Joe Forth

Dr. Joe Forth is a Lecturer in Physics and Chemistry at the University of Liverpool, holding a joint appointment between the Department of Physics and Department of Chemistry since April 2023. A colloid scientist by training (MSci Physics, Bristol, 2011; PhD Physics, Edinburgh, 2015), he has built a research program at the intersection of soft matter physics, bioprinting, and tissue engineering.

His research interests span 3D printing, soft matter, microfluidics, tissue engineering, and nanomedicine. Forth's work focuses on three core themes: Soft and Active Materials (investigating assembly at liquid-liquid interfaces), Liquid Devices (developing open-source bioprinters and liquid-based technologies), and Tissue Engineering and Advanced Therapeutics (creating alternatives to animal testing). His research has been featured in Vice and Wired for its innovative approach to creating "living materials" and autonomous liquid systems.

Forth's recent publications reveal a strong focus on liquid-phase 3D printing, self-assembling materials, and vascularized tissue models. His work bridges fundamental colloid science with practical applications in drug delivery, wound healing, and sustainable materials. The research demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward increasingly complex biological applications while maintaining a foundation in soft matter physics.

Scientific Awards:

• David Begley Excellence Award for Young BBB Researchers (13th UK & Ireland Early Career Blood-Brain-Barrier Symposium, 2023)
• Ramsay Memorial Fellowship (2020-2023)

Forth actively supports fellowship applicants aligned with his research themes in bioprinting, angiogenesis, granular microgels, and active matter. He teaches courses including Digital Alchemy: Synthesising Code and Chemistry (CHEM501) and Introductory Physical Chemistry (CHEM152), demonstrating his commitment to interdisciplinary education. His current research is supported by grants from the Wolfson Foundation and the Royal Society, focusing on nanoscale imaging and vascularized bioprinting.

The Forth research group operates at the cutting edge of soft matter science and bioprinting, with a distinctive approach that combines open-source hardware development, frugal automation, and fundamental colloid science to create novel liquid-based technologies with applications ranging from energy storage to tissue engineering.