Research Associate Professor Cabral’s expertise in biomaterials, bioengineering, and chemical microbiology combines three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting and regenerative medicine to guide cells to make more complex living structures. A/P Cabral’s laboratory has the only GeSiM 3.1 Bioscaffolder in New Zealand, a 4-axis, interchangeable, 3D bioprinter equipped with Melt Electrowriting and Piezoelectric capability. Her research resides at the interface of chemistry, microbiology, and bioengineering with the goal of developing novel medical devices for various biomedical applications. She was a key researcher in the development of an FDA approved, commercialized postsurgical ENT gel, Chitogel®
Biomaterials, medical hydrogels, 3D bioprinting, tissue engineering, medical device development
Current projects include medical device development to treat hearing loss in collaboration with Prof. Peter Thorne, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland and Callaghan Innovation funded via a 2021 MBIE Smart Ideas and a 2024 MBIE Research Programme grants.
Other projects include development of 3D printed nipple areolar complex (NAC) implants for breast cancer patients and to 3D print a medical device to treat precancerous cervical lesions. The NAC project is in collaboration with the University of Maryland, USA, Professor John Fisher, Department Chair, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, Director of the Center of Complex Tissues, and funded via a Catalyst Seed grant. The precancerous cervical lesions medical device project is in collaboration with Dr. Noelyn Hung (Pathology) and Dr. Adel Mekhail (gynecologist, SDHB), and funded by a recently awarded Translation Research Grant.
