Dr Owen Clarkin joined the academic staff of the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at DCU in 2016. Dr Clarkin was awarded a bachelors degree in Material Science in 2004 and a PhD in Biomaterials in 2009 from the University of Limerick. In the past he has worked at Stryker Orthopaedics, University of Limerick and Waterford Institute of Technology. Dr Clarkin has worked at Dublin City University since 2012. His research background has been focused on orthopaedic and dental biomaterials, including calcium phosphate, poly(methyl methacrylate) and glass poly(alkenoate) cements. However, his current research focus is on hydrogel based composite materials for the treatment of vascular diseases, including cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and dural fistulae. Dr Clarkin has considerable expertise in both hard and soft tissue biomaterials for numerous medical device applications. In his present role, Dr Clarkin is Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Programme Chair of Biomedical Engineering and School Health and Safety Advisor. He is Principle Investigator of the Biomaterials Research Group and an active member of Biodesign Europe and the DCU Centre for Medical Engineering Research.