About

The Pharmaceutical Development Institute (PDI) is an integral part of The University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy.

The facility boasts a 1,500 sq. ft. analytical sciences laboratory (for analytical methods development and quality control testing) and a 1,000 sq. ft. training center. The facility is staffed by experienced pharmaceutical industry professionals and draws upon the capabilities and expertise of the university’s faculty and staff.

The PDI provides contract development and testing services for solid oral dosage forms specializing in early development through Phase-1 clinical trial materials. Our goal is to enable partner firms to achieve clinical trial materials in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner. In addition, the PDI offers training workshops for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. The workshops offer classroom instruction and hands-on training that can be custom-tailored to the company’s unique needs.

pdi

 

Mission

This facility supports the University’s continuing efforts to strengthen and expand its education, research, and development capabilities. The facility’s mission is to:

  • Facilitate the development of new pharmaceutics by researchers at URI and their academic and industry partners.
  • Engage private partners to enhance the economic development of the Rhode Island pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
  • Provide a world-class teaching and training facility for faculty, students and the biotech/pharmaceutical industry.

 

Our Team

Content Experts

George Grandolfi, Ph.D.

Instructor

Avedisian Hall 230N

401.874.2776
ggrandolfi@uri.edu

Sara Hanson

Manufacturing Engineer

Avedisian Hall 395J

401.874.9057
hansons@uri.edu

Jennifer Lewis, Ph.D.

Associate Director Analytical Development/QC

Avedisian Hall 395L

401.874.9093
jenlewis@uri.edu

Dr. Malcolm Pluskal, University of Rhode Island School of Pharmacy

Malcolm G Pluskal, Ph.D.

Instructor, Purification

Christopher Riel

Instructor

christopher.riel@uri.edu

Kristen Riley, MBA

Coordinator, Education & Training

Avedisian Hall 395J

401.874.7543
kriley@uri.edu

Administration

Catherine Curtin-Miller, MBA

Director of Administration

Avedisian Hall 230C

401.874.7869
ccmiller@uri.edu

Patricia Ryan Murray

Business Manager

401.874.9369
prmurray@uri.edu

Our Partners

Our Advisory Board

Dan Caron

Mr. Caron has over 30-years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry demonstrating proficiency steering business and global operations from start-up through full commercial integration. He has overseen facilities in 30+ countries and has created and managed a broad spectrum of divisions including construction, laboratory management, procurement, global security, environmental health and safety, lease administration, sustainability and philanthropy.

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David Ludwig

David Ludwig

David is a highly accomplished and focus-driven Senior Executive with more than 40 years of success in medical device, paper, plastics, agriculture, and EPA regulated industries.  He most recently retired from Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ:BCPC $800 million in Sales with EBITDA of $190 million) where he held the position of Vice President & General Manager and was an Officer of the company.

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Nancy C. Motola, Ph.D.

Nancy C. Motola, Ph.D., RAC, has over 35 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry, encompassing both small molecules and biologics, in many therapeutic areas; in regulatory affairs and quality assurance, as well as chemical development/manufacturing.  Through her consulting company, Pharma Regulatory Connection, she provides strategic Regulatory and scientific expertise for small/start-ups, as well as large pharma companies. 

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Justina Molzon, J.D.

Dr. Justina Molzon is a retired career professional with the U.S. Public Health Service, where she served for 30-years with a retired rank of Captain.  She is a recognized expert in advising and facilitating the capacity building efforts of international regulatory authorities and global organizations to implement established goals focused on harmonization of submission requirements.  She also has a proven track record of effectively leading cross-functional teams toward devising and implementing successful outcomes. 

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Tim Myott

Tim Myott has over 35 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry holding various positions in Manufacturing, Research and Development, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance.  He has worked for companies such as DuPont, PerkinElmer, Wyeth, Millennium/Takeda, Cubist, and Merck.  Tim’s work includes developing drugs such as Cardiolite and Neurolite and launching Zerbaxa.  Tim is currently the Vice President of QA for Maplight Therapeutics and oversees all GMP, GCP, and GLP activities.  

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Edward M. Rudnic, Ph.D.

Edward M. Rudnic, Ph.D.

Edward M. Rudnic, PhD, is a pharmaceutical executive and entrepreneur with an extensive background in the biopharmaceutical industry. He has served in leading capacities as the head of several start-ups, public companies, and venture-related funds/companies and is currently the Chief Executive Officer of DisperSol Technologies, a platform technology company with late-stage clinical programs. Dr. Rudnic was founder, chairman and CEO of MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: MBRK, previously Advancis; Nasdaq: AVNC), where he founded the company, took it public on the NASDAQ, and lead the development of FDA approved anti-infective products.

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