Dr. Julio Garay has a background in organic synthesis, drug delivery system and medicinal chemistry (Ph.D., University of South Florida, Tampa, FL), and postdoctoral research (Nanomedicine Research Center, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa). He joined Transgenex Nanobiotech Inc. as Research Scientist in 2009 and the Department of Chemistry of the University of South Florida as Visiting Professor in 2012). His extensive research began right after receiving his B.S. degree in Chemistry at Universidad Nacional de Colombia, then joining the Chemistry Research Group led by renowned pathologist, Dr. Manuel Elkin Patarroyo. Based at the Hospital San Juan de Dios in Bogota, Colombia, he had just invented the first synthetic anti-malaria vaccine in the world, SPF66, as a member of the organic synthesis group to work directly in the synthesis and characterization of biological active intermediates and SPF66 vaccine. At the University of South Florida, initially he focused on investigations of a new family of antibacterial agents, N-thiolated β-lactams. These compounds have powerful antibacterial properties and exhibit a mode of actions that is completely unique to any other antibiotic. Initial studies suggest that they will be effective against drug resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. He carried out an in-depth examination of the biological activity of these compounds producing many novel/innovative findings about these compounds. He also determined the effect of long fatty acid-type side chains on the biological activity of these compounds and the anticancer properties of these compounds. He also investigated the use of these compounds in polyacrylate nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles. His findings are among the most extensive bodies of work on the biological activity of these compounds.