Molly Pritchard

What is your current programme of study?

PhD student in biomaterials and 3D bioprinting.

What A-Levels (or equivalent) did you do?

Maths, Chemistry and Biology

Why did you choose a career in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)?

During my undergraduate degree in medical science and engineering, I took a biomaterials module that I found fascinating and loved how it combined biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. That led me to complete my dissertation in a biomaterials lab, and so pursuing a PhD in this field felt like a natural next step.

What did you enjoy most about your MSE course?

I like how materials science links the tangible, bulk material we can see and handle with the hidden features, such as molecular interactions and nanoscale structure, that ultimately control how it behaves.

What is your research about?

My research focuses on finding ways to cryopreserve bioinks (mixtures of cells and hydrogel scaffolds) so they can be stored and easily shipped to 3D bioprinters anywhere in the world. The goal is to make it possible to print functional tissue models on demand, supporting research, drug testing, and, eventually, regenerative medicine.

What is the coolest thing you have done in your career so far?

Definitely using a 3D bioprinter! It’s incredible to design a model on a computer and then watch it come to life as a physical structure layer by layer.

What do you see yourself doing in the future?

I’d love to be involved in bridging the gap between lab innovation and real-world use of biomaterial-based technologies.

What is your favourite material (and why)?

Collagen is my favourite material because it literally holds us together as a key structural protein in skin, bone, and connective tissue. It’s also a great example of nature doing it best with collagen-based biomaterials often outperforming synthetic alternatives, and we can still fine‑tune its structure and chemistry to create even better, customisable biomaterials.

What advice would you give your 16 year old self?

Be curious and ask questions