J. Zach Hilt

J. Zach Hilt is the William T. Bryan Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Kentucky. Prof. Hilt received his bachelor degrees in Chemistry and Physics from Miami University (Ohio). He completed his Masters degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and his Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Prof. Hilt’s research laboratory focuses on the design of novel hydrogel biomaterials, the development of novel methods to synthesize and characterize the hydrogels at the micro- or nanoscale, and the application of these materials as biomedical devices or functional components of biomedical devices. Prof. Hilt has authored numerous referred publications, including a highly cited review “Hydrogels in Biology and Medicine: From Molecular Principles to Bionanotechnology” published in Advanced Materials. He is co-editor of “Nanotechnology in Therapeutics: Current Technology and Applications” which is published by Horizon Scientific Press and is one of the first books dedicated to the topic of nanotechnology in drug delivery. Prof. Hilt is a co-investigator and Steering Committee member of the NIH-funded UK Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center, and is a co-investigator and Executive Committee member of the UK NSF IGERT Program on Bioactive Interfaces and Devices. He is also co-Director of the UK NSF REU Program on Bioactive Interfaces and Devices. He is a member of the American Institute for Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Materials Research Society, Society for Biomaterials, American Chemical Society, and the Biomedical Engineering Society. He has taken an active role in these professional societies, including currently serving as the chair for the AIChE Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum.