I am very grateful for this experience of the INVITE Project. During my research, I was lucky to meet inspiring people who have helped me become a better researcher.

My supervisor Prof Ilaria Dal Prà and colleagues made me feel at home, and my research journey has been possible because I had not felt alone. I appreciate it.

Additionally, as an INVITE Ph.D. student, I have met other great INVITE Ph.D. students.  And I have gained sincere friendships with them.

With the guidance of my tutor, I participated in the research work in two fields in our laboratory and made good progress in the main fields. During these three years, I also participated in and published 2 experimental papers and 1 review. In addition, the third experimental paper is also being prepared and is expected to be published in the next year.

My main research is about a silk fibroin tissue engineering material scaffold. It is considered to be a biomaterial with good clinical application prospects as a potential dermal substitute for wound healing. Our previous studies have confirmed that the scaffold can effectively promote the regeneration of new blood vessels in vivo. Now we have improved the manufacturing process to obtain a new scaffold, and carry out in vitro experiments for its application situation.

There is no doubt that this experience will have a long-term impact on my future work and life.

Peng Hu

After this project, I think I will back to China and continue my clinical and scientific research work. There is no doubt that this experience will have a long-term impact on my future work and life. I think the only regret is that the planned exchange study abroad program was cancelled because of this pandemic.