NEWS

Macromolecular scientist, engineer to present as part of research lecture series

Feb 2, 2015 | Applied and Natural Sciences, Engineering and Science, Research and Development

Dr. Jon Pokorski, assistant professor of macromolecular science and engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, will present the fourth installment of Louisiana Tech University’s New Frontiers in Biomedical Research series at 3:30 p.m., February 9 in University Hall on the Louisiana Tech campus.
Dr. Jon Pokorski

Dr. Jon Pokorski


“Biomimicry vs. Bioklepticism: Biofunctionalization of Extruded Polymer Nanofibers and Viruses as Templates for Precision Polymer Nanoparticles” will be the subject of Pokorski’s lecture, which is sponsored by Louisiana Tech’s Center for Biomedical Engineering Research and Rehabilitation Science (CBERS.) The event is free and open to all students, faculty and staff as well as members of the local community.
The New Frontiers in Biomedical Research lecture series is a year-long, multidisciplinary program that focuses on advancements in the fields of biomedical engineering, biology, physics, and chemistry in an effort to promote understanding of human health and disease. By interacting with leaders in these research fields, the series seeks to expose Louisiana Tech students to growing areas of research and enhance Louisiana Tech’s own impacts in biomedical research.
Prior to his 3:30 p.m. presentation, students are invited to join Pokorski at 2:00 p.m. in Carson-Taylor Hall, Room 122 to hear about his own career path, research program and answer questions students have about graduate school and careers in research.
Pokorski has authored over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and patents. In collaboration with his lab team, Pokorski is working to bridge chemical synthesis, molecular biology, and materials science to make new materials for biomedical applications. His team is also focused on developing novel materials for biomedical applications through interdisciplinary research that combines chemistry, protein engineering and materials science.
Projects that include the development of biologically activatable wound dressings that release growth factors to accelerate healing, injectable slow release delivery systems of multiple growth factors tissue engineering, and polymer-protein nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles are also cornerstones of Pokorski’s research efforts.
Pokorski received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 2007 where he designed, synthesized, and tested diverse peptidomimetic systems for use in medical diagnostics and therapeutics. Upon completion of his Ph.D., Pokorski moved to The Scripps Research Institute where he combined the chemical and genetic engineering of viral nanoparticles to make novel drug delivery systems.
Lectures throughout the New Frontiers in Biomedical Research series are sponsored by the Lincoln Health Foundation, ADVANCEing Women in Science, Sigma Xi, Louisiana Tech’s Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science (CBERS), the College of Applied and Natural Sciences, the College of Engineering and Science, and the School of Biological Sciences.
“The series started last year as a way to introduce students, faculty and the community to ongoing research in the broad area of biomedical research and its clinical potential,” said Dr. Jamie Newman, assistant professor of biological sciences and organizer of the event. “We strive to bring in leading biologists, engineers and chemists to expose Louisiana Tech students to additional areas of research and foster collaborations for our faculty. By the end of last year’s series, we were filling University Hall with faculty, students, staff, and members of the Ruston, Monroe and Shreveport communities.”
For more information on the New Frontiers in Biomedical Research series and access to recordings of all of the lectures, please visit http://coes.latech.edu/about-the-college/events.php or contact Dr. Jamie Newman at jjnewman@latech.edu or Dr. Mary Caldorera-Moore at mcmoore@latech.edu.