Nicholas A. Peppas

Nicholas A. Peppas is the Cockrell Family Regents Chair #6 in the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering. He previously held the Fletcher Stuckey Pratt Chair at UT (2003-2014) and served as Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (2009-2015). Before joining UT, he was a Showalter Distinguished Professor at Purdue University (1993-2002) where he also held positions as Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering.

His educational background includes a Dipl. Eng. from the National Technical University of Athens (1971) and a Sc.D. from MIT (1973). He has received honorary doctorates from multiple institutions including the Universities of Thessaloniki, Santiago de Compostela, National Technical University of Athens, Patras, Athens, and Ghent.

Peppas's research follows a multidisciplinary approach blending molecular and cellular biology with engineering principles to design next-generation drug release systems. His work spans bionanotechnology, controlled drug delivery, polymerization kinetics, biomaterials science, and mathematical modeling of diffusion in polymers. Over 42 years, he has established fundamentals for rational design of biomedical systems and developed models of drug and protein diffusion in controlled release devices and biological tissues.

His publication record shows a consistent trajectory from fundamental polymer science toward increasingly sophisticated biomedical applications. Early work focused on polymer chain entanglements and polymerization kinetics, then evolved to molecular theories of polymer gels, and more recently to advanced drug delivery systems including glucose-responsive biomimetic networks, oral insulin delivery systems, and siRNA nanocarriers for inflammatory disease treatment. The research demonstrates a progression from theoretical foundations to practical medical applications targeting diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.

• 2019 Honorary Doctorate, University of Thessaloniki, Greece
• 2018 Adam Yarmolinsky Award of the National Academy of Medicine
• 2017 American Academy of Arts and Sciences (elected fellow)
• 2016 International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (elected member)
• 2015 Controlled Release Society Award for Life Contributions
• 2014 National Academy of Inventors (elected fellow)
• 2012 Founders Award, National Academy of Engineering
• 2008 National Academy of Medicine (elected member)
• 2006 National Academy of Engineering (elected member)

Peppas has served in numerous leadership roles including President of the International Union of Societies of Biomaterials Science and Engineering, Chair of the Engineering Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Chair of the Council of BME Chairs, and President of both the Society for Biomaterials and the Controlled Release Society. He is Editor of 'Regenerative Biomaterials' and Associate Editor of 'Science Advances'. As a highly decorated researcher with membership in multiple national academies worldwide, his laboratory has produced groundbreaking work in biomaterials and drug delivery that has translated into significant medical advancements.

His research group, the Laboratory of Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, and Bionanotechnology at UT Austin, focuses on developing intelligent biomaterials for medical applications. The team combines expertise in polymer science, nanotechnology, molecular biology, and medical device engineering to create responsive drug delivery systems. Current work emphasizes targeted therapies for diabetes management, inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiovascular conditions through advanced nanocarrier systems and responsive hydrogels.