Personal profile
Biography
Dr. Wei Lei is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Campbell University. He earned his Ph.D. in Nutritional Immunology from the University of Missouri and completed postdoctoral training in Pharmacology at the University of Arizona. Prior to joining Campbell University, Dr. Lei served as a faculty member in the pharmacy programs at Manchester University and Presbyterian College.
Dr. Lei’s research focuses on discovering innovative strategies to improve pain management. His laboratory utilizes animal pain models to:
- Investigate the modulatory effects of novel compounds targeting activator of heat shock protein 90 ATPase 1 (Aha1), Nrf2, and glutaminase on opioid and pain signaling pathways.
- Identify safe, non-opioid analgesics derived from botanicals – such as Arnica – for the treatment of acute and chronic pain.
Education/Academic qualification
Ph.D., University of Missouri, Columbia
Award Date: Jan 1 2015
M.S., University of Arkansas
Award Date: Jan 1 2010
M.S., Hunan Agricultural University
Award Date: Jan 1 2006
BS VM
Award Date: Jan 1 2003
Research Interests
- Molecular Pharmacology; Chronic pain drug discovery; Nutritional immunology; Nature compounds; Chronic inflammatory diseases
Disciplines
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
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Aha1 Inhibition Enhances Morphine Analgesia in Post-operative Pain Model
Jahan, I., Manago, N., Romero, S., Blagg, B. S. & Lei, W., 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
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Arnica ethanolic extract relieves post-operative pain
Manago, N., Turner, R., Holmes, D., Irvine, M. M., Dunn, B. P., Romero, S., Price, T., Prisinzano, T., Shaaban, K. A. & Lei, W., Apr 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
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Compounds with dual glutaminase inhibition and Nrf2 activation activities enhance morphine analgesia and reduce pain sensitization in a chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy mouse model
Foster, B. K., Kliebe, V., Elnaham, H. F., Thompson, M. K., Patton, J. S., Brown, S. C., Chen, X., Liu, T. & Lei, W., 2025, In: Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 392, 6Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Treatment of C968 and CU1015 Prevents Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Mice
Patton, J. S., Brown, S., Sagna, S., Chen, X., Liu, T. & Lei, W., Apr 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
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Anti-inflammatory activities of novel heat shock protein 90 isoform selective inhibitors in BV-2 microglial cells
Smith, A., Kliebe, V., Hanna, C., McCall, R., Irvine, M. M., Blagg, B. & Lei, W., 2024, In: Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences. 11, 1405339.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Prizes
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Faculty Scholar of the Year Award
Lei, W. (Recipient), 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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PURPOSE Travel Award, The NIH Coordinating Center for National Pain Scientists
Lei, W. (Recipient), 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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PURPOSE Travel Award, The NIH Coordinating Center for National Pain Scientists
Lei, W. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Faculty Making a Difference Award, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
Lei, W. (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Faculty Researcher of Year Award, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy
Lei, W. (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)