Maria Villiou

Dr. Maria Villiou serves as Group Leader of the Biofabrication and Biomaterials Innovation Group within the Landfester Department at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research since January 2024, following her postdoctoral work at the University of Heidelberg's Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials.

Her academic foundation includes:

• BSc in Chemistry from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2014)
• Postgraduate specialization in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Patras
• PhD at INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials under Prof. Del Campo Becares and Dr. Paez

Her research integrates materials science, nanotechnology, and biology to pioneer biomaterials and biofabrication techniques for tissue engineering. She develops polymeric scaffolds with tunable properties to elicit precise cellular responses, focusing on hierarchical structures that mimic natural tissue environments through advanced fabrication methods.

Her publication record (2020-2025) reveals consistent innovation in dynamic hydrogels, scaffold engineering, and cell-material interactions. Key themes include photodegradable systems for controlled cell release, reversible viscoelasticity tuning, melt electrowriting for ocular tissue models, and polymer-induced cellular mass fluctuations—collectively advancing biomaterial precision for regenerative applications.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN fellowship

Dr. Villiou leads her research group in developing 3D printable biomaterial platforms that create bio-instructive microenvironments for tissue engineering models, bridging fundamental materials science with biological functionality.