Design and Use of Biomaterials for Wound Healing
Speaker:
Abraham Joy, PhD
Professor and Chair, Dept. of Bioengineering
Northeastern University
Abstract:
Dr. Abraham Joy's research revolutionizes the field of biomaterials, focusing on applications that address critical biomedical challenges, including infection control, wound healing, tissue scaffolding, and drug delivery. His work emphasizes the design of biomaterials that carefully interact with biological systems, modulating bacterial and cellular responses to promote healing and improve patient outcomes. A key area of interest in Dr. Joy's lab is the development of biomaterials that can control inflammation and reduce the risk of infection in chronic and acute wounds. By tailoring these materials to interact selectively with bacteria and cells, his team has created versatile solutions that support tissue regeneration, prevent bacterial colonization, and promote an ideal healing environment. This approach not only targets infection but also enhances the body’s natural healing processes through controlled cellular interactions. Another focus of Dr. Joy’s work is on biomaterial platforms designed to deliver therapeutics in a sustained manner, addressing the challenges of drug stability and release in complex biological settings. His research integrates material science with biological principles to engineer materials capable of supporting tissue structure, facilitating targeted therapeutic action, and reducing complications associated with prolonged healing. Professor Joy’s approach illustrates the transformative potential of biomaterials in medicine, particularly for managing wounds and providing site-specific drug delivery. His findings continue to impact biomedical engineering, showing promise in improving treatment outcomes for patients facing challenging wound and infection scenarios.
Dr. Joy obtained his PhD in chemistry from Tulane University and carried out his postdoctoral work at the Georgia Institute of Technology, working on charge migration in synthetic oligonucleotides. Subsequently, he became an NIH Ruth Kirschstein postdoctoral fellow at Rutgers University before accepting an assistant professor position in the Department of Polymer Science at the University of Akron in Ohio. There he rose through the ranks to become a Full Professor in 2020. From 2021-23, he was a National Science Foundation program director in the Biomaterials (BMAT) program of DMR. In fall 2024, he assumed the chair position in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Northeastern University. Joy is a recipient of the Burroughs Welcome Award, 3M Non-tenured Faculty Award, and an NSF CAREER Award. In addition, he is an associate editor for Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.
