معرفی
Professor Alicia El Haj is the Interdisciplinary Professor of Cell Engineering at the School of Chemical Engineering and Director of the Institute of Translational Medicine at the University of Birmingham. She leads the Healthcare Technologies Institute (HTI), an interdisciplinary network advancing technologies for tissue healing and rehabilitation. Her research focuses on bioengineering and regenerative medicine, particularly in developing cell-based therapies using biomechanics, bioreactors, and imaging systems. She holds prestigious fellowships, including from the Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society of Biology, and has received awards such as the MRC Suffrage Award (2015).
- Director of the Institute of Translational Medicine
- Deputy Director of the MRC UKRMP Regen Med Hub
- Founder of MICA Biosystems, a spin-out company commercializing pharma screening tools
Her work bridges biomedical science, engineering, and physical sciences to translate innovative therapies into clinical practice. Key interests include stem cell control systems, mechanotransduction via magnetic nanoparticles, and osteogenesis. Public engagement includes talks at the Royal Society and Hay Festival.
Recent research trends emphasize nanomedicine applications, such as magnetic nanoparticle activation of cellular pathways, and interdisciplinary approaches to cartilage repair, bone regeneration, and organ-on-a-chip systems. Over 200 publications highlight her contributions to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
- Scientific Awards: Royal Society Merit Award (2014), MRC Suffrage Award (2015)
- Grants: EPSRC, MRC, BBSRC, ERC Advanced Grant
Labs and affiliations include the HTI, EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine, and the European Council for TERMIS. Her work prioritizes bridging lab discoveries to clinical impact, with a focus on collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.
