Fritz Pragst | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Paper Award

Prof. Dr. Fritz Pragst | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Paper Award

Guest Scientist | Humboldt University of Berlin | Germany

Prof. Dr. Fritz Pragst is a distinguished scholar in forensic and analytical toxicology whose work has significantly shaped modern toxicological science, evidence interpretation, and laboratory methodology. With an academic career spanning several decades, he has established himself as a leading authority in systematic toxicological analysis, forensic chemistry, and biomarker research, contributing to both foundational understanding and applied forensic practice. His scientific influence is demonstrated through 147 published documents, more than 6,170 citations, and an h-index of 43, reflecting consistent scholarly impact, high research relevance, and continued citation in contemporary toxicology literature. His pioneering contributions to hair analysis methodology, including alcohol biomarkers such as ethyl glucuronide and drug exposure evaluation in cases involving familial substance misuse, have provided globally referenced frameworks for long-term toxicological monitoring, legal case assessments, and public health applications. His work addresses complex analytical challenges, including differentiation between substance exposure routes, interpretation of low-level toxicological data, validation of forensic laboratory workflows, and development of ethical and scientifically defensible interpretation models. Beyond research, he has actively contributed to scientific societies, served in editorial and advisory roles, and engaged in extensive collaboration across multidisciplinary research networks, thereby supporting international knowledge exchange and capacity building within toxicology and forensic science communities. His scholarly output also demonstrates a commitment to solving real-world challenges, including improving diagnostic accuracy, enhancing substance abuse monitoring, and supporting fair use of toxicological evidence in legal and clinical environments. Through his influential publications, leadership roles, and contributions to methodological rigor and scientific education, Prof. Dr. Fritz Pragst has made a lasting impact on global forensic toxicology, ensuring that analytical science continues to advance with accuracy, ethical integrity, and societal relevance.

Profiles : Scopus | ResearchGate

Pragst, F. (2025). Systematic toxicological analysis in forensic and clinical laboratories: a challenging task of analytical chemistry. ChemTexts, 11(2).

Pragst, F., & Balíková, M. A. (2006). State of the art in hair analysis for detection of drug and alcohol abuse. Clinica Chimica Acta, 370(1–2), 17–49.

Pragst, F. (2022). Is there a relationship between abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs seen in hair results? Drug Testing and Analysis. (2025 listing for 2025 issues)

Prof. Dr. Fritz Pragst has significantly advanced forensic and clinical toxicology through pioneering work in systematic toxicological analysis and hair‐based drug detection methods, shaping global standards and improving public health, justice systems, and medico-legal investigations. His research continues to inspire innovation, strengthen scientific reliability, and support safer societies worldwide.

Gunjan Jadon | Medicinal Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Gunjan Jadon | Medicinal Chemistry | Women Researcher Award

Professor | Pacific College of Pharmacy | India

Dr. Gunjan Jadon is an emerging researcher in pharmaceutical analysis and analytical chemistry, known for her contributions to quality-centered method development and scientific rigor. With a growing academic profile reflected through 3 peer-reviewed publications, 54 citations, and an h-index of 2, she has steadily established her presence within the analytical science community. Her research focuses on chromatographic method development, impurity assessment, pharmaceutical quality control, and the systematic application of Analytical Quality by Design (QbD) principles. One of her notable works includes the development and validation of a QbD-based RP-HPLC method for the quantification of dobutamine, demonstrating her expertise in experimental optimization, response-surface modeling, and regulatory aligned method validation. Dr. Jadon’s broader research interests integrate risk assessment, analytical robustness studies, and the enhancement of method precision and reproducibility to support high-quality pharmaceutical evaluation. She actively collaborates with multidisciplinary teams of pharmaceutical scientists and analytical chemists, strengthening the practical and translational impact of her findings. Her work contributes to improving drug-evaluation workflows, ensuring analytical reliability, and promoting safer therapeutic outcomes across the pharmaceutical sector. Beyond her research outputs, she remains engaged in scientific dialogue through collaborative networks, co-authored studies, and participation in academic platforms aimed at advancing analytical science. Her contributions hold societal relevance by supporting the development of robust analytical frameworks that enhance the quality, safety, and consistency of pharmaceutical products. Driven by a commitment to scientific integrity and continuous innovation, Dr. Jadon continues to explore emerging analytical challenges while expanding the methodological landscape of pharmaceutical research, demonstrating promise as a dedicated and impactful early-career scientist.

Featured Publications

1. Dahiya, R., Dahiya, S., Fuloria, N. K., Kumar, S., Mourya, R., Chennupati, S. V., et al. (2020). Natural bioactive thiazole-based peptides from marine resources: Structural and pharmacological aspects. Marine Drugs, 18(6), 329.

2. Joshi, S. K., Bhadauria, R. S., & Diwaker, A. K. (2012). Introduction to neoplasm: Tumor classification – A review article. International Journal of Advanced Research in Pharmaceutical & Bio Sciences, 22.

3. Jadon, G., & Kumawat, L. (2011). Synthesis, spectral and biological evaluation of some phenyl acetic acid hydrazone derivatives. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2(10), 2572.

4. Gunjan, J., & Kumawat, L. (2011). Synthesis, spectral and biological evaluation of some hydrazone derivatives. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2(9), 2408–2412.

5. Gunjan, J., Rahul, N., Divya, S., Praveen, K. S., & Diwaker, K. A. (2012). Antioxidant activity of various parts of Punica granatum: A review. Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics, 2, 138–141.

Gunjan Jadon’s work advances analytical chemistry and pharmaceutical quality assurance by developing robust, regulatory-aligned methods that improve drug safety and evaluation. Her research contributes to more reliable therapeutic quality control, supporting innovation, precision, and societal well-being across the pharmaceutical sector.