All of my research interests are directed toward the optimization of drug delivery to the lung and nose.

About Dr. Dalby’s Research:

A major research goal is to understand what factors affect the performance of pressurized metered dose inhalers (MDIs), dry powdered inhalers (DPI), nebulizers and nasal sprays. This research frequently involves the development and evaluation of novel formulations and aerosol generating devices, and the design, construction and validation of specialized aerosol testing equipment.

A second focus is on the development of rational test methods for aerosolized drug products that have regulatory implications. Recent achievements include the development of techniques to evaluate nasal spray bioequivalence, estimate powder emptying from DPIs using physiologically justified inhalation conditions and determine how pediatric and adult patients actually operate inhalation devices. The lab also elucidates the factors governing performance of spacers and face masks used with MDIs.

About Dr. Dalby’s Lab:

The “Aerosol Lab” is located in Pharmacy Hall, rooms 647 and 636. We welcome interested visitors, but potential employers and recruiting agencies should read these instructions before contacting us.

Principal Investigator:

  • Richard Dalby, PhD
    Formulation and evaluation of pressurized metered dose inhaler, dry powder, nebulizer, and nasal spray products. Development and evaluation of existing and proposed test methods for inhalation products. Laboratory testing and patient evaluation of novel pulmonary and nasal delivery devices. Design of patient education aids.

Current Graduate and Post-Doctoral Students:

  • Tao Bai, PhD
    Post-doctoral research
  • Diane Doughty
    Third-year graduate student; rational selection of programming settings for automated actuation of nasal sprays and metered dose inhalers based on hand profiles

Past Graduate and Post-Doctoral Students

  • Sudipta Ganguly, PhD
    An exogenous phospholipid-based lung surfactant inhalation system to enhance pulmonary drug deposition
  • Huiping Wu, PhD
    Evaluating the performance characteristics of spacers used with metered dose inhalers at low flow rates and when a face-mask is employed
  • Yang Guo, PhD
    Targeting aerosol deposition in nasal passages – effect of different breathing techniques
  • David Cline, PhD
    Correlating dry powder inhaler performance to basic physical-chemical properties of powder formulations
  • Julie Suman, PhD
    Optimizing nasal drug administration and evaluating in vitro and in vivo tests of nasal bioequivalence
  • Zhili Li, PhD
    Creating computerized instrumentation and training tools for metered dose and dry powder inhaler platforms
  • Ta-Chun Lin, PhD
    Evaluating the performance characteristics of spacers used with metered dose inhalers at low flow rates and when a face-mask is employed; testing nebulizer performance under realistic breathing conditions
  • Varsha Chavan, PhD
    Evaluating the effect of flow rate and rate of increase of flow rate on the performance of dry powder inhalers
  • Shailaja Somaraju, PhD
    Optimizing pulmonary drug delivery using spacer devices in conjunction with pressurized metered dose inhalers
  • Rajkumari Jasjnani, PhD (Co-Director: Peter Byron)
    Effect of salt selection and environmental conditions on dry powder aerosol generation and post-doctoral research
  • Shalabh Gupta, MS (Co-Director: Francis Moussy)
    Pulmonary delivery of protein C and factor IX
  • Susan Sultzbaugh, PhD
    Functionality testing used to rationally assess performance of a model respiratory solution or suspension in a nebulizer.
  • Nancy Baros, MS
    Comparison of respirable particle generation by two processes: nebulization drying and spray drying
  • Aneeta Chawla, PhD
    Post-doctoral research