Dr D S Abdullah Al Maruf
Head and Neck Research Fellow
DVM (CVASU), MS in Vet Surgery (Korea), PhD in Biomedical Science (QUT)
Telephone: 0451 004 536
Email: maruf.almaruf@lh.org.au
Dr D S Abdullah Al Maruf is an internationally trained veterinary surgeon and biomedical researcher, currently serving as the Head & Neck Research Fellow in Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. With extensive expertise in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and working with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), and the development of hydrogel-based scaffolds for tissue repair, Dr Al Maruf is at the forefront of developing advanced therapies for cartilage and bone tissue regeneration, significantly advancing reconstructive surgery.
After earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Chittagong Veterinary & Animal Sciences University in 2008, Dr Al Maruf worked as a Livestock Officer for the Department for International Development (DFID) and later as a Veterinary Surgeon in the dairy industry. He then pursued an MS in Veterinary Surgery at Chungbuk National University, South Korea, focusing on laser-based therapies for osteoarthritis models. In 2014, he moved to Australia to undertake a PhD at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), supported by a Prince Charles Hospital Foundation scholarship, where he conducted pivotal research on anti-angiogenic factors in osteoarthritis.
Dr Al Maruf’s research bridges regenerative medicine and innovative therapies for cartilage and bone tissue regeneration. At Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, he plays a central role in preclinical studies within the Integrated Prosthetic and Reconstruction Lab, where he leads the bone and cartilage tissue engineering research team. His work supports pioneering bone and cartilage engineering projects tailored to head and neck reconstruction, advancing new surgical innovations and biomaterial designs for complex craniofacial injuries and defects. His team conducts both in vitro and in vivo studies, with a strong focus on translating these findings into effective tissue repair applications.
Dr Al Maruf has secured prestigious research grants from organisations such as the Garnett Passe Foundation, ANZHNCS, and the SurFebruary Cancer Research Fund. Collaborating closely with Prof Jonathan Clark, Dr Al Maruf works alongside Prof Jeremy Crook, Prof Gordon Wallace, Prof Qing Li, and Prof Mia Woodruff in the Integrative Prosthetics & Reconstruction team’s flagship preclinical research on bone and cartilage tissue engineering for mandibular reconstruction.
In addition to his research, Dr Al Maruf actively mentors HDR students and has secured multiple competitive grants, further demonstrating his leadership in scientific investigations. His work has been published in high-impact, peer-reviewed international journals, reflecting his commitment to advancing the field of tissue engineering.
With a deep commitment to advancing biomedical research, Dr Al Maruf continues to contribute to the expanding knowledge in regenerative medicine, aiming to improve patient outcomes in reconstructive surgery and beyond.