Rahul Deshmukh, PhD

Rahul R. Deshmukh, PhD is an associate professor of pharmacology in the College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Northern Colorado. A pharmacist by training, his work focuses on cancer drug discovery and development, including proteasome inhibition, immuno-oncology combinations, drug repurposing, and the use of natural products and phytochemicals.

Dr. Deshmukh earned his PhD in Pathology from Wayne State University, an MS from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, an MPharm from Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, and a BPharm from Savitribai Phule Pune University.

An experienced educator, he has designed and taught pharmacology curricula across traditional, problem-based (PBL), case-based (CBL), and distance education formats, and has served as an academic coach and mentor for professional students.

His scholarship includes peer-reviewed publications in cancer drug discovery, immunotherapies, proteasome biology, and drug delivery. He has also contributed as a reviewer and editorial board member for several scientific journals and grant programs.

At UNC, Dr. Deshmukh is building collaborative research in cancer pharmacology and advancing innovation in medical education, including the integration of AI, while promoting team-based and patient-centered learning for future osteopathic physicians.

Bachelor of Pharmacy | Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, India

Master of Pharmacy | Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune, India

Master of Science | University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD

PhD | Wayne State University, Department of Pathology, Detroit, MI

Drug Design and Discovery for Cancer

Combination Therapy for Cancer

Proteasome inhibitors for Solid Tumors

Immunotherapy for Cancer

Drug Repurposing

Natural Products and Phytochemicals

AI in Medical Education

USF I-Corps Fellow (2020) – National Science Foundation, Alexandria, VA