
Biography
Maryana Baran is a PhD candidate in Bioengineering in Professor Eileen Gentleman’s lab at King’s College London, with her PhD being a joint collaboration between KCL and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Her research is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) of the United Kingdom's government. She is also working as a Scientist in the Biometrology Group at NPL.
Maryana’s research focuses on developing advanced tools to modulate cellular and matrix cues in 3D disease models. Her PhD project aims to design, synthesize, and characterize collagen-like and coiled-coil peptides to create 3D cell culture hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. In addition to advancing these models, her work explores the development of peptide-based transfection agents to enhance the delivery of therapeutic molecules. Through her research, Maryana aims to improve tissue engineering strategies and optimize the delivery of therapeutic agents in disease models.
Before starting her PhD, Maryana worked at NPL for 1.5 years as a Scientist, specializing in peptide synthesis, purification, and quality control. Prior to that, she worked for 2.5 years as a peptide chemist at a peptide discovery start-up in Oxford. Maryana completed her MRes in Organic Chemistry: Drug Discovery at UCL in 2018, following her undergraduate studies in Chemistry at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens in 2017.
Research

Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology
Our research goes beyond the mouth. If we understand how the entire face and head forms, we can repair damage and regenerate cells. If we unravel the causes of diseases, we can treat patients successfully. If we solve these problems, our discoveries will improve health worldwide.

Gentleman Lab
The Gentleman lab works at the interface of stem cell biology, chemistry and materials science to develop innovative biomaterials for regenerative medicine.
Research

Centre for Craniofacial & Regenerative Biology
Our research goes beyond the mouth. If we understand how the entire face and head forms, we can repair damage and regenerate cells. If we unravel the causes of diseases, we can treat patients successfully. If we solve these problems, our discoveries will improve health worldwide.

Gentleman Lab
The Gentleman lab works at the interface of stem cell biology, chemistry and materials science to develop innovative biomaterials for regenerative medicine.