Research
Research Overview
Our research focuses on developing novel sexual and reproductive health interventions, including HIV prevention, management of STIs, maintaining vaginal health, and contraception, among others. Our approaches involve:
- Leverage fundamental biology and innovative engineering toolkits to achieve drug formulations that can overcome biological barriers and deliver drugs in a controllable fashion; and
- Employ Quality by Design (QbD) strategy to develop drug products that are cost-effective, safe, and appeal to potential users.
Research Topics
Biomimetic Nanomedicine
Nanotechnology offers exciting opportunities in drug delivery and immunomodulatory applications for biomedical interventions . We seek to develop and exploit nanoparticles that mimic biological moieties for novel therapeutic and prophylactic applications, including targeted delivery, toxin neutralization, and anti-adherence.
Mucosal Interfacing
Mucosal surfaces provide a natural frontline defense to prevent foreign pathogens from evading through various tissues including nasal cavity, gastrointestinal, rectal, and vaginal tract. The mucosal barriers, however, post a major challenge for efficient drug delivery. We seek to employ biocompatible materials and engineering techniques to develop delivery platforms that allow mucosal adherence of drug carriers and enhance drug permeation through mucosal surface.
Integration of Nano- and Macro-Scale Delivery Systems
A major part of our research focuses involves incorporation of nano/micro scale vehicles with conventional dosage forms to elicit synergistic benefits in enhancing drug loading, retention in diseases tissue, and therapeutic efficacy. Our platform toolkits include nanomaterials, microparticles, fast-dissolving inserts, biodegradable films, gels, and intravaginal rings.
