Dr Karmani Murugan Pharmaceutical Science

Johannesburg, South Africa

Personal Info

Health: Excellent

Drivers License: Code 8

linkedin.com/in/karmani-murugan

Being disciplined and precise, I am able to apply myself confidently and independently while still enjoying the finer aspects of life. Being analytical, driven, a fast learner and challenge-focused while still honing my people skills and enthusiasm in the workplace are characteristics that resonate within me. I have always been a consistent achiever owing to my stable and steady approach, my positivity and my need to improve to be of profitable use for greater projects.

Key Competencies

Proactive Dynamic Driven Written and verbal communication Problem-solving skills Training and facilitation Strategic planning Adaptability Data analysis Critical thinking Planning Implementation Initiator Leadership Stakeholder management

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmaceutical Science) 2017

University of the Witwatersrand

Masters Degree (Pharmacy) 2015

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) 2012

University of the Witwatersrand

Professional Experience

Medical Science Liaison (Aug 2019- Contract end date, December 2020)

Pharmapreneurs, Roche Diagnostics

Key responsibility: Engaging with Key Opinion Leaders within the diagnostics sector of HPV DNA screening, cervical cancer and oncology (Recent additions: COVID-19, cardiovascular disease, diabetes). The role involves providing clinical insight; expert, evidence-based input and recommendations made through scientific merit. Experience in private and public healthcare, corporate industry and academia allows for me to integrate my skill set with learned technical expertise in oncology to perform the role eloquently.

Key Achievements: Design of online CPD content

Thorough identification of insights from engagement with KOLs to strategically direct scientific exchange

Building of quality relations during engagement to ensure maximum dialog content

Development and hosting of MSL Professional Mastery course for KZN/WC MSLs

Project Manager (Feb-Aug 2019)

ProcureSense, JHB

The role involved project management, costing analysis and marketing exposure on a consultant basis with procurement transformation specialists. With stringent project management experience, I have added to my skill set in the application of the corporate environment.

Key Achievements: Development of the marketing and public communication strategy

Implementation of social media marketing

Redesign of the company website (implementation phase)

Reasons for leaving: Temporary, contract role for corporate and marketing exposure

Acting Roving Pharmacist (Jan-Dec 2018)

Free State Department of Heath, Kroonstad

My completed responsibility as Acting Roving Pharmacist for Moqhaka local area (Free State) focused on leadership within a managerial role, strategic and independent decision making and efficient communication. Fulfilling the role of the Acting Roving Pharmacist for the Moqhaka Local Area within the Fezile Dabi District of Free State, I had the responsibility of managing the pharmacies in nine Primary Health Care centres (PHC’s). This included overseeing four community service pharmacists, seven pharmacist assistants and communication with two pharmacists and nine operational managers of the PHC’s.

These responsibilities were conducted congruently with personality profiling and stakeholder engagement for effective communication with direct employee reports and trust and rapport building for healthy work relationships to ensure employee satisfaction.

Key Achievements: Restructuring of the Stock Inventory System

Pharmacology and pharmacotherapy training to Pharmacist Assistants

Drastic improvement of staff moral via motivational monthly meetings, active support of limitations experienced by staff, acknowledging “small wins”, milestones and achievements (professional and personal)

Reasons for Leaving: Community service, end of contract term

Pharmacy Intern (Monday – Friday 2017)

NHC Cornerstone Pharmacy, Honeydew, JHB

Practiced the scope of an intern pharmacist under the supervision of the Responsible Pharmacist

Reasons for Leaving: Placed for compulsory community service

Locum Pharmacist Intern (Saturday – Sunday 2017)

Medicare Pharmacy, Grosvenor, JHB

Practiced the scope of an intern pharmacist under the supervision of the Responsible Pharmacist

Reasons for Leaving: Placed for compulsory community service

Academic Intern (2013-2017)

Having attained a Masters and PhD Degree in the pharmaceutical domain of pharmacy, the focus on drug delivery, design and system innovation was highlighted.

Master of Pharmacy dissertation entitled: Neogeometrical nanoparticulates for enhanced cellular uptake and optimisation of the topical treatment of psoriasis (in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo).

Doctor of Philosophy thesis entitled: Inflammation-responsive self-oscillating polymeric gel to enhance dermal delivery of neo-geometric copper nanoparticles (in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo).

Project Supervisors: Prof. V. Pillay, Prof. Y.E. Choonara, Dr P. Kumar, Prof. L.C. du Toit

Reasons for Leaving: Successful completion of academic internship

Junior Lecturer (2013-2016)

University of the Witwatersrand, JHB

Planned, organised and lectured BPharmIII Pharmaceutics course lectures and laboratory practical sessions

Reasons for Leaving: Successful completion of academic internship

Academic Tutor and Mentor (2013-2016)

University of the Witwatersrand, JHB

Included all BPharmIII and BPharmIV courses

Community Pharmacist (2009-2012)

Part-time, Retail and public pharmacies, JHB

Practiced the scope of a pharmacy student under the supervision of the Responsible Pharmacist

Publication List

Murugan, K., Choonara, Y.E., Kumar, P., Bijukumar, D., du Toit, L.C. and Pillay, V., 2015. Parameters and characteristics governing cellular internalization and trans-barrier trafficking of nanostructures. International journal of nanomedicine, 10, p.2191.

Bijukumar, D., Choonara, Y.E., Murugan, K., Choonara, B.F., Kumar, P., du Toit, L.C. and Pillay, V., 2015. Design of an inflammation-sensitive polyelectrolyte-based topical drug delivery system for arthritis. AAPS PharmSciTech, p.1-11.

Murugan, K., Choonara, Y.E., Kumar, P., Du Toit, L.C. and Pillay, V., 2016. Surfactant directed synthesis and self-assembly of geometric cytotoxic copper nanocrystals. SA Pharmaceutical Journal, 83(1), p.38-40.

Murugan, K., Choonara, Y.E., Kumar, P., Bijukumar, D., du Toit, L.C. and Pillay, V., 2016. Neo-geometric copper nanocrystals by competitive, dual surfactant-mediated facet adsorption controlling skin permeation. Materials (MDPI), 9, p.966-979.

Murugan, K., Choonara, Y.E., Kumar, P., Bijukumar, D., du Toit, L.C. and Pillay, V., 2017. Cellular internalisation kinetics and cytotoxic properties of statistically designed and optimised neo-geometric copper nanocrystals. Materials Science and Engineering C, 78, p.376-388.

Murugan, K., Choonara, Y.E., Kumar, P., Du Toit, L.C. and Pillay, V., 2017. Transport of a novel geometric copper nanosystem across the skin barrier employing a self-oscillating polymeric network in the topical treatment of psoriasis. (Under review: Nanomedicine – Future Medicine)

Accolades

Awarded Young Researcher 2016 for best poster presentation at the 13th International Conference on Nanosciences and Nanomedicine, Greece

Awarded Top Young Scientist 2015 (Boehringer Ingelheim), Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa, Sandton

National top ten competitors of the FameLabSA – Communicating Science, Grahamstown

Dean’s Merit List for achieving an average over 75% for Bachelor of Pharmacy degree (with Honours), University of the Witwatersrand

University Entrance Scholarship, University of the Witwatersrand

Theses and Certificates will be provided upon request

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