Ara Dermarderosian 

Biography

My research interests include pharmacognosy, medicinal chemistry, and nutraceuticals. We focus on hallucinogenic botanicals: medicinal and poisonous plants and their phytochemistry and pharmacology; marine pharmaceuticals; drugs of abuse; and medical foods or “nutraceuticals.” Current projects in my group involve research on pomegranate, blueberries, erythroxylon species, barley, and antimicrobials in African herbs. Previous studies have been carried out on hallucinogenic morning glories, biosynthesis of indoles in the Convolvulaceae, and medically active compounds in several marine organisms. We have also conducted taxonomic and chemotaxonomic studies on Cannabis sativa, tissue culture of Lophophora williamsii (Peyote), antoxidants in several edible fruits, new compounds in the Egyptian lotus plant, etc. I have authored several texts and written chapters in others as well as serving as author and section editor for Remington’s Pharmaceutical Sciences. I have just completed and coauthored a text for the American Dietetic Assn. on herb/drug interactions.

Research Interest

Isolation and identification of bioactive substances from natural products Studies of the medical value of foods (nutraceuticals) Genetic and chemical identification of drug plants Hallucinogenic botanicals: medicinal and poisonous plants and their phytochemistry and pharmacology Marine pharmaceuticals Drugs of abuse