Phd Candidate
Toronto, Ontario
I am a materials engineer specializing in biomaterials and tissue engineering. I am currently in my 5th and final year of my PhD at the Institute for Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (University of Toronto). Given my background in materials engineering, I have a diverse background, having chosen to specialize in biomaterials. In particular, I am interested in biomineralization, regenerative medicine, biomaterials and hard/soft tissue interfaces. I study the biological control over mineralization at the tooth root interface. I am currently working on a design for a tissue engineering scaffold for the regeneration of the tissues responsible for tooth anchorage (bone, ligament, cementum). I have experience with ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo material testing. During my PhD I have spoken at numerous institution and national conferences. I also have several publications in respected journals. Recently I participated in a 2 month exchange at the University of Alberta to learn new cell culture and in vivo techniques. My current position is entirely self directed research, toward completing my PhD thesis. As the senior PhD candidate I am involved in the conception of projects for incoming students as well as aid in fundamental and technical training. I am also responsible for managing lab purchases and general upkeep. I train new students, and researchers on advanced techniques such as transmission electron microscopy. I am currently finishing experimental work and am scheduled to defend my thesis in the fall of 2017.