
INL Colloquia Series Explores Living Materials with Leading Researcher Dr. Anna Sandak
May 12, 2025
INL will host Dr. Anna Sandak as the featured speaker for the May edition of the INL Colloquia Series 2025. A leader in sustainable architecture and advanced materials, Dr. Sandak will share her visionary work on Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) — a new class of bio-integrated materials that bring adaptability, self-regeneration, and environmental responsiveness into the built environment.
Her talk will highlight groundbreaking research from two major EU-funded projects: ARCHI-SKIN, which develops living coating systems for buildings using fungal biofilms, and REMEDY, a new initiative exploring bespoke, living layers for architecture — so-called archibiome tattoos — that blend aesthetics with functionality.
By merging biotechnology with material science, Dr. Sandak’s work is redefining sustainability in architecture and opening the door to a future where buildings can grow, heal, and evolve with their surroundings.
About Dr. Anna Sandak
Dr. Sandak is the Deputy Director for Science and Head of the Materials Department at InnoRenew CoE in Slovenia, and an Associate Professor at the University of Primorska. With a strong background in biology and wood science, she has led over a dozen major research projects, including the ERC Consolidator Grant project ARCHI-SKIN and the EIC Pathfinder project REMEDY. Her research focuses on integrating living systems into construction materials to create eco-adaptive and regenerative buildings.
About INL Colloquia Series 2025
The INL Colloquia Series 2025 is an inspiring monthly event that delves into cutting-edge science and engineering. Now in its 3rd edition, it brings together high-level, visionary researchers who are pushing the boundaries of their fields. Each month explores a new theme, sparking fresh perspectives and lively discussions.
Open to the public, the series invites experts, students, and enthusiasts alike to join in the excitement of scientific discovery. Be part of the conversation that’s shaping the future of science.