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Preface I am honored to present the Preface to this ACS book, “Tailored Polymer Architectures for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications,” dedicated to Professor Raphael (Ray) M. Ottenbrite. This ambitious title with its foundation in polymers implies broad coverage of medical applications including drugs, medical devices and combination products. This book is a perfectly appropriate way to honor Ray, since, as long as I have known him, he has exemplified and promoted the commendable “agnostic” premise that all scientific tools should be applied to the solution of unmet medical and other societal needs through his own research, the publications, conferences and symposia that he has sponsored and the professional service he has rendered. How does Ray “walk the agnostic walk,” in his personal research endeavors? A few examples follow. Included among his over 250 publications over 30 patents are descriptions of bulk polymers he has created that serve as immune-stimulators for treating HIV and cancer. He has developed synthetic, non-natural amino acids for combination with therapeutic biomolecules for oral delivery instead of injection. His small molecule therapy accomplishments include highly potent antibacterial agents with promising properties that combat bacterial resistance, novel anti-inflammatories deliverable transdermally or orally, and a new antiviral agent effective against the recent SARS virus. As a pioneer in surface coatings, Ray has generated functionally-coated nanoparticles for drug conjugation and delivery by injection. Besides Ray’s innovations in the medical arena, he has made numerous seminal contributions to surface science, nanoparticle technology and polymer structure modification. A notable example is the development of heat resistant adhesives for space shuttle re-entry shields. In promoting and recognizing the work of diverse fellow medical innovators, Ray is in the top echelon of such colleagues. He has edited 21 polymer-related books. He has organized or co-organized over 20 ACS symposia and has chaired or served on the organizing committee of all Frontiers in Biomedical Polymers meetings, a biennial conference series of which he is a founding member. He has served continuously in leadership roles in the Polymer Division of the American Chemical Society since 1980, serving as chair in 1991. Ray has chaired two polymer-based Gordon conferences. In recognition of his contributions, Ray has received numerous honors from ACS, NASA and from international universities (as Visiting Professor). He is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. On a personal note, to know Ray is to appreciate a gentleman, always, who is driven to serve Society in the various creative ways that he can. This means xi In Tailored Polymer Architectures for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications; Scholz, C., et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2013.
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scouting unmet medical needs, highlighting them publicly and soliciting and publicizing approaches to their solution. He is respectful of and excited for the achievements of his colleagues and one of his greatest attributes is his ability to motivate people to provide service to the profession, to integrate them by sharing responsibilities and tasks such as editorships and symposia chairmanships, etc. To Ray, “Emeritus Professor” in no way implies relegation to the “rocking chair.” It means continuing the unique service detailed above, perhaps without some of the “perks” previously enjoyed as a renowned educator. For this, our biomedical polymer community is not only profoundly grateful, but expectant of much more of the same service from Ray long after this book is published.
Professor Raphael (Ray) M. Ottenbrite Art Coury Coury Consultation Services 154 Warren Avenue Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02116 xii In Tailored Polymer Architectures for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications; Scholz, C., et al.; ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2013.
