Dr Sophie C. Cox

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Sophie's research is focused on chemically and physically manipulating biomaterials with the aim of creating technologies that instruct tissue regeneration or overcome clinical challenges. She pursues a multidisciplinary approach to medical device innovation with expertise in chemical synthesis, advanced manufacturing, and formulation engineering. Through working closely with healthcare professionals and industry, Sophie strives to drive our research towards application.

Our translational activities are underpinned by fundamental understanding of disease progression and natural regenerative processes. Employing a multi-modality approach to analyse the physicochemical properties of target tissues enables her team to better recapitulate key performance requirements.

Key current areas of research that Sophie leads, include:

Additive manufacture of customised metallic implants
Modification of medical devices to reduce infection risks
Structuring biomaterials to controllably deliver novel therapeutics
Manufacture, characterisation and use of cell-derived nanoparticles for musculoskeletal regeneration
Multi-modality analysis of the bone – cartilage interface, including dynamic mechanical analysis and micro-computed tomography

Research Groups

Healthcare Technologies Institute (HTI)

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Student centred; Organised and structured; Inclusive and understanding of the journey.

Provision of Training

Technical training will be offered by members of the group with me taking a lead on supporting you in assessing and developing your professional skills.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I am here to help guide your project with you taking ownership for its progress and decision making on a day-by-day basis. We will be meet formally on a monthly basis and in between there are weekly group meetings / lunches along with opportunity to meet on an ad hoc basis to troubleshoot. I am here to help you make the most of this experience and like to tailor my approach to this so that it works best for you.

Communication

The team use Slack (a ‘professional WhatsApp’) to manage daily communications. I value opportunities to meet in person both to discuss technical progress but also to develop our professional relationship. As such our team regularly go for lunch together and organise social occasions. I am very supportive of maintaining a work / life balance that works for you and as such we are supportive of flexible working around laboratory tasks.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once a week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once a month

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once a month

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once a fortnight

These meetings will be mainly face to face. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Working Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is flexible, and other than attending pre-arranged meetings, I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Development of a physiologically relevant platform to inform clinical practice and limit antimicrobial resistance in orthopaedic implants

Previous Projects (2023-24)

Primary supervisor for:

Development of a physiologically relevant platform to inform clinical practice and limit antimicrobial resistance in orthopaedic implants