Claire Higgins

Dr. Claire Higgins is a Reader in Tissue Regeneration at the Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London. Her research focuses on understanding mechanisms of tissue development and regeneration using the hair follicle as a model. Key affiliations include the Centre for Advanced Therapeutics, Centre for Blast Injury Studies, Immuno-Pathology Network, and Organ-on-chip Network of Excellence. She holds a B.Sc. in Natural Sciences and a Ph.D. in Skin Developmental Biology from Durham University (2007).

Her research interests span clinical sciences, oncology, biochemistry, and biomedical engineering. Recent work investigates hair follicle interactions, fibroblast behavior under mechanical stimulation, and regenerative strategies for skin and bone tissue. Notable contributions include developing microneedle-based delivery systems and exploring hair follicle transplantation for scar remodeling. She received a Career Development Award from the Dermatology Foundation in 2014.

Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining biomechanics, molecular biology, and clinical applications. Her lab collaborates broadly, addressing challenges in wound healing, fibrosis, and trauma recovery. Current projects include skin adaptation in amputees and mechanotransduction in osteogenesis. Grants and awards support her work in translational regenerative medicine.