Nikunj (Nik) Agrawal

Ph.D. Student
Biomedical Engineering

BMS J257, University of Florida
Lab: 352-273-6865
Email: nikunjagrawal21@ufl.edu

Year Joined Lab: 2014

Education

B. Tech in Biotechnology, Amity University – India, 2010
M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida – Gainesville, 2014

Research

Local and sustained release of small therapeutic agents through injectable hydrogel systems

Spinal cord injury (SCI) usually results from a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine causing changes in strength and sensation below the site of injury. Despite tremendous efforts, currently there are no therapies available in clinic for the repair of the injured spinal cord. The presence of intrinsic and extrinsic inhibitory factors such as myelin derived inhibitors, proteoglycans, and semaphorins prevents the regeneration of damaged axons. The goal of my project is to develop highly versatile drug delivery platforms that can produce sustained release profiles of small molecule therapeutics to target inhibitory factors and promote axonal regeneration. The biomaterial platform is made by the combination of hydrogels, micro-particles, and aptamer sequences.