The Rizwan Lab is advancing biomaterial engineering to drive innovations in tissue engineering and regeneration.
Welcome to Rizwan Lab! We develop cutting-edge biomaterials to advance tissue engineering and enhance in-situ regeneration of diseased or damaged tissues. By integrating concepts from polymer chemistry, micro-nano fabrication, and material science, we engineer hydrogel-based biomaterials with unique functionalities. These biomaterials act as synthetic extracellular matrices to enable 2D and 3D cell culture and elucidate key cell-matrix interactions. Our research focuses on three main areas: (1) Designing novel hydrogel-based biomaterials with a focus on clinical translation, (2) Modulating cellular processes such as growth, differentiation, and self-assembly in engineered 2D and 3D environments, and (3) Optimizing biomaterials for ocular, neural, and liver tissue regeneration. With a strong emphasis on clinical impact, we aim to develop modular and adaptable biomaterials that can translate into real-world therapeutic solutions.
We are hiring for multiple positions!
Meet the PI
Dr. Muhammad Rizwan is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) with a secondary aapointment in the department of Ophthalomology. He received Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the National University of Singapore in 2017, and completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto in 2021 with Dr Molly Shoichet. Dr. Rizwan is a recipient of the prestigious Singapore International Graduate Award for doctoral research, the University of Toronto Research Excellence Award for postdoctoral research, and multiple research funding awards for current research projects in the lab. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed research articles in leading biomaterial and tissue engineering journals.
Research Funding
Rizwan Lab is funded by NIH and other agencies.
- R01 award from National Institute of Health (NIH) National Eye Institute (NEI)
- R15 award from National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- UT Southwestern Startup Fund
We Are a Highly Collaborative Lab
Our research is strengthened by a network of collaborations with clinicians and scientists, enabling the development of translational biomaterials to address tissue engineering challenges and explore new research directions. In addition to multiple partnerships within UT Southwestern Medical Center, we collaborate with institutions across the U.S. and internationally.
Our research is published in top journals in the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering
Latest News and Developments
January 2025
Dr Sunil Shrestha joins the Rizwan Lab
Sunil brings extensive expertise in Biomedical Engineering, specializing in organoid culture, tissue engineering, disease modeling, and high-throughput drug screening. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of North Texas, collaborating with leading institutions like Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic, and has contributed to numerous high-impact publications. He will lead the development of liver organoids in the Rizwan Lab.
Research Areas
We are on a mission to create elegant biomaterial based solutions for tissue engineering and repair
Our Research Projects
Research Gallery
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Our Team
View our current team members and alumni who are helping toadvance the mission.
Team Members