Professor Evelyn Yim is designated as an NSERC Canada Research Chair
The Department of Chemical Engineering is proud to announce the appointment of Professor Evelyn Yim as an NSERC Canada Research Chair in Nanomaterials for Regenerative Medicine.
Yim has also been awarded over $ 1 million to conduct research focusing on understanding and enhancing microenvironments by controlling cell-nanostructure interactions for applications in regenerative medicine.
Her research examines how cells respond to biomaterials, focusing on 2D and 3D systems. The field of regenerative nanomedicine uses nanotechnology to repair or regenerate damaged tissue and organs. She uses principles of engineering and biological science to advance regenerative nanomedicine.
Offering promising solutions for a range of diseases
Yim’s research group is developing nanofabrication materials to mimic natural nanostructures found in the human body to guide cell growth.
Yim conducts pioneering research in nanotopography, cell therapy, and improving the design of neural stem cells. She has advanced innovations in tissue engineering for vascular and corneal disease.
Vascular disease is the leading cause of death in a globally aging population. Yim’s cutting-edge work to create the materials through her expertise in polymer engineering and knowledge in the use of nanotechnology led to the design of synthetic vascular grafts for bypass surgery.
Bypass surgery is performed to restore blood flow to areas of the heart when vessels become blocked. Vessels harvested from the patient are well suited for grafts, but limited availability often requires the use of artificial vessels, particularly grafts less than six millimetres in diameter - which are prone to clots that can develop into full blockages. Yim’s small-diameter synthetic vascular grafts could help save lives by allowing blood to flow freely.
Far left: graduate student Dency David Far right: Dr. Evelyn Yim
Corneal regeneration is another important application of Yim’s research. In a global first, Yim’s research group, in collaboration with the Singapore Eye Research Institute, was the first to show proof of concept that nanotopography improves the response of primary human corneal endothelial cells to restore vision for corneal blindness patients.
Yim’s team has developed a cell culture system to enhance primary human corneal endothelial cell growth to generate cells for potential cell therapy, and a micropatterned gelatin-based membrane be corneal endothelium carrier as tissue engineering solution.
Cornea endothelium dysfunction is one of the main reasons for corneal transplantation. Together with clinical collaborators, the team has developed an in vitro model to study Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy using microfabrication.
Together with colleagues in the School of Optometry, the team has also developed a hydrogel-based application for contact lens and ocular applications.
Bridging fundamental and applied research
Yim has authored over 100 research papers and leads and co-leads nationally funded projects such as the CIHR Project Grant, NSERC Discovery, NSERC CREATE, and the US National Institute of Health.
Yim’s leadership in her field has led to collaborations within the University of Waterloo with researchers in the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Optometry and extends to international partners such as Columbia University, the National University of Singapore, the University of Hong Kong, and the Queensland University of Technology in Australia. Yim is also deeply engaged with industry and clinical partners to advance regenerative medicine.
Congratulations to our new Canada Research Chair!