Patrick Getty

 About Patrick

• Advisor: Craig Hawker
• Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Campus: UCSB
• BioPACIFIC MIP Research: SET 3 - Functional Biomimics

 What is your research focus?

In collaboration with Angela Pitenis’s research group, I am working to elucidate the effects of polymer graft characteristics on the surface properties of hydrogels. We are developing a grafting-to method for the surface functionalization of hydrogels. By employing a grafting-to strategy, we will be able rigorously ascribe changes in the macroscopic surface properties of these hydrogels (e.g., lubricity) to the known variations in polymer graft properties (e.g., dispersity, molecular weight, and composition). Ultimately, we hope to use this fundamental study in order to inform future work in developing material systems that not only mimic but improve upon the functionality of nature. In this case, we were inspired by the lubricity of the ocular tear film, which we hope to mimic to enhance the wearability of contact lenses. More broadly, my research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of well-controlled, functional polymers—offering overlap with the research of SETs 2 and 4.

 What excites you about NSF BioPACIFIC MIP?

As a 2021 BioPACIFIC MIP Fellow, I both enjoyed and benefitted from the academic and professional development opportunities offered by the program. From an academic perspective, I greatly enjoyed the 2021 Summer School; and I am really looking forward to an in-person 2022 Summer School in order to better engage and leverage the networking opportunities. With regard to professional development, BioPACIFIC MIP introduced me to the concept of an Individual Development Plan (IDP); and I took advantage of several sessions organized by Arica Lubin and Rita Blaik to develop and improve upon my IDP. These sessions were immensely productive, and I hope to continue participating in similar future workshops for BioPACIFIC MIP Fellows. Finally, I’m looking forward to using the BioPACIFIC MIP electronic laboratory notebook on which I hear some people are working very hard.