Laura Rijns on Her PhD Defense Cum Laude: The Rules of Growing Tissue

Laura Rijns in Cellab. Photo: Bart van Overbeeke

We are happy to announce that MDR PhD student Laura Rijns has successfully defended her PhD thesis cum laude at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, TU Eindhoven. Her exceptional work on the extracellular matrix (ECM) of human tissues using supramolecular hydrogels has set a new benchmark in the field.

Laura’s research focused on replicating the ECM with these synthetic biomaterials, which are known for their modularity and dynamic nature. This groundbreaking work holds immense potential to revolutionize tissue culture, offering new avenues for drug testing and other biomedical applications.

Her thesis outlines design rules that could enable the cultivation of more complex living tissues in a controlled, synthetic environment. These insights are not just academic achievements but stepping stones towards real-world biomedical innovations.

In addition to her academic success, Laura is set to embark on a new journey as a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University, where she will delve into the field of bioelectronics, backed by Niels Stensen Fellowship.

We wish Laura all the best as she continues to make strides in her research career. For a more detailed insight into Laura’s work and her journey, we recommend reading the article by TU Eindhoven: https://www.tue.nl/en/news-and-events/news-overview/13-11-2023-the-rules-of-growing-tissue