Natassa Pippa

I am an Assistant Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Pharmacy. My research is focused on Pharmaceutical Technology, with particular expertise in advanced drug delivery systems and nanomedicine. I develop innovative nanostructures, medicines, and medical devices with the aim of enhancing therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.

Research

Research Interests

• Design and development of medicines, food supplements/nutraceuticals, cosmetics/cosmeceuticals, and medical devices; scientific advisory on the design and development of innovative dosage forms.
• Pharmaceutical Technology and Nanotechnology
  • Drug Delivery and Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
  • Design and Development of:
    • liposomes, polymersomes, polyelectrolytes, nanoemulsions, dendrimers, micelles, and mixed (chimeric) drug-delivery nanosystems
    • protocells and multi-compartmentalized systems
    • hydrogels
  • Drug loading and release studies
  • Protein/peptide loading and release studies
  • Physicochemical and thermodynamic evaluation of excipients and nanomaterials
  • Morphological characterization and fractal analysis of drug-delivery nanosystems
• Design and development of off-patented and generic medicines
• Preparing scientific programs (proposals) for National and European funding

Techniques

• Dynamic, Static, and Electrophoretic Light Scattering
• Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
• Freeze-drying (lyophilization)
• UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy
• Confocal microscopy
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Quality Assurance and Regulation of Pharmaceutical Products

• Preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Working Instructions (Protocols)
• Dossier scientific writing: Module 2, 4, and 5 scientific documentation (e.g., Non-Clinical and Clinical Overviews, Biowaiver justifications, Bioequivalence study overviews); dossier documentation review and audit
• Scientific advice on appropriate tests and studies in the development of a medicine (generic/hybrid/WEU, etc.) to facilitate the development of high-quality, effective, and acceptably safe medicines
• Assessment of Medical Devices Technical Dossiers
• Preparation of technical dossiers for cosmetics, food supplements, and medical devices
• Lead auditor on ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, and ISO 22000:2018

Selected Publications

Research Articles

Reviews

Profiles

Books

• From Current to Future Trends in Pharmaceutical Technology
• Functional Materials in Biomedical Applications
• Nanomaterials for Clinical Applications: Case Studies in Nanomedicines
• Drug Delivery Nanosystems: From Bioinspiration and Biomimetics to Clinical Applications
• Thermodynamics and Biophysics of Biomedical Nanosystems: Applications and Practical Considerations

Teaching

Undergraduate Courses

• Co-instructor for “Introduction to Laboratory Practice” (1st semester), Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA (2021–present).
• Co-instructor in the Laboratory Exercises of Pharmaceutical Technology (4th year), Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA (2021–present).
• Co-instructor in the Pharmaceutical Technology Laboratory Exercises Tutorial (4th year), Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA (2022–present).
• Co-instructor for the course “Design of Pharmaceutical Forms” (8th semester), Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA (2023–present).
• Participation in the elective undergraduate course “Nanomedicine,” Medical School, NKUA (4 teaching hours) (2021–present).
• Co-instructor for “Pharmaceutical Technology II” (4th year), Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA (2024–present).
• Co-instructor for “Pharmaceutical Technology III” (4th year), Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA (2024–present).

Postgraduate Courses

• Lecturer, Master’s Program “Drug Development: Research, Production, and Access,” Medical School, NKUA — Course: “Fundamentals of Pharmacology and Biotechnology” (20 teaching hours) (January 2024–present).
• Participation, Master’s Program “Drug Development: Research, Production, and Access,” Medical School, NKUA (Lectures: “Defining Pharmaceutical Formulations,” “Solid Pharmaceutical Forms I,” “Pharmaceutical Stability,” “Hydrogels,” “Transdermal Drug Delivery”) (2021–2023).
• Participation, Master’s Program “Clinical Pharmacy,” Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA.
• Coordinator, “Special Topics in Industrial Pharmacy,” MSc in Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA.
• Seminars, MSc in Industrial Pharmacy, Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA (2018–present).
• Participation, Master’s Program “Dermatopharmacology – Cosmetology,” Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA (2-hour seminar).
• Participation, Joint Master’s Program “Nanomedicine” (Medical School & Faculty of Pharmacy), NKUA (2018–present).

E-learning

• Participation in the E-Learning Program providing educational support for the program “Total Quality Management” (15/12/2022–31/7/2023).
• Participation in the E-Learning Program “Law of Civil and Criminal Liability in Healthcare” (3 educational units) (9/9/2021–8/9/2026).

Lifelong Learning

• Scientific & technological support for laboratory exercises in postgraduate seminars on “Galenic Formulations” (KERTUS ABEE), Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA (01/05/2013–30/06/2013).
• Scientific & technological support for postgraduate seminars “Training Courses and Laboratory Exercises for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Assistants in Cosmetic Pharmacy,” Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, NKUA (SYNDEFMOS ABEE) (1/11/2013–30/05/2014).

Awards & Honors