About Dr Tia Attia
I'm a pharmacist and formulation scientist with expertise in drug delivery systems and cancer biology, with a background in marketing and business. I'm currently an Academic Tutor at the University of Sunderland, where I combine my research expertise and teaching experience to deliver high-quality education and mentorship to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
I hold a BSc in pharmacy and a BSc (Hons) in pharmaceutical science from the University of Greenwich, followed by an MSc in pharmaceutical biotechnology, where I conducted research under the supervision of Dr Giulia Getti. I then pursued a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Sunderland under the mentorship of Professor Amal Ali Elkordy, focusing on both formulation science and cancer biology.
My doctoral research involved the development and optimisation of liposomal nanovesicles co-loaded with anti-cancer using microfluidic systems for targeted cancer therapy, with an emphasis on studying their cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells and the role of reactive oxygen species in tumour progression.
Following my PhD, I was awarded funding from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Impact Acceleration Account to develop a novel liposomal formulation for psoriasis treatment, with the aim of advancing commercialisation prospects.
At the University of Sunderland, I contribute to teaching and supervising students across various pharmaceutical science disciplines, integrating practical applications and cutting-edge research into my approach to education.
Teaching and supervision
I either teach lectures, practical labs, and/ or problem-based learning sessions on the following modules in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Sciences:
- BPS0001: Foundations for Chemistry for Pharmaceutical Science
- PBS318: Advanced Formulation Science
- BPS213: Pharmaceutical Manufacture
- PBFM11: Essential Study Skills, Dosage Forms and Pharmacokinetics
- PBFM13: Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology
- PBFM14: Bioinformatics
- PBFM15: Research Project
- PHA116: The Professional Practice of Pharmacy
- PHA222: Integrated Therapeutics 1: Cardiovascular and Renal Systems
- PHA223: Integrated Therapeutics 2 : Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Systems
- PHA332: Project supervision
- CSCM01: EU and Worldwide Regulation for the Manufacture and Marketing of Cosmetic, Personal Care and Fragrance Products
- CSCM03: Advanced Business And Marketing Skills In The Cosmetics Industry
- CSCM04: Advances In Dermatology and Hair Care
- CSC303: Regulatory Aspects and Quality Management.
- DDDM14: Science And Technology for Drug Development
- RPMM11: Essential Pharmaceutical Science Research & Study Skills
- MDL200: Applied Biomedical, Behavioural and Social Sciences as Applied to Medicine
I'm also a module leader for CSCM03 and I supervise MSc Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Formulations students.
Research
My research centres on the rational design and translational development of advanced drug delivery systems, with particular emphasis on lipid-based nanocarriers, including liposomes and niosomes, for targeted and stimuli-responsive therapeutic applications. I specialise in engineering nanoformulations using microfluidic platforms to achieve precise control over particle size, polydispersity, encapsulation efficiency, and physicochemical stability, thereby enhancing reproducibility and scalability for clinical translation.
A core focus of my work lies in the treatment of chronic inflammatory and proliferative disorders, particularly psoriasis and cancer. I integrate advanced in vitro models, including 3D reconstructed human skin systems and tumour-relevant cellular platforms, to evaluate drug penetration, cellular uptake, therapeutic efficacy, and mechanistic pathways. My research adopts a systems-level approach, investigating the interplay between formulation design, cellular microenvironment, and therapeutic outcome.
In parallel, I explore the mechanistic role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tumour progression and inflammatory dysregulation. Specifically, I investigate oxidative stress modulation as a therapeutic strategy, examining how antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and alpha-lipoic acid can be strategically incorporated within nanocarrier systems to enhance anticancer efficacy, reduce off-target cytotoxicity, and improve redox homeostasis. This work bridges formulation science with molecular cancer biology to develop synergistic, multi-functional therapeutic platforms.
Expanding into the field of precision medicine, I am increasingly interested in the application of additive manufacturing technologies for personalised drug delivery. My research aims to integrate pharmaceutical 3D printing approaches to fabricate patient-specific dosage forms, including customised oral tablets with tailored release kinetics and dissolvable microneedle arrays for minimally invasive transdermal delivery. By combining lipid-based nanotechnology with 3D-printed platforms, I seek to develop hybrid delivery systems capable of precise dose modulation, spatial drug distribution, and personalised therapeutic regimens aligned with individual patient needs.
Overall, my research vision is to advance next-generation, patient-centred drug delivery systems that integrate nanotechnology, redox biology, microfluidics, and additive manufacturing to improve therapeutic precision, safety, and clinical outcomes.
Publications
See all of Dr Tia Attia's publicationsAreas of expertise
- Nanomedicine & Therapeutic Biomaterials
- Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy
- Lipid-Based Nanotechnology (Liposomes and Niosomes)
- Microfluidic Nanoparticle Engineering
- 3D-Printed Transdermal and Oral Drug Delivery Platform
- Pharmaceutical 3D Printing of Personalised Dosage Forms
- Inflammatory Skin Disorders and Psoriasis Therapeutics
- In Vitro 3D Disease Models
- Cancer Biology and Tumour Microenvironment