We are delighted to introduce the Scientific Committee for the International Conference on Implants:

Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło, University of Gdańsk  -  Chair of the Scientific Committee

Prof. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło is a full professor and head of the Department of Biomedical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk. She has been affiliated with the University of Gdańsk throughout her academic career. Her research focuses on the structure-activity relationships of bioactive peptides and peptidomimetics. In recent years, she has also been engaged in the design, synthesis, and study of peptides with pro-regenerative properties for applications in skin, cartilage, and bone regeneration. Her expertise extends to developing novel peptide scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. She has authored 97 original research papers (h-index = 21) and has received numerous awards for her scientific achievements, including distinctions from the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) and L’ORÉAL. She has completed a research fellowship at Cornell University (Ithaca, USA).

Ana Bettencourt, University of Lisbon

Ana Bettencourt holds a PharmD (1993) and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry (2006) from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon (FFUL). She previously worked as a Quality Control Manager in the pharmaceutical industry and is currently a Professor with Habilitation in Pharmaceutical Technology at FFUL. She has authored more than 90 publications indexed in SCOPUS/WoS and presented over 300 communications at national and international conferences. She has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s theses in pharmaceutical technology, medical devices, nanotoxicology, and regulatory science. Her research focuses on advanced local drug delivery systems using nanotechnology and 3D printing, as well as regulatory science. She is also a member of the ISO/TC 194 and CT 87 technical committees. ORCID ID 0000-0002-8498-5892 | SCOPUS ID 6603687672 | CIÊNCIA ID 7C1F-F932-33DC

Joseph Buhagiar, University of Malta

Prof. Inġ. Joseph Buhagiar is Head of the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering and Associate Professor at the University of Malta. He holds a B.Eng. (Hons) from Malta and a PhD from the University of Birmingham (UK) in plasma surface engineering of biomedical stainless steels. His research spans biodegradable metals, orthopaedic device design, surface engineering, and corrosion, integrating materials science with clinical translation. He is co-inventor of the patented MaltaHIP prosthesis, licensed to Garland Surgical Ltd. He currently leads the Xjenza- and MOST-funded Sino-Malta OsteoMag-3D project on 3D-printed magnesium scaffolds and serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Surface Engineering.

Giuseppina Caligiuri, University Hospital Bichat

Dr. Giuseppina Caligiuri is Vice-Dean for Innovation and Valorization at the Faculty of Health, Université Paris Cité, and a world-renowned expert in cardiovascular immunobiology and translational medicine. With over two decades of pioneering research, Dr. Caligiuri has fundamentally advanced our understanding of immune-vascular interactions and their clinical applications. Dr. Caligiuri earned her medical degree from Catholic University, Rome, followed by specialized training in cardiology and a PhD in Biomedical Science from the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm. She maintains active clinical practice as a Consultant Clinical Fellow in Cardiology at University Hospitals of Paris. Her groundbreaking research includes discovering CD31's role as a co-inhibitory receptor and elucidating the molecular mechanisms of receptor clustering in immune signaling. These discoveries have direct implications for developing next-generation cardiovascular therapies, particularly in preventing thrombosis and improving endothelial function in medical devices. Dr. Caligiuri has successfully translated laboratory discoveries into clinical solutions, leading the development of peptide-based strategies for modulating immune responses in cardiovascular disease. Her work bridges fundamental immunology with practical applications in interventional cardiology and vascular surgery. With over 130 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals including Nature Medicine, Circulation, and PNAS, and an h-index of 62, her research has shaped modern understanding of vascular immunobiology. She has secured significant research funding and holds multiple patents for therapeutic innovations. Dr. Caligiuri's unique combination of clinical expertise, fundamental research excellence, and translational vision positions her at the forefront of developing smart biomimetic solutions that could revolutionize cardiovascular device performance and patient outcomes.

Diego Mantovani, Laval University

Diego Mantovani, PhD Ing. is the Holder of the Canada Research Chair Tier I in Biomaterials and Bioengineering for the Innovation in Surgery (2012-2026), professor at the Department of Materials Engineering at Laval University, senior scientist at the Division of Regenerative Medicine of the Research Center of the CHU de Québec, Diego Mantovani is a recognised specialist in biomaterials. With his team, he works on surface modifications, degradable metals and advanced in vitro testing for the next generation of implants and surgical therapies for reparative and regenerative medicine. He was Executive Co-Chair of the 10th World Biomaterials Congress 2016. He is advisor of three medical devices consortium in the Americas, Asia and Europe.

Elżbieta Pamuła, AGH University of Krakow

Elżbieta Pamuła, a full professor in biomaterials engineering, has a double degree in materials science and chemical technology, and after earning a PhD, a DSc and a professorship in materials science. She was appointed as a postdoctoral researcher at UCLouvin, Belgium, and as a visiting professor at the Sydney University. Her interests include mainly multifunctional implantable and injectable bone substitutes, polymer and lipid processing into drug delivery systems to the lungs, and surface modification of biomaterials. She has published more than 170 JCR listed papers, 15 book chapters, and owns 12 patents. She serves as President of the Polish Society for Biomaterials (since 2016), Council Member of the European Society for Biomaterials (since 2023), and Secretary of the Steering Committee of the International College of Fellows Biomaterials Science and Engineering (since 2024).

Agata Przekora-Kuśmierz, Medical University of Lublin

Prof. Agata Przekora-Kuśmierz (total IF = 523,977, h-index = 35, 22 Polish Patents) is a full professor at Medical University of Lublin (Poland) and head of the Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. She is a biotechnologist and materials scientist with 17-year experience at engineering of biomaterials with main focus on bone implants, cartilage scaffolds, and wound dressings. She has also 20-year experience at using in vitro cellular models in the biomedical research. She has developed many unique protocols for the preclinical evaluation of biomaterials under in vitro conditions, limiting the use of animal models in scientific research. She has been a principal investigator of numerous research grants, including four OPUS grants financed by the National Science Centre in Poland. Expert in the evaluation of scientific projects appointed by, among others, the European Commission, the French National Research Agency, NAWA, NCN.

Marija Vukomanovic, Jozef Stefan Institute

DDr Marija Vukomanovic is a Senior Research Associate at the Advanced Materials Department of the Jožef Stefan Institute, where she leads the Biomaterials Team. She is also an Assistant Professor at the International Postgraduate School Jožef Stefan, where she leads the elective course Biomaterials Practicum within the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology program. Her primary expertise lies in piezoelectric biomaterials, biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration and innovative antimicrobial technologies.

This esteemed group of experts is dedicated to advancing knowledge and research in the field of implants and biomaterials. Comprising leading professionals from various disciplines, our committee members bring a wealth of experience and innovative ideas to the conference. Their commitment to excellence ensures that the conference will be a platform for insightful discussions, cutting-edge research, and collaborative opportunities.

Join us  as we explore the latest advancements and challenges in implant technology!