Nathan Holwell

Nathan is a biomedical engineering PhD candidate at Queen's University whose research focuses on finding a way to repair ligaments by mimicking the biology and structure of the native tissue. As a science journalism intern, he is passionate about how complex scientific research can be shared with multiple audiences. When not writing or experimenting, he can be found perfecting his espresso making technique and playing with his two dogs.

Articles by Nathan Holwell

Outstretched hands holding two tomatoes.

Jan 04, 2023|3 min read

By Nathan Holwell

Gene edited tomatoes get a boost of vitamin D

Increasing the levels of vitamin D in tomatoes may reduce risks for cancer, neurocognitive decline, and mortality from any cause.

A Blu-ray player with an open tray holding a disk.

Oct 24, 2022|3 min read

By Nathan Holwell

Blu-ray diagnostics

A repurposed Blu-ray disc player offers an alternative to expensive and bulky microscope setups for imaging bacteria, urine, and blood for drug research and diagnostic analyses.

Pills of various colours in individual packages

Sep 13, 2022|2 min read

By Nathan Holwell

Insulin ditches needles and hitches a ride in cage-like carriers

A new oral delivery system may replace injections for people with diabetes.

A single-walled carbon nanotube (a sheet of hexagons in a tubular shape) on a blurred background of other carbon nanotubes

Jul 31, 2022|3 min read

By Nathan Holwell

A molecular nose sniffs out ovarian cancer

Researchers developed a carbon nanotube-based sensor paired with a machine learning algorithm to diagnose ovarian cancer with better specificity and sensitivity than current methods.

A group of cashew nuts are shown with their bright orange and red fruit

Jun 08, 2022|3 min read

By Nathan Holwell

New drugs for metabolic diseases could come from food waste

Researchers investigated the liquid surrounding the cashew nut as a possible new treatment source for metabolic diseases such as diabetes.