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Prof Duncan Craig
Professor of Drug Delivery /Director
Pharmaceutics
UCL School of Pharmacy
- Joined UCL
- 1st Nov 2012
Research summary
The interests of the group revolve around the use of nanofabrication techniques to develop new drug delivery systems, supported by the use of a range of innovative physical characterisation techniques. More specifically, we are exploring the use of electrospinning, microfluidics, nanocrystallization, extrusion technologies and additive manufacturing techniques to develop delivery systems for a range of applications including the formulation of poorly water soluble drugs for oral delivery, the delivery of genetic material and proteinaceous systems and the delivery of drugs to target tissues such as the eye and brain. Our work has been built up over the years on the basis of the study of physical characterisation of drugs and delivery systems using a range of thermal, spectroscopic and imaging techniques including modulated DSC, AFM, nanothermal analysis and variable temperature FTIR. We actively collaborate with colleagues across UCL, particularly in the Division of Medicine, Mechanical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering and Institute for Women's Health. Our work combines consideration of innovative engineering solutions to drug delivery problems though to the clinical applicability of those systems for the treatment of a range of conditions.
Teaching summary
Professor Craig was one of the architects of the highly successful MPharm course at UEA and has a long involvement with curriculum design and teaching innovation. Particular interests have included new methods for developing project modules, involving the preparation of research papers rather than reports, the development of student-centred subject specialisation modules and research skills modules. More recently he has designed and led the delivery of a new innovative final year MPharm module, Advancing Practice Through Science, which involves students developing a new service for the treatment of a specific condition and supporting that service via exploration of the scientific background, preparation of a promotional film, presentation to a team of experts and submission of a formal service proposal complete with costings and patient journey assessment. He has also designed and led the delivery of an innovative option in Industrial Pharmacy which involves a flipped classroom approach and the involvement of leading innovators and leaders within the industry. He supervises significant numbers of MPharm and taught masters project students, many of whom go on to study for a PhD.
Biography
Professor Duncan Craig graduated with a BPharm (Hons) from the University of Bath in 1984 and, following pre-registration training at Upjohn Ltd and St Thomas' Hospital, went on to study for a PhD at the School of Pharmacy, University of London, on the topic of polymeric drug delivery systems. He subsequently joined the staff and rose to the position of Reader in 1999 but left to take up a chair at the Queen's University Belfast, where he stayed for four years before moving to the University of East Anglia to set up the new School of Pharmacy in 2003. The School went on to achieve top ranking in the national student survey for five years in a row and was consistently ranked within the top 3 UK pharmacy schools in the major league tables. He stepped down as Head of School in 2011 to work for the Vice-Chancellor's Office as Director of Internationalisation, charged with shaping the university's policy on international relations and collaborations. In 2013 he returned to the School of Pharmacy, now part of UCL, to assume the position of Director of the newly merged School. Professor Craig has won numerous prizes including the GlaxoSmithKline International Achievement Award, the Controlled Release Society Young Investigator Award and the British Pharmaceutical Conference Science Award. He is currently Chair of the Pharmacy Schools Council, the representative body that comprises the heads of pharmacy schools within the UK.
