Research output per year
Research output per year
Division of Dentistry – Coupland III Building, G.146, The University of Manchester
M13 9PL Manchester
United Kingdom
Accepting PhD Students
Dr. Xiaohui Chen (Helen) is a Senior Lecturer in Biomaterials Science at the Division of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences. She is a member of the Faculty Internationalisation Group and sits on the Human Tissue Act Committee for Dentistry.
Outside University, she is a committee member of the Engineering, Physical and Material Sciences section of the Royal Microscopy Society, a volunteer for the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) and a member of the PPIE and Greater Manchester MND Research Partnership.
Helen obtained her BEng (Hons) in Metallurgy at Northeastern University of China, a MEng (Hons) in Materials Science at Queen Mary University of London and a PhD in Dental Materials at Barts and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry. She joined Dentistry here in Manchester as a Lecturer in 2014.
Helen has a wide-ranging research activities in biomaterials for dentistry including investigating structure and mechanical properties of enamel and dentine, dental erosion, bioactive glasses for oral health, dental resin composites design and optimisation, glass-ceramics synthesis and characterisation, 3D printing replica teeth and implant surface modifications. Helen's research has not only led to journal publications but also patents and products. The novel strong leucite glass-ceramics with controlled microstructure has led to 2 US patents and the commercialisation of ‘Lumineers 2’ that uses a 100% pain-free minimally invasive approach, saving as much as 20% enamel reduction per patient, as tooth preparation and anaesthesia are not required. It is used and sold in 46 countries and won industry awards for clinical and cosmetic excellence from the Clinical Research Associates and Dental Advisor.
Helen is devoted to improving Oral Health Care an overlooked area for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND, what Prof Stephen Hawking had) community with endorsement from the MND Association. Helen and collaborators have been awarded with a UKRI/Zinc catalyst award focuses on Developing an MND oral health care pathway and dynamic toolkit as a part of The Healthy Longevity Global Competition and a Healthcare Research grant from the MND Association on Addressing knowledge gaps: Understanding and tackling oral health needs for people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Helen participates in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching:
Helen is an assessor for the New Academics and Fellows programme (NAP).
BEng (Hons) in Metallurgy, MEng (Hons) in Materials Science, PhD in Dental Materials, FHEA
Information on Funded and self-funded projects can be found below.
Candidates with a broader interest in dental biomaterials that meet the Entry Requirements for PhD Biomaterials Sciences and Dental Technology are welcomed to contact me to discuss suitability on the following projects. I am also happy to discuss and formulate research projects that are in line with my research interests and fit the candidates' career progression.
Current visiting scholar
Current PhD students
Former research students
* (competitive govenment scholarship)
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review