Principal Investigator
Dr. Jessica Pullan
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
I am a pharmaceutical chemist with a focus on nanoparticles. Research interest include nanoparticle drug delivery and nanoparticle diagnostics. Looking specifically at extracellular vesicles.
Background
Positions & Education
Recognition
Awards & Honors
Focus Areas
Research Interests
Our lab investigates how biological and synthetic nanoparticles can be engineered to detect and treat disease at the molecular level.
Nanoparticle Drug Delivery
Designing lipid-based and biological nanoparticles to deliver therapeutic agents more precisely, with the goal of improving treatment effectiveness while reducing unwanted side effects.
Extracellular Vesicles
Studying tiny particles naturally released by cells that can carry proteins, lipids, and genetic material. The lab explores how extracellular vesicles, including those derived from bovine milk, may be modified for future use in drug delivery and diagnostics.
Nanoparticle Diagnostics
Developing nanoparticle-based tools that may help detect or visualize disease in less invasive ways, including biological platforms with potential imaging applications.
GDF-15 Targeting
Investigating the role of GDF15 in hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe pregnancy condition marked by extreme nausea and vomiting, with the long-term goal of supporting more targeted treatment strategies.
Oncology Applications
Exploring new therapeutic approaches for aggressive cancers, including pancreatic cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and glioblastoma, by studying drug delivery platforms, tumor biology, and molecular targets.
Clinical Translation
Examining the steps needed to move promising laboratory discoveries toward patient care, including safety, compatibility, experimental design, and the practical challenges of developing nanoparticle-based therapies.
Partners
Collaborations
Rocky Vista University
Exploring GDF-15
People
The Team
Alumni
Culture
Our Lab Culture
Selected Works
Recent Publications
Peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Full bibliography →
Funding
Grants & Support
On the Calendar
Upcoming Events
Teaching
Courses
Chemical Literature and Seminar
Introduction to Chemistry
Taught online Summer and Fall 2025
Biological Chemistry
Taught every fall starting fall 2024
Elementary Chemistry
Pharmaceutics
Taught on odd fall years
Chemistry Cornerstone
Taught every spring and every other summer as study abroad
Elementary Organic-Biochemistry
Continues to teach when requested; taught 3 times
Principles of Chemistry I
Taught multiple times throughout the years since 2022
Media
Press & Media
Dr. Jessica Pullan’s research uses chemistry and molecular biology to better understand complex diseases and identify more targeted approaches to treatment. Her work includes studying hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe pregnancy condition, by investigating how genetic variation in GDF15 may contribute to extreme nausea and vomiting. She also studies glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, with a focus on how molecules such as SPARCL1 behave differently across regions of a tumor. In addition, her lab examines extracellular vesicles, tiny cell-released particles that may have future uses in diagnostics, drug delivery, and disease monitoring. Across these areas, her research connects laboratory science with real-world medical problems.
For media inquiries, please email.
Get In Touch
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