Associate Professor Cabral's research applies a multidisciplinary approach to the development of biomaterials; more specifically medical hydrogels, bioinks, and 3D printed tissue engineered constructs. She utilizes synthetic chemistry, chemical and physical characterization techniques, microbiological analysis, as well as in vitro mammalian tissue culture and in vivo mouse models. Biofabrication of tissue engineered constructs are made possible with the only GeSiM 3.1 Bioscaffolder, state of the art 3D bioprinter with multifunctional capability, in New Zealand that was acquired through funding provided by Lottery Health and Otago University Major Equipment Grants. The Bioscaffolder has unique 3D co-axial bioprinting capabilities.
Previous funding includes a Health Research Council Explorer Grant and a Lottery Health Research Grant to 3D bioprint vascularized, regenerative living dressings for the treatment of chronic wounds. As a key researcher in a multi-million-dollar Ministry of Business, Innovation, & Employment Funded project entitled “Smart gels for Commercialization” Dr. Cabral’s contribution in biomaterial development and characterization resulted in an FDA approved and now commercialized surgical gel, Chitogel®.
Associate Professor Cabral’s current research is funded by a Ministry of Business, Innovation, & Employment Smart Ideas grant in collaboration with the University of Auckland’s Department of Physiology and Callaghan Innovation to develop a novel medical device for delivering therapies to the inner ear to treat hearing loss. Other research projects relate specifically to women's health and include a Catalyst Seed funded grant to 3D print nipple areolar complexes for breast cancer patients in collaboration with the University of Maryland's Fischell Department of Bioengineering, and a recently awarded Translation grant to develop a medical device to enhance intravaginal therapies to treat precancerous cervical lesions.
Associate Professor Cabral is affiliated with Otago University’s Centre of Bioengineering & Nanomedicine. She is a member of the NZ Institute of Chemistry, the NZ Microbiological Society, Royal Society Te Apārangi, Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine Society, Society for Biomaterials, and the American Chemical Society.
She lectures in postgraduate Bioengineering courses in Regenerative Medicine (BIOE 405), Bioengineering Design (BIOE 403), and Medical Device Development (BIOE 404).
