In this episode I honoured to be joined by Dr Michael Wagels.

Michael Wagels is a Senior Staff Specialist in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Deputy Director and Director of Training at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD with a conjoined academic appointment as Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland.

He completed a BMedSci undergraduate research degree in 1999 and was awarded a PhD in 2013. His theses evaluated amputation in severe lower limb trauma and the behaviour of auto-transplanted muscle for traumatic lower limb injuries.

Michael has a special interest in the translational aspects of tissue engineering for complex reconstructive defects and has successfully used 3D printed bone implants to rebuild a patient’s tibia, skull and many more.

Since developing this breakthrough, Dr Wagels has led the establishment of the Australian Centre for Complex Integrated Surgical Solutions. This centre brings together a diverse range of expertise spanning surgery, anaesthesia, engineering, translational trials, industry and manufacturing. He is the Clinical Director of the Herston Biofabrication Institute, a multi-million-dollar collaboration with seven clinical research programs and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

He has been kind enough to share his insights into research, tips for budding researches and his views on the future of plastic surgery research and innovation.

I hope you enjoy this episode.