University of Texas - College of Pharmacy - Drug Dynamics Institute Staff

Our Team

Dr. Janet C. Walkow
Dr. Janet Walkow joined the faculty of the University of Texas in 2008, building on a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, where she led efforts ranging from R&D to corporate strategy. Leading the Drug Dynamic Institute, a collaborative research center, Janet brings together scientists and investigators to work on novel solutions for disease and healthcare issues. The institute partners with university, industry and community leaders to foster collaborations and develop ways to eliminate barriers to commercialization opportunities. Following her pharmaceutical executive career, Janet founded MxV, llc, where she had the opportunity to work in a variety of business settings and lead strategic planning, communications and integration activities for companies ranging from start-ups to the Fortune 100. Her success and expertise in both scientific and business arenas blends technical, analytical and leadership skills, allowing Janet to effectively manage research programs, develop business strategies and successfully launch products and programs in the marketplace. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Health Promotion Council of Pennsylvania and the Harvard Kennedy School Women’s Leadership Board.

Dr. Alan Watts

As assistant director of the Drug Dynamics Institute (DDI), Dr. Alan Watts works with development-focused pharmaceutical researchers in academia and industry in advancing drug products through the preclinical stage. Projects range from early stage physicochemical characterization to in vivo efficacy and safety. Specific emphasis has been placed on development and testing of inhaled formulations including initial aerosol characterization, preclinical efficacy models, and GLP inhaled toxicity. Alan also oversees the UTech Dorm Room wet lab incubator space located within the College of Pharmacy. This collaborative effort between DDI, Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), and the City of Austin was formed to provide a wet-lab infrastructure supportive of local biotech start-ups and life science entrepreneurs.

With academic and industry experience in drug product development, Alan has first-hand knowledge of the steps necessary to reach the clinical stage. During his time in industry, Alan worked for two small companies developing drug products to be delivered by dry powder inhalation. His experience in this field has led to a comprehensive understanding of the steps necessary for the formulation, characterization, efficacy testing and safety testing of inhaled products.

Dr. Greg D. Lyness

Dr. Greg D. Lyness became senior research manager at TherapeUTex in August of 2011. Greg worked as an analytical chemist at a Food and Drug Administration District Office and later for the Forensic Chemistry Center. His preclinical training included studying chemoresistance modulators in urologic cancers and he continued these studies along with drug-loaded nano- and microparticle development at Optimum Therapeutics. Prior to joining TherapeUTex, Greg worked at CSL Behring as a senior scientist in R&D.
As senior research manager of TherapeUTex, Greg oversees the daily operations in addition to the management of research projects. He performs and provides training for many of the analytical instruments and techniques that TherapeUTex provides and has expertise in many in vitro and in vivo models. His FDA, pharmaceutical industry, GMP and in vivo experience, provide value throughout the Drug Dynamics Institute.

Ayesha Batra

Ayesha Batra joined The Drug Dynamics Institute in the summer of 2011 as a research associate and provides scientific technical assistance to TherapeUTex and UT Advance. She has a strong basic science and clinical research background. Ayesha’s experience includes working in regulated environments and she is Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) trained. She is skilled in performing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies, histological tissue preparation and analysis, and development studies for therapeutic entities.

Last Reviewed: October 3, 2012

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