W. Greg Sawyer, Ph.D.

Chief BioEngineering Officer
Chair, Department of BioEngineering
Moffitt Cancer Center

43 U.S. Patents

W. Gregory Sawyer, Ph.D., is the Chief BioEngineering Officer and Chair of the Department of BioEngineering at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Before joining Moffitt, he served as the N. C. Ebaugh Chair and Distinguished Teaching Scholar at the University of Florida, where he spent more than two decades advancing research and education in mechanical engineering, materials science and biomedical innovation.

Dr. Sawyer is an internationally recognized researcher, inventor and entrepreneur whose innovations have made transformative impacts across biomedical engineering, materials science, advanced manufacturing and aerospace. As an innovator in tribology and biomechanics, he has developed technologies ranging from space-qualified polymeric nanocomposites and low-friction materials for extreme environments to high-performance contact lenses that improve patient comfort and health. Dr. Sawyer pioneered the field of Cancer Engineering, which combines different disciplines in engineering and the physical sciences to advance the research infrastructure in both academia and industry.

In ophthalmology, Dr. Sawyer’s groundbreaking work in lubricity introduced a new paradigm in contact lens technology, defining the role of shear-stress on inflammation and discomfort. His hydrogel patents detail the science behind the creation of surfaces that significantly reduce shear stress, improve lubricity, and comfort. These innovations are now integral to contact lens design and products.

Dr. Sawyer’s work in biomaterials and biomechanics is equally impactful. His patents in prosthetics and orthopedic devices have revolutionized the design and performance of implants, often leveraging flexure mechanisms to reduce sliding and wear, significantly enhancing the durability of prosthetic joints and spinal implants.

A trailblazer in bio-manufacturing and regenerative medicine, Dr. Sawyer’s work has transformed cancer research and pioneered the field of cancer engineering. Under his leadership, his laboratory invented 3D perfusion systems that enable the preservation and culture of patient micro-tumors and micro-tissues used in precision medicine, drug screening, immuno-oncology studies, and cancer biology. His patents and inventions in freeform 3D bioprinting and multifunctional microgel materials have enabled a comprehensive suite of technologies for cancer biology and drug discovery that are used by major pharmaceutical companies and leading research universities and cancer centers across the country. These innovations led to the creation of spin-out companies, including Aurita BioScience, a Florida-based startup he founded.

Dr. Sawyer holds 43 U.S. patents. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and recipient of the Tribology Gold Medal, the highest international honor in his field. His other honors include the BioFlorida Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the Burt L. Newkirk and Marshall B. Peterson Awards from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

He earned his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.