Provided herein are novel hyaluronic acid-based materials for in-situ gelation in wounds and other contexts, which materials are biocompatible and which have favorable gelation kinetics. The resulting hydrogels have desirable rheological properties. The invention encompasses novel reagents for forming crosslinked hyaluronic acid hydrogels, with favorable kinetics for medical applications and having desirable and tunable physical properties. Also presented herein are methods of using the novel materials disclosed herein in wound care and other medical contexts.