Photo: Kirsikka Musta
In his doctoral dissertation, Austin Evans, MSc (Tech), developed a new portfolio of extracellular matrix (ECM)-inspired biomaterials that more closely replicate the natural environment surrounding cells in the human body. The research produced modular "plug-and-play" hydrogel and nanoparticle platforms that enable precise control of the biological and mechanical signals that guide cell behavior. These technologies improved advanced tissue models, supported the fabrication of stable engineered cardiac tissues, and demonstrated a novel strategy for delivering therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier to target aggressive brain tumors. The findings provide researchers and clinicians with more realistic tools for studying disease and developing therapies, which can help accelerate personalized medicine, regenerative treatments, patient-specific drug testing, and future cancer therapies.
The doctoral dissertation titled Bioengineering ECM-Inspired Biomaterial Platforms for Advanced Tissue Engineering, Tumor Modeling, and Oncologic Therapeutic Applications by MSc (Tech) Austin Evans will be publicly examined in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology at Tampere University on 11 December 2026. The dissertation is in the field of medicine, bioscience, and biomedical engineering.
The Opponent will be Professor Stephanie Willerth from the University of Victoria, Canada. The Custos will be Professor Vesa Hytönen from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology at Tampere University.