Prof. Janet Mifsud

Prof. Janet Mifsud

Prof. Janet Mifsud

 B.Pharm.(Hons)(Melit.),B.A.(Hons)(Theol.)(Melit.),Ph.D.(Q.U.B.),FBPhS

Professor

Faculty of Medicine & Surgery
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
University of Malta
Msida
  +356 2340 2582
Prof Janet Mifsud obtained her PhD in UK in 1995 on the pharmacology of chiral antiepileptic drugs. Her research activities in epilepsy are undertaken with colleagues in Mater Dei Hospital, University College London and King's College London, where she has been appointed visiting lecturer. She has published extensively and has been invited to European and World Epilepsy Conferences. She was appointed on the organising and scientific committees of the 2011 International Congress on Epilepsy and European Epilepsy and Society Conference, 2010 and European Pharmacology Congress, EPHAR, 2012. She has also organised various conferences in Malta such as an International School in Pharmacokinetics in conjunction with the University of Minnesota and the University of Pisa and various national epilepsy conferences.

She co-ordinates pharmacology study units offered at the University of Malta for Faculties of Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences; Science; Education; and Dental Surgery. She also co-ordinates an MSc (Pharmacology/Clinical Pharmacology) and a Pharmacotoxicology Course, both of which have been approved under the Get Qualified Scheme of Malta Enterprise.

Prof Mifsud was Secretary General for the European Epilepsy Academy and also Vice-President for the International Bureau for Epilepsy; and she is presently member, Joint Task Force, European Epilepsy Research and Advocacy. She is an advisor, Caritas Malta Epilepsy Association. She is also involved in several EU and internationally funded projects.

Prof Mifsud was national expert on the scientific Pharmacogenetics Working Group (PGWP) in European Medicines Agency in London. In 2010, she was appointed by the Malta Council for Science and Technology as national contact point for COST, the intergovernmental framework for European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research. Dr Mifsud was appointed the first Commissioner, National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) in 2004 and was for several years a member of the Public Service Commission. She is presently Board Member, Malta Council for Science and Technology and a member of Team Europe, EU Representation in Malta.
  • Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacometrics and Pharmacogenetics
  • Pharmacology of drugs used in chronic neurological disorders specifically anti-epileptic drugs
  • Pharmacotoxicology
  • Abuse and misuse of over the counter drugs and Drug Doping in sports
  • Stigma and inclusion in epilepsy
  • Ethical issues in health care and pharmacology
  • Gender and science

Brinkman, D.J., Tichelaar, J., Mokkink, L.B., Christiaens, T., Likic, R., Maciulaitis, R., Costa, J., Sanz, E.J., Maxwell, S.R. & Richir, M.C. 2017, "Key learning outcomes for clinical pharmacology and therapeutics education in Europe: A modified Delphi study", Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, .

Chneiweiss, H., Hirsch, F., Montoliu, L., Müller, A.,M., Fenet, S., Abecassis, M., Merchant, J., Baertschi, B., Botbol-Baum, M. & Houghton, J.A. 2017, "Fostering responsible research with genome editing technologies: a European perspective", Transgenic research, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 709-713.

Mifsud, J. 2017, "Medicine Adherence in the aging population - the role of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics." in Adherence to Medical plans for Active and healthy Aging, eds. E. Costa, A. Giardini & A. Monaco, 1sr edn, Nova Science Publishers, New York149-164.

Shabbi, H., Soler, D., Grech, G., Saliba, C., Duca, D., Gabnar, I. & Mifsud, J. 2017, "MODELLING COVARIATES WHICH INFLUENCE LAMOTRIGINE PHARMACOKINETICS IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS", WILEY 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA, , pp. S52.

Mifsud, J. & Maliepaard, M. 2015, "Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacogenetics: Bringing the Magic Bullet Closer to Reality" in Preventive and Predictive Genetics: Towards Personalised Medicine Springer, Cham, , pp. 91-107.

Sciberras, J.N., Galloway, S.D.R., Fenech, A., Grech, G., Farrugia, C., Duca, D. & Mifsud, J. 2015, "The effect of turmeric (Curcumin) supplementation on cytokine and inflammatory marker responses following 2 hours of endurance cycling", Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 5.

Arzimanoglou, A., Lagae, L., Cross, J.H., Beghi, E., Mifsud, J., Bennett, C., Schmidt, D., Wait, S. & Harvey, G. 2014, "The administration of rescue medication to children with prolonged acute convulsive seizures in a non-hospital setting: an exploratory survey of healthcare professionals’ perspectives", European journal of pediatrics, vol. 173, no. 6, pp. 773-779.

Bellizzi, M., Cassar, K. & Mifsud, J. 2014, "Pain Management In Lower Limb Major Amputation", Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, vol. 115, pp. 78-79.

Bellizzi, M., Cassar, K. & Mifsud, J. 2014, "Pain Management In Lower Limb Major Amputation", Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, vol. 115, pp. 78-79.

Cardona, P. & Mifsud, J. 2014, "Doping in sport: assessing knowledge among health care professionals", Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, vol. 115, pp. 354.

Cardona, P. & Mifsud, J. 2014, "Doping in sport: assessing knowledge among health care professionals", Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, vol. 115, pp. 354.

Mifsud, J. & Dimech, V. 2014, "Using The Stigma Scale Of Epilepsy (sse) To Assess Effectiveness Of An Epilepsy Inservice Programme For Educators", Epilepsia, vol. 55, pp. 125.

Mifsud, J. & Dimech, V. 2014, "Using The Stigma Scale Of Epilepsy (sse) To Assess Effectiveness Of An Epilepsy Inservice Programme For Educators", Epilepsia, vol. 55, pp. 125.

Vella, T. & Mifsud, J. 2014, "Interactions between valproic acid and quetiapine/olanzapine in the treatment of bipolar disorder and the role of therapeutic drug monitoring", Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. 747-759.

Cross, J.H., Wait, S., Arzimanoglou, A., Beghi, E., Bennett, C., Lagae, L., Mifsud, J., Schmidt, D. & Harvey, G. 2013, "Are we failing to provide adequate rescue medication to children at risk of prolonged convulsive seizures in schools?", Archives of Disease in Childhood, , pp. archdischild-2013.

Mifsud, J., Vella, T. & Ellul-Micallef, R. 2013, "Antipsychotics And Aeds: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring In A Mental Health Care Setting", Epilepsia, vol. 54, pp. 62-63.

Mifsud, J., Vella, T. & Ellul-Micallef, R. 2013, "Antipsychotics And Aeds: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring In A Mental Health Care Setting", Epilepsia, vol. 54, pp. 62-63.

Wait, S., Lagae, L., Arzimanoglou, A., Beghi, E., Bennett, C., Cross, J.H., Mifsud, J., Schmidt, D. & Harvey, G. 2013, "The administration of rescue medication to children with prolonged acute convulsive seizures in the community: what happens in practice?", European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 14-23.

Baulac, M., De Boer, H., Elger, C., Glynn, M., Kälviäinen, R., Little, A., Mifsud, J., Perucca, E. & Pitkänen, A. 2012, "The written declaration on epilepsy: an important achievement for Europe and beyond", Seizure-European Journal of Epilepsy, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 75-76.

Mifsud, J. & Sghendo, L.J. 2012, "A novel chiral GC/MS method for the analysis of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine enantiomers in biological fluids", Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 236.

Mifsud, J. & Sghendo, L.J. 2012, "A novel chiral GC/MS method for the analysis of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine enantiomers in biological fluids", Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 236.

de la Mata Barranco, I., Reynardi, M., Bock , A., Majcen, S., Corral, T., Mifsud, J., Boye, N., Debonneuil, E., Tietz, A. & Gyoerffi, M. 2011, The SESTI project - D6.2 Workshop papers (4/4)- Major trends, challenges and emerging issues in Health, eForesee project.

Maliepaard, M., Ingelman-Sundberg, M., Gil Berglund, E., Salmonson, T., Oselin, K. & Mifsud, J. 2011, Guideline on the use of pharmacogenetic methodologies in the pharmacokinetic evaluation of medicinal products, European Medicines Agency guideline edn, London.

Mifsud, J. 2011, "Facing the Challenges: Malta" in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: continuing the global conversation, eds. D. Chapman, D. Panelli, J. Hanna & T. Jeffs, Epilepsy Australia Ltd, Australia, pp. 123-124.

Mifsud, J. 2010, "Epilepsy in the WHO European Region. Education." in Epilepsy in the WHO European Region. Fostering Epilepsy Care in Europe Sein, Netherlands, pp. 26-27.

Schmucker–von-Koch, J., Charitidis, C., Hirsch, F., Houghton, J., Mifsud, J., Morton, D., O’Sullivan, S., Rath, J. & Sutrop, M. 2010, Lessons Learnt Ethics Review 2010, Report Commissioned by DG Research, European Commission, European Commission, Brussels.

Ellul, R.D., Cordina, M., Buhagiar, A., Fenech, A. & Mifsud, J. 2009, "An analysis of gender differences in self-reported health, use of medicines and access to information sources about medicines among adolescents", International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 591-600.

Mifsud, J., Darmanin, E.R., Cordina, M., Fenech, A. & Buhagiar, A. 2009, "Health Complaints And Use Of Medicines Among Adolescents In Malta", Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, vol. 105, pp. 134.

Mifsud, J., Darmanin, E.R., Cordina, M., Fenech, A. & Buhagiar, A. 2009, "Health Complaints And Use Of Medicines Among Adolescents In Malta", Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, vol. 105, pp. 134.

Darmanin Ellul, R., Cordina, M., Buhagiar, A., Fenech, A. & Mifsud, J. 2008, "Knowledge and sources of information about medicines among adolescents in Malta", Pharmacy Practice (Granada), vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 178-186.

Darmanin Ellul, R., Cordina, M., Buhagiar, A., Fenech, A. & Mifsud, J. 2008, "Knowledge and sources of information about medicines among adolescents in Malta", Pharmacy Practice (Granada), vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 178-186.

Arzimanoglou, A. 2007, "Outcome of status epilepticus in children", Epilepsia, vol. 48, pp. 91-93.

Arzimanoglou, A. 2007, "Outcome of status epilepticus in children", Epilepsia, vol. 48, pp. 91-93.

Mifsud, J., Shabbi, H. & Soler, D. 2006, "Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Of Lamotrigine In A Paediatric Population", Epilepsia, vol. 47, pp. 124-125.

Mifsud, J., Shabbi, H. & Soler, D. 2006, "Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Of Lamotrigine In A Paediatric Population", Epilepsia, vol. 47, pp. 124-125.

Dimech, V., Dimech, M. & Mifsud, J. 2005, "Epilepsy as a Hidden Disability", Epilepsia, vol. 46, pp. 190.

Dimech, V., Dimech, M. & Mifsud, J. 2005, "Epilepsy as a Hidden Disability", Epilepsia, vol. 46, pp. 190.

Mifsud, J., Shabbi, H. & Soler, D. 2005, "Paediatric Pharmacokinetic Modelling for Sparse Lamotrigine Data using Adapt®", Epilepsia, vol. 46, pp. 108.

Mifsud, J., Shabbi, H. & Soler, D. 2005, "Paediatric Pharmacokinetic Modelling for Sparse Lamotrigine Data using Adapt®", Epilepsia, vol. 46, pp. 108.

Millership, J.S., Mifsud, J., Galea, D., McRoberts, W.C. & Hamilton, J. 2005, "Chiral aspects of the human metabolism of ethosuximide", Biopharmaceutics & drug disposition, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 225-232.

Sghendo, L., Mifsud, J., Ellul-Micallef, R., Portelli, J. & Millership, J.S. 2002, "A sensitive gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric method for the resolution and quantification of ethosuximide enantiomers in biological fluids", Journal of Chromatography B, vol. 772, no. 2, pp. 307-315.

Mifsud, J., Collier, P.S. & Millership, J.S. 2001, "The pharmacokinetics of ethosuximide enantiomers in the rat", Biopharmaceutics & drug disposition, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 83-89.

Mifsud, J., Millership, J.S., Collier, P.S., Morrow, R., Hamilton, J. & McRoberts, W.C. 2001, "Quantification of urinary excretion of ethosuximide enantiomers and their major metabolites in the rat", Biopharmaceutics & drug disposition, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 129-136.

Mifsud, J., Miliership, J.S. & Collier, P.S. 1995, "101 A NOVEL PLASMA EXTRACTION PROCEDURE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE ENANTIOMERS OF ETHOSUXIMIDE", Therapeutic drug monitoring, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 408.

Mifsud, J., Miliership, J.S. & Collier, P.S. 1995, "101 A NOVEL PLASMA EXTRACTION PROCEDURE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE ENANTIOMERS OF ETHOSUXIMIDE", Therapeutic drug monitoring, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 408.

  • CHE1012 - Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry related to Care
  • CHE5502 - Drug and Dosage Form Design 1
  • CPH1710 - Pharmacological Principles in Dentistry
  • CPH1800 - Basic Principles of General Pharmacology in Food Science
  • CPH2011 - Pharmacology B
  • CPH2110 - Introduction to Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology
  • CPH2301 - Introduction to Pharmacology for Applied Biomedical Science Students
  • CPH2402 - Pharmacology for Allied Health Care Professionals
  • CPH2404 - Pharmacology for Midwifery Students
  • CPH3010 - Pharmacology C
  • CPH3201 - Pharmacology for Radiographers
  • CPH3500 - Psychopharmacology for Nurses
  • CPH3601 - Introduction to Pharmacology for Chemistry Students
  • CPH4020 - Pharmacology G
  • CPH4500 - Introduction to Pharmacology for Biology and Chemistry Students
  • MDS2009 - Pharmacology
  • MDS3011 - Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1
  • PSY5618 - Psychotherapeutic Approaches: CBT, Ethics and Psychopharmacology
Research work in progress

- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics of antipsychotic drugs
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics of antiepileptic drugs
- OTC drug use and misuse and drug doping in sports
- Stigma and educational inclusion in epilepsy


Involvement in projects and ongoing collaborations

- Chair, Dissemination board and Ethics Board of an 11 million euro EU funded FP7
Project DESIRE Development and Epilepsy Strategies for innovative research to improve
Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment in children with Difficult to Treat Epilepsy (Health-F2-
602531-2013)(2013-2018)
- Workpackage leader Parter, Erasmus+, IT-based international diploma and professional
certificates in clinical toxicology (ITCT) (KA2 561915-EPP-1-2015-1-EG-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP)(2015-
2018)
- Workpackage leader Partner, LLP Erasmus Network, Science for Prevention Academic
Network (SPAN) (2013-2015)
- Partner, Leonardo Da Vinci LLP EU project on disability education (2009-2012)
- Chair, Dissemination board of a 10 million euro EU funded FP6 project EPICURE:
Functional Genomics and Neurobiology of Epilepsy: A Basis for New Therapeutic Strategies
(LSH-037315). (2004-20089)
- $22,000 dollars from UNESCO on learning impairment in epilepsy;
Malta representative on Euroepinomics, ESF project 2011-2016.
- Chair of the dissemination board of a 10 million Euro EU funded FP6 project EPICURE:
Functional Genomics and Neurobiology of Epilepsy: A Basis for New Therapeutic Strategies
(LSH-037315)
- Co-coordinator of an EU funded project looking at Curricular Education for
Professionals Allied to Medicine (PAMs) in Epilepsy 2006-2011.
- Co-ordinator of a UNESCO funded project on Gender Gap in science and technology in
Malta, 2007.
- Co-ordinator of a UNESCO funded project on Learning Impairments and Pharmacological
Interventions In Neurological Disorders, 2005.
- Co-ordinator of an EU Youth Grant - Epilepsy Youth in Europe, 2003

Awards
- Elected Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society, 2017
- Italo Maltese award to La Sapienza University Rome Italy, 2009
- Visiting fellow US Fulbright scholarship to the University of Minnesota, 2007
- Pektur award, Commission for Persons with Disability, 2001
- DAAD grant, Bethel Epilepsy Clinic, Germany, 1999

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