Episode 64: How Can 3D Printing Make Implants?

Meet the Expert: Dr. Noelia Dominguez Falcon, Tissue Engineer

Dr. Noelia Dominguez Falcon

 

Dr Noelia Falcon is a Senior Research Associate at the School of Pharmacy at the University of East Anglia, UK. She works in Dr Aram Saeed’s Lab, and their research is based on tissue engineering and biomaterials. They combine polymeric scaffolds, stem cells, and biologically active molecules into functional implants or grafts. The goal of their research is to repair or restore a damaged tissue in the body, for example, tendons. Noelia moved out from her home country, Spain, 6 years ago. She travelled to the UK to pursue her academic career and her dream of being a Lecturer/Principal Investigator and have her own energetic, inclusive and passionate research group.

Over the last three years, she has been a firm advocate for Women in STEM, participating in many oral communications and online campaigns to spread the word of the value women have in science and to defend their incorporation in STEM jobs.

 

In January 2021, she founded a Podcast, titled “I belong here”. This Podcast follows an interview style, and represents an accessible platform in which Noelia interviews female scientists across the globe, with assorted stories, academic or industrial positions, and dreams. The first aim of the Podcast is to share the stories of these fantastic women role models, and to tell the world how amazing and successful they are, despite any bias against them. The second aim of the Podcast is to inspire the next generation of girls who are dreaming of being a scientist, but they think they will not fit in. Noelia hopes everyone who listens to this podcast sees themselves reflected on the women she interviews, because each woman is going to be an example of a successful scientist. These women are diverse, they have different backgrounds, skin colours, gender assignments, and have been going through different challenges. Therefore, she hopes the Podcast serves as a pool of inspiration for all those little girls and young women. The Podcast also has two excellent male ambassadors, Dr John Young (University of Portsmouth) and Prof Ben Garrod (UEA). They are the perfect example of male colleagues that believe in the incorporation of women in STEM jobs, and not only they advocate for it, but they try to understand and listen to us. Due to the podcast’s activity, Noelia has been interviewed twice at BBC Radio Norfolk and has collaborated on many occasions with the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce.

Research talk by Dr. Noelia

Dr. Noelia presenting information she has learned during her research

Dr. Noelia in the lab

Dr. Noelia working in the lab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Challenge:

Sit on the floor with your legs straight. Flex and unflex your feet. Those are your tendons.

Draw us a picture of your tendons and with your parent’s permission, send us your drawing or share with us on our Twitter , Instagram or Facebook page!

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3D printing book by Karen Kenney

Highlighted book for this episode! 

Cutting-Edge 3D Printing by Karen Latchana Kenney

What if people could make toys, foods, or even body parts using a computer printer? They can! Modern programmers and scientists have figured out a way to make three-dimensional versions of almost anything they can design on a computer.

 

 

 

 

 

Book List:

The Big Book of Makerspace Projects: Inspiring Makers to Experiment, Create, and Learn by Colleen Graves and Aaron Graves

Making Simple Robots: Exploring Cutting-Edge Robotics with Everyday Stuff by Kathy Ceceri

3D Printing For Dummies, Kids and Beginners: The 3D Printer Design Book of Ideas for Effective Use and Management; for Men, Women and Kids by Tony Jan

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