University of Glasgow NPAW 2025

Iliyana is a biomedical researcher and engineer with a strong interdisciplinary background in nanofabrication, biosensing, and photonic device development. She recently earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Glasgow, where her research focused on high-throughput fabrication of plasmonic nanopillar arrays for advanced biosensing applications. Iliyana now works as a Process Engineer within the Critical Technologies Accelerator (CTA) research group, where she is involved in the development of high-quality advanced optical materials. This work supports next-generation photonic technologies, enabling ultra-fast modulation, low optical losses, and compact, scalable integration for telecom providers, quantum computing platforms, and photonic manufacturers. Her academic and industry experience—spanning cutting-edge nanotechnology and roles at AstraZeneca—underpins her commitment to advancing innovative solutions for healthcare and deep tech.

Marina is an Industry Engagement Manager at the University of Glasgow’s College of Science & Engineering, specialising in Quantum, Photonics, and Healthcare Technologies. She earned her PhD in Chemistry at the University of Newcastle under the supervision of Dr Fabio Cucinotta and went on to complete her postdoctoral research with Professor Alasdair Clark at the James Watt School of Engineering, working extensively at the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre on nanophotonics and nanoengineering. This hands-on research provided the technical expertise and collaborative networks that shaped her transition into innovation strategy, technology transfer, and industry–academia partnerships. In October, she will join ICFO in Barcelona as Project Manager for PIXEurope, the European pilot line for photonic chips, and Ecosystem Manager for the PIXSpain Competence Centre, driving the growth of Spain’s integrated photonics ecosystem.

Rebecca completed her MSci in Chemistry with European Placement from the University of Glasgow. She completed her PhD in Chemistry at the University of Glasgow under the supervision of Prof Emily Draper, developing supramolecular hydrogels for organic electronic applications. She now is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the CeMi with Prof Manuel Salmeron-Sanchez, working on hydrogels as in vitro models of the bone marrow.

Savvas is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Glasgow. He first studied at Glasgow, earning a BSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology followed by an MRes in Biomedical Sciences, where he explored subjects ranging from oncogenic epigenetics to the use of nanokicking as a novel way to direct stem cell fate. After a year investigating how circadian disruption impacts telomere dynamics in in vivo models, he moved to the University of York for his PhD. There, his research focused on mesenchymal stromal cells, their secretome, and the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles. Returning to Glasgow, Savvas joined Prof. Matthew Dalby’s group as a PDRA on a major multidisciplinary grant, developing biomaterials to engineer in vitro stem cell niches. His work combines cell biology, biomaterials, and translational science, with the aim of advancing regenerative medicine and uncovering new strategies for cell-based therapies.