Dr. Ramish Pingal
Lecturer, Organic/Laboratory Manager
Telephone: 868-662-2002 Ext. 83260
Email: ramish.pingal@uwi.edu
Research Interests
My research is centred on the exploration of biologically active natural compounds from terrestrial plants, aquatic organisms, bacteria and filamentous fungi. Of special interest are plants and microorganisms growing in extreme environments as well as those plants used in traditional medicine. The objective of this research is to identify natural products with antimicrobial, anticancer and insecticidal properties and systematically modify their structures in an effort to enhance their bioactive characteristics. In this pursuit, benchtop bioassays as well as modern chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques are employed to isolate and characterize bioactive metabolites.
In addition to natural products research, I am interested in the design and synthesis of tri- and tetrasubstituted pyrazolines and dihydropyrimidinones with antimicrobial and other biologically relevant activities.
At present, my group is collaborating with colleagues in the Life Sciences on the isolation of bioactive metabolites from bacteria and fungi capable of inhibiting the growth of MRSA and other bacterial pathogens.
A further area of interest involves the in vitro investigation of amino acids and naturally products as potential anti-glycating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents or use as adjunctive supplements in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus.
Selected Publications
Pingal, R. Iwokrama Fungal/Plant Bioprospecting Project 2000-2003- A Model for the Future? In Bioprospecting-Successes, Potential & Constraints; Paterson, R.M., Lima, N., Eds.; Volume 16 of Topics in Biodiversity and Conservation; Springer: 2017; pp 167-196.
Effects of Jasminum multiflorum leaf extract on rodent models of epilepsy, motor coordination and anxiety, Addae, J.I.; Pingal, R.; Walkins, K.; Cruickshank, R.; Youssef, F.F.; Nayak, S.B. Epilepsy Research 2017, 131, 58–63.
Limonoids from Swietenia macrophylla and S. aubrevilleana, Mootoo, B.S.; Ali, A.; Motilal, R.; Pingal, R.; Ramlal, A.; Khan, A.; McLean, S.; Reynolds, W.F. J. Nat. Prod. 1999, 62, 1514-1517.
3-Aminospirosolane Alkaloids from Solanum arboreum, Maxwell, A.; Pingal, R.; Reynolds, W.F.; McLean, S. Phytochemistry 1996, 43, 913-915.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. UWI, St. Augustine 2000
- B.Sc. UWI, St. Augustine 1991
Fellowships and Training
- Training on teaching and learning, CETL UWI St. Augustine
- Training on Laboratory Safety Management Dr. Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Institute (held at UWI St. Augustine)
- CABI, UK: training on aseptic techniques and filamentous fungi identification, isolation and culturing
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: training on isolation, purification and identification of secondary metabolites from fungal endophytes
- University of Toronto: research fellowship, CIDA-UWI Institutional Strengthening Programme-Sustainable Development #13
Professional Experience
- Lab Manager/Lecturer, Department of Chemistry UWI St. Augustine 2006-present
- Temporary Lecturer, Department of Chemistry UWI St. Augustine 2004-2006
- Natural Products Chemist, Iwokrama International Centre, Guyana, 2000-2003
Skills
- Isolation and purification of natural products using an extensive range of separation and chromatographic techniques
- Structure elucidation of molecular structures using IR, Mass Spectrometry and multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy
- Analytical and problem solving
- Instrument operation: HPLC, UV-Vis, IR, NMR
- Safe handling of hazardous materials
UWI Service
- Internal Examiner for M.Phil. and Ph.D. theses
- Chair, Department Health and Safety committee and Departmental representative on the Science & Technology Faculty Safety Committee 2009-present
- Faculty of Science and Technology timetable Chair Semester I, and deputy Chair Semester II May 2010-present
- Facilitator of: (i) Health & Safety in the Laboratory and (ii) Management of Laboratory Supplies and Inventory Control, for the UWI St. Augustine Campus Workshop on Laboratory Management for Technicians 2011, and 2012
- Student-Staff Liaison Committee member 2011-present
- Academic advisor for undergraduate students 2006-present
- Interview panellist Mock Interviews for UWI St. Augustine World of Work 2005 and 2022
- Academic advisor UWI Open Days
Public Service
- Member of the Organizing Committee for the 1st in-person Commonwealth Chemistry Congress May 23 – 25, 2023, responsible for safety, risk assessment, ground transport, poster session and Caroni Bird Sanctuary sightseeing trip
- Assisted the University of Guyana with the development of general safety policies, as well as laboratory safety policies and protocols for the management of hazardous materials (June 2016-2018)
- Organized and facilitated annual two-hour laboratory interactive demonstrations for sixth form students covering the CAPE topic Analytical Methods and Separation Techniques from Jan 2015-present
- Tutor for the three-week workshop on Analytical Methods and Separation Techniques Unit 2 Module 2 for Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) Secondary School Teachers, July-August 2007, 2008 and 2009
- A’ Level Chemistry Practical Examinations Supervisor 2005-2007
Professional Memberships
- American Chemical Society
- Association of Laboratory Managers
Courses Taught
- CHEM 1062 Basic Chemistry for Life Sciences
- CHEM 1070 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
- CHEM 2672 Core Chemistry Laboratory I
- CHEM 2673 Core Chemistry Laboratory II
- CHEM 3670 Research Project for Chemistry Majors
Research Projects
- Extraction, isolation, characterization and bioactivity analysis of secondary metabolites from Annona species
- In vitro investigation of the efficacy of various amino acids as anti-glycating agents
Graduate Students
- Famida Ali
- Sajidah Ali
- Kashif Joseph
Grants
- Campus Research and Publication Fund TT $32,000 Bioactive Compounds from Microorganisms Active against MRSA and other Microbes 2011
