ProfessorHala Zreiqat

Project Opportunities

Title: Strategies for Building Bone

Summary of opportunity:

This project will investigate the use of biological agents in stimulating bone growth and inhibiting bone resorption.

Opportunity synopsis:

There are many orthopaedic, developmental and pathological conditions that require the protection of existing bone and the building of new bone. Animal models of generalised or local bone loss will be developed for the screening and evaluation of factors Some aspects of this work may be conducted with biologically modified biomaterials in collaboration with Dr Hala Zreiqat.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Surface modification of biomaterials for orthopaedic applications

Summary of opportunity:

This project will establish that our novel modified calcium silicate materials have enhanced bioactivity and osseointegration properties for coatings onto orthopaedic implants.

Opportunity synopsis:

In Australia more than 60,000 patients require joint replacement operations annually, 25% of which are revisions, a rate that will increase by some 10% p.a, placing an increasing burden on the health budget. Revision operations are mainly due to aseptic loosening of the implant following erosion of supporting bone.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Scaffolds for skeletal tissue regeneration

Summary of opportunity:

This project will modify calcium silicate ceramic scaffolds with divalent cations to improve their mechanical, osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties for bone regeneration.

Opportunity synopsis:

Bone defects are a great challenge to reconstructive surgery. As populations age and life expectancy increases, demand is growing for synthetic materials that can regenerate lost or diseased bone. In 2005, annual demand for bone graft substitutes exceeded 500,000 in the US and 2.2 million worldwide, and costs reached almost US$2.5 billion. We have developed novel 3D scaffolds with clinically relevant attributes for bone and vascular tissue ingrowth for treating large bone defects in load-bearing applications.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Role of S100A8 and S100A9 in osteoarthritis

Summary of opportunity:

This projects involves the development of novel scaffolds and biomaterials for bone and cartilage regeneration.

Opportunity synopsis:

Our research is heavily focused on the development of new bioactive and biodegradable materials with porous structure and high mechanical strength with clinically relevant attributes for bone and vascular tissue ingrowths for treating large bone defects in load-bearing applications.

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Project Opportunities

Title: Bioengineering Patient-Specific Osteochondral Grafts

Summary of opportunity:

Throughout life, human diarthrodial joints must bear the loads associated with physical activity, a process enabled by the cartilage-bone interface, or osteochondral (OC) unit. Diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) cause pathological changes to the OC unit, leading to cartilage destruction, sclerotic bone, and pain, often necessitating total joint arthroplasty (TJA). TJA patients face a high lifetime risk of revision surgeries, highlighting the need for alternative tissue-engineered solutions.

Opportunity synopsis:

This project aims to use natural materials to bioengineer patient-specific OC grafts that closely mimic the architecture, zonal organization, and functional properties of native OC tissue. We will utilize 3D computer models based on native subchondral bone architecture to print high-resolution models from a bioceramic known for its toughness, strength, and osseointegrative properties. Cellular layers of hyaline and calcified cartilage will be bonded to the bioceramic base and matured in a bioreactor until they match the native tissue.

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Project Opportunities

Title: AI-Driven Prediction of Scaffold Performance for Bone Regeneration

Summary of opportunity:

Join a Leading Interdisciplinary Research Group at the University of Sydney to Advance Regenerative Medicine Using AI.

The University of Sydney’s School of Computer Science and School of Biomedical Engineering are jointly seeking a highly motivated PhD student to work on an innovative project at the interface of artificial intelligence and biomedical engineering. This interdisciplinary research will harness multi-modal data and creative AI techniques to predict the regenerative potential of biomaterial scaffolds, with the goal of accelerating the development of novel treatments for bone defects.

Opportunity synopsis:

The project, co-supervised by Prof. Zhiyong Wang (Computer Science) and Prof. Hala Zreiqat (Biomedical Engineering) and A/Prof Zufu Lu, is at the forefront of AI applications in regenerative medicine. It will investigate advanced deep learning techniques to predict cell fate and scaffold outcomes using temporal omics and imaging data.

The key research components include:

Multi-level performance evaluation to minimize overfitting and improve model generalizability using in-silico and independent public datasets.

Modelling of morphological and molecular changes during cell differentiation using AI-based temporal modelling and evolving neural networks.

Prediction of scaffold performance in bone regeneration using multi-modal data integration and generative AI.

This work will contribute to transforming how biomaterial scaffolds are designed and assessed, with broad implications for regenerative therapies and personalized medicine.

This opportunity is only open to students who receive a Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.

The successful candidate must:

• Have a Honours degree (First Class or First Class Honours Equivalent) or a Master's degree with a substantial research component in computer science, biomedical engineering, bioinformatics, data science, or a related field.
• Have strong programming and analytical skills (e.g., Python, deep learning frameworks).
• Demonstrate research aptitude and excellent communication skills in English.
• Show a keen interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of AI and biology. Previous research experience, including thesis or project work in relevant areas, is desirable.

Outstanding final-year undergraduate students who expect to graduate this year with first-class honours are encouraged to apply, and commencement of the position can be arranged upon completion of their degree.

Successful applicants will have access to:

• Cutting-edge experimental and computational facilities.
• Interdisciplinary supervision and mentoring.
• Funding to present at national and international conferences.

How to apply: Please email  zhiyong.wang@sydney.edu.au and hala.zreiqat@sydney.edu.au / zufu.lu@sydney.edu.au with the following:

• A brief cover letter expressing your interest and suitability.
• Your CV, including academic transcripts and details of any research experience.
• Expressions of interest will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.