
Mark Schoenfisch
Peter A. Ornstein Distinguished Professor, Jointly appointed with the School of Medicine & School of Pharmacy
Caudill Laboratories 336919-843-8714
schoenfisch@unc.edu
Group Website
Curriculum Vitae
Research Interests
Analytical Sensors, Biomaterials & Nanoparticle Therapeutics
Research Synopsis
Our research is focused on four main areas: 1) designing macromolecular nitric oxide release vehicles as novel therapeutics; 2) improving the analytical performance of implantable continuous glucose monitoring devices for diabetes management; 3) designing microfluidic nitric oxide, NO, sensors for real-time detection of NO in biological media; and, 4) developing superhydrophobic interfaces for mold prevention and remediation.
In the Schoenfisch Lab, we work at the interface of analytical chemistry, materials science, biomedical engineering, and biology. The types of multi-disciplinary research opportunities that are available include studies of therapeutics to treat various diseases; sensors that function reliably and continuously, real time, to facilitate disease management; microelectrode and microfluidic sensor design and fabrication for clinical, point-of-care, and diagnostic/prognostic applications; and, new macromolecular scaffolds that manipulate biology and physiology.
Professional Background
University of Kansas, B.A., 1992; University of Arizona, Ph.D., 1997; University of Michigan, National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow, 1998-1999; Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh Young Investigator Award, 2001; Eli Lilly and Company Young Investigator Award, 2002-2004; National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2004-2009; International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Young Observer Award , 2005; John L. Sanders Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and Service, 2007; Chapman Family Teaching Award for Distinguished Teaching of Undergraduate Students, 2015
News & Publications

In this study, we evaluated mediator, immune cell, and mRNA expression profiles in the local tissue microenvironment surrounding implanted sensors as a function of NO release, diabetes, and implantation duration.

Two glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biopolymers, hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), were chemically modified via carbodiimide chemistry to facilitate the loading and release of nitric oxide (NO) to develop a multi-action wound healing agent.