and Alany, Raid G. (2014). Preparation and characterization of progesterone dispersions using supercritical carbon dioxide. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 40 (4), 458-469. doi: 10.3109/03639045.2013.768630
Falconer, J. R., Wen, J., Zargar-Shoshtari, S., Chen, J. J., Farid, M., Young, S. and Alany, R. G. (2013). Effects of supercritical carbon dioxide processing on optical crystallinity and in vitro release of progesterone and Gelucire 44/14 solid and semi-solid dispersions. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 23 (5), 477-483. doi: 10.1016/S1773-2247(13)50069-4
Falconer, James R., Wen, Jingyuan, Zargar-Shoshtari, Sara, Chen, John J., Mohammed, Farid, Chan, Judy and Alany, Raid G. (2012). The effects of supercritical carbon dioxide processing on progesterone dispersion systems: a multivariate study. AAPS PharmSciTech, 13 (4), 1255-1265. doi: 10.1208/s12249-012-9850-z
Meng, Dan, Falconer, James, Krauel-Goellner, Karen, Chen, John J. J. J., Farid, Mohammed and Alany, Raid G. (2008). Self-built supercritical CO2 anti-solvent unit design, construction and operation using Carbamazepine. AAPS PharmSciTech, 9 (3), 944-952. doi: 10.1208/s12249-008-9130-0
Can monitoring clozapine and norclozapine levels reduce the occurrence of peripheral ADRs?
Tan, Madeleine S. A., Honarparvar, Faraz , Falconer, James R., Parekh, Harendra S., Pandey, Preeti and Siskind, Dan J. (2020). Can monitoring clozapine and norclozapine levels reduce the occurrence of peripheral ADRs?. ASCEPT-APSA Joint Virtual Scientific Meeting, Hamilton Central, QLD, Australia, 24-26 November 2020.
Therapeutic drug monitoring as a tool for clozapine therapy in minimising peripheral ADRs
Tan, Madeleine , Honarparvar, Faraz , Falconer, James , Parekh, Harendra , Pandey, Preeti and Siskind, Dan (2020). Therapeutic drug monitoring as a tool for clozapine therapy in minimising peripheral ADRs. Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Queensland Post Graduate Students Virtual Scientific Symposium, Sydney, NSW Australia, 10-11 November 2020.
Tan, Madeleine S. A. , Parekh, Harendra S., Pandey, Preeti , Siskind, Dan J. and Falconer, James R. (2020). Development and optimization of clozapine-loaded PLGA nanoparticles for nose-to-brain delivery using supercritical fluid technology. 7th FIP Pharmaceutical Sciences World Congress, The Hague, Netherlands, 4-6 October 2020.
Maqbool, Faheem, Moyle, Peter M. and Falconer, James R. (2019). Production of liposomes using supercritical fluid technology and active targeting peptide to a gastrointestinal receptor in cancer cells. Controlled Release Society (CRS), Valencia, Spain, 21-24 July 2019.
The solvent power of supercritical carbon dioxide technology
Falconer, James R. (2019). The solvent power of supercritical carbon dioxide technology. Drug Delivery Australia (DDA), Brisbane, Australia, 18-19 November 2019.
Novel preparation of proliposomes with various phospholipids in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Maqbool, Faheem, Moyle, Peter M. and Falconer, James R. (2018). Novel preparation of proliposomes with various phospholipids in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide. Controlled Release Society (CRS), New York City, United States, 22-25 July 2018.
Preparation of proliposomes using supercritical fluid
Tan, Madeleine, Maqbool, Faheem and Falconer, James (2018). Preparation of proliposomes using supercritical fluid. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia 2018, Sydney, Australia, 27-29 July 2018.
Maqbool, Faheem, Moyle, Peter M. and Falconer, James R. (2017). A static and gravimetric method for the determination of solubility of Albendazole and its characterization in supercritical carbon dioxide. Drug Delivery Australia (DDA), Wollongong, Australia, 23-24 October 2017.
Khaw, Kooi Yeong, Parat, Marie-Odile, Shaw, Paul N. and Falconer, James R. (2017). Screening of parameters affecting supercritical CO2 extraction of freeze-dried leaf juice of Carica papaya. Drug Delivery Australia (DDA), Wollongong, NSW Australia, 23-24 October 2017.
Study of phase-transitioning microemulsions for sustained-release dermal/transdermal drug delivery
Falconer, James R., Eng, P.L., Huang, Y., Nasef, N., Nguyen, I., Song, Y., Wu, Zimei and Darren M Sirvirkis (2014). Study of phase-transitioning microemulsions for sustained-release dermal/transdermal drug delivery. HealtheX, Auckland, New Zealand, 18 September 2014.
Development and validation of an efficient HPLC method for quantitative analysis of Coenzyme Q10
Huang, I., Abdulqadir, A., Lee, E., Choi, J., Kim, J. and Falconer, James R. (2013). Development and validation of an efficient HPLC method for quantitative analysis of Coenzyme Q10. HealtheX, Auckland, New Zealand, 15 September 2013.
Permeability and stability of dispersion systems in the presence of penetration enhancers
Falconer, James R. , Wen, Jingyuan , Zargar-Shoshtari, Sara , Chen, John J. , Farid, Mohammed , El Maghraby, Gamal M. and Alany, Raid G. (2013). Permeability and stability of dispersion systems in the presence of penetration enhancers. Controlled Release Society (CRS), Hawaii, United States, 21-24 July 2013.
Supercritical Fluids - what are they? A case for delivery of brick dust bioactives
Falconer, James R. , Wen, Jingyuan , Zargar-Shoshtari, Sara , Chen, John J. , Farid, Mohammed , Tallon, Steven J. and Alany, Raid (2013). Supercritical Fluids - what are they? A case for delivery of brick dust bioactives. Found in Translation - Formulation and Delivery of Bioactives (FDB), Dunedin, New Zealand, 13 - 14 February 2013. Otago, New Zealand: School of Pharmacy, University of Otago.
Falconer, James R. , Tallon, Steven , Farid, Mohammed , Chen, John J. and Alany, Raid (2009). Formation of progesterone loaded-solid dispersion systems prepared using a particle from gas-saturated suspension (PGSS) method. Out Of The Wilderness: Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Annual Conference 2009 (APSA), Hobart, TAS Australia, 8-11 December 2009. Mt. Waverley, VIC Australia: Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Conference (APSA).
Medication Reconciliation - Easy concept, difficult task
Ng, Jerome , Falconer, James R., Nguyan, Truc and Brkic, Lejla (2008). Medication Reconciliation - Easy concept, difficult task. Centre for Clinical Research and Effective Practice (CCRep), Auckland, New Zealand, 15 July 2008. Middlemore Hospital, Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB):
HaBS-Med Collaborative Seeding Grants 2019
Han, Felicity, Kumeria, Tushar and Falconer, James R. (2019). HaBS-Med Collaborative Seeding Grants 2019. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2019.756
Batt, Laurie Robert, Win, Su, Davies, Keryn, Gill, David Anthony, Falconer, James Robert, Cleverly, Douglas Robert and Wu, Zimei (2016). Transdermal formulations. WO 2014132227 A1.
(2020–2021) KJMERF Patron's Research Grant
Novel oral delivery for meropenem nanoparticles prepared using supercritical fluid technology
(2017) UQ Early Career Researcher
Advanced Oral Antibiotic Formulations
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Investigation into the selective extraction of cannabinoids from Cannabis using supercritical carbon dioxide
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Development of an advanced delivery system for difficult to formulate medicines using novel preparation technologies.
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Formation, encapsulation and release behaviour of nanoparticles of a hydrophilic drug using supercritical carbon dioxide
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Proof-of-concept for direct nose-to-brain delivery of botanicals: Fractionated extraction, in vitro evaluation and sol-gel formulation-spray device development of multi-component Zanthoxylum fagara plant extract
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Transdermal delivery of analgesics in the dog
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Development of a liposomal platform using green supercritical fluid technology: application towards repurposing and tumour-targeting of albendazole for cancer therapy
(2020) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Novel extraction and evaluation of papaya leaf for chemotherapeutic molecules
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors: