Mrs. Moqaddaseh Afzali Naniz

PhD Candidate

UNSW Sydney

My research sits at the interface of materials science, photonics, and biomedical engineering. As a PhD candidate at UNSW Sydney, I am developing flexible polymer-based optical waveguides for light delivery in biophotonic applications, with particular interest in neural interfacing and targeted phototherapies. My work involves nanocomposite fabrication, mechanical and optical characterisation, and in vitro testing to evaluate performance in biologically relevant environments.

I began my academic journey in textile engineering (BSc and MSc, Amirkabir University of Technology), where I worked on biomedical textiles and designed non-absorbable surgical sutures. This early experience sparked a lasting interest in the design and behaviour of polymers within biological systems. I later extended this interest through collaborative research on 3D and 4D printing for biomedical devices, deepening my engagement with advanced fabrication methods and responsive material systems.

I am particularly drawn to translational research in photonic materials and their role in next-generation medical technologies.