PHAROS Research Group

Precision Health, Adaptation and Research for Optimised Systems

Connecting precision diagnostics, pharmaceutical innovation, and medicines optimisation to support healthcare systems that are more responsive, evidence-based, and patient-centred.

Explore Research Get in Touch

About

About PHAROS Research Group

PHAROS Research Group is an academic research group led by Dr Aaron J. Courtenay, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy at Ulster University and Academic Lead for Research in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The group brings together researchers working across precision diagnostics, pharmaceutical technologies, clinical pharmacy, and medicines optimisation. Its work reflects a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare research, connecting laboratory-based innovation, pharmacy practice, and real-world clinical systems.

PHAROS is closely aligned with the Centre for International Health Innovation & Partnerships (CIHIP), co-founded by Dr Courtenay. Together, the two initiatives span the pathway from scientific discovery and translational research (PHAROS) to implementation, international partnerships and health-system impact (CIHIP).

Our Mission

Guiding innovation in adaptive health systems

Our mission is to connect healthcare innovation with the clinical systems needed to use it effectively.

PHAROS focuses on research that can support earlier diagnosis, better therapeutic decision-making, safer medicines use, and more effective healthcare services. By bringing together diagnostics, pharmaceutical technologies, clinical pharmacy, and implementation-focused research, the group aims to help scientific and clinical advances move towards practical patient benefit.

Research

Research Themes

PHAROS Research Group is organised around three complementary research themes. These themes connect diagnostic discovery, pharmaceutical innovation, and the safe and effective use of medicines in clinical practice.

Abstract precision diagnostics and biomarker technologies

Theme 01

Precision Diagnostics & Biomarker Technologies

This theme focuses on biomarker-based diagnostics and precision-health technologies that support earlier diagnosis, disease monitoring, and personalised clinical decision-making.

Research includes oral diagnostics, epigenetic biomarkers, pharmacogenomics, minimally invasive sampling technologies, and the wider Epifluidix™ programme.

Platform example

Epifluidix™ is a translational diagnostics platform focused on minimally invasive polymeric devices for biofluid sampling and biomarker capture.

Aligned researchers: Rosalina Intan Saputri and Dr Adelaide Mensah

Abstract pharmaceutical technologies and biomaterials

Theme 02

Advanced Pharmaceutical Technologies

This theme focuses on the design and development of pharmaceutical materials, biomaterials, and drug delivery systems for therapeutic, diagnostic, and medical device applications.

Research includes hydrogels, polymer science, antimicrobial materials, conjugated polymer composites, bioactive glass technologies, microneedles, and advanced pharmaceutical formulations.

Platform examples

Work in this theme includes antimicrobial biomaterials, microneedle-based delivery systems, hydrogel-forming technologies, bioactive glass delivery systems, and localised antimicrobial platforms.

Aligned researchers: Sajjad Barzegar, Ana Clara Brito Maria, Dr Delly Ramadon, and Dr Humera Sarwar

Abstract clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation

Theme 03

Clinical Pharmacy & Medicines Optimisation

This theme focuses on improving the safe, effective, and evidence-based use of medicines through clinical pharmacy research, antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacy service development, and medicines optimisation.

Research examines prescribing practices, pharmacist-led interventions, medication safety, clinical pharmacy implementation, and pharmacy services in real-world healthcare settings.

Platform examples

Work in this theme includes antimicrobial prescribing optimisation, clinical pharmacy service evaluation, pharmacist-led interventions, and research supporting safer models of pharmacy care.

Aligned researchers: Petra Clark and Sonja Guntschnig

Outputs

Selected Publications

Selected recent publications and outputs from Dr Aaron J. Courtenay and collaborators.

2026

From information to experience: Using design thinking to support pharmacy students preparing for multiple mini interviews.

Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning

2026

A Pharmacogenomic Resource to Support the Competency Framework for all Prescribers.

Royal Pharmaceutical Society

2026

Medication reconciliation in clinical practice: a survey of knowledge, attitude, and practices among Egyptian healthcare providers.

BMC Medical Education

2026

Pharmacy education, practice, and research in Northern Ireland: current status and future directions.

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice

2026

Teaching for turbulence: global evidence on pharmacists’ crisis contributions and implications for education.

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice

2026

Towards sustainable pharmacy practice: Community pharmacists’ experiences with medicine waste, reuse and disposal.

PLoS One

Google Scholar ORCID Ulster Pure Profile

Research Team

People behind PHAROS

PHAROS Research Group brings together postgraduate researchers, visiting researchers, alumni, and student contributors working across various disciplines.

Principal Investigator

Dr Aaron J. Courtenay

Principal Investigator, PHAROS Research Group
Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy, Ulster University

Dr Aaron J. Courtenay is Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy at Ulster University, Academic Lead for Research in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Co-Director of the Centre for International Health Innovation & Partnerships.

His research spans clinical pharmacy, translational diagnostics, precision medicine, implementation science, medicines optimisation, antimicrobial stewardship, pharmacogenomics, and adaptive healthcare systems.

Ulster Profile Google Scholar ORCID LinkedIn ResearchGate

Doctoral Researchers

Mr Sajjad Barzegar

PhD Researcher

Mr Sajjad Barzegar

PhD Researcher, Ulster University

Sajjad’s research focuses on conjugated polymer composites and antimicrobial biomaterials for the prevention of implant- and device-related infections.

Pure Scholar LinkedIn

Miss Petra Clark

PhD Researcher

Miss Petra Clark

PhD Researcher, Ulster University

Petra’s research focuses on clinical pharmacy practice, antimicrobial prescribing optimisation, antimicrobial stewardship, and improved patient outcomes.

ResearchGate

Mrs Rosalina Intan Saputri

PhD Researcher

Mrs Rosalina Intan Saputri

PhD Researcher, Ulster University

Rosalina’s research focuses on oral biomarker sampling and minimally invasive diagnostic technologies for oral cancer detection.

Pure Scholar ORCID LinkedIn

Miss Sonja Guntschnig

Part-time PhD Researcher

Miss Sonja Guntschnig

Part-time PhD Researcher, Ulster University

Sonja is a clinical pharmacist whose research focuses on implementation and evaluation of clinical pharmacy services in rural hospital settings.

ORCID LinkedIn ResearchGate

Mrs Ana Clara Brito Maria

Exchange PhD Researcher

Mrs Ana Clara Brito Maria

Exchange PhD Researcher

Ana Clara’s research focuses on microneedle patches containing natural bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential.

Scholar ORCID ResearchGate

Master's Researchers

PHAROS also supports research activity through Advanced Pharmacy Practice Master’s and MPharm projects that have contributed to clinically relevant publications and conference outputs.

Claire Young

Master’s Research Contributor

Claire Young

Advanced Pharmacy Practice Master’s Research Contributor

Claire is a practising pharmacist whose published work has examined cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care settings.

PubMed

Áine Gillespie

MPharm Research Contributor

Áine Gillespie

MPharm Research Contributor

Áine contributed to research linked to pharmacogenomics and prescribing in Northern Ireland, presented through the European Society for Clinical Pharmacy.

Conference Output

Alumni

Dr Adelaide Mensah

PhD Alumna

Dr Adelaide Mensah

PhD Alumna, Ulster University / Epifluidix™

Adelaide’s doctoral research focused on polymeric systems for minimally invasive sampling of epigenetic and biomarker profiles from oral and chronic wound biofluids.

Scholar ORCID LinkedIn ResearchGate

Dr Delly Ramadon

PhD Alumnus

Dr Delly Ramadon

PhD Alumnus, Queen’s University Belfast / Universitas Indonesia

Delly’s research focuses on pharmaceutical technology, transdermal and intradermal delivery systems, dissolving microneedles, and hydrogel-forming microarray patches.

Scholar University Profile ResearchGate

Dr Humera Sarwar

PhD Alumna

Dr Humera Sarwar

PhD Alumna, Ulster University / University of Lincoln

Humera’s research focuses on antimicrobial delivery systems, bioactive glass technologies, chitosan-based systems, localised antimicrobial therapy, and formulation.

University Profile Scholar LinkedIn ResearchGate

Join Us

Work with PHAROS Research Group

PHAROS Research Group welcomes enquiries from prospective PhD researchers, visiting researchers, clinical and academic collaborators, and organisations interested in research with real-world healthcare impact.

We are particularly interested in projects aligned with our three research themes: precision diagnostics and biomarker technologies, advanced pharmaceutical technologies, and clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation.

Get in Touch

Prospective PhD Researchers

For applicants interested in diagnostics, biomaterials, drug delivery, pharmacogenomics, antimicrobial stewardship, clinical pharmacy, or medicines optimisation.

Visiting Researchers and Students

For researchers or students seeking short-term exchange, collaborative training, or project-based research opportunities.

Collaborators and Partners

For academic, clinical, industry, and healthcare partners interested in translational research, grant applications, clinical evaluation, or innovation-focused projects.

Contact

Contact PHAROS Research Group

For enquiries about PHAROS Research Group, postgraduate research, collaboration, or research opportunities, please contact Dr Aaron J. Courtenay.

Ulster Profile Google Scholar ORCID LinkedIn

Dr Aaron J. Courtenay

Principal Investigator, PHAROS Research Group
Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Ulster University, Coleraine Campus

Email a.courtenay@ulster.ac.uk
Telephone +44 28 7012 3403
Office
Room Y144, Coleraine Campus
Address
Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA, United Kingdom