Dr. Xiaohui Chen (Helen) is a Senior Lecturer in Biomaterials Science at the Division of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences. She is the Deputy Lead for Health and Safety (Division of Dentistry) and sits on the Human Tissue Act Committee and the Health and Safety Committee for Dentistry.

Helen obtained her BEng (Hons) in Metallurgy at Northeastern University of China in 2004, a MEng (Hons) in Materials Science at Queen Mary University of London in 2005 and a PhD in Dental Materials at Barts and the London, School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2009. She joined Dentistry here in Manchester as a lecturer in January 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 participates in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching:

• Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) tutor for 1st and 3rd year BDS Dentistry students,
• Unit Two lead for MSc Advanced Restorative Dentistry,
• Postgraduate taught students projects (MSc Endodontics, MSc Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics, MSc Dental Implantology and MSc Biomateirals).

Member of the Academy of Dental Materials, International Association for Dental Research and British Society for Oral and Dental Research,

Member of the Fracto Forum International,

Member of the Health and Safety Committee and Human Tissue Act Committee, Division of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester.

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.

1. Microstructure and crack propagation of CAD/CAM glass-ceramics,
2. Dentine tubule occlusion and remineralisation,
3. Resin Composites containing bioactive glasses,
4. 3D printing replica teeth for teaching and research in Dentistry.

Current PhD students as main supervisor

• Luisa Brasil (MRC Doctoral Training Partnership)
• Jiaqian Fan (EPSRC Advanced Biomedical materials Center for Doctoral Training)
• Haoran Zhao

Current PhD students as co-supervisor

• Zekun Liu
• Aboli Lakhe (A*STAR)

PhD students starting in 2023

• Tina Mehrabi (MRC Doctoral Training Partnership)

Former research students

• Nicholas Chapman (EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Materials for Demanding Environments and GlaxoSmithKline)
• Alaaldine Elraggal* 
• Fatima Al Mansour* 
• Marymen Al Mansour*
• Ahmed Almokhatieb*
• Nada Alharbi*
• Mahir Mirah*
• Suhad Al-Nasrawi*
• Yunke Lu
• Salah-Ud-Din

* (competitive govenment scholarship)