Larry Hench Young Investigators Prize 2018

At the recent UK Society for Biomaterials Annual Conference held in Bath, the 2018 Larry Hench Young Investigators Prize was awarded to Dr Anthony Herbert.  Tony Herbert is an independent Research Fellow at the Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds.

Tony Herbert has recently completed a prestigious EPSRC E-TERM (Engineering in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine) landscape fellowship to investigate the challenges and translation of regenerative devices for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) replacement. The project focused on both novel next generation and modified contemporary products in the form of decellularised porcine xenogeneic and human allogeneic ligamentous scaffolds. It challenged variation in fixation, tissue properties and surgical protocol on biomechanical function and performance, and developed approaches for stratification and increased precision in ACL replacement.

Currently he is the recipient of a Medical Technologies Innovation Knowledge Centre proof of concept award in conjunction with NHS Blood and Transplant Tissue and Eye Services aimed at the translation of a portfolio of decellularised allogeneic bone products targeting different grafting applications.  His research interests are in the biomechanics of biological tissues, manufacture and optimisation of biological scaffolds, stratification of biological scaffolds, In-vitro and ex-vivo biomechanical assessment of interventional products, and development of surgical techniques for increased precision.

Further information

For further information about Tony Herbert’s research, view his profile.

For more details about the annual conference organised by UKSB, view the UKSB website.

Note: The prize is awarded annually to a promising young research scientist in recognition of outstanding and innovative contributions in a selected field of biomaterials research.  Applicants must be within 7 years of completing their PhD and have a record of peer reviewed publications and presenting at national and international conferences.   Larry Hench (1938-2015) was an Emeritus Professor at the University of Florida and Professor in the Ceramic Materials Department at Imperial College London. He co-founded and co-directed the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Centre for 10 years and at the time of his death was the Director of the Technology Centre for Medical Materials and Photonics.