Stephanie Willerth | Bioprinting | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Stephanie Willerth | Bioprinting | Best Researcher Award

Professor at University of Victoria, Canada

The Willerth lab, led by an accomplished researcher in neural tissue engineering, focuses on innovations using pluripotent stem cells, controlled drug delivery, biomaterial scaffolds, and bioprinting for neural tissue development. With experience across top institutions, this scientist blends engineering with neuroscience for advanced tissue engineering applications, creating a dynamic training environment for future biomedical engineers.

Publication Profile

scholar

Education 🎓

Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 2008 (Dissertation: Effects of growth factor delivery on stem cell differentiation in fibrin scaffolds)M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, 2008S.B. in Chemical Engineering, MIT, 2003S.B. in Biology, MIT, 2003NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship, UC Berkeley (focused on DNA sequencing technologies for HIV diversity and stem cell differentiation)

Experience 👩‍🔬

Adjunct Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, 2023Affiliate Professor, Biochemistry, University of British Columbia, 2016-2019Affiliate Professor, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2016-2018NIH F32 Post-Doctoral Fellowship, UC Berkeley, 2008-2010 (specialized in DNA sequencing and stem cell studies)

Awards and Honors 🏆

NIH F32 Fellowship, supporting research at the intersection of bioengineering and stem cell technologiesRecognized for groundbreaking work in bioprinting and neural tissue engineeringRecipient of various institutional and industry accolades for advancements in biomaterials and controlled drug deliveryHonored by the NIH and top research conferences for contributions to neural tissue engineering and stem cell differentiation

Research Focus 🧠

The Willerth lab specializes in engineering neural tissues via stem cell technologies, bioprinting, and drug delivery systems. Research spans pluripotent stem cell differentiation, biomaterial scaffolds, and cellular reprogramming to improve neural regeneration. This work combines principles of engineering and neuroscience, offering significant implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries.

Publication  Top Notes

“The differentiation of embryonic stem cells seeded on electrospun nanofibers into neural lineages”Biomaterials, 2009. Cited 524 times. This study investigates stem cell differentiation on nanofiber scaffolds, advancing neural tissue engineering techniques.

“Approaches to neural tissue engineering using scaffolds for drug delivery”Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2007. Cited 476 times. This review outlines scaffold-based drug delivery methods, influencing therapeutic strategies for neural regeneration.

“Emerging biofabrication strategies for engineering complex tissue constructs”Advanced Materials, 2017. Cited 401 times. This paper discusses biofabrication innovations for creating intricate tissue models, contributing to advanced biomaterials research.

“Conductive core–sheath nanofibers and their potential application in neural tissue engineering”Advanced Functional Materials, 2009. Cited 363 times. This research on conductive nanofibers highlights their role in enhancing neural tissue repair.

“Optimization of fibrin scaffolds for differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells into neural lineage cells”Biomaterials, 2006. Cited 344 times. This study optimizes fibrin scaffolds for effective stem cell differentiation, aiding neural tissue formation.

“Metal additive manufacturing: Technology, metallurgy and modelling”Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 2020. Cited 285 times. This paper examines metal additive manufacturing and its potential in bioengineering applications.

“Combining stem cells and biomaterial scaffolds for constructing tissues and cell delivery”Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 2008. Cited 265 times. This foundational work explores the integration of stem cells with biomaterials for tissue engineering.

“Cell therapy for spinal cord regeneration”Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2008. Cited 190 times. This article discusses cell therapy approaches for spinal cord repair, influencing regenerative medicine.

“The effects of soluble growth factors on embryonic stem cell differentiation inside of fibrin scaffolds”Stem Cells, 2007. Cited 166 times. This paper focuses on controlled growth factor delivery to promote stem cell differentiation.

“Natural Biomaterials and Their Use as Bioinks for Printing Tissues”Bioengineering, 2021. Cited 152 times. Highlights the use of natural biomaterials as bioinks in 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering applications.

“3D printing of neural tissues derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells using a fibrin-based bioink”ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 2018. Cited 151 times. Describes bioprinting neural tissues with fibrin-based bioinks, pushing the boundaries of regenerative bioprinting.

“Extrusion and Microfluidic-Based Bioprinting to Fabricate Biomimetic Tissues and Organs”Advanced Materials Technologies, 2020. Cited 143 times. This paper presents novel bioprinting methods for replicating complex tissue structures.

Conclusion

Given their significant contributions and research leadership in neural tissue engineering and stem cell bioprinting, this candidate is an excellent nominee for the Best Researcher Award. Their innovative methodologies, backed by strong academic and institutional affiliations, demonstrate a profound dedication to advancing regenerative medicine. With a minor focus on clinical translation and interdisciplinary collaborations, this researcher has the potential to influence the field profoundly, making them a highly deserving candidate for this honor.

Pedro Villarego | Bio-Mechanics | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Pedro Villarego | Bio-Mechanics | Best Researcher Award

Associate Chief of Surgery at Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Spain

Assoc Prof Dr. Pedro Villarego is an accomplished medical professional with over 21 years of specialized experience in surgery. He currently serves as the Associate Chief and coordinator of several surgical units at Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital. 🩺 His expertise spans peritoneal oncologic surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, endocrine surgery, and breast pathology.  He earned his medical degree from the University of Córdoba and a Ph.D. in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Málaga. He has made significant contributions to cancer care, including the establishment of the first Intraperitoneal Chemohyperthermia Unit in Castilla-La Mancha.  Assoc Prof Dr. Pedro Villaregois also recognized for his teaching roles at the Autonomous University of Madrid and has supervised numerous doctoral theses.

Publication Profile

Education  🎓

Assoc Prof Dr. Pedro Villarego completed his Bachelor’s degree in Medicine at the University of Córdoba in 1995. 🩺 He later earned an Official Specialist Title in General Surgery and Digestive System from the 12 de Octubre University Hospital in 2004. 📚 His academic journey culminated with a Ph.D. in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Málaga in 2011, where he defended his doctoral thesis on VEGF and VEGFC levels in gastric cancer. 🎖️ Assoc Prof Dr. Pedro Villarego holds two master’s degrees: one in Medical Management and Clinical Management from UNED (2008-2009) and another in Sarcomas and Musculoskeletal Tumors from the European University of Madrid (2021-2022). 📖 His academic excellence is reflected in his outstanding Cum Laude honors and ongoing dedication to surgical research.

Experience 🏥 

Assoc Prof Dr. Pedro Villaregohas over two decades of specialized surgical experience. He secured a permanent statutory position at Castilla-La Mancha Health Service’s Ciudad Real University Hospital in 2008. 💼 Currently, he serves as the Associate Chief at Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, coordinating several high-profile units, including Peritoneal Oncologic Surgery and Hepatobiliary Surgery. 👩‍🏫 Since 2022, Dr. [Name] has been an Associate Professor at the Autonomous University of Madrid, where he teaches surgery and biomedical engineering. 📚 His teaching experience also extends to the University of Castilla-La Mancha, where he served from 2013 to 2018. 🎓 He has supervised 5 doctoral theses and 8 undergraduate projects, contributing extensively to surgical education and research.

Awards and Honors 🏅

Assoc Prof Dr. Pedro Villarego has been the recipient of several prestigious awards. In 2013, he received the gold badge of AMUMA for his pioneering work in ovarian cancer care and establishing the first Intraperitoneal Chemohyperthermia Unit in Castilla-La Mancha. 🌟 His dedication to research was recognized in 2020 when he won the National Research Intensification Award from the Quironsalud Group. 🏆 Assoc Prof Dr. Pedro Villarego has been honored for his innovative contributions to cancer treatment, particularly in surgical oncology and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care. 🏅 His efforts have made a significant impact on both clinical practices and surgical research in Spain, earning him national recognition. 📖 Additionally, his research in oncologic surgery has garnered awards for excellence in medical advancement.

Research Focus 🔬

Assoc Prof Dr. Pedro Villarego focuses his research on surgical oncology, particularly peritoneal oncologic surgery and the role of VEGF/VEGFC in gastric cancer recurrence and mortality. 💉 He is dedicated to improving outcomes for cancer patients through innovations in fiber optic sensing, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), and minimally invasive surgical techniques. 🩺 His research also explores hepatobiliary and endocrine surgery, as well as breast pathology, aiming to integrate advanced technologies into surgical practices. 📚 Assoc Prof Dr. Pedro Villarego has contributed to over 15 national and provincial projects and holds multiple patents in his field. 📖 His work extends to international collaborations on cancer treatment protocols and he is particularly interested in translational research that bridges clinical applications with scientific discovery.

Publication  Top Notes

Intraperitoneal administration of carcinoembryonic antigen-directed CAR T cells for peritoneal carcinomatosis in colorectal cancer – Cytotherapy (2024)【DOI: 10.1016/J.JCYT.2023.10.007】.

Paclitaxel as HIPEC drug for ovarian peritoneal metastasesCurrent Oncology (2024)【DOI: 10.3390/CURRONCOL31020048】.

POTEE induces invadopodia formation in breast cancer cellsMolecular Oncology (2024)【DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13568】.

Non-invasive estimation of PCI in colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosisCirugía Española (2024)【DOI: 10.1016/J.CIRENG.2022.03.021】.

Long-term intraperitoneal access with new catheter designJournal of Surgical Oncology (2024)【DOI: 10.1002/jso.27843】.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei: No systemic dissemination with undetectable ctDNAEuropean Journal of Surgical Oncology (2024)【DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2024.108395】.

Efficacy and safety of HIPEC in colon cancerJAMA Surgery (2023)【DOI: 10.1001/JAMASURG.2023.0662】.

First trial of CEB-01 for retroperitoneal sarcomaAnnals of Oncology (2023)【DOI: 10.1016/J.ANNONC.2023.09.1161】.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in abdominal sepsisStem Cell Research & Therapy (2023)【DOI: 10.1186/S13287-023-03588-X】.

Mucin analysis in pseudomyxoma peritoneiJournal of Clinical Medicine (2023)【DOI: 10.3390/JCM12124007】.

Conclusion

Given the individual’s significant contributions to the fields of surgical oncology, clinical management, research, and education, they are a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Their achievements in establishing innovative cancer treatment methods, combined with their leadership in both medical practice and academic spheres, highlight their outstanding qualifications. Expanding their international research presence and publication record could further enhance their already impressive profile for future recognition.