Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery

Dr. Jonathan Tersur Orasugh is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, Johannesburg, South Africa, and Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Council for Scientific & Industrial Research, CSIR, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. His research focus is in nanoscience and nanotechnology, Textiles, and Fibres. Presently, Dr. Jonathan is working on EMI shielding materials design and fabrication at CSIR, Pretoria in affiliation with the University of Johannesburg. He has also, carried out successful research work on synthesis of nano crystalline cellulose and its application in edible packaging, transdermal and ophthalmic drug delivery, and published articles in reputed high impact factor scientific journals along with several, presentation at international conferences. Dr. Jonathan has Ph.D. (Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) and MTech (Technical Textiles: Fibre Technology) from University of Calcutta, Kolkata, and B.Tech. (Textile Technology) from Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Nigeria. He has published more than 10 research articles in diverse international journals along with several books and book chapters with publishers of high repute. He is an active editor with few international journals and a reviewer with different international journals. He has more than 7yrs of research experience in the field of polymer composites and nanocomposites, synthesis, and surface treatment of nanomaterials along with their potential applications. He has carried out industrial-based research at to a satisfactory and implementable stage at the pilot plant scale. He is also an executive board member and research head at EL-YOTEK NIG. LTD. He is also a research consultant with AMER-SIL KETEX PVT LTD., India.

Professor Suprakas Sinha Ray is a Chief Research Scientist and Manager of the Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, and Director of the DSTI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa. He received his PhD degree in Physical Chemistry at the University of Calcutta, India, in 2001, and was a recipient of the ‘‘Sir P. C Ray Research Award’’ for the best PhD work. Prof. Ray’s current research focuses on the applications of advanced nanostructured & polymeric materials. He is one of the most active and highly cited authors (h-index of 99) in the field of polymer nanocomposite materials, and he has recently been ranked by Thomson Reuters among the Top 1% most impactful and influential scientists and among the top 50 high-impact chemists.

He has delivered more than 77 plenary/keynote/invited presentations at international conferences and has organised or co-organised several events. He authored 16 books, co-authored 13 edited books, wrote 65 book chapters on various aspects of polymer-based nano-structured materials and their applications, and published 687 articles in high-impact international journals. His work also includes 14 articles in peer-reviewed international conference proceedings and 30 articles in national and international conference proceedings. Additionally, he holds nine patents (registered or pending) and has developed 13 new technologies, which he has shared with colleagues, collaborators, and industry partners. His team has commercialised several products and supported SMMEs. Over the past 19 years, he has mentored 27 postdoctoral fellows and supervised 48 PhD and 17 Master’s students. In 2016, he was honored with South Africa’s most prestigious NSTF Award.