After nearly three years of research in Canada, Dr. Marcin Wekwejt returns to Gdańsk Tech
Dr Eng. Marcin Wekwejt from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology has completed nearly three years of postdoctoral internship at CHU de Québec–Université Laval in Canada. He conducted research on multifunctional biomaterials for regenerative medicine. He will now apply the experience gained at Gdańsk Tech, where he will develop materials supporting bone tissue regeneration.
Dr Eng. Marcin Wekwejt from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology has completed nearly three years of postdoctoral internship at CHU de Québec–Université Laval in Canada. He conducted research on multifunctional biomaterials for regenerative medicine. He will now apply the experience gained at Gdańsk Tech, where he will develop materials supporting bone tissue regeneration.
From 2023 to 2026, Dr. Eng. Marcin Wekwejt worked at the Laboratory for Biomaterials and Bioengineering in Quebec under the scientific supervision of Prof. Diego Mantovani. The internship was carried out with the support of the Bekker program of the National Agency for Academic Exchange and the AMERICIUM program of Gdańsk Tech.
The stay in Canada was a continuation of research previously conducted by the scientist at Gdańsk Tech. At the Department of Biomaterials Technology, he was involved, among other things, in the development of injectable ceramic-polymer bone cements. Such materials can fill bone defects while creating an environment conducive to tissue regeneration.
Biomaterials Supporting Bone Regeneration
During his internship in Quebec, Dr. Eng. Marcin Wekwejt focused on designing multifunctional biomaterials, primarily polymer hydrogels. He studied, among other aspects, the possibilities of imparting additional biological properties by using complexes of tannic acid with metal ions.
The developed materials underwent detailed physicochemical and mechanical property analyses as well as biological evaluation. This allowed assessment of their potential for use in solutions intended for regenerative medicine.
The outcome of the work carried out in Canada includes, among others, two scientific publications in the journals International Journal of Biological Macromolecules and ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, dedicated to new biomaterials and methods of their biofunctionalization.
The research results were also presented at international conferences focused on biomaterials. In 2025, Dr. Eng. Marcin Wekwejt gave a presentation at the Annual Conference of the European Society for Biomaterials in Italy, and in 2026 at the Society for Biomaterials Annual Meeting & Exposition in the United States.
His activity within the Society for Biomaterials is not limited to conference participation. Since 2025, he has served as the Program Coordinator for the Orthopaedic Biomaterials Special Interest Group, which focuses on orthopedic biomaterials.
From Quebec to Further Research at Gdańsk Tech
– The postdoctoral internship was a deliberate step towards greater scientific independence for me. Nearly three years of work in an international and interdisciplinary environment allowed me to significantly broaden my knowledge and skills, discover new approaches to designing biomaterials, and develop international cooperation. From a long-term perspective, I consider the combination of scientific and personal development to be one of the greatest values of this experience. Now I want to apply the experience gained at Gdańsk Tech, both in further research and teaching, as well as in creating new research projects – says Dr Eng. Marcin Wekwejt.
Upon his return, he will continue his work at the Department of Biomaterials Technology at Gdańsk Tech. The research will once again focus on multifunctional biomaterials for bone regeneration, particularly biocomposite bone cements and methods of their biofunctionalization.
The completion of the internship also does not mark the end of collaboration with the Canadian team. The relationships established at the Laboratory for Biomaterials and Bioengineering are to be further developed in future joint research and projects, and the experience gained during nearly three years in Québec will be utilized in ongoing work conducted at Gdańsk Tech.
