Catherine Kang, B.S., M.S.
catherine.kang@utoronto.ca
Project Bio
One of the goals of the Shoichet group is to develop injectable drug delivery strategies for treatment of compressive spinal cord injury (SCI). Our approach to injectable drug delivery is minimally invasive, seeking to deliver a variety of neuroprotective and neuroregenerative agents in a localized and controlled manner. Our strategy is based on drug loaded hydrogels injected into the intrathecal space, immediately adjacent to the spinal cord.
I am currently developing a biopolymer blend of hyaluronic acid and methylcellulose (HAMC) for delivering therapeutic agents to the injured spinal cord. Since these materials have proven safe for use in vivo, I am pressing forward with further in vivo studies to understand the behavioral and physiological benefit of deliverying neuroprotective agents for spinal cord injuries.
Employment and Education
Sept. 2005 - present
Ph.D. Candidate in Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry
Collaborative with the Insitute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering
University of Toronto
Supervisor: Dr. Molly Shoichet
May 2003 - July 2005
Master of Science in Bioengineering, Concentration in Cell and Tissue Engineering
University of Illinois at Chicago
Supervisor: Dr. Richard Gemeinhart
Aug. 1998 - May 2003
Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering, Concentration in Neural Engineering
University of Illinois at Chicago
Supervisor: Dr. Richard Gemeinhart and Dr. David Schneeweis
Awards
ONF Scholarship
Crothers Scholarship
