Dr. Andre Nel stands as a preeminent leader in the field of nanomedicine, recognized globally for his foundational contributions to the discipline. He currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Founder and Chief of the Division of Nanomedicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, positions that underscore his pioneering role in establishing nanomedicine as a distinct scientific domain. As Director of the California NanoSystems Institute's research programs and Director of the University of California Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology, he has built multidisciplinary research enterprises that bridge materials science, engineering, and clinical medicine. His academic journey began with doctoral studies at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, followed by a distinguished career trajectory that has positioned him at the forefront of nanotechnology research and implementation.
Dr. Nel's groundbreaking research has revolutionized the field through the development of innovative nanocarrier systems for cancer treatment, including multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles capable of targeted drug delivery and controlled release of therapeutic agents. His laboratory pioneered the creation of a tolerogenic nanoparticle platform for treating allergic and autoimmune diseases, representing a paradigm shift in immunomodulation approaches. With scholarly contributions cited over 65,000 times, his work on nanomaterial biophysicochemical interactions has established predictive toxicological frameworks essential for the safe implementation of nanotechnology in human health and environmental applications. His development of high throughput screening methods for nanomaterial safety assessment has created new standards for regulatory evaluation of engineered nanomaterials, fundamentally transforming how the scientific community approaches nanotechnology risk assessment.
Beyond his laboratory achievements, Dr. Nel has played a pivotal role in shaping national and international nanotechnology policy as a key contributor to the US blueprint for the National Nanotechnology Initiative and as a member of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology panel reviewing the initiative's future. His leadership extends globally through cooperative research agreements with Japan, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Russia, establishing him as a central figure in international scientific collaboration. Currently serving as Associate Editor of ACS Nano, he continues to influence the direction of nanoscience research while mentoring the next generation of scientists in responsible innovation. Dr. Nel's ongoing work focuses on advancing cancer nanotherapeutics and developing safer nanomaterials through structure-activity relationship studies, ensuring that his legacy of innovation continues to drive progress at the intersection of nanotechnology and medicine.
