Seminars
Wednesday 18th June 2008
(Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Whitechapel)
Programme:
- 5-5.20pm: “Targeting Cancer with Spectroscopy”, By Dr Ihtesham Rehman
- 5.20-5.30pm Discussion
- 5.30-5.50pm “The Regulation of Biomedical Research: What Can be Done to Improve It?” By Prof Richard Ashcroft
- 5.50-6pm Discussion
- 6-7pm Refreshments
Speakers:
Dr Ihtesham Rehman, Reader in Biomedical Materials , School of Engineering and Materials Science.
My research is highly interdisciplinary as I have strong and fundamental background in materials chemistry and surface sciences with a sound publication record in the area, particularly the use of FTIR and FT-Raman spectroscopy for the characterisation of ceramics, polymers, natural tissues and their surface properties. My work on FTIR and FT-Raman spectroscopy has made significant contribution in the characterisation of biomaterials for orthopaedic applications, especially work on characterisation of human bone which has provided a base line data for the structural and chemical modification of existing hydroxyapatite materials. As a result a number of new substituted novel apatite powders have been synthesised and patented for use in medical applications. This has contributed significantly to improving the quality of life of those receiving implants and to the UK’s competitiveness in this area.
My work on surface modification of polyurethanes is also well known, where he has published a number of papers and has filed a patent. He has been an invited speaker at a number of conferences.
At present my research group is concentrating on the synthesis of nano-particles, impregnation of nano-particles in polymers, drug delivery and also finding novel routes for the formation of scaffolds for tissue engineering.
Email: i.u.rehman@qmul.ac.uk
Professor Richard Ashcroft, Professor of Bioethics. Department of Law.
Professor Ashcroft’s main research focus is on the ethical, legal and social aspects of medicine, public health and biomedical research. He is currently leading or participating in research projects funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Economic and Social Research Council on the regulation of biomedical research, and has conducted funded research in ethical and philosophical aspects of Evidence-Based Medicine, participation in large-scale genetic databases, the use of race/ethnicity concepts in genetic research, and patients’ attitudes to the use of their personal information in medical research. Currently he is developing research on the relationship between human rights and bioethics, and on ethics in international health.
He trained in History and Philosophy of Science at Cambridge University, completing a PhD thesis on ethics in scientific research, and subsequently was a Research Fellow in Philosophy at Liverpool University, Lecturer in Ethics in Medicine at Bristol University, and Lecturer (eventually Reader and Head of the Ethics Unit) at Imperial College London. Before joining the School of Law, he was Professor of Biomedical Ethics in the School of Medicine and Dentistry. In 2005 he held an Australian Bicentennial Fellowship, visiting the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics at the University of Melbourne. He is a visiting faculty member of the IRENSA research ethics course, University of Cape Town.
Email: r.ashcroft@qmul.ac.uk
