Research and teaching activities
Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne- Principle Research Fellow
Senior Lecturer
A/Prof Di Bella is the team leader of the Cartilage Regeneration Program of Research at the Department of Surgery - Melbourne University. This program of research is centred on the use of advanced 3D printing and biofabrication technologies for the regeneration of healthy articular cartilage both in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. A/Prof Di Bella's research group includes scientists from a number of disciplines with extensive expertise in biomedical engineering, surgical 3D printing, stem cells biology, nanotechnology and mechanical engineering. Leveraging on national and international collaborations, A/Prof Di Bella's group is now recognised as one of the international leaders in the field of cartilage regeneration. A/Prof Di Bella has been awarded an NHMRC-MRFF EL1 investigator grant for his cartilage regeneration program of research (2020-2025). Find out more here.
Teaching and Mentoring
Recognised for her outstanding contributions, A/Prof Di Bella was awarded the AOA Leadership Medal in 2022. Passionate about diversity and inclusion in STEM-M, A/Prof Di Bella actively supports initiatives for women in arthroplasty, including OWL, women in surgery, and women in the international society of orthopaedic oncology. A committed mentor, she engages in guiding and sponsoring young surgeons in their career pursuits.
Cartilage 3D Printing
THE BIOPEN
The BIOPEN
A/Prof Di Bella leads the cartilage regeneration team at the University of Melbourne, testing a world-first surgical 3D bioprinting device for the generation of healthy cartilage.
A/Prof Di Bella is part of the team working on the commercialisation of the product that can potentially solve the problem of articular cartilage injuries - Axcelda(TM)
