1. Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
  2. School of Design
  3. People
  4. Profile
Dr Giuseppe Tronci

Dr Giuseppe Tronci

Profile

My research profile lies at the interface of biomaterials science, macromolecular science, and textile technology. I have direct experience on the design of high-value bio-/polymer-based materials, such as hydrogels, fibres and coatings, aiming to meet specific clinical, industrial and sustainability needs. I am driven by the development of structure-induced functions via molecular and fibre manufacturing routes to accomplish prototype customisation across multiple scales (from molecular to macroscale). I am keen to pursue pre/clniical testing and regulatory compliance of lab prototypes and support technology translation from the bench to bedside for the benefit of patients and healthcare providers.

Personal website: https://sites.google.com/site/giuseppetronci 

I joined the University of Leeds in 2011 as a Research Fellow within the WELMEC Centre of Excellence in Medical Engineering. Working with colleagues in the Schools of Dentistry and Design, I developed a Hydrogel of Functionalised ateloCollagen (HyFaCol) technology for advanced wound management, which has been patented in the US and Europe. 

In 2013, I was appointed in the School of Design as a Senior Research Fellow of the Clothworkers' Centre for Textile Materials Innovation for Healthcare (CCTMIH), where I developed protein-friendly fibre spinning approaches for integrated medical devices. During this appointment, I secured a Wellcome Trust-ISSF award to support a three-month research visit at the University of Michigan Department of Chemical Engineering (US), where I worked on new orthogonal photochemistries for skeletal repair.

In 2016, I started my Lectureship in Healthcare Materials (CCTMIH, School of Design) with a joint appointment with Leeds School of Dentistry (since 2018), prior to being promoted to Associate Professor in 2020. I currently serve as the Deputy Director of CCTMIH, where I am pursuing the translation of HyFaCol for human use and developing new material-based concepts for oral care, bone regeneration and infection control.

I gained my bachelor's (Laurea 2003) and master's (Laurea Magistrale 2005) degrees in Biomedical Engineering, both at Polytechnic University of Turin (IT). As part of my master's degree program, I carried out my final dissertation project at EPFL Powder Technology Laboratory (CH) via an Erasmus scholarship. In 2006, I embarked on a PhD programme at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Institute of Biomaterials Science (DE), within a DFG-sponsored Collaborative Research Centre (SFB-760) joint with the Charité Medical School in Berlin. I was awarded a doctorate in Materials in Life Sciences by the University of Potsdam (DE, 2010). Further to my PhD, I gained a PGCert in Professional Innovation Management from the University of Leeds Business School in 2014.

Responsibilities

  • Deputy Director - CCTMIH
  • Research Group Leader in Textile Technology

Research interests

  • design of biomimetic systems for chronic wound, oral and musculoskeletal care
  • structure-property relationships and material multifunctionality
  • creation of bespoke material geometrics based on defined macromolecular systems
  • high-value manufacture of medical devices
  • translational research
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • PhD in Materials in Life Sciences, University of Potsdam & Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (DE)
  • Laurea Magistrale (MSc eq.) in Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin (IT)
  • Laurea (BSc eq.) in Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin (IT)
  • PGCert in Professional Innovation Management, Leeds University Business School (UK)

Professional memberships

  • Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC)
  • Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (MIMMM)
  • International Association for Dental Research
  • European Society of Biomaterials

Current postgraduate researchers

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>
Funding
    <li><a href="//phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/257-biodegradable-fibres-for-the-sustainable-manufacture-of-antimicrobial-face-masks">Biodegradable fibres for the sustainable manufacture of antimicrobial face masks</a></li>