Dr. Andrew Rodda
Dr. Andrew Rodda
Andrew is a multidisciplinary engineer working to develop new technologies for biomedical applications. He received his PhD in Materials Engineering in 2014 from Monash University for work with synthetic cell microenvironments, following undergraduate studies in Mechatronics Engineering, Physiology and Mathematics. He has worked as a research scientist for Callaghan Innovation in the Medical Device Technology group, developing novel diagnostic assays, an R&D consultant for Aeroqual Ltd, and has worked in research groups at the University of Auckland and the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Senior Lecturer in Materials Science and Engineering.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Biomaterials Engineering, Monash University/CSIRO/CRC for Polymers
- BE/BSc, Mechatronics Engineering, Physiology, Applied Mathematics, Monash University
Expertise
- Surface biofunctionalisation
- Material design to enhance specific biomolecular recognition
- Polymer surface coatings
- Cell adhesion
- 3D cell scaffolds
- DNA diagnostic technologies
- Engineering Education
Research Interests
Dr Rodda’s major research work to date has been in developing strategies to control surface interactions between engineered materials and biological molecules. These are of interest in studies of implantable cell scaffolds, cell microenvironments to support and direct stem cell development, low-fouling coatings and biosensors. He has worked in the synthesis and application of novel polymer materials, development of systems for the detection of biomolecules in complex samples, in characterising cell responses (particularly neural and stem cells) to biomaterials, and in examining new methods for detecting biomolecules, in particular focusing on the analysis of complex DNA samples.
He has recently taken up an education-focussed role, and has interests in project-based learning, assessment design, student teams, and medical technology education.
Research articles, papers & publications
See Andrew’s research contributions through published book chapters, articles, journal papers and in the media.