This collaborative research area is focused on bridging basic science and clinical therapeutics leading to the discovery of new drug delivery systems that can be brought to market.
Group Leader
Robert O. (Bill) Williams III, Ph.D.
Faculty Participants: College of Pharmacy
Croyle, Maria A., Ph.D.
Work in Dr. Croyle’s lab focuses on the development of novel methods for rapid immunization against dangerous pathogens like Ebola. Additional projects focus on the long-term physiological effects of virus infection with respect to the immune response and drug metabolism.
Cui, Zhengrong, Ph.D.
Research focuses on rational drug and vaccine delivery including nanoparticles for vaccine and anti-cancer drug delivery, non-invasive immunization onto the skin, and cancer chemo-immunotherapy.
Ghosh, Debadyuti (Rana), Ph.D.
Work in Dr. Ghosh’s lab focuses on biologically-inspired, rational design of biomolecules (i.e. peptides and proteins) and nanoscale materials for therapeutics in cancer and mucosal-associated diseases.
Kuhn, John G., Pharm.D.
Dr. Kuhn’s research is concentrated on deriving information related to the clinical pharmacology of anticancer agents.
Smyth, Hugh D., Ph.D.
Work in Dr. Smyth’s lab focuses on the development of novel methods for drug delivery including inhalation, nasal, transdermal, ophthalmic, and oral delivery systems for a variety of diseases. Translation of these technologies to the clinic is the long-term goal of the lab and is supported by developing a mechanistic understanding of the complex physical and biological systems.
Stavchansky, Salomon A., Ph.D.
The primary mission of Stavchansky’s laboratories is to apply the principles of biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, and drug metabolism to evaluate and design drug delivery systems to ensure the safety and efficacy of drug products.
Zhang, Feng, Ph.D.
Research focuses on designing novel manufacturing processes and formulation compositions to prepare amorphous dispersions of BCS classes II and IV compounds in order to improve these compounds’ pharmacokinetic performance.
Associated Institute
Faculty Participants: College of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Peppas, Nicholas A., Sc.D.
Work in Dr Peppas’ laboratory focuses on the use of intelligent biopolymers for drug and protein delivery under conditions of external physiological triggering mechanisms. In addition, his group is developing novel transmucosal and oral delivery systems for insulin, interferon-beta and calcitonin and is studying the potential of developing novel transmucosal systems for siRNA delivery.