Tovmasyan Laboratory
About
As the leader of the Pharmacokinetics (PK) Core at the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, our laboratory is established to provide state-of-the-art analytical platform for services and a broad range of pharmacological and pharmaceutical expertise critical in conducting clinical research. The Ivy Center hosts the largest number of Phase 0 clinical trials for brain tumor patients in the world and the results obtained in the PK Core within each ongoing clinical trial, along with the data received from Pharmacodynamics (PD) Core, will enable physicians to directly implement the most efficient regimens for brain tumor treatment. Such an approach is distinctly different from conventional clinical trials and is based on personalized precision medicine, where each patient has the unique prospect of receiving individualized therapeutic, therapeutic dose and schedule based on the results received from PK/PD Cores.
CURRENT RESEARCH
The Tovmasyan Laboratory also offers its services to investigators worldwide conducting preclinical research in the biomedical field, such as drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, drug distribution, metabolism, etc. The Lab will assist with small-molecule research in preclinical studies providing services in assessment and design of preclinical PK studies for experimental drugs, collection and processing of biospecimens including cells, biofluids (blood, plasma, saliva, urine, CSF, etc.) and tissues, development, validation and implementation of analytical methods for drugs, drug metabolites, and biomarkers, data analysis and interpretation, publishing guidance, and assistance with grant applications.
The Tovmasyan Laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for sample processing and storage (vacuum concentrator (Labconco), centrifuges (Eppendorf 5804R, 5427R, 5404R), homogenizers (Omni Bead Ruptor Elite 24 and Pro-Scientific SB-1 Silent Brushless Digital), -30oC and -80oC freezers, sonicators, incubators, mixers, shakers, water bath), bio-analytical (AB SCIEX QTRAP 6500+ QTrap interfaced with a SHIMADZU Exion UHPLC system and associated AnalystTM software for operation and data analysis, system control and data acquisition/processing) and computational software WinNonlin (Certara USA, Inc., Princeton, NJ). Such leading-edge platform enables PK Lab to perform innovative research and complex analyses and to ensure specific, sensitive, reliable, and reproducible measurements for clinical and preclinical studies.
Lab Members
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Tigran Margaryan, PhDPostdoctoral Fellow
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Nadia GonzalezResearch Technician
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Bailey HolmesResearch Technician
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William KnightResearch Technician
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Samir SaifiResearch Technician
Publications
- Sanai et al., An early clinical trial of 5-ALA sonodynamic therapy in recurrent high-grade glioma. November 2025.
- Johnson et al., Single-nucleus transcriptomics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of CDK4/6 and mTOR inhibition in a Phase 0/1 trial of recurrent high-grade glioma. November 2025.
- Knight et al., Protoporphyrin IX plasma and blood pharmacokinetics and brain tumor distribution determined by a validated LC–MS/MS method. July 2025.
- T. Margarya, et al., Simultaneous determination of LY3214996, abemaciclib, and M2 and M20 metabolites in human plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tumor by LC-MS/MS. May 14 2022
- Batinic-Haberle et al., Mn porphyrin-based redox-active drugs – Differential effects as cancer therapeutics and protectors of normal tissue against oxidative injury. October 17, 2018.
- Tovmasyan et al., Radiation-mediated tumor growth inhibition is significantly enhanced with redox-active compounds that cycle with ascorbate. September 20, 2018.
- Cline et al., Post-irradiation treatment with MnTnHex-2-PyP5+ mitigates radiation pneumonitis in the lungs of non-human primates after whole-thorax exposure to ionizing radiation. March 7, 2018.
- Leu et al., CNS bioavailability and radiation protection of normal hippocampal neurogenesis by a lipophilic Mn porphyrin-based superoxide dismutase mimic, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP5+. August 2017.
- Boss et al., Potential for a novel manganese porphyrin compound as adjuvant canine lymphoma therapy. July 6, 2017.
- Weitzel et al., Neurobehavioral radiation mitigation to standard brain cancer therapy regimens by Mn(III) n-butoxyethylpyridylporphyrin-based redox modifier. May 25, 2016.
- Miriyala et al., Novel role of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in AIFm2-mediated mitochondrial stress signaling. February 2016.
- Tovmasyan et al., Anticancer therapeutic potential of Mn porphyrin/ascorbate system. December 2015.
- Ashcraft et al., Mn(III) meso tetrakis(N-butoxyethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin, a potent SOD mimic and redox-regulator of cellular signaling pathways, prevents radiation-induced mucositis, xerostomia, and fibrosis in mice, while radiosensitizing tumors. November 15, 2015.
- Batinic-Haberle et al., An educational overview of the chemistry, biochemistry and therapeutic aspects of Mn porphyrins – From superoxide dismutation to H2O2-driven pathways. August 2015.
- Weitzel et al., Radioprotection of the brain white matter by Mn(III) N-butoxyethylpyridylporphyrin-based superoxide dismutase mimic, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP5+. January 2015.
- Tovmasyan et al., Rational Design of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Mimics: The Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of new cationic Mn porphyrins with linear and cyclic substituents. October 21, 2014.
- Li et al., Differential Localization and Potency of Manganese Porphyrin Superoxide Dismutase-Mimicking Compounds in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 2014.
- Jumbo-Lucioni et al., Oxidant and anti-oxidant modifiers of acute outcome in a Drosophila model of classic galactosemia. April 30, 2014.
- Tovmasyan et al., Simple prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems for assessing the biological actions of SOD mimics as potential therapeutic agents. April 30, 2014.
- Sheng et al., Metalloporphyrins as Therapeutic Catalytic Oxidoreductants in Central Nervous System Disorders. April 30, 2014.
- Batinic-Haberle et al., SOD therapeutics: Latest insights into their structure-activity relationships and impact upon the cellular redox-based pathways. April 30, 2014.
- Batinic-Haberle et al., The complex mechanistic aspects of redox-active compounds, commonly regarded as SOD mimics. January 8, 2014.
- Tovmasyan et al., Differential Coordination Demands in Fe versus Mn Water-Soluble Cationic Metalloporphyrins Translate into Remarkably Different Aqueous Redox Chemistry and Biology. May 6, 2013.
- Weitner et al., Comprehensive pharmacokinetic studies of hydrophilic MnTE-2-PyP5+ vs. lipophilic MnTnHex-2-PyP5+ biocatalysts: oral vs. intraperitoneal availability. May 2013.
- Tovmasyan et al., Design, Mechanism of Action, Bioavailability and Therapeutic Effects of Mn Porphyrin-Based Redox Modulators. January 2013.
Resources
Job Openings
Pharmacokinetics Research Scientist I
In this role, the Research Scientist will lead efforts to facilitate the development of brain targeting therapeutics via neuro-pharmacokinetic characterization of various molecules through preclinical and clinical studies. The candidate must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree (MD, DVM, PharmD, etc.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medical Sciences, or a related discipline, with a minimum of five (5) years of post-doctorate research-related experience and data analysis. They should possess a strong background in chemical/pharmaceutical sciences with significant research experience in translational studies and demonstrate expertise in LC-MS/MS-based method development and validation in compliance with CAP/CLIA regulations and/or FDA guidelines, coupled with advanced competency in pharmacokinetic data analysis
Pharmacokinetics Chemistry Post Doctoral Fellow
In this role, the Postdoctoral Fellow will primarily focus on the rational design and synthesis of novel brain-targeting therapeutic agents, contributing to accelerate drug discovery and precision medicine in neuro-oncology. The candidate should possess a strong background in synthetic organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry, coupled with a reasonable working knowledge of translational research, with a preference for candidates demonstrating experience in rational drug design, multi-step organic synthesis, and competency in physicochemical characterization of novel compounds.
Pharmacokinetics Post Doctoral Fellow
In this role, the Postdoctoral Fellow will design and develop brain targeting therapeutics via rational design and neuro-pharmacokinetic assessment through preclinical and clinical studies, striving to identify the most promising first-in-class therapies for brain tumor patients. The ideal candidate will have a robust background in chemical or pharmaceutical sciences alongside a practical understanding of translational research, with strong preference given to those experienced in LC-MS/MS-based method development and validation, and capable of demonstrating proficiency in pharmacokinetic data analysis.