Dr Momchil Terziev is a lecturer at the University of Strathclyde's Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering, specialising in computational modelling of fluid flow. His work spans marine hydrodynamics, renewable energy, inland navigation, and biomedical flows. He has secured funding for a wide variety of research and knowledge exchange activities ranging from mapping occurrences of special waves, through ship hydrodynamics, to training industry professionals in computational fluid dynamics and vaccine manufacture based on microfluidics. Prior to his current appointment he worked as postdoctoral research associate at the University of Strathclyde, where he also earned a PhD. He serves as Deputy Editor of Ocean Engineering Journal and was selected to co-author the UN's Third World Ocean Assessment chapter on shipping.
Studying nasal spray particle deposition through Computational Fluid Dynamics
Intranasal delivery is as a non-invasive approach for treating the local, central nervous system (CNS), and systemic diseases. Due to population aging and rising prevalence of brain diseases, the nose-to-brain route is an emerging strategy for direct delivery to CNS via the olfactory neurons even for labile biologics in humans. Nasal models of deposition rely on casts (Koken Co silicone cast or 3D printed models from CT/MRI scans of volunteers) and can provide when used with coloured sprays or pre-coated with SarGel® (a white paste that turns purple when in contact with water) with images to access deposition that are correlated with product quality characteristics linked to nasal deposition (particle size, spray pattern and plume geometry). Nasal casts bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo techniques and enable the direct study of nasal deposition in the lab without the need to access gamma scintigraphy or CT or positron emission tomography to track the distribution of a radioactive tracer in volunteers.
Here I aim to develop an advanced Eulerian-Lagrangian model of nasal particle deposition focusing on olfactory deposition for key quality attributes of nasal spays. Specifically, I will employ Detached Eddy Simulation with resolved particles delivered in a sample nasal cavity geometry (3D printed model). I will employ a two-way interaction model where inhalation dynamics influence particle behaviour, while the presence of particles, particularly particle clusters, influences the local flow dynamics. Such a level of detail will ultimately enable development of sprays or suspensions and strategies enhancing target drug delivery such as in the case of the olfactory region for nose-to-brain delivery, while allow calculation of nasopharynx deposition.
Nasal casts don’t address mucociliary clearance, which could impact absorption. Hence, I will model mucus on the CFD model by modifying the boundary conditions of the nasal cavity in the computational model.
My specific objectives are:
- To develop the numerical model, coupling the effect of mucus and particle dynamics with resolved turbulence and the random nasal plume particle injection informed by available data of such devices via my collaboration with Dr Aikaterini Lalatsa (University of Strathclyde) and Mr Debanjan Das (Bayer OTC PLC, New York)
- To perform parametric analysis of plume characteristics and inhalation dynamics and determine particle interactions with the mucus layer.
- To disseminate findings at DDL 2026 meeting and publish in a relevant peer-reviewed journal (e.g. Journal of Controlled Release, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Aerosol Science and Technology).
This grant and activities envisioned will enable me to develop my knowledge and skills in aerosol delivery science, establishing a new line of enquiry in my research portfolio. Obtained data can inform in silico deposition and PK predictive models to guide nasal spray development.
Building on my expertise in large-scale flow modelling, this grant offers a unique opportunity to develop my skills in respiratory science and allow me to utilise my expertise in CFD in multidisciplinary new line of enquiry in biomedical flow modelling. For example, my work on advanced continuous manufacture of nanomedicine. The proposed project is therefore crucial for my development as an interdisciplinary researcher, enabling me to acquire specialised skills in aerosol dynamics and respiratory physiology and expand my network in this field. The consortium developed and models can be competitive for applied research (Tenovus, Gap Fund for Early Stage Development) and industrial funding (Therakind Ltd, Bayer PLC). The work I carry out as part of this grant will serve as a basis for future studies where I plan on studying particle deposition in the mucus layer of the respiratory tract.