Emman Combellack
Welsh Clinical Academic Trainee in Plastic Surgery
BSc(Hons), MSc, MBBCh, MRCS
Bio

Emman is a Welsh Clinical Academic Trainee (WCAT) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery based in the Reconstructive Surgery & Regenerative Medicine Research Group at the Institute of Life Science 1, Swansea University. She joined the research group whilst undertaking her medical degree in 2011 as an honorary clinical lecturer, undertaking basic science research which would go on to form the basis for her PhD.

She holds degrees in Engineering from Coventry University, a Masters in Management from Cranfield University, where she graduated top of her class and was awarded the directors prize. Following a career in business, she left to re-train as a doctor and was subsequently the most junior trainee to be successfully appointed to the WCAT programme in Plastic Surgery (FY2 Level).

Em’s doctoral research focuses on the interaction between Adipose Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) and breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and T47D). She has presented her research nationally and internationally and is currently writing up her thesis.

POSITIONS HELD: Speciality trainee at the Welsh Centre for Burns & Plastic Surgery, Clinical Lecturer at Swansea University

QUALIFIED AT: Coventry University (Engineering), Cranfield University (Management), Swansea University (Medicine)

Selected Awards / Grants / Achievements

Welsh Clinical Academic Trainee (WCAT) Fellowship – 2016 (PI Combellack, CI Whitaker)

Title: Interaction of Adipose Stem Cells (ADSC) & MCF-7s in the breast microenvironment: A pilot study

RCSEng Blond McIndoe Research Fellowship – 2017 (PI Combellack, CI Whitaker) £50,000

Stephan and Anna Galeski Fellowship – 2017

Rex and Jean Lawrie Fellowship – 2017

Pathway-2-Portfolio Research and Development grant – 2018/9 (PI Combellack, CI Whitaker) ~ £10,000

Title: ADSC and MCF-7 interaction; the Breast Cancer Microenvironment (Conditioned Media phase 1)

Cutler Prize – Royal College of Surgeons Eng. / Worshipful Company of Cutlers 2017 (Second Author)

Directors Prize (Best Student) – Cranfield University 2008

Publication List

Personal protective equipment for surgeons during COVID-19 pandemic: systematic review of availability, usage and rationing.

Jessop ZM, Dobbs TD, Ali SR, Combellack E, Clancy R, Ibrahim N, Jovic TH, Kaur AJ, Nijran A, O’Neill TB, Whitaker IS. Br J Surg. (JIF 5.89) 2020 Sep;107(10):1262-1280

Using 3D Printing Technology to Teach Cartilage Framework Carving for Ear Reconstruction.

Jovic TH, Combellack EJ, Jessop ZM, Whitaker IS. Front Surg. (JIF 2.07) 2020 Jul 17;7:44.

3D Bioprinting and the Future of Surgery.

Jovic TH, Combellack EJ, Jessop ZM, Whitaker IS. Front Surg. (JIF 2.07) 2020 Nov 27;7:609836. 

Combellack EJ, Jessop ZM, Griffin M, Naderi N, Dobbs T, Evans S, Burnell S, Doak S, Whitaker IS. Adipose Regeneration and Implications for Breast Reconstruction: Update and The Future. Gland Surgery (JIF 2.2), 2016 Apr;5(2):227-41.

Naderi N, Combellack EJ, Griffin M, Sedaghati T, Javed M, Findlay MW, Wallace CG, Mosahebi A, Butler PE, Seifalian AM, Whitaker IS. The regenerative role of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Int Wound J (JIF 2.385) 2017 Feb;14(1):112-124.

Jessop ZM, Al-Sabah A, Gardiner MD, Combellack E, Hawkins K, Whitaker IS 3D bioprinting for reconstructive surgery: Principles, applications and challenges. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg (JIF 2.390). 2017 Sep;70(9):1155-1170

Al-Himdani S, Jessop ZM, Combellack E, Naderi N, Zhang Y, Ibrahim A, Doak S, Archer CW, Whitaker IS. Tissue Engineered Solutions in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Principles and Practice. Front Surg (JIF 2.07), 2017 Feb 23;4:4.

Gibson JAG, Dobbs TD, Combellack EJ, Whitaker IS. The use of a ‘pocket’ printer to improve documentation and patient care. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg (JIF 2.390). 2017 Nov 28. pii: S1748-6815(17)30486-2

Jessop ZM, Javed M, Otto IA, Combellack EJ, Morgan S, Breugem CC, Archer CW, Khan IM, Lineaweaver WC, Kon M, Malda J, Whitaker IS. Combining regenerative medicine strategies to provide durable reconstructive options: auricular cartilage tissue engineering. Stem Cell Res Ther (JIF 5.116). 2016 Jan 28;7:19.

Kasbekar AV, Combellack EJ, Derbyshire SG, Swift AC. Penetrating neck trauma and the need for surgical exploration: six-year experience within a regional trauma center. J Laryngol Otol (JIF 1.098). 2017 Jan;131(1):8-12

Marsden NJ, Battle CE, Combellack EJ, Sabra A, Morris K, Dickson WA, Whitaker IS, Evans PA. The impact of socio-economic deprivation on burn injury: A nine-year retrospective study of 6441 patients. Burns (JIF 2.066). 2016 Mar;42(2):446-52