Principal Investigator

About

Principal Investigator

Dr. Karina M.M.
Carneiro

Associate Professor, Faculty of Dentistry & Institute of Biomedical Engineering
University of Toronto
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in DNA-based Materials

Canada Research Chair CIHR NSERC

Dr. Karina M.M. Carneiro is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto (Faculty of Dentistry) with a non-budgetary cross-appointment in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. Her research bridges chemistry, materials science, and regenerative medicine — designing synthetic DNA sequences that assemble into injectable hydrogels to support mineralized tissue repair.

She holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in DNA-based Materials (2023–2027). She earned a BSc in Chemistry with First Class Honours (Mount Saint Vincent University & Dalhousie University, 2006) and a PhD in Chemistry at McGill University with Dr. Hanadi Sleiman (2013), then trained as an NSERC postdoctoral fellow at UCSF with Dr. Stefan Habelitz before joining U of T in 2016.

“If you love researching and being a professor, make the mold fit you.”

— Dr. Karina M.M. Carneiro, C&EN Trailblazers

Open to: Industry projects  ·  Graduate student supervision (MSc/PhD)  ·  Postdoctoral fellows

01

Academic Positions

  1. 2024 – Present

    Associate Professor

    University of Toronto — Faculty of Dentistry

  2. 2023 – 2027

    Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in DNA-based Materials

    Canada Research Chairs Program

  3. 2018 – Present

    Cross-appointment, Institute of Biomedical Engineering

    University of Toronto (non-budgetary)

  4. 2016 – 2024

    Assistant Professor

    University of Toronto — Faculty of Dentistry

  5. 2014 – 2016

    NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow

    UCSF — Amelogenin self-assembly & biomineralization (Dr. Stefan Habelitz)

  6. 2013 – 2014

    Postdoctoral Scholar

    McGill University — DNA nanotubes functionalized with polystyrene micelles (Dr. Hanadi Sleiman)

02

Education

PhD, Chemistry

McGill University — Supervisor: Dr. Hanadi Sleiman

2006 – 2013

Thesis: DNA-macromolecule conjugates: Synthesis and hierarchical self-assembly

BSc, Chemistry (First Class Honours)

Mount Saint Vincent University & Dalhousie University — Halifax, NS · Supervisor: Dr. Ian Pottie

2001 – 2006

03

Awards & Acknowledgements

  1. 2024

    C&EN Trailblazer with Latin American Roots

    Chemical & Engineering News

  2. 2024

    Ontario Early Researcher Award Round 17

  3. 2023

    Programa Institucional de Internacionalização (PRINT) Travel Grant

  4. 2023–2027

    Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in DNA-based Materials

    Canada Research Chairs

    Learn More →
  5. 2019

    Award for Excellence in Oral Health Research

    Colgate-Palmolive

  6. 2017

    Connaught New Researcher Award

    University of Toronto

  7. 2016

    Enamel 9 Early Career Researcher Travel Award

  8. 2015

    NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship

  9. 2015

    3rd Place Poster Presentation Award

    12th Research and Clinical Excellence Day  ·  UCSF

  10. 2014

    3rd Place Poster Presentation Award

    11th Research and Clinical Excellence Day  ·  UCSF

  11. 2013

    2nd Place Poster Presentation Award

    96th Canadian Chemistry Conference

  12. 2012

    AkzoNobel Science Award Finalist

    244th ACS National Meeting

  13. 2012

    Canadian Society for Chemistry Graduate Award

    McGill University

  14. 2011

    1st Place Oral Presentation Award

    CSACS Student Symposium

  15. 2009

    Sterry Hunt Excellence in Teaching Award

    McGill University

  16. 2009

    1st Place Poster Presentation Award

    CSACS Student Symposium

  17. 2006

    Graduate School Entrance Scholarship

    McGill University

  18. 2006

    Senate Award of Distinction

    MSVU

  19. 2006

    L. McDonald Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement

    MSVU

  20. 2005

    In-course Merit Scholarship

    MSVU

  21. 2005

    1st Place Poster Presentation Award

    APICS/CIC Undergraduate Conference

  22. 2005

    Jeanne Sauvé Undergraduate Summer Research Award

    MSVU

  23. 2004

    Jeanne Sauvé Undergraduate Summer Research Award

    MSVU

  24. 2004

    Dean’s List

    MSVU

04

Teaching & Mentoring Activities

Course leadership, student mentoring, and professional service at the University of Toronto and beyond.

A Teaching & Course Leadership

Course Director

Bone Interfacing Implants (DEN1081S)

2023 – Present  ·  Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto

Course Director

Dental Sciences (HMB474H1, HLTD18)

Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto

Instructor

Biomaterials (DEN150, DEN1070, DPP105)

2016 – Present  ·  Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto

Instructor

Biological and Bioinspired Materials (JMB1050)

Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto

Instructor · Previous

Biomaterials and Biocompatibility (MSE352)

Previous appointment

B Mentoring & Program Leadership

Program Director

Summer Research Program

2026 – Present  ·  University of Toronto

Facilitator

DEN202 Communications Skills for Dental Students

2020, 2025  ·  Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto

Invited Speaker

Virtual Role Model Session

2020  ·  Women in Science and Engineering, Atlantic Region (WISEatlantic)

Invited Speaker

Research Day — Career Panel Workshop for Postdocs

2020

Facilitator

Inter-professional Education Curriculum

2017  ·  University of Toronto

C Editorial, Advisory & Professional Service

Invited Editor

BMC Biology Special Issue

2025 – Present

Advisory Committee

NCOHR Biomaterials Working Group

2023 – Present  ·  Network for Canadian Oral Health Research

Secretary

Mineralized Tissues Group, IADR

2021 – 2026

Advisory Committee

NCOHR Innovation Exchange Working Group

2020 – Present  ·  Network for Canadian Oral Health Research

Invited Editor

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology Special Issue

2020

Symposium Organizer

AADR/IADR/CADR General Session and Exhibition

2019

Symposium Organizer

AADR/IADR/CADR General Session and Exhibition

2017