Dr. Stephen F. Badylak is a distinguished leader in regenerative medicine whose pioneering work has transformed the field of tissue engineering and biomaterials science. He currently serves as Professor in the Department of Surgery and Deputy Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, where he holds joint appointments in the Department of Bioengineering. Dr. Badylak earned his veterinary degree and PhD in anatomic pathology from Purdue University, followed by his medical degree from Indiana University Medical School, uniquely positioning him to bridge veterinary and human medicine. Beginning his academic career at Purdue University in 1983, he held diverse positions including Director of the Hillenbrand Biomedical Engineering Center from 1995-1998 and served as Head Team Physician for the Athletic Department for 16 years.
Dr. Badylak's seminal research demonstrating that extracellular matrix can be isolated and used as a therapeutic platform for functional tissue reconstruction has revolutionized regenerative medicine. His laboratory has produced bioscaffolds that have treated more than 13 million patients worldwide for conditions including ventral hernia, volumetric muscle loss, esophageal cancer, and post myocardial infarction heart failure. Holding over 70 U.S. patents and 300 patents worldwide, he has authored more than 400 scientific publications and 60 book chapters, establishing foundational knowledge in biomaterials science and host-tissue interactions. His discoveries catalyzed the biologics-based biomedical industry in the 1990s, leading to more than 60 companies and over 100 FDA-approved ECM-based products used across nearly all body systems, with his edited textbook Host Response to Biomaterials becoming a standard reference in the field.
As a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and Founding International Fellow of TERMIS, Dr. Badylak has shaped the global regenerative medicine community through leadership roles including past presidency of the Tissue Engineering Regenerative Medicine International Society. He serves as chief scientific officer for ECM Therapeutics while maintaining his professorial role, demonstrating his commitment to translating research into clinical applications. His service as Chair of NIH study sections and current membership in the NIH College of Scientific Reviewers reflects his standing as a trusted authority in the field. Dr. Badylak continues to advance research on naturally occurring biomaterials, developmental biology applications, and the relationship between immune responses and tissue regeneration, maintaining his laboratory's position at the forefront of regenerative medicine innovation while training the next generation of scientists and clinicians.
