Profile
Darren is currently managing and participating on several different projects within the Biomaterials Research Unit (BRU). These projects included both short and long term, private and publicly funded work. Several of the projects have involved work which should lead to the generation of intellectual property for the involved companies and/or the University. Darren graduated in 2003 with a Class II(i) BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry from Aston University. He studied for a PhD from 2003-2007, under the supervision of Professor B.J. Tighe, Aston University. He was awarded his PhD in 2009, while working with Professor Tighe on a collaborative project between BRU and Johnson and Johnson Vision Care. Prior to 1998 Darren worked in the metal finishing industry.
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Research interests
- polymeric biomaterials
- biocompatible (co)polymers
- biomimetic (co)polymers
- hydrogels (co)polymers
- prepolymers (macromers)
- hydrogel/biofilm interactions
- the tear film
Darren’s research interests include the synthesis, characterisation and behaviour (in-vitro, in-vivo and ex-vivo) of novel biocompatible and biomimetic (co)polymers. Of particular interest are prepolymers (macromers) and hydrogels (co)polymers. Applications of interest for these polymers include ophthalmic, tissue repair/replacement and drug delivery. The interaction (in-vitro, in-vivo and ex-vivo) of biological species (particularly lipids) with these and other hydrogels is particularly important for biomaterials and is also a research interest. This is in line with the theme of the Biomaterials Research Group (BRU) where the research is interdisciplinary and involves interactive with relevant Universities and industrial companies. Darren’s PhD thesis, Tear and Skin Phospholipids; Analysis and Hydrogel Analogues, and his general involvement in BRU have led to an interest in the chemistry of tear film, in particular the phospholipids found in the lipid layer.
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Qualifications
- PhD in Biomaterials, Aston University, 2009
- BSc (Hons) Applied Chemistry, Class II(i), Aston University, 2003
- Aston Certificate: An Introduction to Learning and Teaching in HE, 2011
- Certificate of Professional Development (Starting a Business), 2012
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Employment
- March 2007 – Present
Research Associate, Biomaterials Research Unit, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University. Managing and participating, on several projects, including:
- October 2003 - September 2007
PhD Research Student, Tear and Skin Phospholipids; Analysis and Hydrogel Analogues, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University, (Supervisor: Professor B.J.Tighe)
- August 2003 - September 2003
Research Assistant, Biomaterials Research Unit, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University
- October 1998 - August 2003
BSc Hons, Applied Chemistry (Class 2.1), Aston University
- October 1988 - August 1998
Metal Finisher, Plater and Anodiser, Firmin and Sons, New Town, Birmingham
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Teaching activity
- Supervision of project students including; ERASMUS, MEng, MSc, and final year Chemistry.
Membership of Professional Bodies
- Higher Education Academy (HEA) (Associate membership)
- British Contact Lens Association (BCLA)
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Selected publications
Tighe B.J, Bramhill J, Campbell D. Proteoglycan analogues for ophthalmic and orthopaedic applications, Advanced Materials Research, in press.
Campbell D, Mann A, Hunt O, Santos L.J.R. The significance of hand wash compliance on the transfer of dermal lipids in contact lens wear, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 2012, 35, 71-76.
Campbell D, Griffiths G, Tighe B.J. Tear Analysis and Lens-tear Interactions: Part II. Ocular Lipids - Nature and Fate of Meibomian Gland Phospholipids, Cornea, 2011, 30, 3, 325-332.
Campbell D, Tighe B.J. Zwitterionic and Charge-balanced Polyampholyte Copolymer Hydrogels, Advanced Materials Research, 2008, 55-57, 729-732.
Campbell D, Mann A, Ross G, Hunt O, Tighe B.J. The effect of care solutions on the bulk and surface properties of soft contact lenses, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 2008, 31, 256.
Campbell D, Tighe B.J. Properties of SPDA: A biomimetic building block, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 2006, 29, 203.
Campbell D, Griffiths G, Tighe B.J. Compositional dynamics of phospholipids in the tear film, Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, 2006, 84, Supplement 239, 86.
Mann A, Campbell D, Griffiths G, Tighe B.J. The Nature and Fate of Lipids in Contact Lens Wear, Ophthalmic Research Journal for Research in Experimental and Clinical Ophthalmology, 2005, Volume 37, Supplement 1, 26, Poster 235.
Mann A.M, Campbell D, Tighe B.J. The Application of Capillary Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Techniques to the Study of patient to patient variations in Tear Chemistry, Ophthalmic Research Journal for Research in Experimental and Clinical Ophthalmology, 2004, Volume 36, Supplement 1, 34, Poster 165.
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