Chris joined IDRI in October 2007 as a postdoctoral scientist and in 2009 he was named Scientist I / Lead Formulations Engineer. He is responsible for developing and characterizing particulate formulations including liposomes and emulsions for more effective biological presentation of vaccine adjuvants and antigens. Chris is currently a member of the Biophysical Society and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.

 

Prior to working at IDRI, Chris completed a PhD in bioengineering in the lab of Joel Harris at the University of Utah. His research focused on the characterization of peptide- and drug-membrane interactions in liposomes and supported lipid bilayers using confocal Raman microscopy, TIRF microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. While a graduate student, Chris played a leading role in an international student collaboration to draft a winning proposal on olive oil waste management in developing countries for the 2006/07 Mondialogo Engineering Award. He also initiated a local student chapter of Engineers Without Borders and authored a commended essay on global health in the First Joint Essay Competition of the Global Forum for Health Research and The Lancet. Chris received his undergraduate degree in biological engineering from Utah State University in 2003 where he researched the properties of block copolymer surface coatings using surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence microscopy in David Britt’s lab.