Naomi Paxton

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Background:

Physics, biofabrication, melt electrospinning, hydrogels, bioprinting, science communication, STEM education

Current Research:

Naomi’s research project involves combining advanced biomaterials to 3D print scaffolds for bone regeneration. Naomi is completing her PhD as part of QUT’s ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Additive Biomanufacturing. Through collaboration with medical device company, Anatomics, Naomi uses a range of polymer biomaterials and polymer-ceramic composites to fabricate patient-specific implants which regenerate bone tissue. Naomi has recently been selected as the national winner for the ATSE Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship and CSIRO Alumni Scholarship in Physics. She has also been awarded the QLD Women in Technology Life Science Young Achiever Award, QLD Women in STEM Prize Runner-Up, 3^rd Prize for the International Biofabrication Society Young Investigator Awards and winner of the IHBI Inspires Judges Prize for Best Oral Presentation. 

Alongside her research, Naomi is an enthusiastic science communicator and STEM ambassador with the STEM for Schools (QUT) and Wonder of Science (UQ) programs. As a workshop facilitator and invited speaker, Naomi shares her passion for physics, astrophysics and biofabrication, and enjoys speaking about the diverse possibilities and exciting pathways which can lead to fulfilling careers in STEM. Naomi was recently selected as a national finalist for the Amplify Ignite PhD Pitch Competition, and Science & Engineering Faculty Runner-Up for the 3 Minute Thesis competition. Naomi is also an active contributor to the Materials Today journal family community and writes feature articles showcasing recently published papers.

In recognition of Naomi’s contribution to STEM engagement and advocacy for Women in STEM, Naomi was announced as the QUT Student Leader of the Year 2019.

Interests:

Swimming at the beach, volleyball, baking, yoga, ballet and travel

Projects

• Biofabrication
• Cell Culturing
• Coming Soon: 3D Printing in Schools STEM Education

Publications

• Paxton, Naomi, Ren, Edward, Ainsworth, Madison, Solanki, Anu, Jones, Julian, Allenby, Mark, Stevens, Molly, & Woodruff, Mia (2019) Rheological characterization of biomaterials directs additive manufacturing of strontium-substituted bioactive glass/polycaprolactone microfibers. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 40(11), Article number: 1900019 1-6.
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• Paxton, Naomi, Allenby, Mark, Lewis, Philip, & Woodruff, Mia (2019) Biomedical applications of polyethylene. European Polymer Journal, 118, pp. 412-428.
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• Paxton, Naomi, Smolan, Willi, Boeck, Thomas, Melchels, Ferry, Groll, Jurgen, & Jungst, Tomasz (2017) Proposal to assess printability of bioinks for extrusion-based bioprinting and evaluation of rheological properties governing bioprintability. Biofabrication, 9(4), Article number: 044107 1-18.
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• Paxton, Naomi, Powell, Sean, & Woodruff, Mia (2016) Biofabrication: The future of regenerative medicine. Techniques in Orthopaedics, 31(3), pp. 190-203.
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