CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Alan J. Russell is Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He also serves as Professor of Surgery, Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and Professor of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry. Additionally, Dr. Russell is the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative (PTEI) and an associate director in the Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering.

Dr. Russell received his baccalaureate degree in Biochemistry and Applied Molecular Biology from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (United Kingdom) in 1984, and his doctorate in Biological Chemistry from Imperial College, the University of London, in 1987. After spending two years (1987 - 1989) as a NATO Research Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Alexander Klibanov at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Russell joined the University of Pittsburgh as Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering. In 1995, he became Nikolas DeCecco Professor and was Chairman of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. In 1999, Dr. Russell co-founded a now successful biotechnology company, Agentase LLC.

Within the Russel Laboratories, research has focused on the symbiotic interface between enzymes and materials, specifically biotechnological chemical weapon defense; the study of proteins in extreme environments; biocatalytic polymer synthesis; and the development of rational approaches to biomaterial syntheses for tissue engineering. His seminal work has been performed in the area of the decontamination of chemical weapons using enzymes. Collaborting with U.S. Army scientists, these approaches are expanding the number of possible defenses against chemical weapons.

Under the direction of Dr. Russell, the mission of the PTEI is to propel Pittsburgh and the Southwestern Pennsylvania region to preeminence in tissue engineering through support of university-based research and education, and by pairing tissue engineering scientists with technology transfer opportunities to help them build our regional biotechnology enterprise. PTEI accomplishes its goals through a vision-driven, needs-based strategy consisting of: seed grant funding of research with clear potential commercial impact; sponsorship and vertical integration of educational programs directed at a wide range of experience levels; facilitating access to innovative technology transfer systems; and global dissemination of tissue engineering-related information via the internet and other media.

Since the outset of his career, Dr. Russell has been featured in several publications and has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to research, teaching and public service. These awards include: R&D 100; Carnegie Award for Excellence in Science and Technology; American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Fellow; Editorial Board, Journal Molecular Catalysis (Enzymatic), Encyclopedia of Catalysis and Biocatalysis & Biotransformations; American Cyanamid Research Award; Presidential Young Investigator, National Science Foundation; Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award; and Who’s Who in America.

1. Panza, J.L., Wagner, W.R., Rilo, H.L., Rao, H.R., Beckman, E.J. and Russell, A.J. (2000) Covalent modification of rat pancreatic islets with PEG. Biomaterials 21, 1155-1164.
2. Andreopoulos, F.M., Beckman, E.J. and Russell, A.J. (2000) Photoswitchable of PEG-CA hydrogels and factors that affect their photosensitivity. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 38, 1466-1476.
3. Mesiano, A., Beckman, E.J. and Russell, A.J. (1999) Chemical Rev., 99:2, 623-633. Supercritical biocatalysis.
4. LeJeune, K.E., and Russell, A.J. (1999) Biocatalytic nerve agent detoxification in fire fighting foams. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 62, 659-665.
5. Kline, B., Beckamn, E.J. and Russell, A.J. (1998) One step biocatalytic synthesis of linear polyesters with pendant hydroxyl groups. J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 120, 9475-9480.
6. Andreopoulos, F.M., Beckman, E.J. and Russell, A.J. (1998) Light-induced tailoring of PEG- hydrogel properties. Biomaterials 19, 1343-1352.
7. LeJeune, K.E., Wild, J.R. and Russell, A.J. (1998) Degradation of chemical weapons using enzymes in fire fighting foams. Nature, 395, 27-28.
8. Chaudhary, A.K., Beckman, E.J. and Russell, A.J. (1998) Non-equal reactivity model for biocatalytic polytransesterification. Amer. Inst. Chem. Eng. J. 44, 753-768.