Sometimes the sickest patients go to the hospital only to get sicker. When a patient needs a catheter—medical devices that go inside the patient’s body—there’s a chance of developing an infection. My team and I are working on a solution. We are developing coatings for medical devices that can repel bacteria and prevent unwanted blood clotting.
To do this, we’re borrowing a strategy from the human body that naturally prevents clotting and fights infection with nitric oxide, a gaseous molecule. Our lab is developing device surfaces that release that chemical.
I believe it’s only a matter of time before we can turn this strategy into a product to help patients and prevent infections.
The University of Georgia has played a pivotal role in making that happen. Before I came to UGA, I had a background in surface science, polymer engineering, biomedicine, animal models, and good old-fashioned entrepreneurship.
When I came to Athens, I connected these dots.
With the help of the UGA Innovation Gateway, I’ve launched two startup companies. The university has invested in my career by providing mentoring and other resources.
In addition to my work with device coatings, I’m also collaborating with the U.S. Army on developing a wound dressing for faster healing and infection prevention on the battlefield, and working with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority on the Healing Lungs program to address the gap in acute respiratory distress syndrome.
When it comes down to it, we can solve all sorts of problems with innovative thinking, curiosity, and the drive to see it through. And I’m proud to have found a home for that kind of spirit at the University of Georgia.
