RK

Bhandari RK

Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology

ORCID iD 0000-0002-4447-6612
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About

I am an early-career researcher with experience in antimicrobial stewardship, infectious diseases, pharmacokinetics, precision dosing, and bioanalytical research. Currently, I work as a Postdoctoral Researcher at CAMO-Net (Wellcome Trust), hosted at PGIMER, Chandigarh, where I focus on optimizing antimicrobial therapy and improving access to quality-assured antibiotics through multidisciplinary research and implementation strategies.

My research interests include antimicrobial dosing optimization, therapeutic drug monitoring, population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) studies, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and implementation research. I have experience in designing and conducting PK-PD studies, performing pharmacokinetic modelling, and interpreting dose-response relationships to support evidence-based antimicrobial therapy. I am also skilled in bioanalytical method development and validation using analytical platforms such as HPLC and LC-MS/MS, along with sample extraction techniques including liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE). I use software tools such as PUMAS AI and Phoenix WinNonlin for pharmacometric analysis and model development.

Over the years, after completing my PhD in pharmacology in 2018, I have worked in diverse academic and research positions at PGIMER, Chandigarh, including as Project Scientist II, Research Associate in ICMR-funded projects, Demonstrator. These experiences have strengthened my expertise in clinical trial operations, including Phase I and Phase II studies, protocol monitoring, data analysis, and research coordination.

I actively contribute to antimicrobial stewardship initiatives and healthcare capacity building. I have participated in the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in hospital settings and contributed to the development of the Moodle-based online course “Systems Thinking Approach for Antimicrobial Stewardship,” led by PGIMER and the University of Oslo. I also served as course coordinator for the online course “Surgeons for Rational Use of Antimicrobials” at PGIMER, Chandigarh. In addition, I have participated as a speaker and resource person in workshops and online educational programs related to antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control, therapeutic drug monitoring, and clinical pharmacology.

Through my current work in the Wellcome Trust-funded CAMO-Net project, I have gained broader insight into the importance of community engagement and health systems perspectives in antimicrobial optimization. This experience has motivated me to develop skills in qualitative research to better understand the social determinants influencing healthcare provision, health-seeking behaviour, and their impact on antimicrobial resistance.

My work involves close collaboration with clinicians and researchers to integrate PK-PD principles into antimicrobial therapy and promote rational antibiotic use. I am particularly interested in translating research findings into practical and scalable solutions that improve patient outcomes and address global challenges related to antimicrobial resistance.

Employment

  • Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Post Doctoral Researcher, CAMO-Net (Wellcome trust funded project)
    2024 - Present
  • Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Project Scieintist II
    2024 - 2024
  • Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Research Associate III
    2021 - 2023
  • Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology Demonstrator
    2018 - 2021

Education

  • Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Ph.D
    2013 - 2018
  • Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research MSc.
    2011 - 2013
  • Sardar Bhagwan Singh Post Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science and Research B.Pharm
    2007 - 2011

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (24)