Loanda Cumba

Dr. Loanda Cumba is an Assistant Professor (Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence - DCU Futures Programme) in the School of Chemical Sciences at Dublin City University (DCU). She holds a PhD and MSc in Materials Science from Sao Paulo State University, Brazil, and has conducted postdoctoral research at Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) and DCU. Her research focuses on developing 3D/4D printable materials, conductive bioinks, and machine learning-driven approaches for advanced materials and biosensors. She leads a research group funded by independent grants, exploring smart 4D printing, low-temperature manufacturing, and bioactivity post-printing.

Education:

• PhD in Materials Science (Materials Chemistry), Sao Paulo State University, Brazil (2016)
• MSc in Materials Science (Materials Chemistry), Sao Paulo State University, Brazil (2012)

Research Interests: Multicomponent conductive bioinks, 3D/4D printing technologies, smart materials design, machine learning in materials development, biosensors, energy storage systems, and sustainable manufacturing.

Key Awards:

• Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship (2019)
• DCU Invent Commercialisation Award (2017)

Grants & Contributions: Projects funded by Enterprise Ireland include high-performance conductive inks for wearable devices and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria detection (DetectAMR). Completed Harvard Business School’s Entrepreneurship Essentials to advance commercialization strategies.

Labs/Teams: Leads a research group in advanced materials and AI-driven materials development within DCU’s School of Chemical Sciences.