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
Maryam-Sadat Adibhosseini
Meet Maryam – Engineering the Future of Biomaterials!
Hi, I’m Maryam, a PhD student at the BioFabLab at MPIP. My journey started with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology, followed by a master’s in Biomedical Engineering at Tarbiat Modares University, where I graduated with honors in 2023. During my Master’s research, I developed a composite cryogel scaffold—a fancy way of saying a smart biomaterial made from gelatin, nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), and partially demineralized chitin—all designed to boost tissue regeneration!
Now, I’m taking things to the next level in my PhD by developing photocrosslinkable biomaterials derived from decellularized extracellular matrices (ECM) of animal tissues. These next-gen hydrogels, formed through photocrosslinking, allow us to fine-tune their mechanical and biochemical properties, mimicking the structure of natural soft tissues. The exciting part? Their adaptability means they can be tailored for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and advanced therapeutic interventions. With these smart materials, I aim to create innovative solutions that help tissue repair and regeneration in ways we never imagined before! ✨
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. 🚀
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. ✨