Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Core Competencies
Certification
Achievements
Projects
Industry / Clinical Research Training
Medical Education Training
Social Work
Interests
References
Timeline
Generic
Dr. Varun Santhosh

Dr. Varun Santhosh

Pharmacologist
Bengaluru

Summary

Highly motivated medical professional with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in Pharmacology and a strong aptitude for clinical research and patient-centric drug development. Possessing a deep understanding of pharmacological principles, therapeutic interventions, and drug lifecycle management, I aim to leverage my expertise to drive evidence-based medical strategies within the pharmaceutical industry.

Trained in analyzing and translating clinical data to support product development and medical communication. Passionate about advancing innovative, patient-focused therapies while maintaining the highest ethical and scientific standards.

Eager to contribute my medical expertise, analytical acumen, and dedication to improving patient outcomes in the role of a pharmaceutical physician.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience
20
20
years of post-secondary education
9
9
Certifications
5
5
Languages

Work History

Junior Resident

St. John's Medical College
Bengaluru
02.2022 - Current
  • Clinical research projects
  • Pharmacovigilance services
  • Drug information services
  • Therapeutic Drug Monitoring services (Tacrolimus, Cyclosporine, Mycophenolate mofetil).
  • Presentations - seminars, journal clubs, statistics modules and clinical cases
  • Substance abuse testing services
  • Clinical and Pharmaceutical industry Postings
  • Postgraduate academics – In-charge
  • Training of Undergraduate medical, nursing, physiotherapy, and allied health sciences students.
  • District residency and Community outreach programs
  • Organizing departmental activities, events, meetings, and conferences.

Education

Doctor of Medicine (MD) - Pharmacology

St. John's Medical College
Bengaluru, India
02.2022 - 02.2025

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) -

KVG Medical College
Sullia, India
08.2013 - 06.2018

High School Diploma -

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB)
Kozhikode, India
01.2000 - 03.2012

Skills

  • Clinical Research: Protocol designing, ethical approval process, patient recruitment, statistical analysis and interpretation

  • Data management: Exposed to RAYYAN software – Performing Systematic review and Meta analysis

  • Tools: Epi-Info, SPSS, RAYYAN, Zotero, MS Word, Excel, Power-point

  • Medical Literature search, literature review and journal critical appraisal

  • Budgeting: Trained in preparing budget proposals for clinical trials

  • Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Creation of Drug Resource documents, Principles of sampling and reporting

  • ADR monitoring as a part of PvPI: Uploading in Vigiflow database, preparing aggregate reports, serious ADR reporting

  • Strong presentation skills and high quality content development expertise

Core Competencies

  • Scientific Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Clinical Research
  • Presentation skills
  • Scientific Communication
  • Team Collaboration
  • Regulatory Knowledge
  • Medical Education
  • Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management

Certification

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification by NIDA Clinical Trial Network, NIH.

Achievements

  • 1st place, PG poster presentation at Karnataka Society of Medical Pharmacologists State conference (KSMPCON-2023) held at Siddaganga Medical College and Research Institute, Tumkur.
  • Paper and poster presentations at State and National level conferences (GOACON-2023, ATCON-2024).
  • RGUHS postgraduate examination.
  • Previous leadership roles:
  • Cultural Secretary, KVG Medical College Sullia (2017 – 2018) - Organized and conducted major cultural events.
  • House captain, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Calicut (2008 - 2009 & 2010 - 2011).
  • Represented school and won prizes at District & State level Music competitions.

Projects

1. “District Residency Programme – Experience of a pharmacology resident” (2024) - Role – 1st author, Co - author: Dr Atiya R Faruqui. Status: Accepted for publication (The National Medical Journal of India – AIIMS, New Delhi).


2. Sleep hygiene practices in elderly patients taking medications for insomnia in a tertiary care hospital (2022 - 2024). Role – Principal Investigator, Status: Submitted for publication.


3. Methotrexate toxicity – Profile and outcomes – A systematic Review and Meta analysis (2023 – 2025). Role – Co-Investigator, PI: Dr. Sowmya Kaimal, Dr. Ramya Janardana. Status: Analysis stage.


4. Pharmacotherapy and adverse effects of medications used for insomnia in elderly patients in a tertiary care hospital- a prospective observational study (2022 - 2024). Role – Principal Investigator, Co - PI: Dr Atiya R Faruqui, Dr. Priya Sreedaran. Status: Manuscript writing.

Industry / Clinical Research Training

  • Posting in Biocon Biologics, Bangalore: Basic knowledge on functioning of major departments in Industry including medical and regulatory affairs, Clinical operations and Pharmacovigilance, visited the manufacturing site of biosimilars in Electronic City.


  • Posting in Norwich Clinical Services, Bangalore: Basic knowledge on conducting BA/BE studies, functioning of a Clinical Pharmacological Unit, studies conducted on healthy volunteers, functioning of LC-MS machine and TDM.


  • Posting in Department of Clinical Research & Training, St. John’s Research Institute – Basic knowledge on the composition and functioning of an ARO.

Medical Education Training

  • Experienced in taking lectures in Pharmacology, Basics of research, Pharmacovigilance for MBBS students (under CBME curriculum).
  • Conducting seminars, quiz, integrated classes, team-based learning sessions for undergraduates.
  • Training Allied health sciences students in pharmacology, nursing staff and pharmacists on ADR monitoring and reporting.
  • Lectures for non-medical graduates on basics of Pharmacotherapeutics at St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore.
  • Completed Medical Education Training certification from St. John's Medical College, Bangalore.

Social Work

  • Counselling patients on medication adherence and drug administration at St. John’s Rural health centre, Mugalur (St. John’s Community outreach program).
  • Providing Primary Health Care to elderly patients at St. John’s Rural Geriatric Health Centre, Kugur (St. John’s Community outreach program).
  • Anti-tobacco campaign in Government primary school, Devarachikkanahalli (District Residency Program).

Interests

Travelling, fitness, music and percussion instruments, dance and other performance arts

References

1. Dr. Atiya R Faruqui, Professor, Dept of Pharmacology, St. John's Medical College. Email: atiya.rf@stjohns.in. Phone: 9980018022

2. Dr. Deepak Kamath, Associate Professor, Dept of Pharmacology, St. John's Medical College. Email: kamath.deepak@stjohns.in. Phone: 9945519522

3. Dr. Sowmya Kaimal, Associate Professor, Dept of Dermatology, St. John's Medical College. Email: sowmyakaimal@stjohns.in.  Phone: 9886023594.

Timeline

Junior Resident

St. John's Medical College
02.2022 - Current

Doctor of Medicine (MD) - Pharmacology

St. John's Medical College
02.2022 - 02.2025

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) -

KVG Medical College
08.2013 - 06.2018

High School Diploma -

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB)
01.2000 - 03.2012

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification by NIDA Clinical Trial Network, NIH.

Health Research Methodology and Evidence based medicine – One-week international course conducted by St. John's Medical college and Mc Master university Canada. Training in the basics of clinical trials, protocol writing, budgeting, trial ethics, biostatistics.

Advanced course in Randomized Controlled Trials - held by St. John's Medical College and Mc Master University Canada - Advanced designs in RCTs, conduct of large multicenter RCTs, grant writing.

PHARMATECH workshop - KEM, Mumbai - Experimental pharmacology, Drug Development and therapeutics.

National workshop on Competency Based Medical Education in Pharmacology – Conducted by National Association of Pharmacology & Therapeutics (NAPT).

Postgraduate Medical Education Technologies (PGMET) Workshop – By Department of Medical Education, St. John’s Medical College.

Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (BLS & ACLS) certification.

Certification for Clinical management of COVID-19 patients – By WHO

Basic Course in biomedical research by ICMR.

Dr. Varun SanthoshPharmacologist