Dr. Steven Little Named One of Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40
Each year, Pittsburgh Magazine and the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) sponsor 
the 40 Under 40 Program with the goal of recognizing 40 people under the age of 40 who are committed to shaping our region and making it a better place for everyone to live, work, and play. This year, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine faculty member Steven Little, PhD, was selected from a nomination pool of more than 225 candidates. Dr. Little and fellow honorees were chosen by an independent panel of judges, comprised of former winners, business professionals, and civic leaders. Winners were chosen based on their passion, commitment, visibility, diversity, and overall impact on the region. Dr. Little was recognized not only for his passion as a teacher, researcher, and entrepreneur, but also for his volunteerism with the nonprofit, EduNations, and its work in Sierra Leone. He also was the only engineer to be recognized.
At the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Little is the Chairman of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and is an Associate Professor and CNG Faculty Fellow in the Departments of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Bioengineering, Immunology, and Ophthalmology. Dr. Little joined the McGowan Institute in 2006 after receiving his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Researchers in Dr. Little’s Lab focus upon therapies that are biomimetic in that they replicate the biological function and interactions of living entities using synthetic systems. The areas of study include bioengineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, ophthalmology, and immunology. The health issues addressed include autoimmune disease, battlefield wounds, cancer, HIV, ocular diseases, and transplantation. Some of the ongoing research projects in the lab include: Mimicking Biological Structure and Behavior Using Polymeric Release Systems and Carbon Nanotubes, Treatments for Periodontitis that Restore Immunological Homeostasis, Sequential Delivery of Growth Factors for Regeneration of Tissues, and Thermo-gelling Eye Drops for the Delivery of Ophthalmic Therapies. Dr. Little currently has 10 provisional, 2 pending, and 5 issued patents.
The 40 Under 40 Program awards presentation will be held the evening of October 24, 2014, at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Magazine will also identify all winners in a feature story.
Congratulations, Dr. Little!
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