Professor Dr. Liza Anastasia Dicecco

Biography

Liza-Anastasia DiCecco is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo, specializing in the Biomedical Engineering program. Her research focuses on the development of biomimetic implants and hard tissue applications, particularly through the exploration of fundamental biomineralization processes. She leads the DiCecco Team, also known as the Regenerative Biomaterials Innovation Group, which utilizes advanced multiscale characterization tools to study biomaterials from new perspectives. Prior to her current role, Dr. DiCecco was a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Nanotherapeutics Regenerative Biomaterials Lab in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, supported by the NSERC Banting Fellowship. Her work in this position emphasized the innovative use of advanced characterization strategies, including liquid phase microscopy techniques, to assess biomaterials for hard tissue regenerative applications. Dr. DiCecco earned her Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from McMaster University, where her research was centered on calcium phosphate biomineralization processes, critical for the maintenance and repair of hard tissues, including bone and teeth. She also holds a Master of Applied Science in Materials Engineering and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Windsor, where she studied the influence of titanium additive manufacturing processes on material properties.

Research Interests

Awards