Nicholas A. Peppas, a highly decorated engineer who is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of France, and The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas, was named chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, Dean Gregory L. Fenves announced.
Peppas, who is a professor of biomedical engineering, chemical engineering and pharmaceutics at the university, becomes chair Sept. 1. He replaces Kenneth Diller, the founding chair of the department.
"As in-coming chair, Nicholas brings an exciting vision for the field, backed by a truly outstanding record of research accomplishments, strong teaching, and dedicated service to the department and the university,” Fenves said. “Nicholas’ national and international recognition will be an asset as BME moves into its next phase."
In more than three decades of research, Peppas has been recognized as the "father of modern drug delivery" and a world authority in biomaterials, artificial organs and controlled drug delivery. In 2008, he received international media attention for his continued development of an insulin capsule to replace painful insulin injections for people with diabetes. The same technology has been used for the transmucosal delivery of calcitonin (for treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women) and interferon-alpha (for cancer therapy). It is under study for interferon-beta release to treat patients with multiple sclerosis.
Other devices he has developed, patented or commercialized include: intraocular lenses for cataract patients; improved materials for cartilage replacement; new materials for artificial heart linings; materials for vocal cord replacement/reconstruction; and biogels for epidermal release of growth factors to improve wound healing. In the past three years, and with the help of Emergent Technologies, Inc. of Austin, he has founded three biotech companies in Austin to commercialize some of his new biomaterials and drug delivery systems.
His election to the Institute of Medicine last year made him the first university faculty member to receive the prestigious honor.
Peppas joined the Cockrell School in 2003 and holds the Fletcher Stuckey Pratt Chair in Engineering.
