David A. Edwards

Edwards is a biomedical engineer actively involved in the translation of ideas from the university through novel medical technology, and the writing, performing and visual arts. His scientific research concerns the mathematical design of novel physical parameters that allow nanostructured materials to efficiently deliver drugs and vaccines to the lungs and other human organs, with a special focus on infectious diseases in developing world nations. Current work in his laboratory includes the investigation of fluid mechanical properties of the lung lining fluid that permit control of expired bioaerosol and mitigation of the spread of inhaled infectious disease, development of novel antibiotic therapies for tuberculosis and a new delivery platform for needleless childhood vaccines. Medicine in Need, or MEND, is an international not-for-profit organization that translates research from David’s lab to clinical practice in South Africa and other developing world environments. He lives with his wife and three sons in Boston and Paris.

Edwards is the co-author of numerous scientific publications in the fields of fluid mechanics, interfacial transport phenomena, drug delivery, and aerosol science. He has published two textbooks (Interfacial Tranport Properties and Rheology, 1991, and Macrotransport Processes, 1993) and is the author of many patents and patent applications in the area of drug delivery, with a special focus on novel medical aerosols. A member of the National Academy of Engineering since 2001, David is a three-time recipient of the Ebert Prize of the American Pharmaceutical Association (1996, 1997, 1999), and the winner of various national and international awards including the Theodor Herzl Award of the Jersusalem Fund and the Municipality of Jerusalem, the Smoluchowski Award of the European Aerosol Association, and the Professional Progress Award of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He is the founder of Advanced Inhalation Research, or AIR, now part of Alkermes, Inc., Pulmatrix, Medicine in Need, the Cloud Foundation, and L’Association Nuage-France, and Le Laboratoire.