UA Engineering Professor Named Fulbright Scholar

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. Chris Brazel, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering at The University of Alabama, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant as a visiting professor at Keele University’s Medical Center for the 2008-2009 academic year.

The medical center is part of the Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine in Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

Brazel’s research is focused on magnetic hyperthermia and targeted drug delivery for cancer therapy. He will also be working with collaborators at Keele to develop advanced materials for magnetofection gene therapy, with particular emphasis on cystic fibrosis, and polymer scaffolds for delivery of calcium promoters for tissue engineering of bone.

Brazel is one of approximately 800 U.S. faculty and professionals who will travel abroad through the Fulbright Scholar Program. Established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Sen. J. William Fulbright, the program’s purpose is to build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the rest of the world. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has more than 2,300 students and over 100 faculty. In the last seven years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.