Chief Science Officer
Simulations Plus, Inc.
Viera Lukacova, Ph.D., FAAPS, is the Chief Science Officer at Simulations Plus, Inc. She received a M.S. degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from Slovak University of Technology (Bratislava, Slovakia) and a Ph.D. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from North Dakota State University where she also completed her post-doctoral fellowship. Since joining Simulations Plus in 2005, she has been contributing to the research and development of GastroPlus®, DDDPlus™, and MembranePlus™ software packages. As a main contributor and principal investigator (PI) on five industry-funded endeavors, she has continuously advanced PBPK modeling methodologies, drug-drug interaction predictions, and oral absorption studies. Additionally, she has served in advisory and co-investigator roles for four other industry-funded projects, playing an important part in the development of models for simulating drug absorption and disposition through various administration routes. Dr. Lukacova's expertise extends beyond industry collaborations. She has contributed, in an advisory or co-investigator role, to FDA-funded projects focused on assessment of ocular and dermal drug product quality and bioequivalence through advanced PBPK simulation. Furthermore, she has led two FDA-funded projects as a PI/co-PI, focused on the development of PBPK simulations and mechanistic IVIVC methodologies for long-acting injectable microspheres which will be further expanded and enhanced as part of this project. Dr. Lukacova actively participates in scientific meetings where she presented or coauthored over 80 posters and delivered over 30 invited talks. With over 60 peer-reviewed publications, two book chapters, and extensive manuscript review experience, she continues to make significant contributions to the field of PBPK modeling and drug development.