Combining 3D bioengineering and arts practice for patient engagement

Interested in the breadth of visual and material practice in healthcare? Keen to learn more about methodological innovation, critical enquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration? The ‘Lab Coat Lunches’ series will highlight diverse and often hidden methods and approaches from clinical, academic and community practice.

Brought to you by the Visual and Material Lab, Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities, Durham University. To subscribe to the Visual and Material Lab's newsletter, please visit our Lab site and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Bioengineering is inherently an interdisciplinary field, combining engineering principles with biological and physical sciences to solve medical problems. In this Lab Coat Lunch, bioengineer Giovanni Biglino will discuss how three-dimensional (3D) technologies are revolutionising the medical landscape, from 3D printed organs models to virtual reality simulations of surgical procedures. He will explore how technology can be activated for patient engagement and empowerment, as part of interdisciplinary creative arts practices and collaborative research, opening up patients' lived experience.

About Giovanni

Giovanni Biglino is a bioengineer trained in the humanities and the arts. He is currently Associate Professor of Bioengineering at the Bristol Medical School, Adjunct Assistant Professor at Massachusetts General Hospital, Research Lead for the South Wales & South West Congenital Heart Disease Network, and Director of The Lived Experience Network in the UK. He is also the Research Inclusion lead for the Bristol NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and an international advisor of the Youth Equity Science Project at Yale. His research is interdisciplinary and collaborative with strong patient involvement and public engagement components.

This event is free to attend. Please note that the Zoom link will be circulated closer to the date.

Explore the full Lab Coat Lunches 2026 programme:

Wednesday 4th February 2026, 1-2pm

Lab Coat Lunch 1: Bringing together glass art and tissue engineering to improve cancer care (Matt Durran, glass artist)

Wednesday 25th March, 1-2pm

Lab Coat Lunch 2: Maternal Machines and other fantasies of care (Paulina Yurman, designer and researcher)

Wednesday 29th April, 1-2pm

Lab Coat Lunch 3: After the War – Arts and film practice in hospice care (Steve Geliot, visual artist)

Wednesday 13th May, 1-2pm

Lab Coat Lunch 4: Combining 3D bioengineering technologies and arts practice for patient engagement (Giovanni Biglino, bioengineer)

Wednesday 8th July, 1-2pm

Lab Coat Lunch 5: SOUL PAINT: Where are you feeling? (Sarah Ticho, immersive reality designer)