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Biography
Neil Ayres is an organic polymer chemist with research interests in polymer synthesis using controlled/“living” radical polymerization techniques, surface science, and materials chemistry. After obtaining his BSc from The University of Warwick in England he obtained a Ph.D. in chemistry under Prof. David Haddleton at The University of Warwick where his thesis involved the use of atom transfer radical polymerization. He then performed post-doctoral work at The University of Southern Mississippi with Prof. Charles McCormick studying water soluble, stimuli-responsive polymers synthesized using reversible addition fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. He spent two years at The University of Akron for post-doctoral studies with Prof. William Brittain studying polyelectrolyte polymer brushes before a taking up a third post-doc with Prof. David Grainger at The University of Utah where he prepared non-thrombogenic surface chemistry for biomedical devices. He joined the faculty at The University of Cincinnati in 2008.
Research: Bio-inspired organic polymer chemistry
- Polymer Synthesis
- Surface Science
- Materials Chemistry
Our research focuses on using polymer chemistry to prepare synthetic polymers that mimic naturally occurring polymers. This leads to applications in biocompatible surfaces, prevention of bacterial biofilm formation, tissue engineering, therapeutics, and chemical sensors. In particular we are interested in synthesizing mimics of proteoglycans, naturally occurring polymers that possess a variety of functions within the body. By using controlled/“living” radical polymerization techniques we can control polymer architecture and functionality over the nano-regime to prepare novel materials.
Contact Information
902Crosley
P.O. Box 210172
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0172
phone: 513-556-9280
fax: 513-556-9239
Email: Neil.Ayres@uc.edu
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