Bio
Studied medicine at a graduate level after a BSc in Biophysics and an MSc in Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine. The MSc allowed me to develop my laboratory skills and experience working within the environment of the Wellcome Trust, one of the UK’s most prestigious health research foundations.
I also carried out a clinical research fellowship at MD Anderson in Texas; the largest cancer center in the world. My work there involved the use of robotics in certain breast reconstructive techniques and led to a multicenter trial which was published in PRS journal.
I joined the research group in 2015 under the supervision of Zita Jessop and Prof Whitaker. Have now published in high impact journals as well as contributed to the group’s book on tissue engineering in reconstructive surgery. My research expertise is in nanomedicine and bioprinting within the field of regenerative medicine and after the joining the group I was able to develop this even further. With the strong links of the group worldwide it was possible for me to carry out my sub-internship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital within the Plastic Surgery Department.
Selected Awards / Grants / Achievements
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh All Wales Research Symposium [October 2016]
- Winner of the ‘Design and Innovation’ trophy (Poster presentation)
- 3rd overall (Oral presentation)
- National Conference for Aspiring Surgeons (RCSEd) [March 2017]
- 1st place poster presentation
- 2nd place oral presentation
- St. David’s Medical Foundation Senior Thesis Grant Award [December 2017]
- Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) National Medical Student Essay Prize [2019]
Publication List
Tarassoli SP, Jessop ZM, Jovic TH, Hawkins K, and Whitaker IS (2021) ‘Candidate bioinks for extrusion 3D bioprinting – A systematic review of the literature’ Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. Research Topic: Nanocellulose: A Multipurpose Advanced Functional Material. Doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.616753.
Jovic T and Ali S, Ibrahim N, Jessop ZM, Tarassoli SP, Dobbs TD, Holford P, Thornton CA, and Whitaker IS (2020) ‘Could vitamins help in the fight against COVID-19?’ Nutrients. 12(9). 2550.                           [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32842513/]
Tarassoli SP, Shield ME, Allen RS, Jessop ZM, Dobbs TD and Whitaker IS (2020) ‘Facial Bony Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Current Image Acquisition & Processing Techniques’ Frontiers in Surgery; Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery. Research Topic: Facial Surgery for Deformities, Aesthetics & Facial Makeover; Multidisciplinary Perspectives. Doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2020.537616. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33365327/]
Winocour S, Tarassoli SP, Chu CK, Liu J, Clemens, M and Selber J (2020) ‘Comparing Outcomes of Robotic-assisted Latissimus Dorsi Harvest to Traditional Open Approach in Breast Reconstruction’ Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000007368.         [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33234946/]
Tarassoli SP (2019) ‘Artificial intelligence, regenerative surgery, robotics? What is realistic for the future of surgery?’ Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 41; 51-53. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31049197/]
optiFLAPP Collaborative (2018) ‘Variation in the perioperative care of women undergoing abdominal-based microvascular breast reconstruction in the United Kingdom (The optiFLAPP Study) Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 72(1); 35-42. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30292696/]
Tarassoli SP, Jessop ZM, Al-Sabah A, Gao N, Whitaker S, Doak S, Whitaker IS (2017) ‘Skin tissue engineering using 3D bioprinting – an evolving research field’ Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 71(5); 615-623 [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29306639/]
Tarassoli SP, de Pinillos Bayona AM, Pye H, Mosse CA, Callan JF, MacRobert A, McHale AP, Nomikou N (2017) ‘Cathepsin B-degradable, NIR-responsive nanoparticulate platform for target-specific cancer therapy’ Nanotechnology. 28(5) [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28029105]
Book Chapters:
Aalam AA, Tarassoli SP, Drury DJ, Carayannis EG and Meltzer A (2021) ‘Emerging and Innovative Technologies’ A Practical Guide to Emergency Department Telemedicine. Oxford University Press. Ch. 24.
Tarassoli SP, Jessop ZM and Whitaker IS. (2017) ‘Candidate bioinks for 3D bioprinting soft tissues’ 3D Bioprinting for Reconstructive Surgery: Techniques and Applications. Elsevier Press: Woodhead Publishing. pp 145-172.
Kyle S, Jessop ZM, Tarassoli SP, Al-Sabah A, Whitaker IS. (2017) ‘Printability of bioinks for medical use’ 3D Bioprinting for Reconstructive Surgery: Techniques and Applications. Elsevier Press: Woodhead Publishing, pp 173-190.