2007 - Chemical & Biomedical Engineering - University of South ...

Dr. Richard Gilbert
Professor
gilbert@eng.usf.edu
(813) 974-2139
website: http://natasha.eng.usf.edu/gilbert
Education:
Ph.D. University of South Florida, 1980
M.S. Organic Chemical, John Carroll University, 1971
A.B Science, Villanova University, 1966
Research Interests: Biomedical Systems, Field Mediated drug/gene
delivery, Field mediated cell fusion for diagnostic and therapeutic
applications, Instrumentation, Engineering as a learning tool in
Elementary School Education, Surface science instrumentation
Electric Field Mediated Drug and Gene Delivery
Dr. Richard Gilbert works with a team of doctors and scientists
at the College of Medicine, the Moffitt Cancer Research
Institute and USF’s Center for Molecular Delivery. The team is
developing ways to use electric fields to mediate the delivery
of drug and gene treatment protocols for cancer and genetic
diseases. At this point, the USF team has developed
chemotherapeutic and gene therapy protocols that have been
successfully demonstrated in clinical trials.
0.010
Distance (mm)
from Cell Surface
0.000
-0.004 0
Electrodes End View
0.005
Distance from Center
Electric Field Strength
In additional to this
translational research, the
group uses various
computer-based modeling
and simulations techniques
to explore the engineering
science concepts that help
explain this field-induced
transport phenomena.
The group is also focusing its attention on the development of
technology that will make single cell fusions an efficient and
practical procedure. This technology will represent the first
time that one-to-one cell fusions can be routinely
accomplished. Success in this arena will trigger interesting
diagnostic as well as therapeutic applications for the fused
hybrid cell systems.
Dr. Gilbert is also working with the
National Science Foundation
supported Advanced Technological
Education Center for Florida (FLATE).
This NSF long term funded center has
developed a working partnership
between Florida’s Department of
Education, the various technical
degree programs at community
colleges in Florida and USF’s College
of Engineering to promote and
facilitate student enrollment, provide
professional development for faculty
in these programs, and standardize the degree programs and
their content. These efforts improve degree recognition by
Florida’s high technology industries that employ the graduates
of these programs and provide a degree quality feedback
mechanism to help the programs meet industry needs.
Recent Research Projects:
‣ Non-contact Metrology for Surface
Analysis
‣ Florida Advance Technology Education
Center for Manufacturing Education (NSF-
FLATE)
‣ New Cell Surface Probes
‣ Enhanced Effects of Multiple Treatment of
Electric Field Mediated Delivery Methods
in Molecular Medicine
‣ Theory and In Vivo Application of
Electroporative Gene Delivery
‣ Technology Related Content for High
School and Mathematics Courses
‣ Development of an integrated Science,
Mathematics and Language Arts
Elementary Education Curriculum that
uses Engineering as the Facilitation Tool.
Recent Publications:
Gilbert, R., Nonpenetrating Electroporation
Device. (Australia Patent 204201004) 2006:
Australia.
Gilbert, R., “Optimization of Logic Circuits.”
Instrument Engineers’ Handbook, 2006.
Taylor & Francis Group, Philadelphia, PA.
p. 898-905.
Gilbert, R., “Solid State Logic Elements.”
Instrument Engineers’ Handbook, 2006.
Taylor & Francis Group, Philadelphia, PA.
p. 1015-1023.
Gilbert, R., “Timers and Programming
Timers.” Instrument Engineers’ Handbook,
2006. Taylor & Francis Group, Philadelphia,
PA. p. 1036-1045.
Little, R. Barger, M. Gilbert, R. Parsons, C.,
“Engineering an Elementary School
Environment to Enhance Learning.” ASEE
Conference Proceeding 2008.
9