Tihana Baniček is a PhD student at the University of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and employed as Scientist at the Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE GmbH) in Austria, where she is carrying out her doctoral research. Her doctoral research focuses on developing advanced pulmonary drug delivery systems using lipid-based excipients. She explores dry powder inhalation formulations that incorporate challenging APIs, such as BCS class 2 drugs and biologics, addressing issues like low-melting-point lipid processing and lipid phase transitions during spray drying. The goal is to optimize aerosol performance, ensure deep lung deposition, and achieve long-term stability.
She holds a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering, where she developed a flow-through cell to study solid dosage forms during dissolution, using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as a process analytical technology (PAT) tool. Before her PhD, she deepened her expertise in scientific research, particularly in the use of OCT as an inline monitoring tool and the broader application of PAT tools in pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control.
Her research integrates fundamental formulation science with industrial applications, advancing stable and efficient inhalation therapies. She is experienced in translational research, supporting innovation in drug delivery and process development.

