Dimitrios Lamprou

Dimitrios A. Lamprou (Ph.D., MBA) is Reader in Pharmaceutical Engineering (May 2018 – Present) and Programme Director (Founder) at MSc in Industrial Pharmaceutics at the School of Pharmacy in Queen's University Belfast (UK), and the Chair at United Kingdom and Ireland Controlled Release Society (UKICRS). Dimitrios expertise is in Emerging Technologies for Drug Delivery and Medical Implants.

Prior to his current appointments, Dimitrios was Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics & Drug Delivery (Sep 2016 – Apr 2018) at University of Kent (UK), Lecturer B in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Aug 2012 – Aug 2016) and Postdoctoral Fellow in Biomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems (Oct 2009 – Jul 2012) at Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS) at University of Strathclyde (UK). Dimitrios was also Visiting Researcher (Sep 2016 – Aug 2020) at University of Strathclyde (UK), and Visiting Scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT Center for Biomedical Engineering; US) in 2010 and at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Department of Pharmaceutical Technology; Greece) in 2011.

Dimitrios, has experience of teaching in Higher Education in UK, including experience in MPharm & MSc accreditations and preparing 2 de novo Master's degree programmes. Has secure as Co-I or PI, National (e.g., EPSRC, SULSA) and International (e.g., HORIZON 2020, Commonwealth) Funding in excess of £2M, and is currently involved in a variety of industrial projects and collaborates with academic partners and clinicians within the UK and internationally.

Dimitrios, has examined over 20 Ph.D. Thesis in UK and for International Institutions (e.g. in India and Italy), referees for 50+ journals (Impact Factor 3 to 15) and publishers (e.g. Elsevier, Wiley), and is reviewer for 16 research funding bodies nationally (e.g., EPSRC, MRC, UKRI) and internationally (e.g. Hungary, Italy).

Dimitrios, is the author of more than 90 peer-reviewed publications (including in Chem - IF 19.735 & in Nature Nanotechnology - IF 31.538), has over 200 conference abstracts and has given over 100 Oral/Invited Talks. Dimitrios has experience as PI & Co-I in supervising Post-Doc's, over 100 Undergraduate and Postgraduate Project students (e.g., Erasmus, BSc, MChem, MPharm, MPhil, MRes, MSc) and over 20 Ph.D. & EngD. students to successful completion (< 4 years), all of whom are now further developing their careers in either Academic or Industrial positions.

Dimitrios is Section Editor for Heliyon (Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacology and Toxicology), Editor for Topical Collection in Pharmaceutics (3D Printing and Bioprinting Applications in Pharmaceutics), Guest Editor for 13 Special Issues in International Refereed Journals (e.g., International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Polymers) and Editorial Board Member for 3 Refereed Journals.

Dimitrios, is also External Examiner in Pharmaceutics for UG courses at Newcastle University (UK), member of the External Evaluation Committee (EEC) for the evaluation & accreditation process for Bachelor and Master courses at Cyprus Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education, member of the evaluation panel(s) for the Election and Promotion of Faculty members in Greek Institutions, Viva Voce Postgraduate Examiner for MRes, MPhil and PhD Theses for National & International Institutions, and Invited Professor at Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree “Nanomedicine for Drug Delivery” (NANOMED) at University of Pavia (Italy; Oct 2018 – Present).

Dimitrios research and academic leadership, has been recognised in a range of awards including the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Science Award and the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA) Leaders Scheme Award.

Academic / Professional Qualifications: Dimitrios was trained in multi-disciplinary areas and in first class laboratories (e.g., in Greece, UK, USA). He received Bachelor of Engineering (BEng Hons) degree in Medical Engineering from the University of Bradford (UK) working on the Modelling of Flow and Diffusion in a Dialysis Process and Master's in Biomedical Engineering from the University Of Surrey (UK) working on Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts. Has a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Bio-Surface Chemistry (Ph.D. Thesis Viva took place in Nov 2009) in a collaborative project between the University of Portsmouth (UK) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) - Porton Down (UK), by working in areas such as biomaterials, bioadhesion and drug delivery. Also holds Certificate (Cert) in Computing (with experience in chemometrics using PCA/PLS and other multivariate approaches), Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Scientific Research Methods for Laboratory Scientists from the University of Portsmouth (UK), Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in Advanced Academic Studies (Educational degree) from the University of Strathclyde (UK) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Middlesex University (UK). Dimitrios has also participated in numerous workshops, seminars and courses about entrepreneurship, finances, leadership, management (including Pharma Mini MBA), marketing, teaching (including online teaching), and has gain advance experience in a range of research techniques.

Responding to the need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other safety items during the pandemic

In March 2020, our team quickly responded in the enormous shortage of PPE, by coming up with a pioneering programme. We use our 3D printing expertise/facility to help in the fight against COVID-19 by 3D printing face-shields (over 1,560 delivered), "No-touch" hand tools (over 1,630 delivered) and other items (e.g. microplate holders, mask extenders) for frontline staff, and by supporting others (e.g. companies, institutions, schools, individuals) nationally & internationally to do the same for their local communities; with the sharing of design and production guidelines, the overall delivery of PPE can be estimated in thousands. Many national and international institutions, followed our 3D printing initiative, with many media covering the story.

Dimitrios research group is Applying Nano and Microfabrication Techniques in the Manufacturing of Drug Delivery Systems & Medical Devices. More specifically, the group areas of interest include:

1) Additive Manufacturing (AM): a) Manufacturing of drug delivery systems & medical devices (e.g. catheters, drug eluting vascular grafts, implants for long-acting drug delivery, surgical meshes, microneedles) using innovative 3D printing technologies; including in-house prepared filaments / pellets by hot-melt extrusion (HME) and granules by Twin Screw Granulation (TSG). b) 3D Bioprinting applications in pharmaceutics and tissue engineering (e.g., arterial regeneration, cardiac patches, wound healing). The 3D printing Facility hosts 17 * 3D printers (6 Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), 4 Bioprinters, 2 Digital Light Processing (DLP), 1 Stereolithography (SLA), 1 Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), 1 Pellet 3D Printer, 1 Food (Chocolate), and 1 3-in-1 FDM / CNC Carving / Laser Engraving), 4 single-screw HMEs & with access to a variety of twin-screw HMEs, Desktop 3D Scanner, and a Plastic Injection Moulder. 

2) Electrospinning (melt & solution): Manufacturing of nanofibers for a variety of drug delivery and tissue engineering applications (e.g., cardiac patches, long-acting implantable devices, oral films, surgical mesh implants, wound healing). The facility hosts four electrospinning systems, 3 solution (can also be used as electrospraying for polymeric particle fabrication) and one melt, including co-axial electrospinning and variety of collectors (e.g., flat plate, rotating drum, rotating mandrel).

3) Microfluidics & Microfluidic Devices: a) Manufacturing of Polymer (e.g., PLGA) & lipid-based (e.g., liposomes, SLNs) Nanomedicines using microfluidics and comparison with traditional formulation methods (e.g., extrusion, thin-film hydration) for imaging or treatment or targeting using new or currently available drugs & biologics. b) In-house fabrication of microfluidic chips (Lab-on-a-chip) for Pharmaceutical Applications (e.g. Drug Delivery, Drug Screening) by 3D printing and soft photolithography. The microfluidic Lab hosts five microfluidic devices, including temperature controllers and high-speed microscope for the evaluation of the particles and flows in the microfluidic chips.

Studies include: formulation, physicochemical characterization, computational modelling (e.g. Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)), and in vitro & in vivo evaluation. Including the use of Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS & BioMEMS) as point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic devices, biosensors, and drug delivery devices, in combination with 3D Printed or Microfluidic systems.

The lab research involves both the study of material characteristics as well as the application of such knowledge to the design and manufacture of pharmaceutical products including the implementation of concepts such as Scaling-up, Continuous Manufacturing, Quality by Design (QbD) & Process Analytical Technology (PAT; e.g., NIR, MiR, Raman, and UV probes), and the use of state-of-the-art Nanocharacterisation Techniques (e.g., AFM, μCT, ToF-SIMS, XPS).

Dimitrios teaching responsibilities cover UG degree programmes and TPG degree programmes in the School of Pharmacy in QUB and in CQC. Topics range from Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Emerging Technologies, Biomaterials, Regulatory, to Project Management and Entrepreneurship.

Consistently sustained and enhanced the quality of learning opportunities within the School through effective student engagement and participation; this is evidenced by the high evaluation scores >4.5.

Dimitrios, is also mentor for staff, advising them on educational best practice and of how to develop scholarship in their roles, and is conducting peer reviews for colleagues to help with their development.

Undergraduate – Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) programme, BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences, BSc Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

• Drug Design and Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Industry: Quality, Regulation and Entrepreneurship
• Personalised Medicine and Therapeutics
• Medicinal Substances: Characterisation and Quantification

• MPharm and BSc Research Projects

  The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (NI) Prize for Best Research Project in BSc courses: for the last 2 years the Prize has been awarded to the Group Project students, Essyrose Mathew (2019) & Zara-Louise Farmer (2020). Many congratulations! 

 Postgraduate – MSc Industrial Pharmaceutics

• Formulation of Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical Products
• Leadership & Project Management
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing & Emerging Technologies
• Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs
• MSc Research Project

Undergraduate – Supporting with teaching in the China Queen's College (CQC)

• Industrial Biotechnology
• Quality Assurance & Regulatory Aspects of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

EU Programmes

• Intern Europe programme: Provide work experience to students.
• Erasmus+ traineeships: Supervising and hosting Bachelor, Master and Doctoral students.

• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree “Nanomedicine for Drug Delivery” (NANOMED): Provide specialised teaching as Invited Professor.

• Joint international supervision of doctoral theses: Jointly supervised doctoral students with institutions in another EU member state.

• MSc (Industrial Pharmaceutics) Module Co-ordinator (Founder): Pharmaceutical Manufacturing & Emerging Technologies (20 CAT); Leadership & Project Management (20 CAT); MSc Research Projects (60 CAT); Industrial Placement Coordinator - also liaised with industries to ensure that the content and skills being taught on the MSc meets their needs in terms of skills and knowledge.

• Seminars Organiser: Organiser/Chair of weekly Industrial lunchtime seminars for the BSc (Level 3) & MSc Students; 21 speakers from 17 Pharma and BioPharma industries. 

• School of Pharmacy Committee Memberships: Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team (SAT; supporting on the Collegiality & Success and School Events & Outreach Activities); Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee - 1 of the 3 School EDI Champions; Internationalisation Committee; Research Excellence Framework (REF) Reading Group; Research Committee; School Board.

• University Committee Memberships: Collaborative Provision Group (CPG) Panel; Panel Member of the Programme Evaluation Meetings (PEM) for New Programmes.

• Personal Development Advisor (PDA; Counsellor; Personal Tutor) for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.

• Peer Reviewer: Internal and external peer reviewer of grant applications for national and international Research Funding Bodies.

• Support: Assist the School in Career Events and Open Days (including creating new sessions, e.g., 3D printing).

• Mentor: Provide mentoring, support, direct, coach and develop academic staff, research fellows, technical staff, and Ph.D. Students in QUB and other institutions.

• Member of the MATCH interdisciplinary research initiative.

• Communication with the Public and Science Community: e.g., Group Blog, Group Twitter, Group Facebook Page, School visits, Café Scientifique, Science Festivals, and organising Public Lectures & Workshops.

• Professional Registration:  Member of The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS); Member of The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP); Member of the British Society for Nanomedicine (BSNM); Member of The Controlled Release Society (CRS) & Board Member at CRS Communications Group; Chair of the United Kingdom and Ireland Controlled Release Society (UKICRS); Member of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP); Member of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

• Conference Organiser: Active in organising virtual and face-to-face national and international conferences (e.g., APS, UKICRS).

• Organising Fundraising Events: Organising annually events in the School of Pharmacy, such as the “International Women's Day” and the “International Men’s Day” fundraising events.

• Examples of Invited reviews of topical area of research: 3D Printing of Pharmaceuticals and Drug Delivery Devices (Pharmaceutics); How innovative drug delivery devices can help realise clinical utility of new effective therapies (Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery); On the issue of transparency and reproducibility in nanomedicine (Nature Nanotechnology); Characterization of drug delivery vehicles using atomic force microscopy: current status (Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery); 3D printing applications for transdermal drug delivery (International Journal of Pharmaceutics); Engineering and manufacturing of pharmaceutical co-crystals: a review of solvent-free manufacturing technologies (Chemical Communications).

• Examples of Single author publications: Emerging technologies for diagnostics and drug delivery in the fight against COVID-19 and other pandemics (Expert Review of Medical Devices); Research on new generation of safer mesh implants (CRS News).