Dr Kiyan Afzali

Scientific Teaching • Engaged students in a captivating way to make new concepts fun and interesting while clearly articulating complex topics for ease of understanding. Assisted students achieving degrees of (i) Bachelor of Science and (ii) Master of Brain and Mind Science through roles as a (a) tutorial and workshop conductor, (b) lab demonstrator, (c) written and oral report assessor, (d) final research project supervisor, and (e) final report assessor in the following courses: • PCOL2021 – Key Concepts in Pharmacology • MEDS2002 – Key Concepts in Pharmacology • PCOL2022 – Drugs in Contemporary Society • PCOL2922 – Drugs in Contemporary Society (Advanced) • PCOL3022 – Neuropharmacology • BMRI5002 – Fundamental Neuroscience

Analytical Pharmacology of the Oxytocin Receptor Performed advanced pharmacological assays and data analysis for biological research and drug discovery • Developed a new experimental method for accessing the operational model of agonism and new analytical approaches within, enabling a greater mechanistic understanding for all G protein-coupled receptors. Introduced new mathematical parameters in pharmacology for quantifying drug activity, receptor selectivity, and biased signalling. Constructed a predictive screening method for more efficient drug discovery, as well as implemented kinetic signalling assays and analyses • Derived the molecular properties of functional affinity and intrinsic efficacy for oxytocin and vasopressin neuropeptides, with implications for translational studies and clinical trials • Derived system-independent measures of activity for small molecule oxytocin receptor agonists, expanded their chemical diversity, and predicted translational efficacy. • Applied biochemical concepts to predict pharmacokinetics, as well as provided suggestions for chemical modifications that improved selectivity and metabolic stability, resulting in the generation of new lead compounds • Discovered the first oxytocin receptor positive allosteric modulators through identifying subtle modulatory effects during compound screening then providing technical assay suggestions that revealed large and observable effects. Performed in-depth characterisation of cooperativity, probe dependence, receptor selectivity, and species differences. This work led to a book chapter, several publications in preparation, 4 patents licensed with Kinoxis Therapeutics, $5 million in external funding, and a $273m strategic partnership with the major international pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.

Scientific Training • Initiated and advanced major research projects with key intellectual contributions, creative ideas, and efficient work. Excelled in providing timely and effective research update presentations. Contributed to a positive work environment with open communication, collaboration, and leadership skills

Developing Therapeutically Viable Oxytocin Receptor Agonists • Developed the first small molecule oxytocin receptor agonists. Explored the structure-activity relationships of novel compounds targeting the oxytocin receptor using cellular assays. Observed a pattern in the data and suggested two chemical modifications that led to a breakthrough for the project, improving efficacy from 10 to 55%. Provided an understanding of the molecular pharmacophore, ligand interaction, and receptor binding pocket This work contributed to establishing the biotechnology company Kinoxis Therapeutics and the securing of $5 million in external funding

Thesis: Analytical Pharmacology and Drug Discovery of the Oxytocin Receptor: Towards Ameliorating Neuropsychiatric Disorders and the Global Burden of Disease Supervisor: Prof Michael Kassiou Examination outcome: Awarded with no required corrections and minor suggestions addressed.

Thesis: Developing Therapeutically Viable Oxytocin Receptor Agonists Supervisor: Prof Michael Kassiou