National Center for Natural Products Research

WHAT WE DO

The National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) is at the forefront of harnessing the power of nature, ensuring quality, safety, and driving innovation in natural product research and development.

Email:
ncnpr@olemiss.edu
Office Location:
Thad Cochran Research Center, University, MS 38677
Phone:
662-915-1005

Research

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National Center for Natural Products Research

Leading innovation in natural products research

At NCNPR, our dedicated team of multidisciplinary experts is committed to advancing the science of natural products, delivering impactful solutions for human health, agrochemical development, and responsible insect management.

Our Team

One of a kind research center

Founded in 1995 at the University of Mississippi, NCNPR is the nation's premier university-affiliated research center dedicated to natural product innovation.

We collaborate with regulatory agencies, academia, and industry partners to conduct comprehensive natural products research, encompassing taxonomy, plant physiology, pharmacognosy, analytical chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity.

About Us

Setting the standard

Our work, ranging from developing immune-boosting dietary supplements to identifying harmful ingredients in commercial products, aims to create innovative solutions for human health, ensure the safety of natural products, and contribute to sustainable agriculture.

As an FDA Center of Excellence, we have participated in training hundreds of FDA field inspectors, setting the standard for natural product analysis and regulatory compliance. Our partnerships with the USDA and FDA are instrumental in promoting responsible quality control and authentication of natural products.

Our Partnerships

Legacy of excellence

We are committed to serving as the leading research and education hub for advancing the scientific understanding and therapeutic potential of natural products through cutting-edge research, collaboration, training, and product development.

Research + Impact

Advancing the science of natural products

At NCNPR, we have been setting the stage for decades to ensure the safety and effectiveness of natural products through groundbreaking research and rigorous standards. Our efforts have shaped the future of natural products in significant ways, from the establishment of industry-leading safety protocols to the development of life-changing natural products.

We've been busy over the last 30 years.

- Pioneering research in sustainable agriculture
- Developing life-changing natural products
- Expert training as an FDA Center of Excellence
- Building comprehensive safety and quality control standards
- Innovative research in natural product pharmacology
- Cultivation of over 15,000 plant species
- Setting the benchmark for natural product analysis
- Training future generations of scientists

Recent findings from NCNPR

The National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) at 30: A Legacy of Pioneering Research in Natural Products and Dietary Supplements

Over the past three decades, NCNPR has made significant strides in the field of natural products research. Learn more about our history, legacy, and the impact of our work through this publication.

Label Accuracy and Quality of Select Weight-Loss Dietary Supplements Sold on or near US Military Bases

This study investigated the safety and labeling accuracy of weight-loss dietary supplements sold at or near U.S. military bases. The scientists found that 36% of the products contained hidden ingredients not listed on the labels, highlighting the need for improved quality control.

A Moisture Differential Technique for Extraction and Maintenance of Imported Fire Ant Colonies under Laboratory Conditions

A recent study introduced a moisture differential technique for extracting and maintaining Imported Fire Ant (IFA) colonies in laboratory conditions. By using a moisture gradient in test tubes, this method improved colony mass recovery by 52% compared to traditional methods and supported better survival rates, making it ideal for behavioral bioassays and long-term colony maintenance.

World-class facilities

Unparalleled resources

At NCNPR, we are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge instruments that enable groundbreaking research in natural products. From NMR spectrometers and mass spectrometers to specialized laboratories for plant cultivation and clinical trials, our facilities support every stage of product development and research.

More About Our Facilities

Meet the Department

NCNPR Directory

Ikhlas Khan

Director, the National Center for Natural Products Research; Distinguished Professor;Research Professor of Pharmacognosy; Program Director for Federal Drug Administration Program; and Research Professor and Coordinator for Natural Products Research in the

Amar Chittiboyina

Principal Scientist and Associate Director of the National Center for Natural Products Research and Research Professor in BioMolecular Sciences

Hoda Ahmed

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Nessma Ahmed

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Abbas Ali

Principal Scientist in the National Center for Natural Products Research

Syed Kashif Ali

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Zulfiqar Ali

Principal Scientist

Suresh Annam

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Bharathi Avula

Principal Scientist

Fadime Aydogan

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Premalatha Balachandran

Principal Scientist

Maria Bennett

Principal R&D Chemist

HEESUNG Chae

Research Scientist

Suman Chandra

Principal Scientist/Research Production Manager in NCNPR and Research Professor of BioMolecular Sciences

Robert Cooper

Research Technician

Mohammad Daghestani

Principal Research and Development Chemist

Gray Dale

Research Associate

Olivia Dale

Principal Research & Development Biologist

Amiee Dickerson

Assistant To the Director for Marketing & Business Development

Steve Duke

Research Professor, Temporary

Minh-Dao Duong

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Mahmoud Elsohly

Research Professor in the National Center for Natural Products Research and Professor of Pharmaceutics

Qin Feng

Principal Research & Development Biologist

Rebecca Ford

Research and Development Biologist

Ginson George

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Deborah Gochfeld

Principal Scientist in National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Professor of Environmental Toxicology in Biomolecular Sciences and Adjunct Professor of Biology

Bill Gurley

Principal Scientist in NCNPR and Affiliate Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery

Cathy Gurley

Principal R&D Biologist

Mona Haron

Senior Research Scientist

H M T Herath

Principal Scientist

Islam Husain

Research Scientist

Muhammad Ilias

Research Professor in the National Center for Natural Products Research

Lal Parana Jayaratna

Principal R&D Botanist

Kumar Katragunta

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Shabana Khan

Principal Scientist in the National Center for Natural Products Research and Research Professor in Pharmacognosy

Amanda Klenke

R & D Botanist

Pankul Kotwal

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Josimar Kulkamp

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Hemant Lata

Principal Scientist and Research Professor in BioMolecular Sciences

Joseph Lee

Senior R&D Chemist

Xing Li

Principal Scientist in the National Center for Natural Products Research and Research Professor in Pharmacognosy

Chandrani Majumdar

Principal Research and Development Chemist

Jennifer Michael

Staff Assistant

Julie Mikell

Principal Research & Development Chemist

Nisha Mishra

Senior R&D Biologist

Zehedina Nabi

Senior Research Scientist

N Nanayakkara

Research Professor in the National Center for Natural Products Research

Michael Neal

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Ahmed Osman

Principal Scientist

Meirambek Ospanov

R & D Chemist

Pankaj Pandey

Research Scientist

Iffat Parveen

Senior Research Scientist

Maddy Phillips

Research Nurse

Nirmal Pugh

Principal Scientist

Mohamed Radwan

Principal Scientist in NCNPR and Research Professor of BioMolecular Sciences

Junaid Rehman

Senior Research Scientist

Aqeela Sehrish

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Farhan Mahmood Shah

Postdoctoral Research Associate

FNU Kashif Shamim

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Kiran Kumar Tatapudi

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Jennifer Taylor

Project Coordinator

Natascha Techen

Principal Scientist

Alex Vinson

R&D Chemist

Larry Walker

Director Emeritus, National Center for Natural Products Research; Research Professor Emeritus, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Professor Emeritus, Pharmacology; and Associate Director Emeritus for Basic Research University of Mississippi Ca