Ivan joined Aston School of Life & Health Sciences in January 2018, having previously been Reader in Cell & Gene Therapy Bioprocessing at University College London (UCL).

He graduated with a PhD in cell and molecular biology from Cardiff University School of Dentistry in 2006. His thesis, under supervision of Prof Phil Stephens and Prof David Thomas, focussed on dysfunctional behaviour of skin fibroblasts in chronic wounds that fail to heal. This underpinned a longstanding interest in why some tissues fail to heal and how stem cells and regenerative medicine might be applied to restore failing tissues and organs.

He moved to UCL at the end of 2005, undertaking post-doctoral research first at Eastman Dental Institute (2005-2007) to continue studies into regenerative medicine and then at the Institute of Ophthalmology (2007-2009), where he studied the molecular basis of angiogenesis and neurogenesis with Prof Christiana Ruhrberg. He joined UCL’s Department of Biochemical Engineering in 2009 and established a successful multi-disciplinary research group working in the area of regenerative medicine, cell & gene therapy.

Ivan's research interfaces cell biology with bioprocessing, biomaterials and novel devices. His work spans fundamental research through to applied and translation studies with industry and clinical collaborators. He has been awarded funding from EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC, Wellcome, Innovate UK, EU, as well as industry. He has been part of, as PI or co-I, successful grant applications totalling over £40M in grant funding as principal investigator, published 70 peer-reviewed papers and am a visiting professor at Dankook University in South Korea.

• Gene-modified cells (biology and biomanufacturing of existing and novel cell types to create regenerative therapies)

• T-cells (bioprocessing of T-cells to advance towards safe and potent products with consistent quality)

• Extracellular vesicles (biology and biomanufacturing)

• Applications of biomaterials as substrates for cell therapy manufacture and tissue engineering

• Applications of new device technologies for manipulation, culture and characterisation of cell therapy products

Ivan coordinates a new MSc programme, Regenerative Medicine Manufacturing and supervises undergraduate project students and placement students, as well as MSc project students. 

Email: i.wall@aston.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0) 121 204 4202
Room:MB433j