Natural and Synthetic Hydrogels: Rational Design, Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

Ravin Narain, PhD, PEng, FRSC, is a Professor at the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering in the University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. Prof. Narain has made significant contributions to research on thedesign, fabrication, and characterization of novel carbohydrate-based materials (glycopolymers, hydrogels, and nanomaterials) for a wide range of applications. His research has also covered biomaterials, nanomedicines, and regenerative medicines, with an emphasis on developing advanced materials as cancer therapeutics, antifouling and antimicrobial uses, and cell/tissue engineering advances. He has published numerous articles in peerreviewedand high-impact journals and has edited several books, namely, Engineered Carbohydrate-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications (Wiley), Chemistry of Bioconjugates (Wiley), Glycopolymers: Synthesis and Applications (Smithers & Rapra), Polymers and Nanomaterials for Gene Therapy (Woodhead Publishing Elsevier), and Polymer Science and Nanotechnology (Elsevier). He was recently the section editor for the second edition of the book—Comprehensive Glycoscience (Elsevier). He is also on the editorial board for Frontiers inChemistry (Polymer Chemistry), Polymer Chemistry (RSC), Biomacromolecules (ACS), and Polymers (MDPI). He has won several awards including the Distinguished Visiting Researcher Award from Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia.