Dr. Lisa Brannon-Peppas
Research Professor in Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Lisa Brannon-Peppas is a Research Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Prior to joining the University, she founded and served as President of Biogel Technology, Inc., a privately held, multimillion dollar company founded in 1991. Biogel specializes in research and development of polymers, biomaterials, and systems for drug delivery.
Dr. Brannon-Peppas’ research contributions have been made in the areas of biomaterials, controlled drug delivery, drug targeting, biodegradable materials and structure-property relationships of polymers. Her current research focuses on understanding and developing targeted drug delivery systems to treat cancer while avoiding undesirable side effects from the drugs. These targeted delivery systems may not only be used to treat a variety of cancers but also to image these cancers more accurately. She is an internationally known expert in the fields of biomaterials and drug delivery. In this capacity she has served as a member or chair of numerous panels of federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
For her research and entrepreneurial achievements she has been included in the Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Engineering, International Who’s Who of Women, and American Men and Women of Science (among others). In 2002 she received the Leading Light Award, given by the Women and Hi-Tech Organization, for “Outstanding Contribution to the Health, Life Sciences or Ag-Science Industry”. She has held many leadership positions in leading professional organizations. From 1997-2000 she served as Director of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Dr. Brannon-Peppas earned a PhD and MS in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University, and BS in Chemical Engineering from Rice University.
Technology Focus: Structure-Property Relationships of Polymers, Tissue Culture Systems, Biomedical Engineering, In vitro/In vivo Correlations, Mass Transfer in Polymer Systems, and Membranes for Bioseparations
Business Areas of Interest: Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, Drug Targeting, and Biodegradable Materials