Currently the most used types of drug delivery including IV and pills are inefficient, spending the majority of the time delivering the drug at concentrations too high and too low. Therefore, to improve this I am researching controlled drug release, delivering the drug at a steady, desired concentration. Specifically, I am focusing on hydrogel composites which create pore-like structures to hold the drug. The benefit of using hydrogels is that their mechanical properties can be easily manipulated. This shows high potential to easily create patient-specific hydrogels to deliver the drug of choice. This research is essential because currently drugs aren’t being used at their maximum potential, a better delivery system will result in a better health care system.
Publications
- Compressive failure of hydrogel spheres, Journal of Materials Research (2020) https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2020.114