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- Rozovsky wins prestigious NSF Early Career Award
- UD students meet alumni, experience 'closing bell' at NYSE
- Newark Police seek assistance in identifying suspects in robbery
- Rivlin says bipartisan budget action, stronger budget rules key to reversing debt
- Stink bugs shouldn't pose problem until late summer
- Gao to honor Placido Domingo in Washington performance
- Adopt-A-Highway project keeps Lewes road clean
- WVUD's Radiothon fundraiser runs April 1-10
- W.D. Snodgrass Symposium to honor Pulitzer winner
- New guide helps cancer patients manage symptoms
- UD in the News, March 25, 2011
- For the Record, March 25, 2011
- Public opinion expert discusses world views of U.S. in Global Agenda series
- Congressional delegation, dean laud Center for Community Research and Service program
- Center for Political Communication sets symposium on politics, entertainment
- Students work to raise funds, awareness of domestic violence
- Equestrian team wins regional championship in Western riding
- Markell, Harker stress importance of agriculture to Delaware's economy
- Carol A. Ammon MBA Case Competition winners announced
- Prof presents blood-clotting studies at Gordon Research Conference
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, programs announced
- Stay connected with Sea Grant, CEOE e-newsletter
- A message to UD regarding the tragedy in Japan
- More News >>
- March 31-May 14: REP stages Neil Simon's 'The Good Doctor'
- April 2: Newark plans annual 'wine and dine'
- April 5: Expert perspective on U.S. health care
- April 5: Comedian Ace Guillen to visit Scrounge
- April 6, May 4: School of Nursing sponsors research lecture series
- April 6-May 4: Confucius Institute presents Chinese Film Series on Wednesdays
- April 6: IPCC's Pachauri to discuss sustainable development in DENIN Dialogue Series
- April 7: 'WVUDstock' radiothon concert announced
- April 8: English Language Institute presents 'Arts in Translation'
- April 9: Green and Healthy Living Expo planned at The Bob
- April 9: Center for Political Communication to host Onion editor
- April 10: Alumni Easter Egg-stravaganza planned
- April 11: CDS session to focus on visual assistive technologies
- April 12: T.J. Stiles to speak at UDLA annual dinner
- April 15, 16: Annual UD push lawnmower tune-up scheduled
- April 15, 16: Master Players series presents iMusic 4, China Magpie
- April 15, 16: Delaware Symphony, UD chorus to perform Mahler work
- April 18: Former NFL Coach Bill Cowher featured in UD Speaks
- April 21-24: Sesame Street Live brings Elmo and friends to The Bob
- April 30: Save the date for Ag Day 2011 at UD
- April 30: Symposium to consider 'Frontiers at the Chemistry-Biology Interface'
- April 30-May 1: Relay for Life set at Delaware Field House
- May 4: Delaware Membrane Protein Symposium announced
- May 5: Northwestern University's Leon Keer to deliver Kerr lecture
- May 7: Women's volleyball team to host second annual Spring Fling
- Through May 3: SPPA announces speakers for 10th annual lecture series
- Through May 4: Global Agenda sees U.S. through others' eyes; World Bank president to speak
- Through May 4: 'Research on Race, Ethnicity, Culture' topic of series
- Through May 9: Black American Studies announces lecture series
- Through May 11: 'Challenges in Jewish Culture' lecture series announced
- Through May 11: Area Studies research featured in speaker series
- Through June 5: 'Andy Warhol: Behind the Camera' on view in Old College Gallery
- Through July 15: 'Bodyscapes' on view at Mechanical Hall Gallery
- More What's Happening >>
- UD calendar >>
- Middle States evaluation team on campus April 5
- Phipps named HR Liaison of the Quarter
- Senior wins iPad for participating in assessment study
- April 19: Procurement Services schedules information sessions
- UD Bookstore announces spring break hours
- HealthyU Wellness Program encourages employees to 'Step into Spring'
- April 8-29: Faculty roundtable series considers student engagement
- GRE is changing; learn more at April 15 info session
- April 30: UD Evening with Blue Rocks set for employees
- Morris Library to be open 24/7 during final exams
- More Campus FYI >>
3:07 p.m., March 21, 2011----Research in the areas of drug delivery and tissue engineering has witnessed tremendous progress in recent years due to its unlimited potential to improve human health.
Smart biomaterials with nanoscale organizations, defined biological functions and robust mechanical properties have the potential to enhance cancer treatment and improve tissue regeneration.
Xinqiao Jia, assistant professor in the University of Delaware's Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Biological Sciences, is developing intelligent biomaterials that closely mimic the molecular composition, biological function, mechanical responsiveness and nanoscale organization of the natural matrices surrounding the cells.
This biomimetic approach allows Jia to construct a three-dimensional microenvironment that will improve the understanding of cell biology and aid in the engineering of intelligent nanoparticles for targeted delivery and controlled release of cancer therapeutics.
“Combining cell biology and engineering principles, we are actively developing methodologies for the engineering of healthy replacement tissues such as cartilage and vocal folds, as well as pathological tissues such as tumor tissues,” Jia explained.
The polymeric nanoparticles her group has developed are being evaluated as nanocarriers for anticancer drugs. The ultimate goal is to enhance the efficacy of the drugs while minimizing their debilitating side effects.
For her novel approach, Jia will receive the Academic Research Award at the Delaware BioScience Association's (Delaware Bio) 2011 Annual Awards Gala on April 11, to be held in Wilmington, Del. The award recognizes significant contributions to the advancement of life science research at an academic or medical research institution in Delaware.
A previous recipient of the National Science Foundation's Faculty Early Career Development Award, Jia was nominated by fellow faculty member S. Ismat Shah.
“Professor Jia is one of our brightest young faculty members. Her research is being recognized nationally and internationally with coverage of her work appearing not only in high impact journals, but also in popular magazines,” said Shah, professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Jia is a 2010 recipient of the DuPont Young Professor Award and was named an Outstanding Junior Faculty in UD's College of Engineering the same year.
She received her bachelor's degree in applied chemistry and master's degree in polymer chemistry and physics from Fudan University in Shanghai. Jia earned her doctoral degree in polymer science and engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Prior to joining UD in 2005, she conducted postdoctoral research with Robert Langer, a pioneer in drug delivery and tissue engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
About Delaware Bio
Delaware Bio is a non-profit trade association that serves its members and the state of Delaware by collaborating with other local businesses and organizations to advance the growth of the bioscience industry in Delaware and the region.
Article by Katie Galgano
Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson