Background of Dr Oommen
Oommen obtained his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IITb) in 2010, where his research focused on developing innovative methodologies for asymmetric reactions. Following his Ph.D., he pursued a Postdoctoral position at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, where he concentrated on designing novel ruthenium complexes with potential applications in anticancer therapies.
Continuing his postdoctoral journey at Uppsala University, Sweden, Oommen delved into biomaterials research for tissue engineering applications. This experience proved invaluable as it expanded his knowledge beyond organic chemistry and enabled him to acquire proficiency in various biotechnology techniques. He focused on developing innovative hydrogels for bone regeneration, leveraging his background in organic synthesis to tailor novel materials and pioneer novel bioconjugation strategies. Motivated by his interest in anticancer studies, he initiated an independent line of research, during this time, specializing in the design of novel drug delivery systems.
In 2016, Oommen joined Tampere University as an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology. Here, he established the Bioengineering and Nanomedicine group, which harnesses the transformative power of organic chemistry to address diverse biological challenges. Recognizing his contributions, he was promoted to Associate Professor in August 2020. The Bioengineering and Nanomedicine group operates at the intersection of chemistry, material science, and biotechnology, leading pioneering interdisciplinary research in the fields of biomaterials, tissue engineering, drug delivery, nanomedicine, cell-based therapy, and immunotherapy.