RESEARCH INTERESTS
Joseph is exploring the interface of controlled radical polymerization and translational medicine. This first manifested in the synthesis of highly branched polymers for drug delivery applications. After discovering a universality in the transitional synthesis of these constructs, which limited their translatability, he developed a new synthetic route towards biodegradable, low dispersity, easily conjugated highly branched polymers. He is currently exploring the use of these constructs as adjuvant modifiers to improve vaccine responses. Joseph is also interested in the stabilization of therapeutic proteins. Opting for a simpler architecture, he utilized high-throughput synthesis to generate a library of novel linear polymer pharmaceutical additives (excipients). These excipients have been used to formulate and stabilize the fastest acting mealtime insulin to date. He is currently exploring the use of these polymers in developing cold-chain resilient and shelf-stable commercial insulin to increase global access. He is also exploring their use in stabilizing antibody formulations.
EDUCATION
PhD, Materials Science & Engineering, Stanford University - Expected 2021
BS, Chemistry (Summa Cum Laude), UC Santa Barbara - June 2016
HONORS, AWARDS, and SCHOLARSHIPS
National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship, Department of Defense, 2016-2019
Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation, 2016-2019 (awarded and declined)
Graduate Research Fellowship, Stanford University, 2016-2021
Professor Willard L. McRary Prize in Chemistry, UC Santa Barbara, 2016
College of Creative Studies Commendation of Excellence Award, UC Santa Barbara, 2016
Phi Lambda Upsilon Award, UC Santa Barbara, 2016
Barry Goldwater Scholarship, National Scholarship, 2015-2016
Alumni Association Scholarship, UC Santa Barbara, 2016
Polyed Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry, UC Santa Barbara, 2015
Regents Scholarship, UC Santa Barbara, 2012-2016
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Carbon Materials Development, Jun 2016 – Sept 2016
Research Advisor: Dr. Justin Poelma
Developed new molecular architecture to increase mechanical properties of 3D-printable polyurethanes for applications in the life sciences.
Materials Research Laboratory, University California Santa Barbara, Sept 2013 – May 2016
Research Advisor: Prof. Craig J. Hawker
Expanded the scope of UV-light mediated Atomic Transfer Radical Polymerization (UV-ATRP) by introducing new monomers and functionalities into this mechanism. Introduced new organic structures for metal free catalysis applications in UV-ATRP. Developed a novel metal free catalyst for visible light mediated ATRP. Worked on small-molecule synthesis of functionalized amine derivatives for photo-switch applications.
Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technical University Eindhoven, Jun 2015 – Aug 2015
Research Advisor: Prof. Bert (EW) Meijer
Developed synthesis, scale-up, and self-assembly of monofunctionalized Benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxamides. Explored synthetic routes toward biofunctionalization while designing experimental procedures to probe the concept of “Bio-availability”.
Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry, University of Oregon, Jun 2014 – Aug 2014
Research Advisor: Prof. Mark Lonergon
Fabricated Aluminum Lithium Oxide/ Titanium Dioxide nanolaminates via solution deposition and characterized their electrochemical properties.
ABOUT
Joseph grew up in a little town not too far away from Stanford called Mountain View. After learning he could spend four years in school on a beach, he rushed down the Pacific Coast Highway to earn his degree in Chemistry from UCSB. Serendipitously, Joseph learned about the world of polymer science after being rejected from all the natural product synthesis labs at UCSB. Now he plans to bring his experience with controlled polymer synthesis, supramolecular self-assembly, and 3D printable polymer systems into the field of Supramolecular Biomaterials. When not in a lab, Joseph is probably sitting on a beach pretending he is in Santa Barbara, hiking, camping, exploring the world of Third Wave Coffee or listening to hip-hop.