Background and Research Interest

Till is a PhD candidate in the Swiss Medical Additive Manufacturing research group at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel. Before beginning his PhD, he studied Biomimetics in Bremen and completed a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at the universities of Lübeck and Erlangen in Germany.

His research is focused on the use of bioresorbable materials, which degrade within the body as natural bone replaces them, offering significant potential for reducing the need for secondary surgeries often required with bioinert metallic implants. This approach is valuable in craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgery, where the use of traditional titanium fixation systems can lead to complications like stress shielding and imaging interference.

Till’s PhD work is centered on the design, 3D printing, and characterization of patient-specific bioresorbable implants, particularly for CMF applications. By utilizing synthetic polymers like poly-lactic acid (PLA) and its composites with bioactive ceramics, such as calcium-phosphate-based materials, his research aims to improve biocompatibility and mechanical properties while also addressing critical factors like implant degradation rates and bone ingrowth. Ultimately, his goal is to develop bioresorbable 3D-printed implants that offer a personalized fit, eliminate the need for secondary surgeries, and enhance outcomes for patients undergoing CMF surgery.