The Salem Lab
Our Lab is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, welcoming work environment. Our senior staff strive to guide junior researchers and master students to excel in their personal projects and career trajectories. Our commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and developing innovative engineering solutions drives our team every day.
At the Salem Lab, we are passionate about our work and the impact it has on the broader healthcare community. As a clinic-facing research team, we are well attuned to the unique challenges patients with diabetes face on a daily basis, and work to leverage cutting-edge tissue engineering and biomaterials fabrication techniques to better address them.
Meet Our Team
Our team is comprised of expert doctoral students and post-doctoral staff in the fields of bioengineering, islet biology, materials science, and clinical practice. We are driven by a shared vision of making meaningful contributions to the scientific community and improving the lives of individuals affected by type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Victoria Salem
Principle Investigator
Victoria is a Diabetes UK Grand Challenge senior fellow and an Honorary Consultant in Diabetes, Endocrinology and General Internal Medicine. Her research interests are in islet biology, and advanced optical imaging platforms. She is currently leading a multidisciplinary team of stem cell biologists and material scientists working towards beta cell replacement therapies for type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Luana A. Osório
Associate Researcher
Dr. Luana A. Osório brings extensive expertise in both developmental and vascular biology, as well as a breadth of knowledge in designing, manufacturing, and bringing to bear complex, organotypic microfluidic platforms. Over the course of her PhD, Dr. Osório developed and tested a novel Breast-on-a-Chip model for use in cancer research. As an associate researcher in the Salem Lab, she hopes to glean novel and exciting insights into the various processes underpinning vasculogenesis broadly and as it pertains to diabetes.
Ben Hansen
PhD Student
Ben Hansen is a biomedical engineer and bioinformatician by training, with a particular focus on immunology and expertise in computational approaches to solving biological problems. At the Salem Lab, Ben hopes to leverage organ-on-chip technologies to better interrogate islet function and dysfunction in diabetes.
Xiang Xu
PhD Student
Xiang Xu is a 1st year PhD student in Salem lab. His PhD research seeks to design a methodology for the study of the peri-islet basement membrane and extracellular matrix in both mouse/human islets and stem cell-derived Beta cell clusters with vascular niche.
Advay Ramgopal
MSc Student
Advay Ramgopal is a Bioengineering MSc student at the Salem lab, with a focus on Immunology. Advay is currently investigating immune cell dynamics in our micro-vessel on a chip platform.
Hannah Nivan
MSc Student
Hannah Nivan is a MSc Bioengineering student at the Salem lab and has a BSc in Biology and Chemistry within the Natural Sciences from Durham University. She is currently investigating gelatin-derivative hydrogels that support the vascularisation of a pancreatic islet-on-a-chip.
Yuyan Yuan
MEng Student
Dr. Sarah Roberts plays a key role in supporting our research projects, contributing her expertise in cellular biology and experimental design. Her meticulous approach is integral to our scientific endeavors.
Advay
Student
Dr. Sarah Roberts plays a key role in supporting our research projects, contributing her expertise in cellular biology and experimental design. Her meticulous approach is integral to our scientific endeavors.
Hannah
Student
Dr. Adam Patel's dedication to exploring novel research methodologies and cutting-edge technologies enhances the depth and scope of our scientific investigations. His contributions are invaluable to our team.