Pharmaceutics (ISSN: 1999-4923) is proud to announce the winner of the 2025 Pharmaceutics Young Investigator Award.

Name: João Carlos Fernandes da Silva
Affiliation: iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Instituto Superior Técnico - Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

The following is a short interview with Dr. João Carlos Fernandes da Silva:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to the readers? Also, can you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?

I am currently an Assistant Researcher (Tenure-track position) at the Stem Cell Engineering Research Group from the Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), where I am leading the “Biomimetic and Functional Regenerative Biomaterials Lab”, and an Invited Assistant Professor at the Department of Bioengineering at Instituto Superior Técnico-Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal. Previously, I was awarded a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship (2024-2025) to develop the SYNERGIES project at Politecnico di Torino (Italy), which was focused on novel hybrid biomaterials coupled with physical stimulation bioreactors for osteochondral tissue regeneration.

Regarding my educational background, I hold a master’s degree in biomedical engineering (2013) from Instituto Superior Técnico—Universidade de Lisboa and received my PhD in bioengineering—cell therapies and regenerative medicine in 2019 from the same institution. During my PhD studies, I had the opportunity to work as a visiting researcher at the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI, New York, USA) under the guidance of Prof. Robert J. Linhardt (2017-2018).

Currently, our group’s main research interests include: (1) tailoring biomaterial composition and architecture to support stem cell culture and recapitulate specific tissue microenvironments; (2) developing bioinspired and smart stimuli-responsive biomaterial platforms for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications; and (3) designing, prototyping, and manufacturing bioreactor systems and medical devices capable of generating tissue-engineered constructs under controlled, physiologically relevant biophysical stimulation conditions. Our group strongly believes that harnessing biophysical phenomena, such as bioelectricity and mechanotransduction, through external stimulation, can significantly enhance cell differentiation and tissue maturation processes.

Over the years, my research has primarily focused on the development of innovative tissue engineering scaffolds for bone and cartilage regeneration using fabrication technologies such as 3D printing, bioprinting, and electrospinning. More recently, I have expanded these efforts toward periodontal, dental, and skeletal muscle regeneration, as well as the development of advanced 3D in vitro disease models for studying conditions like osteoarthritis, osteosarcoma, and periodontitis.

2. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?

I believe some of the most exciting and impactful research areas will emerge at the intersection of stimuli-responsive biomaterials, pharmaceutics, artificial intelligence, and mechanobiology. In particular, there is a clear growing interest in “smart” drug delivery systems, biofabrication and 3D bioprinting technologies, organoid-based disease models, and personalized regenerative medicine approaches. AI-assisted biomaterials design and predictive modeling are also expected to significantly accelerate the development of more efficient and reproducible therapeutic platforms. In addition, advanced human-relevant in vitro models that better replicate tissue physiology and pathology will become increasingly important for drug screening and for reducing reliance on animal experimentation.

3. Could you share any particularly interesting or unexpected results you have discovered so far in your research?

One particularly interesting observation from our work has been how strongly the cellular microenvironment influences therapeutic response and cell behavior. For example, in our recent 3D bioprinted osteosarcoma models, we observed that integrating decellularized cell-derived extracellular matrix components and 3D tumor architecture significantly altered drug sensitivity compared to conventional 2D cultures. These findings reinforced how critical biomimetic complexity is for developing predictive in vitro models. Another exciting aspect has been the ability of electroactive and piezoelectric biomaterials to modulate cellular responses through physical stimulation, opening promising opportunities for tissue regeneration and controlled therapeutic delivery. Moreover, the pioneering development of aligned coaxial electrospun nanofibers capable of mimicking the native structural organization of articular cartilage while enabling the controlled delivery of a chondrogenic drug (Kartogenin) represented a significant scientific advancement, paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies to address the unmet clinical need for functional cartilage regeneration.

4. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?

My main advice would be to remain curious, resilient, and open to interdisciplinary collaboration. Many important scientific advances emerge at the interface between different fields, making it extremely valuable and rewarding to step outside one’s comfort zone. Young researchers should also not become discouraged by setbacks, as failed experiments, rejected manuscripts, and unsuccessful grant applications are inherent to the scientific process. Boldness, persistence, and consistency are key factors in the development of a young researcher's career. Finally, I strongly encourage early career researchers to seek supportive yet challenging mentorship and to build strong multidisciplinary networks, since modern science is increasingly collaborative and international.

5. As the winner of this award, would you like to take a moment to share your thoughts with our readers or express gratitude towards those who have played a significant role in your research accomplishments?

I am deeply grateful to all the students, collaborators, mentors, and institutions that have supported my scientific journey. Research is always a collective effort, and this recognition reflects the contributions of many talented and dedicated people I have had the privilege to work with over the years. I would especially like to thank my former/current MSc/PhD students and colleagues at Instituto Superior Técnico and iBB – Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences for fostering such a collaborative and stimulating research environment. I am also very thankful to my team in the recently established “Biomimetic and Functional Regenerative Biomaterials Lab”, whose enthusiasm, creativity, and hard work continuously inspire me. Most importantly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family for their unconditional encouragement, patience, and continuous support throughout this journey. Their belief in me has been a constant source of strength and motivation during both the most rewarding and the most challenging moments of my academic career. This achievement would not have been possible without their presence, understanding, and unwavering support over all these years. Finally, I would like to sincerely thank the Pharmaceutics editorial team and the award committee for this distinction and for their continued support of early-career researchers in the field.