Smyth, Hugh D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
PHR 4.214
512-471-3383
hsmyth@mail.utexas.edu

• Controlled Release Pulmonary Drug Delivery

  We are developing novel microparticle systems to overcome the rapid clearance of drugs and particulates that prevent long-term drug release in the airways. Using unique swellable microparticles with specific physicochemical properties we can control drug release while evading clearance from the lung.

• Dry Powder Device Design

  We have developed a novel dry powder inhaler system that bridges passive (patient driven) and active (device driven) systems. We are developing this technology in partnership with an industry sponsor.

• Nanoparticle Transport Through Biofilms

  Using collaborations with chemical engineers, physicists, microbiologists we are developing novel nanoknive technology that allows significantly faster drug delivery through biological barriers including bacterial biofilms and mucus.

• Mechanisms Of Particle Adhesion And Detachment

  By linking the physics of particle motion with forces between cohesive powder particles we are developing  novel, excipient free, dry powder delivery systems with significantly higher efficiencies than those currently available.

• High Dose Aerosol Delivery To The Lung

  Certain disease states and drug classes require large payloads to be delivered to the lung for appropriate pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and clinical effect. In collaboration with researchers at the University of New Mexico we are developing a dry powder nebulizer that has excellent efficiency of drug delivery to the lung.