Postgraduate tauira presented posters at the event with Bio-Strategy sponsoring the Best Poster Award which was given to Lipika Prasad of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.
The University of Otago’s Faculty of Dentistry hosted more than 80 experts from across New Zealand at its Bioengineering Symposium and 3D Biofabrication Workshop.
Taking place 6-7 November and hosted by the Centre for Bioengineering and Nanomedicine, the symposium brought together leading experts, academics, industry and healthcare partners, and researchers from physical sciences, health sciences, engineering, and biomedical sciences backgrounds.
The purpose was to network with like-minded people from Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. Attendees learned more about the latest developments in bioengineering, 3D Biofabrication, translational research in biomaterials, regenerative medicine, stem cells, point-of-care diagnostics, imaging, and nanomedicine.
Symposium organiser, Professor Azam Ali, says the two-day event had both in person and online offerings, including a diverse programme of presentations covering cutting-edge research and emerging technologies in bioengineering.
“Speakers represented a range of institutions, including the University of Otago, the University of Auckland, and several international universities from Australia and the United States, as well as representatives from industry partners and venture capital firms,” Azam says.
“Additionally, the symposium showcased 12 research posters presented by early-career researchers, postgraduate students, and PhD candidates, highlighting the strong pipeline of future talent in the field.”
Associate Professor Jaydee Cabral supported Azam with the event and says the symposium and their annual 3D Biofabrication Workshop were a huge success.
“The 3D printing and cutting-edge additive manufacturing capabilities we demonstrated at the symposium reinforce the University of Otago’s role as a leader in advancing bioengineering and biotechnology research,” Jaydee says.
The symposium commenced with a mihi whakatau and was followed by opening remarks from both the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Greg Cook and Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry Professor Paul Cooper.
Paul spoke about the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing MedTech, HealthTech and BioTech innovation.
“The overwhelmingly positive feedback received after the symposium is very telling of its success,” Paul says.
“Fostering collaboration in both academia and industry is an important part in ensuring the work we do involves and reached the communities that need it.”
“Thank you very much to our sponsors, Bio-Strategy, Lab Supply, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, for helping make this a fantastic event that provided a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate and be inspired.”
Participants experienced a dynamic programme featuring expert talks, hands-on 3D printing workshops, and poster presentations by postgraduate students, with Bio-Strategy sponsoring the Best Poster Award.
-Kōrero by Kelsey Swart, Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser
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