Abstract: In the ever-advancing world of materials science, the fusion of nanomaterials with digital science signals a new chapter in materials discovery. Research activities in Gu’s lab focus on combining the principles of chemical engineering with the innovations of nanotechnology, to customize material designs specifically for applications in life sciences and environmental remediation. The seminar will introduce several major activities in Gu’s lab for therapeutics delivery design using polymeric nanoparticles to generate a set of digital “fingerprint”-like interactions with biological structures, to improve precisions in mucoadhesion for ocular drug delivery. This talk will also highlight recent advancements in the design of materials for solar-powered catalysis and their transformative potential as a viable and sustainable option for achieving the goal of net-zero emissions in industrial water management by 2050.
Bio: Frank Gu is the Director of the Institute for Water Innovation in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, the NSERC Senior Industrial Research Chair in Nanotechnology Engineering, and a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto. A leading nanotechnology engineer, his research has resulted in numerous inventions that have advanced the field of functional nanomaterials and their applications in healthcare and the environment. Gu received his BSc from Trent University and his Ph.D. from Queen’s University in 2006. Following his doctoral studies, he received postdoctoral training in chemical engineering at MIT from 2006 to 2008. In 2008, he joined as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo and was subsequently promoted to associate professor in 2013. In 2018, he was recruited to the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry at the University of Toronto. Gu’s research focuses on leveraging the knowledge of nanoscience to drive industrial applications in various areas, including ocular drug delivery, medical devices, catalysis, and water treatment. His research group has been at the forefront of engineering buoyant photocatalysts that can be powered by natural sunlight, showcasing their effectiveness in improving the safety of industrial wastewater. In 2015, he founded H2nanO Inc, commercializing energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and climate resilient passive water treatment solutions for the mining, power, and process industries. Additionally, he made a significant breakthrough in nanomedicine by engineering nanomaterial structures with unique photonic and drug-delivery properties, particularly for treating anterior ocular diseases. This breakthrough has opened new avenues for developing longlasting medicated eye drops. Gu’s expertise in nanomedicine has also led to serial collaborations with medical device companies, contributing to the advancement of therapeutics and devices aimed at improving patient compliance, enhancing comfort, and optimizing visual acuity. His ongoing research projects encompass diverse areas such as AI-powered nanomedicine formulation discovery, the development of low-carbon and climate-resilient water treatment technologies, and the extraction of critical minerals from waste materials to establish a circular economy.
10:30am-11:30 a.m., refreshments to follow