Renato “Sam” Navarro Research Group

University of Florida

How can polymer networks be designed to tune hydrogel mechanics and control therapeutic release for tissue repair? Navarro's group synthesizes tailored polymers using controlled polymer synthesis and crosslinking chemistries to create hydrogels with programmable degradation and stiffness. They evaluate drug delivery by loading therapeutics into hydrogel matrices and measuring release kinetics under physiological conditions. The research develops bioprinting processes that deposit cell-laden or acellular bioinks to fabricate tissue-like constructs for regenerative testing. Materials characterization and in vitro assays probe cell–material interactions and mechanical properties to guide scaffold design for engineering applications.