Dr James Kennedy

Principal Investigator

Dr James Kennedy is a lecturer and Research fellow in Athlone Institute of Technology. He holds a certificate and diploma in Plastic Engineering, a first class honours degree in Polymer Engineering and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering which involved the development of a novel multifunction drug eluting coating for endovascular stents. His research activities have included phase inversion of polymers for tissue engineering applications and developing lubricious hydrogel coatings for catheters. He has worked as a post doctoral researcher investigating the sterilisation effects on biomedical collagen sponges and is currently developing synthetic materials for medical training purposes. His current research interests include; drug delivery for nanomedical applications, novel wound healing devices, thermal and mechanical testing of polymers, hydrogels and drug eluting coatings. He is a member of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland (MIEI), Associated member of the Royal Institute of Physics (AMIOP) and a Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (GMMM). He also is a committee member and membership secretary of Materials Ireland. James to date, in collaboration with Dr Clement Higginbotham the Director of CNMR, has secured € 800,000 in Strand 3 funding, € 80,000 in Strand 1 funding, € 160,000 in Innovation partnerships and € 897,000 in equipment grants. James has in excess of 35 conference proceedings and 9 publications in peer reviewed journals and two filed patents. He has also carried out consultancy for a number of industrial clients and is currently co-supervising two PhD students within the CNMR.

List of Publications

Journal Publications

James E. Kennedy, Declan M. Devine, John G. Lyons, Luke M. Geever, Clement L. Higginbotham (2009)The synthesis and characterisation of grafted random styrene butadiene for biomedical applicationsJournal of Materials Science, In Press, DOI: 10.1007/s10853-008-3156-2

Thomas J. Smith, James E. Kennedy, Clement L. Higginbotham (2009)The rheological and thermal characteristics of freeze-thawed hydrogels containing hydrogen peroxide for potential wound healing applications Journal of the Mechanical Behaviour of Biomedical Materials, In Press, DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2008.10.003

Luke M. Geever, Ciaran C. Cooney, John G. Lyons, James E. Kennedy, Michael J.D. Nugent, Sinead Devery, Clement L. Higginbotham (2008)Characterisation and controlled drug release from novel drug-loaded hydrogelsEuropean Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 69 (3), 1147-1159

Clement L. Higginbotham and James E. Kennedy (2007)Nanomedicine at Athlone Institute of TechnologyThe Irish Scientist, 15, 45

Luke M. Geever, César M. Mínguez, Declan M. Devine, Michael J.D. Nugent, James E. Kennedy, John G. Lyons, Austin Hanley, Sinead Devery, Paul T. Tomkins, Clement L. Higginbotham (2007)The synthesis, swelling behaviour and rheological properties of chemically crosslinked thermosensitive copolymers based on N-isopropylacrylamide Journal of Materials Science, 42 (12), 30 June, 4136-4148

John G. Lyons, Harshad Holehonnur, Declan M. Devine, James E. Kennedy, Luke M. Geever, Paul Blackie, Clement L. Higginbotham (2007)The incorporation of an organically modified layered silicate in monolithic matrices produced using hot melt extrusionMaterials Chemistry and Physics, 103 (2-3), 15 June, 419-426

John G. Lyons, Mark P. Hallinan, James E. Kennedy, Declan M. Devine, Luke M. Geever, Paul Blackie, Clement L. Higginbotham (2007)Preparation of monolithic matrices for oral drug delivery using a supercritical fluid assisted hot melt extrusion process International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 329 (1-2), 62-71

Declan M. Devine, Sinead M. Devery, John G. Lyons, Luke M. Geever, James E. Kennedy, Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)Multifunctional polyvinylpyrrolidinone-polyacrylic acid copolymer hydrogels for biomedical applications International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 326 (1-2), 50-59

Luke M. Geever, Declan M. Devine, Michael J.D. Nugent, James E. Kennedy, John G. Lyons, Austin Hanley, Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)Lower critical solution temperature control and swelling behaviour of physically crosslinked thermosensitive copolymers based on N-isopropylacrylamide European Polymer Journal, 42 (10), 2540-2548

John G. Lyons, Declan M. Devine, James E. Kennedy, Luke M. Geever, Patrick O’ Sullivan and Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)The use of agar as a novel filler for monolithic matrices produced using hot melt extrusionEuropean Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 64, 75-81

Luke M. Geever, Declan M. Devine, Michael J.D. Nugent, James E. Kennedy, John G. Lyons and Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)The synthesis, characterisation, phase behaviour and swelling of temperature sensitive physically crosslinked poly (1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone)/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels European Polymer Journal, 42, 69-80

Conference Publications

Tommy J. Smith, James E. Kennedy, Clement L. Higginbotham (2008)Development of a hydrogel carrier for a H2O2 delivery system for chronic woundsProceedings of the 8th World Biomaterials Congress, May 28-June 1, RAI Conference Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands

James E. Kennedy, Clement L. Higginbotham (2008)Surface topography and drug elution characteristics of a grafted thermoplastic elastomerProceedings of the 1st Annual Materials Ireland Conference, April 22-23, Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Ireland

James E. Kennedy, Clement L. Higginbotham (2007),A Study of the Drug Release Mechanisms from a Grafted Thermoplastic ElastomerProceedings of the International Congress on Biohydrogels, November 14-17, Congress Centre “Principe di Piemonte”, Viareggio, Italy

James E. Kennedy, Clement L. Higginbotham (2007)Surface topography and drug elution characteristics of a grafted thermoplastic elastomerProceedings of the 21st European Conference on Biomaterials, September 09 –13, Brighton, UK

Thomas Smith, James E. Kennedy, Clement L. Higginbotham (2007)Development of a hydrogel carrier for a hydrogen peroxide delivery system for chronic wound healing applicationsProceedings of the 21st European Conference on Biomaterials, September 09 –13, Brighton, UK

James E. Kennedy, Finbar B. Dolan and Clement L. Higginbotham (2007)Smart drug eluting delivery system for cardiovascular conditions using a grafted thermoplastic elastomerProceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical polymers (FBPS 07), June 24 -27, Het Pand, Ghent, Belgium

Thomas J. Smith, James E. Kennedy and Clement L. Higginbotham (2007)Development of a hydrogel carrier for a hydrogen peroxide delivery system for chronic wound healing applicationsProceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical polymers (FBPS 07), June 24 -27, Het Pand, Ghent, Belgium

James E. Kennedy and Clement L. Higginbotham (2007)Swelling studies and surface topography of a grafted biomedical thermoplastic elastomerProceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical polymers (FBPS 07), June 24 -27, Het Pand, Ghent, Belgium

Luke M. Geever, Declan M. Devine, James E. Kennedy, Sinead M. Devery, Oilbhe Lawlor, Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)Chemically crosslinked temperature sensitive hydrogels for controlled release drug deliveryProceedings of the 20th European Conference on Biomaterials, September 27 – October 01, Cite des Congres, Nantes, France

James E. Kennedy, Finbar B. Dolan, and Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)Spectral and mechanical characterization of potential drug eluting coatings for cardiovascular conditionsProceedings of the 20th European Conference on Biomaterials, September 27 – October 01, Cite des Congres, Nantes, France

James E. Kennedy, Finbar B. Dolan, and Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)Investigation of the topography and swelling behaviour of UV polymerized thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) by the addition of various monomeric side groups for use as a stent drug eluting delivery system for cardiovascular conditionsProceedings of the 20th European Conference on Biomaterials, September 27 – October 01, Cite des Congres, Nantes, France

John G. Lyons, James E. Kennedy, Sinead Devery and Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)The modification of monolithic devices prepared using hot melt extrusion with the use of novel filler systemsProceedings of the International Conference on Advances in Biomaterials for Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine, page 129, 11-16 June, Hotel La Residenza, Capri, Italy

James E. Kennedy and Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)Grafted co-polymers for drug eluting applicationsProceedings of the Materials Congress, April 5-7, Carlton House Terrace, London, UK

James E. Kennedy, John G. Lyons, and Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)Investigation into the release rate of aspirin from grafted hydrophilic elastomer for use in drug eluting applicationsProceedings of the Materials Congress, April 5-7, Carlton House Terrace, London, UK

James E. Kennedy and Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)Investigation of the topography and swelling behaviour of UV polymerised thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) by the addition of various monomeric side groups for use in smart biomedical applicationsProceedings of the 1st International Conference on Materials, Energy and Design (MED 06), Page 89, March 14-17, Dublin Institute of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin, Ireland

James E. Kennedy, Marco Schubert and Clement L. Higginbotham (2006)Synthesis and characterisation of grafted thermoplastic elastomers used in drug eluting applications Proceedings of the 3rd Annual BioNet Conference (The Biotechnology Showcase), page 59, January 18-19, Institute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland

Clement L. Higginbotham and James E. Kennedy (2005)Determination of the mechanical and thermal properties of Styrene Butadiene Styrene –g - N-isopropylacrylamideProceedings of the 19th European Conference on Biomaterials, September 11 – 15, Sorrento Palace Hotel, Sorrento, Italy

Clement L. Higginbotham and James E. Kennedy (2005)Investigation into the use of styrene butadiene styrene – g – N vinyl 2 pyrrolidone for biomedical applications Proceedings of the 19th European Conference on Biomaterials, September 11 – 15, Sorrento Palace Hotel, Sorrento, Italy

Clement L. Higginbotham, Paul Blackie, Mark Hallinan, Sean Lyons and James Kennedy (2005)The use of supercritical fluid technology in the development of a novel oral matrix based drug delivery device formed using conventional plastics processing technologies Proceedings of the International Symposium on Supercritical Fluids, May 1-4, Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, Florida, USA

James E. Kennedy, Jean-Marie Bocquel, Sean G. Lyons and Clement L. Higginbotham (2005)Determination of the Mechanical and Thermal properties of Styrene Butadiene Styrene -g - N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidoneProceedings of the Conference on Drug Delivery and Diffusion through Polymers, June 21, Institute of Physics, London, UK

P-A. Fourrier, J. E. Kennedy, K. Vaugh and C. L. Higginbotham (2005)Development of an arteriosclerosis model within ANSYSTMProceedings of the 22nd International Manufacturing Conference, Challenges Facing Manufacturing, August 31st-September 2nd, Institute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin

Clement L Higginbotham and James E. Kennedy (2004)Development of a polymeric drug eluting coating for biomedical applicationsProceedings of the 10th International Conference on Polymers in Medicine and Surgery, September 6-8, Robinson College, Cambridge

Clement L. Higginbotham and James E. Kennedy (2004)Determination of the mechanical and rheological properties of a polymeric drug eluting coatingProceedings of the 10th International Conference on Polymers in Medicine and Surgery, September 6-8, Robinson College, Cambridge

Clement L. Higginbotham, Declan M. Devine, Luke M. Geever, James E. Kennedy, Paul F. McDonald, Sean J. G. Lyons and Michael J.D. Nugent (2004)Investigation of polymer systems for biomedical applicationsNanofabrication Symposium, March 10-12, Dundalk.

Clement L. Higginbotham, Declan M. Devine, Luke Geever, James E. Kennedy, Paul F. McDonald, John G. Lyons and Michael J.D. Nugent (2004)Characterisation of polymer systems for drug delivery applicationsNanofabrication Symposium, March 10-12, Dundalk.

Clement L. Higginbotham and James Kennedy (2004)Development of a novel multifunctional drug eluting coatingMaterials Congress, March 30-April 1, London