Benchside-to-bedside: introducing new researcher, Associate Professor Dr David Chau
12 March 2019
![David Chau Associate Professor David Chau Associate Professor](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman/sites/eastman/files/styles/large_image/public/david_chau_associate_professor_.jpg?itok=nQpmTK0w)
We are delighted to welcome Dr David Chau to the Institute as our new Associate Professor in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering.
Dr Chau originally trained as a chemical engineer before gaining an interest in biotechnology which resulted in the completion of a BEng and an MSc at the University of Birmingham.
His PhD, on the modification of collagen for development of novel biomaterial, was awarded in 2007 (Nottingham Trent/Aston University) and culminated in the publication of several papers and a worldwide patent.
He was a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) at the University of Nottingham, under the guidance of Professor Kevin Shakesheff, before subsequently joining the Cell and Organism Engineering Laboratory of Professor Alan Tunnacliffe, as a senior PDRA, at the University of Cambridge.
Previous projects have also included:
- Developing biocompatible polymeric microparticle delivery systems
… that not only can be used as a physical scaffold material but also to deliver drugs to a target site of interest. Aspects of this technology have been translated for clinical use in a wide range of applications including ophthalmology, brain repair (i.e. Alzheimer’s, stroke and TBI) and bone regeneration.
- The mummification of human stem cells
A novel project that looked at the feasibility of generating desiccation-tolerant human (stem) cells for exploitation in cell therapy applications and long-term storage.
- The development of 3D immunocompetent tissue-engineered cell models
…used to understand fundamental biological processes, generate tissue and organs for “off-the-shelf” applications and, more commonly, used to assess drugs and medicines.
Dr Chau said: “I am pleased to be joining UCL Eastman and hope to expand and build upon my repertoire of “benchside-to-bedside” ethos; that is, being able to convert fundamental scientific principles into a clinical output or application for the benefits of patients – especially in the field of oral and maxillofacial medicine.
“I also anticipate gaining additional knowledge, skills and learning of new and novel techniques which may have not be considered in a “blue-sky thinking” or cross-disciplinary manner. People don’t build planes if they don’t dream of flying!”
Dr Chau started his academic career as a Lecturer in Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery at the University of Hertfordshire in 2013 before progressing to a Senior Lecturer role and also gaining his FHEA status.
He is a member of the Institution Chemical Engineers, with full chartered scientist and chartered engineer status and also sits on a number of grant-awarding boards.