Noelia Dominguez Falcon

Noelia Dominguez Falcon is a Lecturer in Biomedicine at the School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia (UEA), where she joined in September 2022 after completing her PhD and serving as a senior research associate. Her academic journey began with a BSc in Marine Biology from the Catholic University of Valencia, followed by an MRes in Biomedicine from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and culminated in a Doctor of Science in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine from UEA. She also holds a PgCert in Higher Education Practice and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

• Bachelor of Science, Marine Biology – Catholic University of Valencia (2012)
• Master of Research, Biomedicine – Polytechnic University of Valencia (2014)
• Doctor of Science, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine – University of East Anglia (2020)
• PgCert Higher Education Practice – University of East Anglia (2023)

Her research focuses on tendon biology and regenerative medicine, particularly the use of stem cells, 3D printing, and biomaterials to engineer artificial tendon constructs. She investigates cellular signaling, tenogenic differentiation, and the role of growth factors such as BMP-12 and TGF-β1 in tendon regeneration. Her work integrates polymer chemistry, material science, and cell biology to develop innovative medical implants.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in regenerative biomaterials, especially in tendon and bone tissue engineering, with applications in stem cell differentiation and gene regulation. Her work spans from fundamental cell biology to applied biomaterial design, with a focus on translational outcomes.

Her scientific achievements have been recognized through several awards:

• UEA Engagement Award (2022) for excellence in public engagement via her podcast “I belong here”
• Part of winning team for UEA Innovation and Impact Award (2020)
• Finalist in Biorender Graphical Abstract Contest (2020)
• 3rd prize in UEA 3-Minute Thesis Competition (2021)
• 2nd prize for best oral presentation at Postgraduate Education Conference (2019)

She actively mentors students through research projects and teaches across multiple modules in Biomedicine and Biological Sciences. She also leads public engagement initiatives, notably founding and hosting the “I belong here” podcast, which profiles female scientists globally and promotes diversity in STEMM. She has delivered outreach talks at schools and universities and has been featured in BBC Radio Norfolk, Hello Bio, and UEA’s Equality and Diversity blog. Her administrative roles include Deputy Senior Advisor, Social Media Officer, and membership in several school committees focused on wellbeing, equality, and international teaching.

She leads a public engagement lab through her podcast initiative and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across UEA, including in the School of Pharmacy. Her outreach efforts form a key component of her scholarly profile, extending her impact beyond traditional research outputs.