Paula Hammond

Paula Hammond, Ph.D., is a chemical engineer who designs nanoscale materials that can deliver drugs to specific parts of the body. Her work includes designing tiny particles that target chemotherapy drugs directly to tumor cells, and nanostructured dressings that rapidly stop bleeding to save the lives of soldiers wounded on the battlefield. She is a leading researcher in how to use polymers, nanotechnology, and biomaterials to improve human health. In her past work, she has designed polymers to improve batteries, solar cells, and alternative fuel cells. She is Head of MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering – where she was the first woman and person of color to hold that position – and an Institute Professor and member of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT.