Ariella Shikanov, Ph.D.
1337 E. Madison Park #2
Chicago, IL, 60615
Tel: 224-5229539
ariellashikanov@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel
Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics, June 2007
Dissertation: Implantable Polymeric Devices for Treating Solid Tumor
Advisor: Prof. Abraham J. Domb, Ph.D.
Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel
Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics, June 2003
Hebrew University in Jerusalem, School of Pharmacy, Israel
Bachelor in Pharmaceutics, June 1999
RESEARCH AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Postdoctoral fellow, Chem&Bio Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
August 2007-Present
• Development of a three-dimensional, synthetic matrix to support ovarian follicles growth and maturation
• Synthesis, characterization and application of biomaterials such as poly(ethylene glycol0, fibrin and alginate to
the follicle culture.
M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies, Hebrew University in Jerusalem
September 2001-June 2007
• Synthesis and development of biodegradable polymeric carriers for local drug delivery
• Characterization of the polymers, using GPC, NMR, IR, DSC and viscosity studies
• Drug release studies in vitro and in vivo of paclitaxel, cisplatin, bupivacaine.
• Degradation of polymer based formulations in vitro and in vivo
• Biocompatibility and biodistribution in vivo of the synthesized polymers
• Efficacy of the released drugs in solid tumor treatment and as local anesthetics
.
Teaching assistant, Biorganic and Organic Laboratory, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel
October 2005 – March 2007
• Knowledge and teaching experience in basic organic and bioorganic synthetic and analytical methods and
techniques such as Friedel-Kraft, Griniard, fractional distillation, extractions, TLC
Teaching assistant, Analysis of Pharmaceutical Agents, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel
October 2001 – March 2005
• Knowledge and teaching experience in pharmacopeias (USP and BP) methods and techniques for drug purity
and content determination including iodometry, iodatometry, argentometry, aqueous and non-aqueous titrations.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Pharmacist in chief, Israel Defense Forces, Beer-Sheva, Israel
January 1999 – June 2001
• Reorganized pharmaceutics supply to the bases and collaborated with the physicians to improve pharmacy
services
• Managed multiple priorities for all pharmacy needs, such as supply, staff organization and quality care, and
consistently met all deadlines
Pharmacist at the counter, Super-Pharm pharmacy, Beer-Sheva, Israel
March 1999 – October 2000 (part-time)
• Served as a dispersing pharmacist at the counter
Ariella Shikanov, page 2
AWARDS
2006
2005
2004
2003
Outstanding PhD student, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Hebrew University
Dean's award for outstanding PhD student.
Outstanding teaching assistant, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University.
Rector's award for outstanding M. Sc. student
PROFICIENCY AND SKILLS
• Analytical: High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV)
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)
Brookfield Viscometer and intrinsic viscosity measurements
Infrared Spectroscopy (IR)
Atomic Absorption and Inductive Coupled Plasma (IPC)
Liquid Scintillation Counter
• Organic chemistry: polymer synthesis, extractions, evaporation, recrystalization
• Cell biology: mammalian tumor cells, fibroblasts and ovarian follicles culture, cryosectioning, cells’
transfection, cells’ and ovarian follicles isolation encapsulation, growth and maturation in vitro
• Animal work: development of animals’ (mice and rats) heterotopic and orthotopic solid tumor models (bladder
and prostate), evaluation of blood and tissue drug distribution
• Microscopy: phase contrast, confocal
• Electron microscopy: SEM and TEM
• Substances: Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Bupivacaine, Dexametasone
• Biomaterials: Hydrophobic semi-solid polymers, based on ricinoleic acid, biodegradable PEG gels, alginate gels,
Fibrin gels.
• Languages: English, Hebrew, Russian
LIST OF SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
A. Research papers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Shikanov A, Vaisman B, Shikanov S, DombAJ, Poly(sebacic acid co-ricinoleic acid) biodegradable carrier for
intratumoral delivery of paclitaxel, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, Part A, in press.
Shikanov S, Shikanov A, Gofrit O, Nyska A, Corn B, Domb AJ, Intratumoral delivery of paclitaxel for treatment
of orthotopic prostate cancer, J Pharm Sci, 2008.
Shikanov A, Shikanov S, Vaisman B, Golenser J, Domb AJ, Paclitaxel tumor biodistribution and efficacy after
intratumoral injection of a biodegradable extended release implant, Int J Pharm, 2008.
Vaisman B, Shikanov A, Domb AJ, The isolation of ricinoleic acid from castor oil by salt-solubility-based
fractionation for the biopharmaceutical applications, Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society, 2008.
Shikanov A, Domb AJ, Weiniger CF, Long acting local anesthetic-polymer formulation to prolong the effect of
analgesia, Journal of Controlled Release, 2007.
Shikanov A, Domb AJ, Poly(sebacic acid-co-ricinoleic acid) biodegradable injectable in situ gelling polymer,
Biomacromolecules, 2006.
Shikanov A, Ezra A, Domb AJ, Poly(sebacic acid-co-ricinoleic acid) biodegradable carrier for paclitaxel – effect
of additives, Journal of Controlled Release, 2005.
Vaisman B, Shikanov A, Domb AJ, Normal phase high performance liquid chromatography for determination of
paclitaxel incorporated in a lipophilic polymer matrix, Journal of Chromatography A, 2005.
Shikanov A, Vaisman B, Krasko MY, Nyska A, Domb AJ, Poly(sebacic acid-co-ricinoleic acid)biodegradable
carrier for paclitaxel: In vitro release and in vivo toxicity, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2004.
Krasko MY, Shikanov A, Ezra A, Domb AJ, Poly(ester anhydride)s prepared by the insertion of ricinoleic acid
into poly(sebacic acid), Journal of Polymer Science Part A – Polymer Chemistry, 2003.
B. Presentations
1. Shikanov A, Domb AJ, Poly(sebacic acid-co-ricinoleic acid) biodegradable carrier for anti-tumor drugs. Abstracts
of papers of the American Chemical Society, San-Diego, 2005, Poster.
2. Shikanov A, Woodruff TK, Shea LD, Bioactive and proteolytically sensitive hydrogels for 3D follicle culture in
vitro, Oncofertility Consortium meeting, Chicago, 2008, Poster.