Rockford Draper

Rockford Draper is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), affiliated with the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of membrane trafficking and the biomedical applications of engineered nanoparticles, particularly in cancer therapy and nanotoxicity assessment. He holds a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Washington (1968), a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from UCLA (1974), and completed postdoctoral training in Cell Biology at UC San Diego (1980).

Dr. Draper’s work spans interdisciplinary collaborations, including co-founding Medical Nanotechnologies, Inc., to translate research into clinical applications. He has supervised numerous Ph.D. students and contributed to 74+ publications. His lab explores carbon nanotube and graphene oxide applications in cancer treatment via near-infrared light-mediated thermal ablation, as well as methods to evaluate nanoparticle toxicity in environmental contexts. Notably, his research includes studies on nanoparticle interactions with macrophages and zebrafish embryos.

He has organized an interdisciplinary bio-nanotechnology group since 2002 and developed a bio-nanotechnology course. His research trends emphasize bridging biology, chemistry, and engineering to address challenges in nanomedicine and environmental safety. Despite not currently accepting undergraduates, his mentorship has produced prominent graduates in biomedical research.

• Key Research Themes: Nanoparticle Toxicity, Targeted Cancer Therapy, Membrane Biology, Nanomedicine
• Collaborations: Interdisciplinary bio-nanotechnology group, Medical Nanotechnologies, Inc.