Shawn Wettig

Shawn Wettig is a Professor at the University of Waterloo, cross-appointed in the Department of Chemistry and Department of Chemical Engineering, and a member of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology. His research focuses on biophysical chemistry and nanotechnology, particularly the design of surfactants for drug delivery, gene therapy, and lipid membrane characterization. He holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry (2000, University of Saskatchewan) and a BSc in Chemistry & Physics (1995, University of Lethbridge).

Research interests include novel cationic lipid DNA complexes for genetic therapies, amino acid derivatives for transdermal drug delivery, and fluorescent surfactants for mechanistic studies. His work bridges physical chemistry and nanotechnology, emphasizing self-assembling systems for biomedical applications. Recent studies explore gold nanoparticles in cancer therapy and theranostic materials.

Teaching includes PHARM 605 (Physical Chemistry and Surfactants) and PHARM 617 (Formulations), taught in 2022 and 2024. Awards include the 2017 University of Waterloo Outstanding Performance Award.

Key contributions include patents on lipoplexed DNA delivery systems and advancements in non-viral gene delivery vectors. His lab investigates surfactant-based systems, nanomedicine, and molecular genetics, with a focus on translational applications in healthcare.