info@medicampus.edu.mt
(+356) 2546 6007

Prof. Francesca Busuttil, PhD

IDEA College

Francesca Busuttil, PhD, is a lecturer and researcher with expertise in genetic engineering, cell biology, biotechnology and regenerative medicine. She teaches biochemistry, microbiology and cell biology across healthcare and science programmes. Her research focuses on gene delivery, stem-cell therapies and tissue engineering for peripheral nerve regeneration. She also brings extensive experience in scientific publishing, having worked as Senior Editor at The Lancet EClinicalMedicine.

Education and Positions

2024–present

Lecturer, IDEA College, Malta, teaching microbiology and infection control, maternal and child health, and evidence-based research for healthcare professionals.

2023–present

Lecturer, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, teaching biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology and general biology across Levels 4–7.

2022–present

Researcher, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, contributing to EU-funded projects in sustainability and innovation.

2023–2024

Science Officer, The Malta Chamber of Scientists, Malta.

2020–2022

Senior Editor, The Lancet – eClinicalMedicine, London, United Kingdom.

2019–2020

Scientific Editor, Spandidos Publications, London, United Kingdom.

2018–2022

Tutor and Education Consultant, Tutor Doctor, London, United Kingdom.

2015–2018

Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom.

2015–2019

PhD in Regenerative Medicine, University College London, United Kingdom.
Thesis: Combining Tissue Engineering and Gene Delivery to Enhance Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

2014–2015

MSc in Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom, awarded with Distinction.

2013–2014

Master of Pharmacy, University of Malta, awarded with Distinction.

2009–2013

BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Malta, awarded with First-Class Honours.

Professional Activities

Teaching Activities

Teaching biochemistry, microbiology, cell biology, general biology, infection control, maternal and child health, and evidence-based research.

Delivering lectures and practical sessions to students at Levels 4–7.

Designing formative and summative assessments aligned with learning outcomes.

Using active-learning and flipped-classroom approaches to support student engagement.

Participating in internal verification and quality-assurance processes.

Research Activities

Research background in regenerative medicine, neuroscience, genetic engineering, cell biology and biotechnology.

Research focused on combining gene delivery, cell therapy and tissue engineering to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration.

Experience in stem-cell culture, co-culture systems, lentivirus production, molecular biology and tissue engineering.

Participation in EU-funded projects concerning sustainability and innovation.

Co-authoring scientific publications and producing scientific content for specialist and general audiences.

Scientific Publishing and Editorial Activities

Former Senior Editor at The Lancet – eClinicalMedicine, responsible for early clinical research submissions and peer-review quality.

Former Scientific Editor at Spandidos Publications, working on oncology and biomedical manuscripts.

Experience in manuscript assessment, peer-review coordination, copy-editing and communication with authors and researchers.

Copy-editing support for Xjenza Online, the peer-reviewed journal of the Malta Chamber of Scientists.

Science Communication and Project Management

Management of the Erasmus+ project Wired Youth: Science Forum.

Development of communication and marketing strategies, coordination of international partners and management of project timelines and budgets.

Leadership of CineXjenza, a monthly public science-outreach initiative.

Organisation of events, training sessions and international workshops.

Preparation of project reports, evaluation data and risk-management documentation.

Student Support and Mentoring

Mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students during laboratory activities and placements.

Providing individual tutoring and educational consultancy to students from different age groups and backgrounds.

Supporting students in academic progress, confidence-building and organisational skills.

Languages

Maltese and English: Native.

Italian: B1–B2.

French: A2.