Dr. Syeda Masooma Naqvi joined the Mechanobiology and Medical Device Research Group in October 2017 after earning her PhD from the renowned Trinity College Dublin (TCD). Her doctoral research focused on investigating environmental conditions conducive to stem cell-based regeneration of the intervertebral disc.Before her PhD, Dr. Naqvi completed an MSc in Clinical Research at the University of Galway, where she also earned her BSc in Biomedical Science. After obtaining her PhD in Biomedical Engineering, she returned to the University of Galway as a Postdoctoral Researcher, broadening her expertise into bone disease. During this time, she developed a simplified 3D in vitro osteocyte model replicating the mechanical environment in vivo to study how osteocytes detect and respond to mechanical signals, particularly in postmenopausal osteoporosis. This innovative research garnered significant attention, including a Spotlight Session presentation at the Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting 2020.Recently, Dr. Naqvi advanced her work by creating sophisticated in vitro models that mimic the intricate multicellular (osteocytes, osteoblasts, vascularization, macrophages, progenitors) and mechanical (hydrostatic pressure, compression/perfusion) dynamics of the bone environment during postmenopausal osteoporosis. Her groundbreaking research was nationally recognized as the Best Overall Paper at the 27th Bioengineering in Ireland Annual Meeting 2022, earning her the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland Bronze Medal.Dr. Naqvi's other significant contributions include exploring the combined effects of matrix stiffness (mimicking bone marrow) and breast cancer-bone cell signaling on spheroid formation. Her findings demonstrated that higher matrix stiffness significantly reduces spheroid size, an insight she presented at the 6th World Congress of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) 2021. This presentation was part of the "Developing Biomimetic (Micro)Physiological Platforms for Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering" session.Dr. Naqvi has recently developed a keen interest in cancer stem cell mechanobiology, focusing on breast cancer. She investigates how stiffness changes in the tumor microenvironment influence a subpopulation of cancer cells with stem-cell-like properties, which are pivotal in carcinogenesis and contribute to tumor heterogeneity. Her hypothesis is supported by differential spheroid sizes observed under varying stiffness conditions. To further this research, she has successfully secured grants, including the Athena Swan Research Capacity Building Grant. Dr. Naqvi's innovative work continues to push boundaries in mechanobiology, tissue engineering, and cancer research.