João Carlos Silva (JCS) is a Tenure-Track Assistant Researcher at SCERG-iBB, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), where he leads the Biomimetic and Functional Regenerative Biomaterials Lab. He is also an Invited Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at IST. His career focuses on developing biomaterials-based bioengineering strategies for regenerative medicine, including tailoring biomaterial structure to support stem cell culture and mimic tissue microenvironments; developing bioinspired and stimuli-responsive (“smart”) biomaterials; and designing bioreactor platforms and medical devices for tissue-engineered constructs under controlled, in vivo-like conditions. JCS began his academic journey in 2008 with the Integrated Master’s in Biomedical Engineering at IST, graduating in 2013 with top scores (17/20). In 2011, he received an ERASMUS Grant to study at the Czech Technical University in Prague for 8 months. He completed his MSc thesis at the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), focusing on gene delivery strategies for stem cell-based cartilage regeneration (grade: 19/20). In 2014, JCS joined the 3B’s Research Group at the University of Minho as a research assistant on the FCT-funded SWIMS project, supervised by Prof. Ana Rita C. Duarte. This work produced 2 peer-reviewed articles and 1 patent (WO2015151030A1), and enhanced his expertise in drug delivery systems and biomaterials characterization. JCS earned his PhD in Bioengineering – Cell Therapies and Regenerative Medicine in 2019 from IST, supported by a competitive FCT scholarship (success rate: 10%). His thesis, co-supervised by Prof. Frederico Ferreira (iBB-IST) and Prof. Robert J. Linhardt (RPI, USA), was titled “Bioengineering strategies towards the in vitro fabrication of hierarchical and biomimetic cartilage constructs” and earned IST’s highest distinction (Pass with Distinction and Honour, top 2%). Between 2017 and 2018, he conducted research at Prof. Linhardt’s Lab at RPI, a world leader in nanomaterials and glycosaminoglycans. In 2020, JCS received a postdoctoral grant to join iBB, working on electrically conductive biomaterials for tissue engineering under the FCT-funded NEURON project, collaborating with Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT). In 2021, he joined CDRSP – Polytechnic of Leiria, a national leader in additive manufacturing, as a researcher on the FCT OptiBioscaffold project focused on bioreactor design for bone tissue engineering. That year, he was awarded the Portugal–UK Bilateral Research Fund 2021 Grant as Principal Investigator, enabling a research visit to the Bioelectronics Lab at the University of Nottingham (Prof. Frankie J. Rawson). In March 2022, JCS secured his first FCT project as PI, InSilico4OCReg (PTDC/EME-SIS/0838/2021, €250,000, 6.5% success rate). This allowed him to establish his lab infrastructure at SCERG-iBB, including a 3D printer, a high-capacity computer for in silico modelling, and upgrades to mechanical testing equipment. He currently supervises 7 PhD students (6 FCT-funded, 1 by La Caixa), 1 research fellow, and 16 MSc students (13 completed, 3 ongoing). His research targets applications for osteochondral and periodontal diseases, combining stem cells and biomaterials with biophysical stimulation for regenerative medicine applications. The group collaborates with orthopaedic hospitals and a dental clinic, with a patent application in preparation. JCS’s achievements include: -FCT Tenure-track Assistant Researcher position (2025) -FCT CEEC Junior Researcher Award (2023, 6th Edition, REF 2023.08145.CEECIND) Marie Skłodowska–Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship (2024, SYNERGIES Project, GA nº 101155027) - ON Foundation Education Travel Grant -3 Conference Best Poster Awards Since 2020, JCS has contributed to IST’s academic and outreach activities, including supervision of theses, jury committees (>15), teaching BSc/MSc/PhD courses, and science dissemination to schools and the public. The MSCA-funded SYNERGIES project is conducted with Politecnico di Torino (Italy) and 7HC, an Italian AI company. It aims to develop a smart, adaptive bioreactor platform that combines physiological stimuli with AI-driven in silico optimization for osteochondral tissue engineering. This platform is adaptable to other tissue engineering applications and provides insight into cellular responses to mechanical cues. As of July 2025, JCS holds a Tenure-Track Assistant Researcher position at iBB-IST, leads his own lab, and is an Invited Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering. In summary, JCS has authored 49 peer-reviewed articles, 2 book chapters (13 as first/co-first author, 15 as corresponding author), 23 indexed conference papers, 1 granted patent, 1 encyclopaedia entry, and 80+ conference presentations. His work has over 1,580 citations (h-index: 19, i10-index: 30). He serves as guest editor for 3 special issues and reviewer for 80+ international journals, having reviewed more than 150 manuscripts. He has collaborated with over 100 co-authors from 15+ countries.