Ben Newland

Dr. Ben Newland is a Lecturer at the Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biomaterials and neuroscience. Since joining in 2017, he has developed microscale hydrogel scaffolds for cell and growth factor delivery to the Parkinsonian brain and explored materials for multiple sclerosis and neuroimaging applications.

Education

• BSc Natural Sciences, University of Durham (2005)
• PGCE Teacher Training, University of Leeds (2006)
• MRes Nanomaterials, Imperial College London (2008)
• PhD in Functional Biomaterials, National University of Ireland Galway (2013)

Research Interests center on nano/micro/macroscale materials for neuroscience applications, including:

• Improving dopamine cell survival post-transplantation for Parkinson’s disease
• Creating focal demyelination models for multiple sclerosis
• Developing anti-inflammatory cytokine delivery systems
• Designing polymer nanotubes for targeted drug release
• Engineering oxygen-producing biomaterials for tissue regeneration

Publication Trends (2025-2021) highlight his work on cryogel scaffolds for localized delivery, PEG-based nanotubes, and oxygen-producing hydrogels. These studies span neuroinflammation modeling, DNA delivery, glioblastoma therapy, and neurotrophic factor applications.

Scientific Awards

• Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013-2017)

Grants & Collaborations include funding from the Wellcome Trust, Parkinson’s UK, and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). His lab collaborates with neuroscience experts and institutions like the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research in Dresden.

Laboratory at Cardiff University develops advanced biomaterials using cryogelation, polymerization techniques, and microfluidics. Learn more at www.newlandresearch.com.