Dr. Owen Clarkin (BSc)
Principle Investigator
Dr. Clarkin holds a BSc in Material Science and a PhD in Biomaterials from the University of Limerick. He has worked at Stryker Orthopaedics, as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Limerick and Waterford Institute of Technology for two years and as a Research Fellow at Dublin City University for the past three years.
His research background has been focused on orthopaedic and dental biomaterials, including calcium phosphate, poly(methyl methacrylate) and glass poly(alkenoate) cements. However, his current research focus is on hydrogel based composite materials for the treatment of vascular diseases, including cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and dural fistulae. Dr. Clarkin has considerable expertise in both hard and soft biomaterials for numerous medical applications.
In his present role as principle investigator Dr. Clarkin is responsible for the running of the Biomaterials Research Group, including project management, industrial and clinical engagement and academic collaboration. In his current role, Dr. Clarkin has secured over €500,000 in funding for the development of commercially focused medical device and biomaterials research.
Dr. Eoin Fox (BSc)
Post-doctoral Researcher
Dr. Fox is a post-doctoral researcher in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at DCU specialising in biomaterials in the Biomaterials Group. He completed his PhD under Dr.Dermot Brougham in the School of Chemistry at DCU.
His fellowship involved the development of stable colloidal dispersions of iron oxide nanoparticles and nanoclusters for biomedical applications. He is interested in the development of biocompatible materials.
Specifically his current work involves the use of natural polymers and how chemical modification can introduce targeted functionality while improving the inherent properties. This work will increase the applicability and usability of natural polymers and open up further applications.Additional work involves the development of small molecule releasing materials with a view for therapeutic treatments. These modified and new materials biocompatibility will be accessed using a range of cell biology assays.
