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.

Stephanie Willerth | Bioprinting | Best Researcher Award