#UKSB2026 Travel Bursary Winner Ali Mahnavi

By Ali Mahnavi, Keele University 

I was delighted to present my research through both an oral presentation and a poster at the UKSB 2026, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the UKSB for awarding me a travel grant to attend this fantastic event. 

I am currently a second-year PhD researcher in Biomedical Engineering at Keele University, where my research focuses on developing injectable hydrogels for articular cartilage regeneration. At the conference, I presented my work on developing fibrous hydrogel scaffolds designed to mimic the native extracellular matrix of cartilage while providing improved mechanical resilience and a favourable microenvironment for cell growth. 

Presenting my research led to several engaging discussions with academics, researchers, and fellow PhD students working in biomaterials and tissue engineering. The feedback I received was both insightful and encouraging, offering valuable perspectives on my future research directions. These conversations gave me new ideas that I look forward to exploring as my PhD progresses. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of the conference was the opportunity to network with researchers at different career stages. Meeting scientists from other universities and discussing shared research interests reinforced the collaborative nature of the biomaterials community. It was particularly valuable to exchange experiences with other PhD students, many of whom are tackling similar research challenges. 

Overall, attending the UKSB 2026 was an extremely rewarding experience, both scientifically and professionally. It allowed me to present my research, receive constructive feedback, learn about the latest advances in biomaterials and regenerative medicine, and establish new connections that I hope will continue throughout my academic career. 

I am very grateful to UKSB for making this opportunity possible through the travel grant. Thank you once again for your generous support. I look forward to attending future UKSB meetings and continuing to contribute to the biomaterials research community.