Education

2004-Present:
PhD Princeton University.
Undergrad:
BS, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Contact

Lab location: A 404 E-Quad

Research Interests
The development of polymer based nanoparticles as novel drug delivery vehicles has been extensively studied in recent years. The utility of nanoparticles for delivery of therapeutic agents results from their unique chemical composition, which allows for the incorporation of hydrophobic solutes within the nanoparticle core, potentially imparting reduced cytotoxicity and extending drug circulation in vivo.

My work focuses on the development of novel nanoparticle formulations for simultaneous drug delivery and medical imaging applications. In particular, systems of colloidal nanoparticles based on gold and iron oxide chemistry are designed for biomedical diagnostic assays, including X-ray, magnetic resonance, fluorescence and transmission electron imaging. The simultaneous encapsulation of therapeutics and imaging agents at high loading efficiencies in a single delivery vehicle allows us to monitor the fate of drug loaded nanoparticles in vivo, thus providing an efficient mechanism for testing the therapeutic efficacy of these formulations. Additionally, the nanoparticle preparation process has been expanded to allow for the encapsulation of multiple imaging agents, thereby providing a formulation capable of employment in multi-modal imaging for application in disease diagnostics.

Finally, selective delivery to pathological sites is achieved by functionalizing the surface of these nanoparticles with disease specific targeting ligands. A process for the controlled attachment of targeting ligands, with varying molecular weights (1K-60K) to the surface of nanoparticles has been developed. This form of drug delivery results in improved therapeutic response and allows for concurrent monitoring of drug uptake.