Staff Profile: Dirgha Raj Joshi

Biography

Dirgha Raj Joshi is a visiting postdoctoral fellow in the Early Translation Branch within NCATS’ Division of Preclinical Innovation, where he is a member of the Antiviral Program for Pandemics chemistry team. Prior to joining NCATS in September 2022, Joshi earned his doctorate with a dissertation focused on the Expansion Of Indolizine Chemical Space: Synthesis of Poly-Functionalized Indolizines for Biological Evaluation. During his doctoral research, he discovered four different synthetic methodologies by which diversely functionalized indolizines can be constructed.

Joshi earned his Bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences from Pokhara University (Nepal), his Master’s degree in medicinal chemistry from Wonkwang University (South Korea), and his doctoral degree in medicinal chemistry from the Yonsei University College of Pharmacy (South Korea) under the supervision of Ikyon Kim, Ph.D.

Research Topics

Joshi’s research focuses on small molecules for use in treating SARS-CoV-2 and Bunyavirales.

Selected Publications

1. Regioselective Synthesis of 1‐Cyano‐3‐Arylindolizines: Construction of Pyrroles via DDQ‐Mediated Ring Closure of Cyclopropyl Pyridines
2. Synthesis of Poly-Functionalized Indolizines via [5+1] Annulative Access to Pyridines
3. Michael-Aldol Double Elimination Cascade to Make Pyridines: Use of Chromone for the Synthesis of Indolizines
4. Domino [4 + 2] Annulation Access to Quinone-Indolizine Hybrids: Anticancer N-Fused Polycycles
5. Generation of a Poly-Functionalized Indolizine Scaffold and Its Anticancer Activity in Pancreatic Cancer Cells