About Us

Get to Know Us

The Biomaterials Research Group is a multidisciplinary research team within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. Our work focuses on the design and development of advanced biomaterials, tissue engineering strategies, drug delivery systems, medical microfluidics, and nanomedicine.

We aim to deliver biomedical solutions that are both scientifically innovative and clinically relevant, in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners across Romania and abroad.

The group was founded in 2007 by Prof. Dr. Eng. Cătălin Popa, following the establishment of the first Biomaterials Laboratory at our current location. In 2023, a second lab — Biomaterials in Advanced Medical Technologies — was launched to support the group’s expanding research portfolio.

Over the years, we have hosted numerous Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students, mainly from TUCN and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hațieganu.” Our members are also affiliated with the EUTINN – European University Technology Institute for Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies.

Advanced Biomaterials

Tissue
Engineering

Drug
Delivery

Medical Microfluidics

Biomedical Engineering

Inside Our Lab

Research Group Members

Dr. Cătălin Popa is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Head of the Biomaterials Research Group in the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (TUCN). He is an Engineer since 1986 and, after working as a design engineer for several companies, he has become a member of the academic staff of TUCN since 1990. From the very early stages of his career, he worked in the field of Biomaterials and, later, he created the Biomaterials Research Group.

Doctor of Engineering since 1997, Professor Popa was awarded a NATO / Royal Society Fellowship in the University of Nottingham (2000). He was a recognized researcher in numerous research projects in the UK, in the IRC in Biomedical Materials, Queen Mary, University of London, and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, STFC, as well as director in 29 research grants awarded by Romanian public funding bodies.

The Biomaterials Research Group he leads focuses on optimisation of medical implants / devices, Tissue Engineering applications, drug delivery systems and Medical Microfluidics. Fundamental or developmental research for industry, in Romania, Germany, UK or Japan is, also, a key topic for the group he leads.

Lect. Dr. Eng. Violeta Merie

UTCN, Romania

Lect. Dr. Eng. Gabriel Batin

UTCN, Romania

Eng. Victor Tosa,
M.Sc.

UTCN, Romania

Dr.Eng. Alexandra
Csapai

UTCN, Romania

Dr. Violeta
Paşcalău

UTCN, Romania

Biol. Natalia Paul,
MSc.

UTCN, Romania

Eng. Gabriela Cupa,
MSc.

UTCN, Romania

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