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.

A MENTION ABOUT INVENTION – 3 Questions for the Inventor

Q1. Of your patents/inventions, which one is your favorite and why?

For us, a key milestone was the first time we were able to keep patients tumors alive for an extended duration of time in 3D. This really brought in the science and the ability to have a patient avatar, take something that was a cancer from a patient and create thousands of samples that we could test, study and interrogate.

It’s essentially a test track for tumors. 

This allows us to interface more seamlessly with basic scientists that are trying to understand what makes cancer, cancer. Mathematicians and engineers trying to understand the dynamics of cancer and how it evolves, and clinicians to try to understand how this is behaving in the patient and how we can one day treat and eradicate this terrible disease.

Q2. What inspired you to become an inventor/innovator?

For me, inspiration comes from trying to solve problems. When you see a need, something that can benefit society or people or individuals, you work to try to find solutions to those problems. A lot of times there are unmet needs, which is really where I think a lot of innovation comes from. Invention is filling these unmet needs.

Q3. What is your process when developing new inventions/innovations?

My process for inventing and innovating begins with listening and observing. I believe problems aren’t handed to us. You have to go out and find where people truly need solutions. That often comes from paying attention to unmet needs and working as part of a team to address them. From there, I try to draw on both broad experiences across different disciplines and deep knowledge in specific fields.

Invention, for me, rarely comes as a single “eureka” moment. It’s usually the product of a relentless pursuit to solve a problem, lots of failures, and many iterations over time. Sometimes the most powerful ideas come from applying old science to new problems. When that happens, the result often seems simple in hindsight and I think the best technologies should feel simple and elegant rather than overly complex.