| Name: | Savio L-Y. Woo, Ph.D., D.Sc., D.Eng. |
| Title: | Distinguished University Professor Emeritus
and Director Musculoskeletal Research Center Department of Bioengineering Swanson School of Engineering Professor of Rehabilitation Science & Technology School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences Core Faculty McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine School of Medicine Distinguished Chair Professor Taipei Medical University Bāo Yù Gāng Endowed Chair Professor Ningbo University Honorary Professor Zhejiang Unversity |
Publications | Personal Information & Photos
Educational Background:
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Chico State College, 1965
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 1966
Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of Washington, 1971
D.Sc., Honorary, California State University at Chico, 1999
D.Eng., Honorary, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2008
Professional Summary:
Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo is a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Bioengineering and the Founder and Director of the Musculoskeletal Research Center (MSRC), a diverse multidisciplinary research and educational center in the Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Woo is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (1991) (formerly the Institute of Medicine), the National Academy of Engineering (1994), and the Academia Sinica (1996) only one of four persons who have gained all three of these honors.
He arrived at the University of Pittsburgh in 1990 after spending 20 years at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) as a Professor of Surgery and Bioengineering.
Dr. Woo received his B.S. degree from Chico State College (1965), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees (1966, 1971) from the University of Washington. In 1999, Dr. Woo was bestowed an honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the Board of Trustees of the California State University System, and in 2008, he earned an honorary Doctor of Engineering Degree from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Dr. Woo is a pioneer in bioengineering and is renowned for his 45+ years of translational research in healing and repair of tissues. Together with his team, they have authored 308 original research papers in refereed journals, 157 book chapters and review articles as well as has edited 12 books. Their work has significantly impacted the management of ligament and tendon injuries including clinical paradigm shifts that have led to improved patient outcome.
More recently, Dr. Woo'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 regenerate ligaments and tendons. Ongoing research projects include studies of cellular and molecular responses to mechanical stimuli and how they could improve the outcome of ligament and tendon healing. Currently, Dr. Woo's team is exploring the use of biodegradable magnesium (Mg) and Mg alloys for ligament regeneration. With their pioneering work on the use of robotic technology together with biplanar fluoroscopy, the function of the ACL is better characterized and mechanisms of ACL injury are better understood. Further, improved ways for ACL reconstruction are elucidated and quantitatively based scientific methods for injury prevention could be developed
Dr. Woo has educated over 500 orthopaedic surgeons, post-doctoral fellows and students from the U.S., Japan, Germany, Greece, Italy, Taiwan, Turkey, Korea, Canada, England, Norway, India, Thailand, Hong Kong SAR, and China. He has also successfully mentored 37 junior faculty members.
Dr. Woo has been a leader in Bioengineering and Orthopaedics. He has served as Chair of ASME's Bioengineering Division, United States National Committee of Biomechanics, and the World Council for Biomechanics as well as President for The Orthopaedic Research Society, American Society of Biomechanics, and International Society for Fracture Repair. He has also founded the International Symposium on Ligaments and Tendons (ISL&T) and World Association for Chinese Biomedical Engineers (WACBE).
He has also received the highest honors from many professional societies, including 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 prestigious Diamond Award for Distinguish Achievement from the University of Washington, among others. He was also given the IEEE Gold Medal for Innovation in Healthcare Technology from the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In 1998, Dr. Woo received the Olympic Prize for Sports Science from the International Olympic Committee and the first Olympic Gold Medal at the Nagano Games in Japan.
The International Symposium on Ligaments and Tendons (ISL&T) honors him with the Savio L-Y. Woo Young Researcher Award; the World Association for Chinese Biomedical Engineers (WACBE) honors him with the Savio L-Y. Woo Distinguished Lectureship; and the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) honors him with the establishment of the Savio L-Y. Woo Translational Biomechanics Medal.