Research

The Laboratory for Translational Nanotechnology Research (LTNR) is organized into four major research pillars.

Pillar 1: Nanoparticle-Enabled Viral Inhibition (VA funded)

Developing nanoparticle-enabled antiviral platforms designed to block viral infection and modulate immune responses.

  • Creation of intranasal siRNA-loaded nanoparticles that inhibit respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.
  • Expansion of nanocarriers to deliver RNA-based therapeutics to antiviral peptides.

Funding: Department of Veterans Affairs.

Pillar 2: Neuroinflammation & Regenerative Nanotherapy

Investigating the molecular and inflammatory mechanisms underlying traumatic brain injury (TBI) and developing regenerative nanotherapies.

  • Deciphering the spleen–brain chemokine axis using rodent models.
  • Anti-inflammatory nose-to-brain delivery methods.

Funding: Department of Veterans Affairs (Merit Awards).

Pillar 3: Precision Oncology & Tumor Targeting

Developing technology platforms for innovative anti-cancer drug discovery and personalized cancer treatment.

  • Targeted nanomedicines for lung cancer and ovarian cancers.
  • Biopsy-derived tumoroid platform for personalizing treatment.

Pillar 4: Translational Nanobioengineering

Focusing on nanomedicine, tissue engineering and cell technologies to develop diagnostic products.

  • Targeted nanomedicines for lupus nephritis (collaborative multi-PI project).
  • Lipid-based carriers, cubosomes, dendrimers and inorganic nanoparticles for neuroprotection.
Scientific illustration of nanoparticles interacting with viruses, brain neurons, cancer cells, and tissue engineering, used for research pillars
 

Human breast cancer cells

Support

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  • Member, Canadian Society of Immunology: 1988-95
  • Member, Canadian Society of Allergy and Immunology: 1990-95
  • Member, European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology: 1990-95
  • Member, Pharmacia Allergy Research Foundation, Uppsala, Swede: 1992-
  • Member, American Association of Immunologists: 1992-
  • Member, American Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: 1993- 
  • Elected as Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Clinica Immunology: 1998-                                                                                                 
  • Elected as Honorary Member of the Mexican Society of Allergy and Immunology: 1998-
  • Member, American Thoracic Society: 1999-
  • Member of USF Academy of Inventors: 2009-
  • Member of the National Academy of Inventors: 2010-
  • Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): 2011-
  • Charter Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI): 2012-
  • Elected Fellow of American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (FAIMBE) 2014-
  • Elected Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science (FAAAS): 2016-
  • Member of the Florida Academy of Science: 2020-
  • Elected as Fellow of Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (FASEMFL): 2021-