Chairholders
Profile
Frank Gu
Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry
University of Toronto
Chair title
NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Nanotechnology Engineering
Chair program
Industrial Research Chairs program
Role
Senior Chairholder since 2018
Summary
Nanomaterials is an emerging field that focuses on the engineering of micromaterials on the scale of one billionth of a metre. The engineered structures have unique physical and chemical properties. They are highly stable and magnetic; they can emit light; and they have the added advantage of reactive surfaces. Recent advances in engineering nanomaterials have demonstrated enormous potential for pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, imaging and other health care applications. This new and exciting field that explores the uses of nanomaterials in health care is called “nanomedicine.” The NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Nanotechnology Engineering is aimed at creating a cutting-edge research program to advance scientific understanding of nanomaterials for applications in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. We anticipate that this work will result in the development of new nanomaterials, nano diagnostic devices, and nano drug-delivery vehicles that Johnson & Johnson Inc. will integrate into improved next-generation medical and consumer care products. This academic–industry partnership will create a cutting-edge research environment for training 18 highly qualified personnel—postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate—for the Canadian manufacturing and health care industries. The program will foster fundamental discoveries about the interactions between nanomaterials and human tissues, benefiting the biomedical community and the public, translating knowledge from the lab to Canadian industry, and promoting the University of Toronto and Canada's position as an international leader in nanomaterials and nanomedicine.
Partner
- Johnson & Johnson Inc.
Contact information
Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry
University of Toronto
Email: f.gu@utoronto.ca
