Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

Distinguished University Professor Emeritus and Director of Musculoskeletal Research Center
University of Pittsburgh
Member, National Academies of Engineering and Medicine

Bio

Dr. Woo is a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus and the Founder and Director of the world-renowned Musculoskeletal Research Center (MSRC), a diverse multidisciplinary research and educational center in the University of Pittsburgh where over 500 orthopaedic surgeons, bioengineering students, faculty and staff have studied and worked. He also spent 20 years at the University of California, San Diego as a Professor of Surgery and Bioengineering.

Dr. Woo is a pioneer in bioengineering and is renowned for his 50 years of translational research in healing and repair of tissues. Together with his team, their work has had a significant impact on the management of ligament and tendon injuries including clinical paradigm shifts to improve patient outcome. More recently, Dr. Woo and his team’s research has focused on two areas: 1) measurement of the forces in the ligament and tendon and their contribution to joint function using robotics technology and 2) using functional tissue engineering (FTE) approach to facilitate ligament healing and regeneration including the use of biodegradable magnesium (Mg) and Mg alloys.

Dr. Woo is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (1991), the National Academy of Engineering (1994), and the Academia Sinica (1996). In 1998, he received the Olympic Prize for Sports Science from the International Olympic Committee and the first Olympic Gold Medal in Nagano, Japan. Many professional societies have given him their highest honors that include the Kappa Delta Award (AAOS/ORS), the Herbert R. Lissner Medal (ASME), the O’Donoghue Sports Injury Research Award (AOSSM), the Giovanni Borelli Award (ASB), the Muybridge Medal (ISB), and the Gold Medal for Innovation in Healthcare Technology (IEEE).