Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon
Wednesday 7 October 2020 11:40am

Dr Tim Woodfield image
Dr Tim Woodfield has been awarded the ASBTRE Award for Research Excellence.

Professor Tim Woodfield is the first New Zealander to be awarded the ASBTE Award for Research Excellence.

The award by the Australasian Society for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, recognises a member who has made a significant contribution to the discipline.

Professor Woodfield leads the Christchurch Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engingeering (CReaTE) Group which is associated with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery on the University of Otago Christchurch campus, and is also Director of the University's Centre for Bioengineering and Nanomedicine.

The group is pursuing stem cell- and biomaterial-based strategies for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration.

Dr Woodfield says he is honoured to receive the award. He has been a member of ASBTE for 14 years, including serving time as the President and as an Executive Board Member.

“The ASBTE and the entire Biomaterials Science community is such an inclusive and supportive group. Despite all the challenges of 2020, it has been amazing to share in celebrating research successes within ASBTE and see the continued growth of this great society and exciting research within the community.”

“It is very humbling to have been nominated and receive the award, especially being able to join an illustrious group of previous award winners who I view as pioneers and legends in Biomaterials Science and Tissues Engineering.”

In his nomination Dr Woodfield was acknowledged for his “outstanding” contributions to the discipline and mentorship, especially his “innovative” contributions to the field of bioprinting.

His passion for his field stems from the excitement to undertake research that is helping develop new surgical strategies in medicine, ultimately benefitting patients in their treatment.

“Basic and applied Biomaterials Science is at the core of the regenerative medicine research and translational goals of my CReaTE Group.

“We are passionate about this multidisciplinary research as we are developing new 3D bioprinting and additive manufacturing technologies to deliver orthopaedic surgeons with patient specific solutions to help regenerate damaged tissues from degenerative disease, trauma or cancer surgery. By understanding how biomaterials interact with stem cells and the body, and developing novel hydrogel bioinks, allow us to 3D bioprint bone, cartilage and vascular tissues that mimic native tissue.”

Dr Woodfield is a previous recipient of another prestigious award, the Rutherford Discovery Fellowship, awarded to him by the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Apārangi.

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions Dr Woodfield was unable to receive his award in person at the ASBTE annual general meeting in June. He instead was presented it via Zoom.

“The ASBTE and the entire Biomaterials Science community is such an inclusive and supportive group. Despite all the challenges of 2020, it has been amazing to share in celebrating research successes within ASBTE and see the continued growth of this great society and exciting research within the community.”

Back to top