Welcome to Eastman: meet our new biomaterials researchers

We are delighted to welcome two new researchers to our Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Department: 

Dr Linh Nguyen, a chemist and experienced researcher in biomedical engineering joined us in May from the University of Oxford.

As Lecturer in Biomaterials & Allied Subjects Dr Nguyen will focus on three areas: 

• New biomaterials for oral and dental tissue engineering;
• Drug delivery systems for bone tissue engineering;
• Thermo-responsive polymer based macro-carriers for stem cell expansion and harvesting.

In addition, Dr Nguyen is very interested in encouraging more women to work within the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

She said: “At UCL Eastman I want to deliver high and higher impact research, build research networks and public engagement. 

“I would like to develop biotechnology systems including biomaterials and biomedical devices which are portable and able to be used at home or on-the-go.

“Over the years, I have been able to build a highly professional network including national and international institutes. Such networks not only aid me to gain global perspective on science and education but also nourish my experiences.

“I hope I can use these experiences and my research knowledge to inform and inspire more women and high-school girls to join the STEM fields.”

Dr Alessandro Poma, has also joined us this week as Lecturer in Biomaterials & Allied Subjects,

Dr Poma originally achieved his PhD in Biosensors and Nanomaterials and has since worked for the Open University, University of Leicester, UCL Chemistry and UCL MAPS. 

He said: “I am interested in new structural and functional materials, with particular emphasis on nanoparticles and imprinted polymers. 

“The majority of my work is related to the implementation of highly specific and selective recognition properties into synthetic polymers, and the conjugation of these technologies to more established drug delivery and tissue engineering methodologies. 

“My final goal is to develop synthetic materials capable of mimicking as closely as possible the natural recognition capabilities of proteins, enzymes and receptors.

“At Eastman I would like to direct my focus towards the development of functional imprinted matrixes capable of driving the specific tissue differentiation and healing in case of injury, trauma or disease.”