Dr Naomi Paxton is a researcher in the Biofabrication & Tissue Morphology Group at the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. With a background in physics, Naomi completed the dual international Biofabrication Masters degree at QUT, Brisbane and the University of Würzburg, Germany, where she gained diverse experience in aspects of medical 3D printing for tissue engineering applications. Naomi has recently completed her PhD in partnership with Melbourne-based medical device company, Anatomics, through the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Additive Biomanufacturing. Her research involves combining advanced biomaterials to 3D print scaffolds for bone regeneration. Naomi uses a range of biomaterials and composites to fabricate patient-specific surgical implants and focuses on the use of melt electrospining writing (MEW), an advanced additive manufacturing technique which allows the deposition of micron-scale fibres in ordered 3D constructs. These fibres mimic the natural extra cellular matrix within bone tissues and help facilitate cell attachment, growth and proliferation. Naomi has recently been selected as the national winner for the ATSE Ezio Rizzardo Polymer Scholarship, CSIRO Alumni Scholarship in Physics and awarded the QLD Women in Technology Life Science Young Achiever Award, runner-up for the QLD Women in STEM Prize and 3rd Prize for the International Biofabrication Society Young Investigator Awards.

Alongside her research, Naomi is an enthusiastic science communicator and STEM ambassador with the STEM for Schools and Wonder of Science programs. As a workshop facilitator and invited speaker, Naomi shares her passion for physics, astrophysics and biofabrication. Naomi was recently selected as a national finalist for the Amplify Ignite PhD Pitch Competition, and Science & Engineering Faculty Runner-Up for the 3 Minute Thesis competition. Naomi is also an active contributor to the Materials Today journal family community and writes feature articles showcasing recently published papers.

In recognition of Naomi’s contribution to STEM engagement and advocacy for Women in STEM, Naomi was announced as the QUT Student Leader of the Year 2019.