3D PRINTING, BIOPRINTING & STEM CELL TECH IN ARTICULAR CARTILAGE REGENERATION AND TREATING OSTEOSARCOMA
With
Associate Professor Claudia Di Bella
Orthopaedic surgeon, Melbourne, Australia &
Associate Professor of Surgery,
University of Melbourne, Australia &
Chair, Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Research Foundation
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Sydney, Australia | November 2026
Associate Professor Claudia Di Bella is an academic orthopaedic surgeon based in Melbourne, specialising in orthopaedic oncology and complex joint reconstruction. Originally trained at the world-renowned Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute in Bologna, Italy, (IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli) she moved to Australia in 2010. She was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2013 and Fellowship of Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) in 2014.
She is Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Melbourne and leads a translational research program focused on tissue engineering and innovative solutions to improve outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal disease, in particular bone sarcomas. Her research has attracted over AUD $6 million in competitive funding, including an NHMRC–MRFF Clinical Investigator Grant, and has resulted in more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and numerous national and international presentations. She is passionate about bridging the gap between scientific discovery and meaningful improvements in patient care.
As an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Melbourne, she is the clinical lead of the cartilage regeneration program and osteosarcoma 3D printing program at the Biofab3D, part of the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD).
Clinically, A/Prof Di Bella is one of Australia’s few orthopaedic oncology surgeons, managing complex bone and soft tissue tumours and performing high-volume limb salvage surgery and joint reconstruction. Her work combines surgical expertise, innovation and multidisciplinary care for patients facing life-changing diagnoses.
Beyond her clinical and academic roles, Claudia is a strong advocate for diversity, inclusion and representation in medicine. Through national and international leadership roles, including within orthopaedic surgery and sarcoma organisations, she actively mentors the next generation of surgeons and researchers, with a particular commitment to supporting women and underrepresented groups in STEMM and surgical careers.
Source: Supplied and supplemented
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6871-1149
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Novel immunotherapies in lymphoma
Dr Sean Harrop is a dual-trained haematologist having completed his clinical and laboratory haematology training at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. He is the current clinical haematology fellow (aggressive lymphoma) at Peter MacCallum and a PhD student in the Cancer Immunology Program in the Neeson Lab.
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Stem cells used for age-related macular degeneration
Dr. Jenna Hall is a passionate and accomplished biologist with expertise in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture, disease modelling, and high-throughput automated systems. She recently earned her PhD from the University of Melbourne, where her research focused on using iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells to study age-related macular degeneration. Dr Hall’s technical skillset spans manual and automated cell reprogramming and differentiation, quantitative microscopy-based phenotyping, and large scale -omics analysis.
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Indigenous Australian health and ear disease
Professor Kelvin Kong feels incredibly fortunate to lead a fulfilling life surrounded by his loved ones. With a demonstrated history of service in the health industry, he brings a wealth of expertise across various sectors including clinical research, medical education, surgery, paediatrics, health policy, and Indigenous education. Kelvin started his university, residing at New College in 1992, which brings him fond memories. Graduating from medicine from the University of NSW, Kelvin continued his studies and became a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and Australian Society of Otolaryngology, head & neck Society (ASOHNS).
