Ms Maria Heim

Innovative and results-driven biomedical researcher pursuing a PhD in Tissue Engineering, specializing in immunomodulatory scaffolds for regenerative medicine applications. Extensive experience in pharmacology, immunology, molecular biology, and bioengineering, with a strong publication record and conference presentations. Passionate about space medicine and translating scientific advancements into clinical and pharmaceutical applications, particularly in drug development, biotechnology, and medical affairs.

Key competencies include:

• Tissue Engineering & Biomaterials: Expertise in 3D bio-printing, electrospinning, and scaffold design for regenerative medicine.
• Molecular & Cellular Biology: Proficiency in flow cytometry, qPCR, immunohistochemistry, and cell culture techniques.
• Immunology & Drug Discovery: Research experience in immune responses to viral infections and radiation, antimicrobial peptides utilisation and novel therapeutic approaches.
• Regulatory & Medical Affairs: Understanding of pharmaceutical regulations, clinical trials, and drug development pipelines.
• Scientific Communication & Liaison: Published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at international conferences, and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams.

MSc by Research in Biomedical Sciences (Infectious Diseases) - The University of Edinburgh

BSc Pharmacology - The University of Edinburgh

HNC Buisness Management

Scientific Translator for the European Consortium for Communicating Gene & Cell Therapy

STEM Ambassador for STEM Ambassadors Scotland

Member of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)

Member of the British Society for Immunology (BSI)

Member of the United Kingdom Society for Biomaterials (UKSB)

Member of the Tissue and Cell Engineering Society (TCES)

Tutor and Demonstrator

• Engineering Principles 1
• Immunology 3
• The Microbial World 2

Supervision of Master Research Projects

• MEng (Mechanical) - Development of Electrospun Polycaprolactone-Oestrogen Materials for Tissue Engineering Applications
• MScR Biomedical Sciences - Elucidating the Effect of Radiation-Induced Hypothyroidism on Immune Cell Populations and Extracellular Matrix Composition
• MSc Regenerative Medicine - Determining changes in lymphocytes and extracellular matrix composition in radiation-induced hypothyroidism

Maria Heim’s research focuses on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with a particular interest in developing bio-therapeutics for radiation-induced hypothyroidism. Her work explores extracellular matrix remodeling, immune modulation following radiation injury, and the engineering of functional scaffolds using electrospinning and bioprinting. She also has experience in immunology, virology, and molecular diagnostics.

Conferences

• Setting a Vision and Strategy for the future of the UK Fluid Network - Workshop delivery, UK Fluid Network 2.0 (2024), Leeds, UK
• Towards Effective RIHT Therapies: Identifying Proteins for In Vitro Thyroid Scaffold Evaluation - Selected Talk, Tissue and Cell Engineering Society Conference 2024, Glasgow, UK
• Assessing physical & mechanical properties of various antioxidant functionalised electrospun biomaterials - Selected Talk, 29^th Congress of the European Society of Biomechanics, 2024, Edinburgh, UK
• Radiation-Induced Hypothyroidism: Macrophages as a Therapeutic Target - Poster, European Society for Macrophages and Dendritic Cells Conference 2023, Ghent, Belgium
• Development of Oestrogen Scaffolds as a Niche for Thyroid Cell Proliferation - Selected Talk & Poster, UK Society for Biomaterials Conference 2023, Belfast, UK
• Lego Serious Play: Levelling the Playfield for Co-creation of Challenging Courses - Workshop delivery, Learning and Teaching Conference 2023, Edinburgh, UK
• Electrospun Scaffold Fibre Diameter: Comparing Responses of Immortalized and Primary Thyroid Cells - Presentation & Poster, School of Engineering Postgraduate Conference 2023, Edinburgh, UK
• The Effects of Electrospun Scaffold Fibre Diameter on Primary Thyroid Cells - Poster, Tissue and Cell Engineering Society Conference 2022, Birmingham, UK  

Awards

• MRC-SCN Exchange Program Award 2024
• British Society for Immunology (BSI) European Travel Grant 2023
• 3^rd place for Best Selected Talk at UKSB23
• Institute for Engineering and Physics in Medicine (IPEM) Travel Grant 2023
• UK Society for Biomaterials (UKSB) Travel Award 2023
• Edinburgh Award for Student Association: Society and Volunteering Group Office Bearers 2018