Mia Woodruff - Centre for Biomedical Technologies

Professor, School of Mechanical, Medical & Process Engineering

Phd Materials Engineering (University of Nottingham)

Professor Mia Woodruff has 21 years’ experience in biomedical engineering since her undergraduate degree and PhD at the University of Nottingham, UK. She is as an internationally renowned expert in tissue engineering and Biofabrication, with extensive experience in all aspects of biomaterial scaffold fabrication techniques, pre-clinical models and histological analysis. Mia has published over 120 peer reviewed journal articles and is the recipient of a QUT Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellowship, and ARC Fellowship. Mia established the Biofabrication and Tissue Morphology Group (BTM) in 2010 which now comprises 6 post-doctoral fellows, 12 PhD students, 4 research assistants, 3 Honour students and several final year undergraduate project students as one of QUT’s youngest professors. Mia’s exciting vision is of a future where the fabrication of patient-specific replacement tissue and organs is safe, cost-effective and routine and where 3D medical scanning modelling and printing can positively impact healthcare service delivery. In partnership with Metro North Hospital and Health Services, Mia’s Hospital of the Future vision has recently led to the establishment of the Herston Biofabrication Institute. Mia’s team focusses on uses the platform technologies of 3D scanning, modelling and printing, bringing together clinicians, researchers, industry and patients on one site. Mia is also a passionate science- communicator and recognises enormous value in engaging the general public in her work; particularly students. Main Areas of Research

Composite scaffolds for tissue engineering
Advanced non invasive scanning
Anatomical modelling and 3D printing
Electrospinning – melt and solution
In vivo models for bone regeneration
Cell culture and in vitro biocompatibility studies for new biomaterials
Microsphere production for growth factor delivery
Histology and uCT assessment of biomaterial implants
Large animal models, large bone explants (including metallic) advanced histology processing using PMMA resin embedding

External Grants

2020-2023 - Advance Queensland Fellowship. 1 post doctoral research position. COVID-19 Rapid manufacture of respirator face-masks using 3D printing. $180,000. Paxton,
2020 - Bionics Queensland Challenge – Category 1. Tissue-engineered vascular grafts via soft robotics. $50,000. Brooks Richards, Fell, Schoenborn Allenby, Woodruff.
2020 - JTI Funding Initiative. Personalised 3D printed reactive cushions for pressure wound management. $50,000. Forrestal, Powell, Slattery.
2020 - JTI Funding Initiative. Virtual reality for trauma care equipment suite. $16,000. Desselle.
2019-2022 - Advance Queensland Fellowship Cluster in Biofabrication. 3 post doctoral researcher positions. Biofabrication for Burns, Biofabrication for customised metallic implants, Biofabrication for vascular surgery. $1,200,000. Powell, Matthews, Allenby.
2019-2020 - Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital. A biofabricated surgical referral suite to predict intracranial aneurysm rupture. $40,000. Winter, Allenby, Prior, Clouston.
2019-2020 - MNHHS Collaborative Research Grant. Biofabricated biological meshes for pelvic surgery. $50,000. Warwick, Totsika, Riddell, Woodruff.
2019 - Anonymous donor. $70,000. Powell,
2018-2020 - NHMRC Project Grant. Optimising bone regeneration using advanced design and fabrication technologies. $916,671. Zreiquat, Little, …
2017-2019 – MTP Connect. Biofabrication. $400,000. Woodruff, Powell, Dornan
2016 – Cecilia Kilkeary Foundation. 3D Scan and Print Lab for Prosthetic Ears. $27,500. Woodruff.
2016-2020 – ARC Industrial Transformation Training Center. Additive Biomanufacturing. $3.72 Million. Hutmacher, Klein, Woodruff, et al.
2016 – Advance QLD Knowledge Transfer Partnership. Hear and Say – QUT. $75,000. Woodruff and Powell.
2016-2020 – Innovation Manufacturing CRC. Innovative Manufacturing CRC,. ~$40 Million. Numerous CI’s.
2015-2017 AO Foundation. Prevention of Bisphosphonate Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws Using a Novel Tissue Engineering Strategy. $429,000. Hutmacher, Werner, Lynham, Woodruff, Brierly.
2013-2016 – ARC Linkage. Smart-Matrix™ approaches towards neo vascularisation in bone repair. $400,000. Woodruff, Blackwood, Macneil, Couzens.
2013-2016 – ARC Linkage. A novel electrospraying technology platform for controlled and targeted growth factor delivery. $250,000. Woodruff, Shakesheff, Couzens.
2013-2016 – NHMRC Development Grant. The reconstruction of large segmental bone defects using patient-specific tissue engineered constructs. $450,000. Hutmacher, Schuetz, Woodruff, Epari, Dickinson, Saifzedah, Sommerville, Steck.
2013 – 2015 – ATN-DAAD. Osteochondral defect regeneration. $24,000. Woodruff, Gelinsky.
2012-2014 – Wesley Research Institute Project Grant. Reconstruction of large bone defects using patient specific tissue engineered construct. $89,600. Dickinson, Hutmacher, Schuetz, Woodruff, Epari, Saifzedah, Sommerville, Steck.
2011-2014 – ARC Linkage. Development of new scaffolds for bone repair comprising PCL & strontium- substituted bioactive glasses. $391,000. Woodruff, Crawford, Stevens (UK)
2010-2013: ARC Linkage. Bone Tissue Engineering using innovative tubular dual layered nnofiber meshes. $404,000. Hutmacher, Woodruff, Saifzedah, Crawford, Guldberg, Mooney, Pearce.
2011 AOCMF. Craniofacial repair using electrospun meshes. $50,000. Hutmacher, Berner, Woodruff, Saifzedah, Schuetz.
2009 – 2011: ARC Discovery. Design and Fabrication of an engineered bone graft system by combining a composite scaffold and growth factor delivery system. $337,000. Hutmacher, Woodruff, Guldberg Shakesheff.

Internal Grants

2019-2020 - QUT Engagement Innovatio. PARM-VR - Co-design of an Innovative Virtual Reality (VR) Environment as a Pain and Anxiety Augmented Relief Method in Burns Survivors and Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) with Cancer. $40,000. Desselle, Woodruff.
2019-2020 - QUT IHBI Inter-Theme Grant An intelligent risk stratification software to predict intracranial aneurysm rupture. $11,000. Allenby, Alonso-Caneiro, Woodruff.
2019-2020 - QUT IHBI ECR Development Grant. Ad3Vasc: Advanced composites, designs, and mechanics for personalised functional vascular stents. $10,000. Allenby, Woodruff.
2019 - QUT IHBI Major Equipment Scheme. Equipment bid – Cell Culture Peristaltic Pump and Peripherals. $16,072. Forrestal, Woodruff.
2016 Engagement Innovation Grant. 3D printing in all high schools. $29,000. Woodruff, Farrelly, Bilsborough, Powell, Lanaro, Helens.
2012 IHBI Cells & Tissue Collaborative Grant. Soft Tissue Injury. $30,000. Peake, Woodruff, Steck.
2011 – IHBI ECR Grant. Histological methods for assessing bone regeneration. $10,000. Woodruff.
2011-Present – Equipment Grants. Building histology capacity at QUT, more than 10 equipment grants awarded totally over $1 million. Woodruff, et al.

Career History

2017-present: Professor, QUT
2018-2020: Acting Director, Herston Biofabrication Institute
2013-2017: Associate Professor, QUT
2010-present: Group Leader Biomaterials and Tissue Morphology Group
2009 – 2010: Senior Research Fellow, Regenerative Medicine Group, IHBI, QUT
2006 – 2009: Post Doctoral Research Fellow, National University of Singapore

Fellowships

2011-2014: ARC, APD(I) Fellowship
2010-2013: QUT Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellowship

Additional information

Experience

I am a passionate science- communicator and recognise enormous value in engaging the general public in my work; particularly students. I am regularly invited to share my “3D printing body parts” and “hospital of the future” vision in the media promoting science to all ages. I have given several high profile presentations and have showcased our research to various health and science ministers and consistently engages with public, schools, government and industry. I hope to promote the potential of biofabrication as a key player in the future of regenerative medicine, into the public’s consciousness. This is especially important when we consider the millions of people suffering tissue loss through trauma, cancer and congenital defects every year; our technology aims to restore functionality to these patients, improving their quality of life. My group’s “hospital of the future” vision sees a 3D printer present in every operating theatre in the world to provide customised, on the spot anatomically precise scaffolds to treat defected tissues. Keynotes and Invited Presentations

2019 | KEYNOTE PRESENTATION | 3D Technologies in Medicine Conference, Melbourne, Directions of Bioprinting 2019 | CONFERENCE COMMITTEE | Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society – AP Chapter and the 7th Asian Biomaterials Congress, Brisbane

2019 | INVITED SPEAKER | ORS Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, Austin Texas

2019 | CONFERENCE CONVENOR | Herston Biofabrication Institute Conference, Brisbane, Building Real World Clinical Impact 2019 | INVITED SPEAKER | Tissue and Cell Engineering Society and UK Society of Biomaterials,

Nottingham United Kingdom

2017 | INVITED SPEAKER | Myriad 2017, Brisbane Women in STEM: Digital Smarts and 3D Printed Hearts 2017 | KEYNOTE PRESENTATION | Tissue and Cell Engineering Society Conference, United Kingdom Biofabrication the Hospital of the Future 2016 | KEYNOTE PRESENTATION |Brisbane City Council Brisbane Innovate, Brisbane Disruptive Technology and the Hospital of the Future 2016 | KEYNOTE PRESENTATION| Flux, Sydney Disruptive Technology and the Hospital of the Future 2016 | KEYNOTE PRESENTATION | Australian Society for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, Brisbane

Innovations in 3D printing for medicine

2016 | KEYNOTE PRESENTATION | Australian Defence Force Medical Reserves , Melbourne

3D printing in medicine

2016 | PLENARY DINNER PRESENTATION | Australian Spine Society Conference, Melbourne

Biofabrication in Orthopaedics

2016 | PRESENTATION | American Orthopaedic Research Association Conference, Florida

Biofabrication Innovations in Orthopaedics

2015 | PRESENTATION | Australian Orthopaedic Association Conference, Brisbane

Biofabrication in Orthopaedics

2015 | KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Women in Technology 3D Printing Showcase

A/Prof Woodruff inspired an audience of ~200 women in technology, academic researchers and students by showcasing the possibilities for both 3D printing in medicine and successful careers for women in STEM disciplines.

2015 | PLENARY SPEAKER | UQ Early Career Researcher Forum

3D Printing in Medicine

2015 | KEYNOTE SPEAKER | QUT Office Professionals Network Group event

‘Absolutely Biofabulous’, hosted by QUT VC Prof Peter Coldrake and The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, A/Prof Mia Woodruff presented her revolutionary Biofabrication research to 120 office professionals

2015 | SPEAKER | Advanced Queensland Forum

3D Printing in Medicine 5 Minute Pitch

2014 | KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Women in Technology 3D Printing Event

3D Printing Revolution for Medical Applications

2014 | SPEAKER | TEDxQUT

‘Absolutely Biofabulous’, A/Prof Mia Woodruff was invited to showcase her Biofabrication to a live audience at the annual TEDxQUT event. The YouTube video of the talk has over 1000 views.

2014 | SPEAKER | QLD Health Summer School

Biofabrication: The future of regenerative medicine

2014 | PRESENTATION | Diamantina Health Partners (DHP) Inaugural Forum “Meeting of Minds”

Biofabrication

Media Engagement

| “Herston Biofabrication Institute Conference” Burns treatment, virtual reality, fashion & growing new human tissue – Hospitals of the Future conference. 2019 | NEWS | Nine News

| “Herston Biofabrication Institute Conference” The new Herston Biofabrication Institute is nearing completion, guaranteeing to cut costs, waiting times and improve outcomes for everyday Queenslanders. 2019 | ARTICLE | ATSE Applied | ”Boost for printed body parts research” PhD student Naomi Paxton awarded inaugural Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship. 2019 | ARTICLE | QUT News | “Boost for PhD research into 3D printed solutions for patients in need” PhD student Naomi Paxton awarded inaugural Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship. 2018 | ARTICLE | Courier Mail | “Scientists and tech professionals were honoured at 2018 Women in Technology Awards in Brisbane” Prof Mia Woodruff and PhD student Naomi Paxton awarded Women in Technology Life Sciences Awards 2018. 2017 | ARTICLE | Campus Travel | “A Blueprint for Revolutionising Bone Regeneration” PhD student Naomi Paxton is awarded the national STEM Travel Grant to support her trip to Imperial College London. 2017 | ARTICLE | Innovation Aus | “Brisbane drive a biomedical lead” Prof Mia Woodruff and her vision for the Hertson Biofabrication institute are leading the drive for Brisbane to become a world-class biomedical research hub. 2016 | NEWS | Channel 7 News | “World first: Aussie infant to be fitted with 3D printed ear”