Annalisa Tirella

Annalisa Tirella serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Trento, specializing in biomaterials and tissue engineering. Her research focuses on developing advanced 3D models for cancer microenvironments and regenerative medicine applications, with particular expertise in hydrogel engineering and bioprinting technologies.

Her primary research interests include Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials Design, and Cancer Microenvironment Modeling, with emphasis on creating physiologically relevant in vitro systems. She investigates how mechanical properties of biomaterials influence cellular behavior in breast and prostate cancer models, develops sustainable biomaterials from circular economy sources, and engineers drug delivery systems using nano-in-micro technologies. Her TERM (Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine) work bridges fundamental biophysical principles with clinical translation.

Dr. Tirella teaches advanced courses including Biotechnology Engineering for the Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, where she covers TERM applications, biomaterials characterization, and additive manufacturing techniques. Her educational focus emphasizes problem-solving skills for designing biomedical technologies and understanding cell-biomaterial interactions.

Her recent publications (2023-2025) reveal strong trends in cancer microenvironment modeling (particularly breast and prostate cancers), hydrogel engineering with alginate and natural polymers, and advanced drug delivery systems. Key research directions include deciphering invasive cancer phenotypes through data-driven approaches, developing tumor-mimetic scaffolds with tunable mechanical properties, and creating sustainable biomaterials for precision medicine applications. The work consistently integrates biomechanical analysis with biological validation.

Dr. Tirella actively develops innovative methodologies including microfluidic fabrication, response surface methodology for hydrogel optimization, and nano-in-micro encapsulation techniques. Her research has significant implications for understanding cancer metastasis mechanisms and developing targeted therapeutic approaches.