Achievement

Nydeia Wright, an IGRET trainee was awarded PhD in Materials Science and Engineering May 2011. Her dissertation titled Synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles for drugdelivery applications. The primary goal of this project is to produce iron oxide nanoparticles that function as the magnetic carrier for drug delivery systems. In addition to specific morphological and magnetic requirements, it is necessary that materials for in vivo applications be thoroughly characterized to verify biocompatibility. Successful synthesis of magnetic particles for drug delivery includes, size restrictions to 5-100nm, superparamagnetism, and minimal toxicity. The as-synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles are co-encapsulated with a drug (Paclitaxel) in PLGA microspheres using traditional oil-in-water emulsions. These results show that as synthesized particles are Fe3O4, ~5-20nm, superparamagnetic, biocompatible, and can be encapsulated with cancer drugs for therapy