Dr. Bougherera is the professor of mechanical engineering in the Toronto Metropolitan University. Her research interests are in the area of biomaterials biomechanics, with a special focus on the interface between implants and bones. She is particularly concerned with the development and assessment of biomimetic and conventional implants.

Her research is aimed at producing prosthetic implant material with the same characteristics, including rigidity, as bone. Basing it on natural fibres will also allow it to integrate better with host tissues, further strengthening the bone-implant interface. This solution recognizes that since interaction between implant material and bone is inevitable, it should be used and indeed optimized as a way of designing better implants. As well as having structural, topological, and mechanical characteristics similar to those of bone, the new materials will also be green: that is, made entirely from renewable resources. This will reduce the use of non-renewable resources and the disposal problems of current implants. The aim of this research program funded by NSERC is to develop a thermodynamic framework to predict the response of the femoral bone after total hip arthroplasty. The outcome will benefit the medical industry, the patients as well as the clinical surgeons.

Dr. Bougherara has won numerous grants from NSERC DG, NSERC CRDPJ, Ministry of Research and Innovation-ERA, Ontario Centres of Excellence (Collaborative research projects Grants), Industrials, Internal Research Tools and Instruments Grants, MITAC/Accelerate Ontario, Ryerson Fund for Interdisciplinary SRC. Dr. Bougherara has authored and/ or co-authored more than 50 refereed journal publications and conference proceedings.