• Our laboratory addresses a wide range of topics in drug delivery, developing whatever approach seems most apposite. This has included polymeric and other microparticles and nanoparticles, liposomes, hydrogels, targeted particles, macroscopic devices, and combinations of the above. Some particular areas of interest include:

  • Prolonged duration local anesthesia +


    This is the longest-running area of research in our laboratory. We have designed and developed a range of formulations to produce prolonged nerve block, including drugs in free solution, or associated with chemical permeation enhancers, micro-and nanoparticles, hydrogels, and others drug delivery systems.
  • Drug-eluting contact lenses +


    We have an ongoing project to develop contact lenses that elute drugs for days to weeks, improving drug delivery and mitigating the problems associated with patient compliance.
  • Triggerable drug delivery +


    We have an active program in developing injectable and/or implantable systems that can be triggered by internal conditions or external power sources.
  • Other areas of interest:
  • Sensory-selective nerve blockade
  • Intracranial drug delivery
  • Inhalational drug delivery
  • Surgical glues
  • Prosthetic corneas
  • Prevention of peritoneal adhesions
  • Antimicrobial systems
  • Food- and beverage-related technologies
  • Biocompatibility and tissue integration

The unifying theme in our research is drug delivery and biomaterials. In this multidisciplinary field, the specific application is less important than the development of an approach or set of approaches. The skilled practitioner applies engineering principles, biology, and knowledge of biomaterials to achieve a given goal. While addressing specific disease states is important, the thrust of research is to create methods by which drugs can be delivered to a range of sites in a variety of circumstances, or by which materials can be developed or adapted for biomedical uses.