Dr. Alexandra Porter

Biography

Alexandra's group utilizes correlative electron microscopy techniques to characterize interfaces in biomaterials and cells. She has a keen interest in developing a mechanistic understanding of the chemistry of materials that control degradation behavior and enhance bioactivity, ultimately improving performance and safety. Her research interests began during her PhD, where she focused on understanding the mechanisms silicon increases the quality of hydroxyapatite implants used clinically in bone grafts. Alexandra also investigates the impact of air pollution on human health and fundamental mechanisms of bone mineralization. Additionally, she is involved in designing new nanomaterials for treating tuberculosis and breast cancers, collaborating with the National Heart and Lung Institute, Institute of Cancer Research, and the Crick and Rosalind Franklin Institutes. Alexandra holds an MEng from Oxford University and a PhD from Cambridge University in Biomedical Materials. She has previously worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the MIT Nanoscience Centre under the guidance of Sir Mark Welland and Professor Paul Midgley. She has held the Oppenheimer Research Fellowship in Physical Sciences at Cambridge University and a Junior Research Fellowship at New Hall College, Cambridge. Currently, she leads the REF for the Department of Materials within the Faculty of Engineering and heads the Nanomedicine course. She has also served as a Senior Tutor for the MSc in Advanced Materials for 9 years.

Research Interests