School
School of Pharmacy
Department
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Office Location
WOR.DBEN.509
Worcester
Office Phone Office Phone: 508-373-5621
About
Dr. Leslie Brian Essel is an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at MCPHS, serving the Worcester and Manchester campuses. He earned his PhD in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Missouri–Kansas City in 2024.
Dr. Essel’s dissertation research focused on neuropharmacology, where he utilized structural biology, pharmacology, and analytical chemistry methods to investigate the roles of interleukin-6 and perineuronal nets in the molecular mechanisms of memory formation and disruption.
His current research interests include the neuropharmacology of drug addiction and protein biochemistry. At MCPHS, Dr. Essel teaches topics in pharmacology, physiology, and pathophysiology during the first two years of the accelerated PharmD program.
Education
- PhD, Pharmacology and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry - University of Missouri
- MS, Cell and Molecular Biology - University of Missouri
- Graduate Certificate, College Teaching and Career Training - - University of Missouri
- MPhil, Pharmacology - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Bachelor of Pharmacy - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Research Interests
- Protein Biochemistry
- Neuropharmacology
- Behavioral and addiction pharmacology
- LCMS Metabolomics
Featured Affiliations
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
WebsitePsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society (PNIRS)
WebsiteAmerican Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)
WebsiteEducation
- PhD, Pharmacology and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry - University of Missouri
- MS, Cell and Molecular Biology - University of Missouri
- Graduate Certificate, College Teaching and Career Training - - University of Missouri
- MPhil, Pharmacology - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Bachelor of Pharmacy - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Research Interests
- Protein Biochemistry
- Neuropharmacology
- Behavioral and addiction pharmacology
- LCMS Metabolomics
Publications
- Meyer, E.G., Bozynski, C., Essel, L.B., Cohn, L. and Davis, J.L., 2023. Oral administration of an extended-release formulation of nitrofurantoin results in high concentrations in the urine of dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1(aop), pp.1-7.
- McDaniel, M., Glazier, E., Truong, N., Marsh, L., Cahill, N., Essel, L., Melton, B., & Meyer, E. (2022). Veterinary prescription errors in a community pharmacy setting: A retrospective review. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association 62 (2), 512-518.
- Yeboah, O.K., Osafo, N., Antwi, A.O. and Essel, L.B., Methanolic Leaf Extract of Dissotis Rotundifolia Alleviates Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats. ACTA Pharmaceutica Sciencia, 59(4).
- Essel, L., Obiri, D., Osafo, N., Antwi, A., & Duduyemi, M. (2020). Ulcerative colitis induced with acetic acid is ameliorated by Antrocaryon micraster through reduced serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 in sprague dawley rats. Pharmacognosy Research, 12(1), 85-91.
- Aidoo, D. B., Obiri, D. D., Osafo, N., Antwi, A. O., Essel, L. B., Duduyemi, B. M., & Ekor, M. (2019). Allergic airway-induced hypersensitivity is attenuated by bergapten in murine models of inflammation. Advances in pharmacological sciences, 2019.
- Antwi, A. O., Obiri, D. D., Osafo, N., Essel, L. B., Forkuo, A. D., & Atobiga, C. (2018). Stigmasterol alleviates cutaneous allergic responses in rodents. BioMed research international, 2018.
- Essel, L. B., Obiri, D. D., Osafo, N., Antwi, A. O., & Duduyemi, B. M. (2017). The ethanolic stem-bark extract of Antrocaryon micraster inhibits carrageenan-induced pleurisy and pedal oedema in murine models of inflammation. International scholarly research notices, 2017.
- Antwi, A. O., Obiri, D. D., Osafo, N., Forkuo, A. D., & Essel, L. B. (2017). Stigmasterol inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced innate immune responses in murine models. International Immunopharmacology, 53, 105-113.
Book Chapter
- Osafo, N., Obeng, S., Obiri, D.D., Yeboah, O.K. and Essel, L.B., 2020. Pharmacological Management of Parkinson’s Disease. In Advances in Neuropharmacology (pp. 151-174). Apple Academic Press.
Awards and Honors
- 2022 Somerset Graduate Scholarship – University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Pharmacy.
- 2022 Graduate Research Grant – University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Graduate Studies.
- 2019-2022 Robert C. Lanman Graduate Pharmacology Scholarship – University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Pharmacy.
- 2019-2021 Preparing Future Faculty Scholar Award Fellowship – University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Graduate Studies.
- 2018 Thomas D. Ross Memorial Graduate Scholarship – University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Pharmacy.