Welcome

Welcome to the home page for "The Salem Laboratory of Advanced Drug and Gene Delivery". Dr. Salem's research expertise is in drug discovery, development, formulation and delivery. Dr. Salem applies this expertise to developing therapies for regenerative medicine, cancer and other diseases. 

 

Selected Publication Highlights:

M. Hassert, L.L. Drewry, L.L. Pewe, L.S. Hancox, R. He, S. Arumugam, M.R. Mix, A.K. Salem, and J.T. Harty. mRNA vaccination overcomes hemozoin-mediated impairment of whole parasite malaria vaccines. Nature Microbiology. 2026.

R. Smith†, E.I. Wafa†, S.M. Geary†, K. Ebeid, S.O. Alhaj-Suliman, A.K. Salem. Cationic nanoparticles enhance T-cell tumor infiltration and antitumor immune response to a melanoma vaccine. Science Advances. 2022. 

K. Ebeid, X. Meng, K.W. Thiel, A. Do, S.M. Geary, A. S. Morris, E.L. Pham, A. Wongrakpanich, Y.S. Chhonker, D.J. Murry, K.K. Leslie, A.K. Salem. Synthetically Lethal Nanoparticles for Treatment of Endometrial Cancer. Nature Nanotechnology. 2018.

M.C. Coleman, J.E. Goetz, M.J. Brouillette, D. Seol, M.C. Willey, E.B. Petersen, B. Khorsand, A.S. Morris, A.K. Salem, D.C. Fredericks, T.O. McKinley, J.A. Martin. Mitochondrial Responses to Intraarticular Fracture are a Disease-Modifying Target for Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis Prevention. Science Translational Medicine. 2018.

S.M. Geary, C.D. Lemke, D.M. Lubaroff and A.K. Salem. Proposed mechanisms of action for prostate cancer vaccines. Nature Reviews Urology. 2013.

A.K. Salem, P.C. Searson and K.W. Leong. Multifunctional nanorods for gene delivery. Nature Materials. Oct 2003, 2, 668-671.

H.S. Sakhalkar, M.K. Dalal, A.K. Salem, R. Ansari, J. Fu, M.F. Kiani, J. Hanes, K.M. Shakesheff and D.J. Goetz. Leukocyte inspired therapeutic particles that selectively and avidly adhere to inflamed endothelium. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.100 (26): 15895-15900 DEC 23 2003.

 

porous particle

Formulation Expertise

Our research group has expertise in formulating small molecules, proteins and nucleic acids

Pyramid Scaffold

Materials Science and Nano and Microtechnology Expertise

Our research group has expertise on materials characterization and using nano and microtechnology to develop effective dosage forms.

Salem Group 2016

Formulation

Experts
In the Lab 2

Drug and Gene Delivery

Toxicity Testing
Kareem Salem

Cancer Immunotherapy

Regenerative Medicine

Directions

See the "Contact Us" page for directions to the College of Pharmacy

 

cells with particles

Research in progress 1

R. Smith†, E.I. Wafa†, S.M. Geary†, K. Ebeid, S.O. Alhaj-Suliman, A.K. Salem. Cationic nanoparticles enhance T-cell tumor infiltration and antitumor immune response to a melanoma vaccine. Science Advances. 2022.

3D Salem Lab logo

Research in progress 2

S. Areecheewakul, A. Adamcakova-Dodd, Z.R. Zacharias, X. Jing, D.K. Meyerholz, K.L. Legge, J.C.D. Houtman, P.T. O’Shaughnessy, P.S. Thorne, A.K. Salem. Immunomodulatory effects of sub-acute inhalation exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles in house dust mite-induced asthma. ACS Nano. 2023.

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Events

UI College of Pharmacy Ohio State Tailgate promotional image

UI College of Pharmacy Ohio State Tailgate

Saturday, October 3, 2026 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Courtyard Marriott Iowa City/University Heights

Join us for a tailgate before the Iowa Hawkeyes take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

We'll have food, drinks, tailgate games, and more! Flu vaccines will be available in partnership with Towncrest Pharmacy!

This event is open to all College of Pharmacy alumni, faculty/staff, and friends.

REGISTER (This is a complimentary event, but pre-registration is required.)

College of Pharmacy Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement Symposium, Alumni Awards, and Professorship/Chair Celebration promotional image

College of Pharmacy Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement Symposium, Alumni Awards, and Professorship/Chair Celebration

Thursday, October 29, 2026 4:00pm
College of Pharmacy Building

On Oct. 29, we will celebrate recipients of the following UI Pharmacy awards and honors:

Osterhaus Medal for Lifetime Achievement Award:
Terry Dahl, '83 PhD

Distinguished Alumni Award:
Laura Borgelt, '95 BSPh, PharmD, MBA
Lisa Gersema, '84 BSPh, '86 PharmD
Youlin Lin, '72 PhD
Randy McDonough, '87 BSPh, '97 MS, '00 PharmD

Honorary Alumni Award:
Jean Eisenbart, BS, MS

Genesis Alumni Award:
Christian Fernandez, '10 PhD
Wes Pilkington, '11 PharmD

Professorship Reappointment:
Korey Kennelty, PharmD, MS, PhD
Patri...

College of Pharmacy Homecoming Alumni, Family, and Friends Celebration promotional image

College of Pharmacy Homecoming Alumni, Family, and Friends Celebration

Friday, October 30, 2026 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Graduate by Hilton

Calling all College of Pharmacy alumni, faculty/staff, and friends! Please join us for a family-friendly event following the Homecoming parade as we celebrate all UI College of Pharmacy alumni.

2026 Honorary Classes: 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021
(Pre-registered alumni of these classes will receive a college-branded gift!)

Food will be served, and a cash bar available. Fun activities for the kids!

Cost: $15/adult, $8/children 6 - 12 years, FREE/children 5 and...

Use navigation links to see publications and current group members

Links also show available equipment, former group members and collaborators