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College of Pharmacy

College of Pharmacy

Faculty Profile

Jiukuan HaoJiukuan Hao

Professor of Pharmaceutics
Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Office: 
University of Houston College of Pharmacy
Health 2, Room 7003
4349 Martin Luther King Boulevard
Houston, TX 77204-5039

Contact: jhao5@uh.edu - 713-743-9411

Research:

My research focuses on understanding mechanisms of neural injury and developing new therapeutic approach for neuronal-degenerative diseases such as ischemic stroke, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia; investigating the role of microglia in neuroinflammation, and the roles of endothelial hippo signaling pathway and TDP43 in neuronal-degenerative diseases; and developing novel delivery system targeting the blood-brain barrier for macromolecule brain delivery.

  • PhD. in Pharmaceutical Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience, Universidad Central Del Caribe, Puerto Rico
  • M.S. in Neurology, China Medical University, China
  • M.D. in Medicine, China Medical University, China

Ongoing Research

  • R01NS105787 (Hao), 10/01/2018-09/30/2023, NIH/NINDS, Targeting the Hippo signaling at the Blood-brain barrier for therapy of ischemic stroke, Goal: To elucidate the role of YAP/TAZ in regulating the BBB function, and evaluate protective effect of YAP/TAZ on brain ECs and the BBB against ischemia/reperfusion injury, and to develop a novel approach, YAP/TAZ-exosome, for treatment of ischemic stroke. Role: PI

Completed Research Support

  • R15NS088384 (Hao), 04/01/2015-03/31/2018, NIH/NINDS, Targeting the Blood-Brain Barrier in Ischemic Stroke Goal: To effectively deliver DNA construct into the brain with a goal to protect neuron from injury/death under cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (IR) condition. Role: PI
  • R21NS093493 (Hao), 06/01/2015-05/31/201, NIH/NINDS, Application of Brain-Targeted Anti-inflammatory RNA Nanoparticle for Ischemic Stroke Therapy Goal: to develop a RNA nanoparticle to target the blood-brain barrier for ischemic stroke therapy in mouse. Role: PI
  • The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: THE MULTIFUNCTIONAL CEMBRANOIDS FOR THERAPY OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE. (P.I.: Hao J) Role: Principal investigator 3/1/2012- 2/28/2013 The goal of this project is to evaluate therapeutic effect of β-cembrane, a compound from tobacco, and its underlying mechanisms in the treatment of PD.
  • Maine Cancer Foundation Pilot Research Grant (P.I.: Hao J): Inhibition of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Lung Cancer Cells by Selective SiRNA Nanoparticles. Role: Co-investigator. 7/1/2013-06/30/2014 The goal of this project is to develop a dual functional RNA nanoparticle targeting Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 for Lung Cancer therapy.
  • American Heart Association: THERAPY OF STROKE WITH NOVEL NEUROPROTECTIVE RNA NANOPARTICLES Role: Principal investigator 1/1/2012-12/31/2013. The goal of this project is to develop a dual functional RNA nanoparticle targeting Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 for ischemic stroke therapy.
  • University Research Council Faculty Research Grant Program at University of Cincinnati: The Role of Hax-1 in Ischemic Stroke. Role: Principal investigator 1/1/2012-12/31/2012
  • The Center for Clinical/ Translational Science and Training at University of Cincinnati: the Just-In-Time grant: Targeting delivery of anti-NF-kB DNA nanoparticle to primary brain endothelial cells. Role: Principal investigator 7/1/2014- 6/30/2015

Honors

  • 2007 - American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists scholarship
  • 2012 - Research Excellence Award, University of Cincinnati, College of Pharmacy
  • 2015 - Research Excellence Award, University of Cincinnati, College of Pharmacy