Stephen W. Hoag

Stephen W. Hoag is a Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. His research spans pharmaceutical formulation, process development, and analytical technologies, with a strong emphasis on solid oral dosage forms and controlled release systems.

• University: University of Maryland
• School: School of Pharmacy
• Department: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Email: shoag@umaryland.edu
• Phone: (410) 706-6865
• Fax: (410) 706-0346
• Address: 20 North Pine Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Education:

• B.S. in Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1982
• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, 1990

Dr. Hoag's research is centered on two primary areas: (1) the development of systematic methods for formulating immediate and controlled release tablets, utilizing instrumented tablet presses, shear cell analysis, and process analytical technology (PAT) such as Near-Infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy; and (2) the application of mathematical models to understand mass transport in hydrogels, including calcium alginate and silk-elastinlike protein polymers. His work on folic acid supplementation and prenatal vitamins has important public health implications due to the role of folic acid in preventing neural tube defects.

Although no recent publications are listed in the provided text, his research output is evident through his co-editorship of the widely used reference work Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets (3rd edition, 2008), and his leadership in developing best practices for PAT in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Scientific Awards:

• No specific awards mentioned in the provided text.

Dr. Hoag has actively mentored a large number of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists, contributing significantly to pharmaceutical education and workforce development. His laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for preformulation, formulation, tableting, coating, dissolution testing, and analytical characterization. The lab supports both non-clinical and GMP-level manufacturing research, enabling translational development of dosage forms. He also leads a hands-on short course on tablets and capsules, further extending his educational impact.

Research Facilities:

• Thermal analysis (DSC, MDSC)
• Solubility and viscosity measurement
• Moisture analysis (Karl Fisher, LOD)
• Mechanical testing (Instron)
• Flow characterization (shear cell, angle of repose)
• Particle size analysis (laser diffraction, SEM, sieve)
• Tablet presses (Stoke’s B2, Manesty Beta, fully instrumented)
• Coating systems (fluid bed, pan coaters)
• UV/Vis, HPLC, GC, MS instrumentation
• Environmental stability chambers
• Granulation, milling, blending equipment
• Dissolution testing with autosampler