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Prof Duncan Craig
Professor of Drug Delivery /Director
Pharmaceutics
UCL School of Pharmacy
- Joined UCL
- 1st Jan 2013
Research summary
The interests of the group revolve around the linking of physical characterisation of drug delivery systems with development and performance. In particular, Professor Craig’s group has specialised in introducing new analytical methods for the study of physical structure into the pharmaceutical arena, while simultaneously looking into new approaches for the development of delivery systems. Such systems include solid dispersions of drugs in polymers for enhanced oral absorption, hot melt extruded systems, self-emulsifying systems and minitablets. The techniques that have been developed include dielectric spectroscopy, modulated differential scanning calorimetry, micro- and nanothermal analysis, transition temperature microscopy and photothermal microspectroscopy. The most recent work involves the development of electrospinning as a means of developing drug delivery approaches, the use of the electronic tongue to develop a predictive approach to taste masking and the development of nanocrystalline systems for enhanced oral delivery.
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 include 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. In addition, Professor Craig is keen on teaching drug delivery and the associated underpinning physical chemistry at all levels, especially in first and second years where the challenge of engaging students in difficult fundamental topics is a particularly gratifying activity. He is an Honorary Professor at Shenyang Pharmaceutical University in China and is engaged with developing teaching and research collaborations with this very well renowned institution.
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.
