Mihaela Rusu | Materials Science | Citation Visionary in Industry Award

Institute of Medical Engineering | Germany

Dr. Mihaela Rusu is a Romanian-born scientist specializing in polymer chemistry, biomaterials, and cardiovascular regenerative medicine in Romania, she pursued her undergraduate studies in chemistry and physics at the University of Bucharest. She earned her PhD at the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Golm, Germany, with a thesis on thermoreversible polymers in polyelectrolyte multilayers. Her career spans both academia and industry, including leadership roles in multinational companies such as Koninklijke DSM, where she managed R&D projects in functional coatings, biodegradable polymers, and biomedical materials. She has also contributed as a consultant and evaluator for EU research and innovation programs. she has been deeply involved in postdoctoral and teaching roles at RWTH Aachen University and the Helmholtz Institute, focusing on myocardial infarction remodeling and targeted drug delivery systems. Her expertise bridges interdisciplinary areas, from material science and nanotechnology to biomedicine. Dr. Rusu has an extensive publication record. She actively collaborates internationally, mentors students, and participates in scientific project management. Fluent in Romanian and English, with working knowledge of German and Dutch, she continues to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of materials science and medicine.

Publication Profile

‪Mihaela Rusu‬ – ‪Google Scholar‬

Education

Dr. Mihaela Rusu earned her degree in Chemistry and Physics from the University of Bucharest specializing in physical chemistry. She pursued doctoral studies at the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces, Golm, Germany where she completed a PhD thesis titled “Phase Transition of Thermoreversible Polymers in Polyelectrolyte Multilayers.” During this period, she also attended two specialized modules on Biomimetic Systems at the International Max Planck Research School.  she advanced her training in polymer sciences by completing the Top Opleiding Polymeren courses (Modules A2/A3) at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. she pursued postdoctoral research at the RWTH Aachen University Medical Faculty and Helmholtz Institute, focusing on cardiovascular biomaterials. she began postdoctoral studies at Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg, within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Medical Engineering. Her education integrates interdisciplinary expertise spanning chemistry, polymers, nanotechnology, biomaterials, and biomedical engineering, giving her a strong foundation for innovative research at the interface of materials science and medicine.

Experience

Dr. Rusu began her career as a student assistant in electrochemistry at the University of Bucharest before becoming Project Manager and Quality Manager at S.C. Biotechnos S.A., Romania, overseeing structured water and cosmetic laboratories. she led patent implementation for Estee Lauder and coordinated structured water technology research with Heraklion University, Greece. In academia, she supervised MSc students at IMPRS Golm-Berlin. At Koninklijke DSM, Netherlands she managed interdisciplinary R&D projects, including biodegradable polymers for drug delivery, functional coatings, and regenerative medicine applications, and directed subsidiary projects such as “My Vitamin. she worked as a consultant for TNO Eindhoven and transitioned into biomedical research at RWTH Aachen University’s Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research  focusing on post-myocardial infarction remodeling. She coordinated Indo-German BMBF projects, mentored Erasmus Mundus students, and evaluated Horizon and Horizon Europe proposals. she has worked at the Helmholtz Institute on thermo-magnetic responsive biomaterials for targeted drug delivery. Her career demonstrates a unique blend of industrial innovation, academic research, and international collaboration.

Honors and Awards

Dr. Rusu’s career reflects recognition through high-impact research roles, scientific leadership, and EU-level contributions rather than conventional academic prize awards. She has been entrusted as an evaluator and rapporteur for the European Commission’s Horizon and Horizon Europe funding programs, highlighting her expertise and credibility in multidisciplinary research assessment. As a project leader and scientific manager at Koninklijke DSM, she coordinated cross-sector collaborations and innovative product developments that bridged industry and biomedical applications. Her leadership in Indo-German collaborations under the BMBF framework (IGSTC) fostered significant international scientific exchange. She has supervised and mentored numerous graduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral researchers, contributing to their professional growth and scientific output. Dr. Rusu has also been recognized as a program coordinator for international internships and exchange mentor for Erasmus Mundus students, enabling scientific capacity-building and cultural exchange. Her contributions are validated by the impact of her publications in materials science, biomaterials, and cardiovascular medicine. While her record emphasizes practical achievements, leadership, and innovation, her sustained involvement in high-level research evaluation panels signifies her as a respected figure in European and global scientific communities.

Research Focus

Dr. Mihaela Rusu’s research integrates polymer science, biomaterials engineering, and cardiovascular regenerative medicine. She specializes in thermo- and magneto-responsive biodegradable polymers for targeted drug delivery systems. Her work focuses on the design of fiber-based scaffolds that enable in vivo monitoring and on-demand drug release, with applications in tissue regeneration and controlled therapeutic delivery. She investigates the interface between biomaterials and cell membranes, exploring how drug release kinetics influence cellular responses. In cardiovascular medicine, she examines the role of the collagen matrix, chemokines, and chemokine receptors in ischemia/reperfusion injury and post-myocardial infarction tissue remodeling. Earlier in her career, she contributed significantly to functional coatings, biodegradable polymers for drug delivery, and nanostructured surface technologies in industrial R&D. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges nanotechnology, polymer physics, and biomedical engineering, with an emphasis on translating materials science innovations into clinical and industrial applications. She also engages in microscopy-based material characterization and the development of biomimetic surfaces for medical devices. Through international collaborations, particularly Indo-German and EU-funded projects, she advances knowledge on biomaterial–tissue interactions, aiming to improve patient outcomes in cardiovascular diseases and regenerative medicine.

Publications

• Coil-to-Globule Transition of PNIPAM Graft Copolymers with Charged Side Chains

• Adsorption of Novel Thermosensitive Graft-Copolymers: Core–Shell Particles Prepared by Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Self-Assembly

• Biomechanical Assessment of Remote and Postinfarction Scar Remodeling Following Myocardial Infarction

• Vitamin C as Scavenger of Reactive Oxygen Species During Healing After Myocardial Infarction

• Recent Advancements of Specific Functionalized Surfaces of Magnetic Nano- and Microparticles as a Theranostics Source in Biomedicine

• Neutrophils Modulate Fibroblast Function and Promote Healing and Scar Formation After Murine Myocardial Infarction