BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID:-//University of Otago//Events Calendar//EN VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:University of Otago Calendar BEGIN:VEVENT UID:https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/events/bioengineering-symposium-and-3d-biofabrication-workshop URL:https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/events/bioengineering-symposium-and-3d-biofabrication-workshop DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261102T000000 DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261103T000000 SUMMARY:Bioengineering symposium and 3D Biofabrication workshop DESCRIPTION:The Bioengineering symposium and workshop will be held on 2 and 3 November 2026, hosted by the Centre for Bioengineering and Nanomedicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago. Join us in Dunedin for two days of insight and innovation at the intersection of engineering, medicine and translational science. The programme will showcase bioengineering and translational health technologies projects at Otago, with sessions featuring early-career researchers, postgraduate poster presentations, and an interactive panel discussion with industry experts exploring how bioengineering researchers can build interdisciplinary collaborations aligned with New Zealand's four national research pillars. Supported by Aroa Biosurgery and DKSH Technology New Zealand. ScheduleDownload the Bioengineering symposium and 3D Biofabrication workshop Programme (PDF) Day 1: Monday 2 November 2026WelcomeTimeActivityPresenter(s) 9:30–10:00am Registration n/a 10:00–10:05am Mihi whakatau Mr Sam CarringtonAssociate Dean Māori, Faculty of Dentistry 10:05–10:20am Welcome and introduction Associate Professor Megan GibbonsPro-Vice Chancellor, Division of Health Sciences Professor William LevackIncoming Head of Faculty, Faculty of Dentistry 10:20–10:30am The Centre for Bioengineering and Translational Health Technologies (CBTHT) Professor Azam AliCentre for Bioengineering and Translational Health Technologies, Faculty of Dentistry Session 1: Showcasing Bioengineering@OtagoChair: Professor Azam Ali 10:30–10:50am Stimuli-responsive linkers and their applications in drug delivery systems Associate Professor Allan GambleSchool of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 10:50–11:10am Gold nanoparticles to target bacterial biofilms and modulate host responses Associate Professor Daniel PletzerDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology 11:10–11:30am How flat is too flat? Rethinking disease models in the era of personalised medicine Professor Stephanie HughesDepartment of Biochemistry 11:30–11:50am Advances in pulsed electric field technology for bioactive extraction and material development Professor Indirawati OeyDepartment of Food Science 11:50am–12:10pm Phages: From lab to practice – challenges, opportunities, and formulation for effective deployment Professor Craig BuntAgricultural Innovation Programme, Department of Food Science 12:10–12:30pm Biofabrication to biomedical innovation: engineering tissue constructs and medical devices Associate Professor Jaydee CabralCentre for Bioengineering and Translational Health Technologies, Faculty of Dentistry Lunch break 12:30–1:30pm Lunch break and poster viewing in G37 Session 2: Centre themesChair: Professor Azam Ali 1:30–2:00pm Interactive session: Centre for Bioengineering and Translational Health Technologies theme activities and future opportunities: Themes: Regenerative Medicine, Biomaterials, Point of Care, Imaging, Nanomedicine Professor Azam Ali Associate Professor Yusuf Cakmak Professor Tim Woodfield Professor Arlene McDowell Professor Anthony Butler Session 3: Translational BioengineeringChair: Professor Azam Ali 2:00–2:20pm Simultaneous testing of anodized implants in three different anatomical sites in the Otago sheep model Professor Warwick DuncanSir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry 2:20–2:40pm From measurement to prevention: engineering solutions for head impacts in sport Professor Melanie BusseySchool of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences 2:40–3:00pm Synthetic biodegradable scaffold incorporating natural bioactive and small molecules to regenerate the diseased tissue Professor Rajesh KatareDepartment of Physiology Afternoon tea 3:20–4:00pm Afternoon tea break and poster viewing in G37 Session 4: R&E and industry panelChair: Dr Sam Heenan, Research and Enterprise 4:00–4:30pm Robert VealeAroa Biosurgery Dr John HaleBLIS Technologies John WilliamsonADInstruments Nour GhamriResearch and Enterprise Posters and networking session (G37) 4:30pm Posters and details of poster competition are listed on page 6. The best poster presentation will be awarded first prize of $200, thanks to Aroa Biosurgery. The runner–up will win a new Bioengineering hoodie. Bioengineering information session for undergraduate and postgraduate research students. Drinks and nibbles provided. Day 2: Tuesday 3 November 2026Welcome backTimeActivityPresenter(s) 9:00–10:00am Welcome back Professor Paul CooperHead of Faculty, Faculty of Dentistry Session 5: Bioengineering@Otago PG & ECR sessionChair: Associate Professor Jaydee Cabral 9:10–9:20am Environmental microbial colonisation of laser-structured superhydrophobic metal surfaces Connie Robinson (BSc (Hons) candidate)Department of Microbiology and Immunology 9:20–9:30am Bioengineered surgical membrane with integrated antibacterial nanoparticles Ghsaq Alhamdani (PhD candidate)SJWRI, Faculty of Dentistry 9:30–9:40am Fabrication of lipid nanoparticles for systemic delivery of miR-126 mimics and anti-miR-34a to mitigate diabetes-induced atherosclerosis and diabetic cardiomyopathy in vivoDineth Palihaderu (PhD candidate)Department of Physiology 9:40–9:50am Engineering conductive bioscaffolds with miRNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles for cardiac regeneration Jekhan Saravanan (PhD candidate)Department of Chemistry 9:50–10:00am Ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of eccDNA based on hybridization with a network of gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles Xinjie Zhou (PhD candidate)Department of Chemistry 10:00–10:10am Engineering an epithelial barrier model for drug transport through the round window membrane of the cochlea Dr Mina Rajabi (Early Career Researcher)Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry The best presentation from an Otago postgraduate student or early-career researcher in session 5 will be awarded first prize of $200, thanks to DKSH. The runner-up will win a new Bioengineering hoodie. 10:10–10:20am Building a career in MedTech: Insights from a Bioengineering graduateHanna Jacobs-GrantSenior Robotics Clinical Specialist, Medtronic | PGDip Bioengineering alumna 10:20–10:30am AROA ECM™: A New Zealand case study in biomaterial commercialisationRobert VealeCorporate Development Manager, Aroa Biosurgery Morning tea break 10:30–10:50am Morning tea break and poster viewing in G37 Session 6: Bioengineering across health and medicineChair: Associate Professor Yusuf Cakmak 10:50–11:10am Drug eluting textile wrap for the treatment of intimal hyperplasia Dr Jo KrysaDepartment of Surgery and Critical Care 11:10–11:30am Development of a silicate-substituted bovine-derived hydroxyapatite scaffold for dental regenerative applications Dr Jithendra RatnayakeDepartment of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry 11:30–11:50am Electrophysiology in an age of high-throughput neuroscience Dr Owen JonesDepartment of Psychology 11:50am–12:10pm From teeth to bone: dentin- and tooth-derived grafts as emerging biomaterials in regenerative dentistry Dr Stéphane DerruauUniversité de Reims Champagne-Ardenne 12:10–12:30pm Electrochemical sensors and biosensors for biomedical and food analysis Dr Yanfang WuDepartment of Chemistry Lunch break 12:30–1:30pm Lunch break and poster viewing in G37 Symposium wrap-up and awards presentationChairs: Professor Azam Ali, Associate Professor Jaydee Cabral 1:30–2:00pm Symposium wrap-up and awards presentation3D Biofabrication workshop/training and laboratory tourLead: Associate Professor Jaydee Cabral 2:00–4:00pm 3D Biofabrication workshop (NZ$75 fee) How to attendDunedin: Blue Lecture Theatre and Walsh Building Seminar Room G:37, Faculty of Dentistry, University of OtagoChristchurch: Zoom LinkWellington and off campus: Zoom link RegistrationRegistrations have closed. LOCATION:Various locations and online END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR