Ryan Pearson Named Director of UMSOP’s Bio- and Nano-Technology Center

Pharmaceutical scientist aims to foster continued collaborations and drive interdisciplinary research.

By Pam Carder
February 28, 2025

Ryan Pearson, PhD, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences (PSC) at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), has been named director of the School’s Bio- and Nano-Technology Center (BNTC).

The BNTC develops technologies to translate basic science into biopharmaceuticals, nanomedicines, and biomaterials, covering areas such as drug discovery, development, and manufacturing. With expertise in testing nanotechnologies, the center accelerates the drug development process through in vitro and in vivo models. Beyond research, the BNTC is committed to education, service, and technology transfer.

“I am quite honored and excited to be appointed as director of the BNTC,” says Pearson. “My vision is to create a research hub at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) that can support drug development and drug delivery applications throughout the University System of Maryland. With the incredible resources available to us through the School, and with the dedicated support of the dean, we have a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the bio- and nano-technology field.”

Pearson joined UMSOP as an assistant professor in PSC in 2018 and has focused on developing simple technologies in the nanotechnology space that can address big challenges in medicine. His approach is driven by a desire to reimagine the development of drug delivery systems. Rather than pursuing overly complex technologies, Pearson has emphasized the importance of better understanding the existing technologies and refining them to have a more immediate impact. He believes that with a fresh mindset, many existing delivery systems could be adapted for different patient populations, potentially accelerating their path to clinical success.

“Dr. Pearson brings exceptional energy and expertise, constantly generating innovative ideas and demonstrating a strong dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration,” says Hongbing Wang, PhD, professor and interim chair of PSC. “Under his leadership, the BNTC is well-positioned to drive continued progress in research across many disciplines, with the goal of ultimately advancing drug delivery systems and immunotherapies.”

Researchers at the BNTC, which was founded in 2006, are developing advanced technologies to translate basic science into patient treatments. Key projects include optimization and scale up of drug delivery systems, immunomodulatory biomaterials to regulate dysregulated immune responses, targeted nanomedicines for precise drug and gene delivery, multi-Omics evaluation of nanoparticle-biology (nano-bio) interactions, and systems for continuous biomanufacturing.

The BNTC, housed in Pharmacy Hall, is outfitted with cutting-edge technology for nanoparticle formulation, purification, and characterization. High-throughput formulation using a Dolomite microfluidics system allows for rapid, precise, and efficient production of polymeric and lipid nanoparticles. Tangential flow filtration ensures scalable and consistent purification.

For characterization, the Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZSP measures particle size and zeta potential, while the Malvern Nanosight NS300 provides nanoparticle tracking analysis. The BNTC also offers polymer characterization using a Waters LC system with a Malvern OmniSEC light scattering detector for molecular weight analysis.

School of Pharmacy faculty within the BNTC have partnered on projects with the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), whose Translational Therapeutics Research Group collaborates on solutions to critical challenges in cancer and neuroscience treatments.

“Our goal is to increase the opportunities for collaboration with researchers from a wide range of disciplines—medicine, dentistry, engineering, pharmacy, and any field that contributes to drug development research or health sciences,” says Pearson. “We see ourselves as a collective, helping to facilitate game-changing research.”

Looking ahead, Pearson is focused on leading more joint projects and securing partnership-based grants. “The strength of the faculty members and researchers of our center, and the partnerships we are forming will position the School of Pharmacy as a key player in the nanotechnology field,” Pearson said. “We want to be known for our research, not just within the School of Pharmacy, but across UMB and globally.”

With a background in chemical engineering, a PhD in biopharmaceutical sciences, and postdoctoral training in biomedical engineering and immunology, Pearson brings a wealth of expertise to his new role.

“My work has always been about understanding the fundamental science behind drug delivery technologies,” Pearson explained. “Rather than focusing solely on technology development — which I’m certainly interested in — I’ve targeted how we can leverage what we already know about these technologies to develop better systems.”

“We’re rethinking how nanotechnologies can be developed as immunotherapies, and the key is understanding the science behind them,” he adds. “This is the foundation of my research approach, and it’s what I hope to bring to the center moving forward.”

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