UVic alum biotech innovator uses 3D printing to advance life-saving treatments

One of UVic’s alums, Karolina Valente, is helping to save lives through innovative 3D printing endeavours. 

Valente has dedicated her studies to cancer research—a topic which is deeply personal to her and began with witnessing her mother’s battle with breast cancer. 

Now, she is the chief executive officer and chief scientific officer of VoxCell BioInnovation. 

She founded the company shortly after completing her PhD at UVic with the purpose of focusing on creating 3D bio-printed tissue for drug testing. 

This process could help effectively replace animal testing as the 3D printed tissue her company makes more accurate and relevant to human tissues. 

This has resulted in faster, safer and more effective pathways to life-saving treatments that do not involve testing on animals.

Valente’s vision has garnered the company millions in funding, multiple successful patents and global recognition for its work in oncology and bioprinting.

The industry leader says she remains deeply connected to UVic as an educator and mentor. 

“My training at UVic gave me a strong foundation in how to think critically, lead with intention, and support people as they grow,” said Valente. 

“Those principles shape everything I do today.”

Because of her work at VoxCell BioInnovation, and because of her research, she has earned UVic’s Emerging Alumni Award.

Valente was one of 11 recipients of UVic’s Distinguished Alumni Awards in 2026

Other notable recipients include Kyle Empringham, co-founder of The Starfish Canada, and William Yoachim, Snuneymuxw First Nation leader and executive director of Kw’umut Lelum, Sqwulutsultun. 

Empringham’s Starfish Canada evolved from a student-led campus blog into one of Canada’s longest-standing youth-serving climate charities.

Yoachim was recognized for the Coast Salish–rooted child welfare model he developed.