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Author: Elise Pegg

Biomaterials Beyond the Bench Event

For the first time, UKSB is joining IOM3’s Biomedical Materials Division, the Tissue and Cell Engineering Society, and the RSC Biomaterials Group to deliver Biomaterials Beyond the Bench, a dedicated industry day for PhD researchers in biomaterials and tissue engineering. Taking place at the Henry Royce Institute in Manchester on 5 October 2026, the event connects researchers directly with employers, regulators, and professional bodies, offering practical insight into the frameworks and expectations that shape careers beyond academia. If you’re a PhD researcher weighing up your next step, or you know one who is, this is a rare chance to see the full breadth of routes into industry in one room. Places are limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Registration Link: https://www.royce.ac.uk/events/biomaterials-beyond-the-bench-an-industry-day-for-biomaterials-and-tissue-engineering-phd-researchers/

#UKSB2026 Travel Bursary Winner Reshma McMullan

By Reshma McMullan, Ulster University

I am incredibly grateful to the UKSB President, Dr Adrian Boyd, and all of the UKSB Committee members for awarding me the UKSB Travel Award to attend the 2026 UKSB Conference. Their generous support gave me the opportunity not only to attend this fantastic event at the University of Birmingham but also to fully immerse myself in an inspiring community of biomaterials researchers. 

The conference was an unforgettable experience from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed the wide range of excellent talks and presentations, each offering new perspectives and ideas that will undoubtedly influence my own PhD research. One of the highlights for me was the thought-provoking debate on animal testing. It was fascinating to hear different viewpoints, and it encouraged meaningful discussions about the ethical and scientific challenges facing biomaterials research. It was one of the sessions that stayed with me long after the conference had finished. Beyond the scientific programme, one of the most rewarding aspects was meeting so many passionate, knowledgeable, and welcoming people. I had the opportunity to share ideas, discuss research, exchange experiences, and make new friendships that I hope will grow into future collaborations. These conversations were just as valuable as the presentations themselves. 

The conference atmosphere was exceptional throughout. The BBQ on the first evening was the perfect way to meet fellow delegates in a relaxed setting, making it easy to start conversations and build connections before the conference officially began. The beautiful University of Birmingham campus and hotel facilities created an inspiring backdrop for the event, and the warmth, enthusiasm, and openness of everyone involved made the experience truly memorable. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of this year’s conference and would like to sincerely thank UKSB once again. The knowledge, inspiration, and connections I have gained will have a lasting impact on both my research journey and my future career. 

PhD Opportunity, University of Leeds

Professor Giuseppe Tronci at the University of Leeds is advertising an exciting PhD opportunity focused on the development of a smart textile mesh integrated with a surgical catheter for local, on-demand release of anticancer drugs triggered by ultrasound. 

The degree is funded by the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) and the award covers full academic fees and a maintenance grant for three years in line with the UKRI rate, as well as an overall £10k consumables budget. The deadline for applications is 30 September 2026.

The full details and information on how to apply can be found in the following link: https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/429-stimulus-responsive-mesh-for-targeted-anticancer-delivery-and-catheter-integration

#UKSB2026 Travel Bursary Winner Reza Sair

By Reza Sair, Imperial College London

The UK society for Biomaterials (UKSB) conference 2026 was a fantastic opportunity for a first year PhD student, such as myself, to experience a wider scientific community coming together to discuss novel research and technologies. Thanks to the UKSB travel award, I was able to be a part of this conference and present a scientific poster on zinc incorporation into bioactive glass, to enhance the antimicrobial properties in orthopaedic applications.  

Photograph of a person with short black hair wearing a light blue shirt, black trousers and black trainers stood in front of a poster

The opening keynote presentation on dental filling materials suitable for children, highlighted both the scientific challenges of developing new biomaterials but also the difficulty of clinical translation and regulatory approval. This was followed by panel conversations on inclusive research, patient involvement and a debate about the need and excessive use of animal testing. Together, these experiences highlighted to me that good scientific research goes beyond discovery in the lab; it is also about communicating ideas and thinking about the people that we are trying to help. A focus on the big picture whilst also discussing how to navigate the hoops and hurdles of regulation, was an area of the field which I had previously given little consideration.  

On top of the panels and debates, I also attended a wide range of presentations on topics such as drug delivery, biofabrication and infection control, learning a great deal about biomaterials research beyond my field of expertise in the process. In presenting my research I also faced challenging and thought-provoking questions that will continue to shape my research going forwards. 

I am extremely grateful to the UKSB for awarding me a Travel Award and making it possible for me to attend the conference. I look forward to attending future events, including the next annual conference in London.  

Photograph of a person with short black hair smiling, wearing a light blue shirt.

Metabiomaterials Symposium at the European Society for Biomaterials

Is your research in the space where metamaterials meet biomaterials? Would you like to visit Antwerp in September?  If so, submit a research abstract to the Metabiomaterials symposium at the European Society for Biomaterials Conference!

Abstract submission deadline is 31st of March 2026, submit your abstract here: https://esb2026.org/abstracts/.

The session will be chaired by Dr Elise Pegg (Newcastle University) and Dr Caroline Taylor (University of Sheffield), with a keynote talk from Dr Sophie Cox (Birmingham University).

Larry Hench Award 2026 nominations open

The UKSB is delighted to invite applications for this year’s Larry Hench Young Investigators Award.

The Larry Hench Young Investigators Prize is a £500 prize to a promising young research scientist in recognition of outstanding and innovative contributions in a selected field of biomaterials research, and in remembrance of such a key figure in this field – Prof Larry Hench (1938-2015).

Application forms and details on the criteria and eligibility are all provided on the UKSB website (www.uksb.org.uk/uksb-prizes/). The closing date for applications is Friday the 27th of February 2026 at midday.

Ulster PDRA and PhD opportunities

Dr Adrian Boyd (Senior Lecturer in Biomaterials, Ulster University) has a range of exciting PDRA and PhD opportunities available based at the Belfast  and Derry/Londonderry campuses as part of the North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing 2 (NWCAM2) project. Click on the links at the end of this post for further details and how to apply.

As key members of the NWCAM2 team, the PhDs and PDRAs will support and deliver research and innovation projects with industrial partners across key themes such as additive manufacturing; digital manufacturing; and future materials. Cross-border collaboration is crucial due to the shared challenges in the region’s Health and Life Sciences sector, particularly around sustainability, technological adoption, productivity, and market competitiveness. These research projects will be conducted across a wide geographical area of Northern Ireland and Ireland where the companies are located and therefore, the postholder would be expected to undertake the necessary travel to fulfill the requirements of the role.

The NWCAM2 project, which is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), is led by Catalyst, in partnership with Atlantic Technology University (ATU), North West Regional College, Ulster University, Trinity College Dublin and Irish Manufacturing Research Centre. NWCAM2 is a cross border innovation initiative seeking to help 30 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the health and life sciences sector to embed and accelerate sustainable manufacturing in their businesses.

European Society for Biomaterials updates

There are some important deadlines coming up from the European Society for Biomaterials, here is a quick summary:

The ESB also highlights the following events which may be of interest:

British Society for Matrix Biology, Spring Meeting, 14th-15th April 2025

The British Society for Matrix Biology (BSMB) is holding their spring meeting in Nottingham on the 14th and 15th of April in 2025 on the University Park Campus. The meeting will include a diverse range of national and international speakers will present their recent research on “Extracellular matrix, immunity and infection””, and in associated matrix research.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • Prof Judith Allen (University of Manchester, UK)
  • Prof Janet Lee (Washington University in St. Louis, USA)
  • Prof Kristian Riesbeck (Lund University, Sweden)
  • Dr Giampiero Pietrocola (University of Pavia, Italy)
  • Prof Tracey Hussell (University of Manchester, UK)
  • Prof Charles Frevert (University of Washington in Seattle, USA)
  • Dr Helene Moreau (Institut Curie, France)
  • Prof Oliver Fackler (University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany)
  • Prof Anna Blom (Lund University, Sweden)
  • Prof Luisa Martinez-Pomares (University of Nottingham, UK)

Registration and abstract submission for oral and poster presentations will open on 1st January 2025. In the meantime, please keep an eye on the BSMB and meeting websites for updates, and to find more information about the event, including venue, accommodation, travel and meeting schedule.

Finally, consider becoming a member of the BSMB, if you aren’t already, to enjoy discounted registration fee and qualify for relevant bursaries if you are an early career researcher.

Please contact Dr Anna M. Piccinini, University of Nottingham (anna.piccinini@nottingham.ac.uk) if you have any queries.

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