Marvin Larbi

Marvin Adjei Larbi is a Ph.D. Candidate in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Molecular Medicine and Pharmacogenomics) at Nova Southeastern University where he is investigating RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) as a therapeutic and prognostic target in taxane-resistant prostate cancer in the Minond Laboratory. His research involves in vitro and in vivo pharmacology including tumour xenograft studies, cell-based assays, transcriptomic analysis based on RNA-seq and structure-activity relationship screening to identify and validate novel molecular targets and translate mechanistic cancer biology into actionable preclinical strategies.

Previously, he was research trained at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characterisation of a novel microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) inhibitor being developed as a safer, non-NSAID analgesic, a DoD-funded cocaine hydrolase therapeutics program and a triterpene synthase enzyme-engineering project for a vaccine adjuvant platform.

He obtained an M.Sc. in Drug Discovery and Development from the University of Aberdeen, where he worked on enzymatic peptide engineering to improve the drug-like properties of peptide-based therapeutics, and a B.Sc. in Pharmacy from the University of Ghana. He is a Registered Pharmacist with the Pharmacy Council of Ghana and has a complete value-chain perspective on the pharmaceutical industry. He worked as a Regulatory Affairs Associate and Medical Sales Representative at Novartis Pharmaceuticals where he handled product registration and variation submissions with the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority and engaged directly with physicians and pharmacists on market access, in addition to clinical and community pharmacy practice and bench-level drug dis

Support for Mr. Larbi’s work was provided in part by a Dean’s Research Grant and the Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research Student Scholarship Support Fund and awards such as the American Chemical Society South Florida Section meeting. He has published a review article in Current Issues in Molecular Biology and has other manuscripts on RBM3-targeted therapeutics in preparation, and is a regular presenter of his research at national conferences. In addition to his research, he teaches and mentors undergraduate and graduate researchers at Nova Southeastern University and completed formal training in evidence-based pedagogy through the ITALICSRx teaching certificate program.