Meet Our Talented and Dynamic Team
Group leader
Maria’s academic adventure began at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, where she earned her BSc in Chemistry in 2014. Her curiosity then led her to a summer stint at the Centre Microélectronique de Provence, France, under the guidance of Prof. Malliaras, where she broadened her research horizons. From there, her passion for science led her to the University of Patras, Greece, where she dived into stem cells and regenerative medicine during her postgraduate studies in Prof. Taraviras’ group.
Her path took a major leap with a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN fellowship, which brought Maria to the INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials in Germany. There, she worked on developing innovative photodegradable hydrogels for 3D cell encapsulation and tissue regeneration, under the mentorship of Prof. Del Campo Becares and Dr. Paez. With her PhD completed, Maria’s expertise continued to grow at the Max Planck School "Matter to Life", collaborating with top researchers like Prof. Christine Selhuber-Unkel at the University of Heidelberg. She contributed to cutting-edge biofabrication and developed innovative 3D printable platforms for tissue engineering models.
Since January 2024, Maria has been leading the BioFabLab at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, where she continues to shape the future of bioengineering and materials science with her groundbreaking work!
PhD students
Lukas Hein
Meet Lukas – Innovator in Bioadhesives!
Hi, I’m Lukas, a PhD student at the BioFabLab at MPIP. My journey into the world of materials science started with a bachelor's and master's degree in chemistry from the University of Cologne, where I got to play with everything from reactive extrusion of thermoplastic polyurethanes at the FILK Research Institute to crafting photodegradable nitrobenzyl-based crosslinkers for photocleavable hydrogels in my Master’s thesis.
Now, I’m diving headfirst into the exciting world of multifunctional bioadhesives—materials with the potential to transform tissue engineering, biosensors, and biomedical applications. My research is all about designing smart adhesives that can adapt to their environment, perfect for temporary scaffolds, controlled drug delivery, and minimally invasive medical procedures. One of the coolest aspects? I integrate conductive polymers into these bioadhesive matrices, enabling functionalities like electrical signal transmission, paving the way for dynamic tissue scaffolds, smart wound dressings, and bio-integrated sensors. With an interdisciplinary approach, I’m on a mission to push the limits of biofabrication and contribute to the next generation of biomedical technology! 🚀
Meet Xin – Printing the Future of Regenerative Medicine!
Hi, I’m Xin, a PhD student at the BioFabLab at MPIP. My journey into biomaterials began with a bachelor’s degree in polymer materials and engineering and a master’s in materials processing engineering from Sichuan University in Chengdu, China. Along the way, I explored everything from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene for artificial joints to nanotopographic scaffolds for bone regeneration and even supramolecular wet adhesives for wound healing —all with the goal of advancing biomedical applications.
For my PhD, I’m taking things a step further by 3D bioprinting electrically conductive scaffolds for advanced tissue and nerve regeneration. As part of the InteReg project, funded by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Interactive Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration (InteReg) | Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung), I’m leveraging the power of endogenous electric fields to promote nerve cell growth, designing scaffolds that mimic the conductivity, mechanical properties, and structural versatility of the extracellular matrix (ECM). But that’s not all—by incorporating bioactive agents like cells, artificial cells, and nanocapsules directly into the scaffold, we can stimulate regeneration and even restore complex neural structures. This innovative approach could revolutionize regenerative medicine and help bring engineered tissues to life in ways we’ve never seen before! 🚀
Master students
Ayaan Ahmad Khan
Meet Ayaan – Spinning the Future of Tissue Engineering!
Hi, I’m Ayaan, a master’s student at the BioFabLab at MPIP. My academic journey began with an Engineering degree in Nanotechnology from Amity University, Noida, India, where I explored antioxidant-loaded nanoparticles and their cellular uptake in glioma cells. Now, as part of my Master’s in Materials Science at TU Darmstadt, I’ve dived into projects ranging from microscopic analysis of cancerous cells during magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) heating to investigating quantum dot-antibody conjugates at the Fraunhofer Center for Applied Nanotechnology in Hamburg.
For my master’s thesis, I’m focusing on electrospinning nanofiber scaffolds infused with nanoparticles to create next-generation biomimetic materials for tissue regeneration. These advanced scaffolds are designed to enhance cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, providing an ideal environment for healing and regeneration. By tuning their mechanical properties and biological functionality, my goal is to develop materials that actively support tissue repair and open new possibilities for regenerative medicine. 🚀
Exchange Students
Haile Mistry
BSc studentMeet Haile—Visiting Bachelor's Student via Poly-ABROAD Visiting Student Program
Hi, I'm Haile, a visiting student at the BioFabLab at MPIP and an undergraduate Chemical Engineering student at Virginia Tech. At Virginia Tech, I conduct research in the Bortner Lab (Polymer and Composite Materials Laboratory, PCML) under the supervision of Prof. Michael Bortner. My work focuses on developing graphene- and TiO₂-enhanced hydrogel nanocomposites for sustainable water treatment applications.
My research combines advanced materials with 3D printing technologies, such as Direct Ink Writing (DIW), to create innovative porous filtration systems. During my stay at the BioFabLab, I am exploring how these materials perform through advanced characterization techniques, helping to unlock their potential for next-generation water purification technologies. I'm excited to contribute to research at the intersection of materials science, sustainability, and additive manufacturing while strengthening the collaboration between Virginia Tech and the BioFabLab.
Alumni
Meet Till – Advancing Bioprinting for Real-World Clinical Impact!
Hi, I’m Till, a master’s student at the BioFabLab at MPIP! My journey into bioprinting began during my bachelor’s thesis at the University Medical Center Mainz (UMCM), where I worked in the 3D Printing Laboratory for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery. Since then, I’ve been actively contributing as a research assistant alongside my biomedical master’s program, where I have established a bioprinting laboratory within the UMCM. My research focuses on developing bone replacement products and using decellularized adipose tissue for soft tissue regeneration.
At MPIP, I’m taking this work to the next level by creating hybrid multi-layer scaffolds for tissue regeneration—combining 3D bioprinting and electrospinning to engineer advanced biomaterials. Through a collaborative project with the Zentrum für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, my goal is to bridge the gap between fundamental research and clinical applications, bringing regenerative medicine one step closer to patient care. ✨
Alexander Martin Reitz
MSc studentMeet Alexander - The Cold Path to Regeneration!
Hi, I’m Alexander, a master’s student at the BioFabLab at MPIP! My academic background is in Biomedicine, earned at the University of Würzburg, where I first became fascinated by complex biological systems. During my bachelor’s thesis, I worked with murine organoid models to study the effects of E. coli infection on prostate tissue — a project that sparked my passion for innovative, in vitro research tools.
Now, my master’s thesis takes that curiosity a step further. I’m working at the crossroads of tissue engineering and biofabrication, focusing on culturing cells and encapsulating them in bioprintable materials. The goal is to assess how well these living systems survive and function — not just immediately after printing, but over extended culture periods. What makes this research especially exciting is the focus on cryopreservation. I’m investigating how freezing and storing printed tissue constructs affects cell viability, structural integrity, and regenerative potential. Can we preserve these engineered tissues, thaw them later, and still rely on them to function? Answering that question could pave the way for more flexible, on-demand tissue therapies. By exploring how cold storage intersects with cutting-edge bioprinting, my work aims to contribute to the development of resilient, ready-to-use tissue systems for future medical applications. ✨