Forty-nine years in Biomaterials Science: An interview with Buddy Ratner

Abstract

Buddy Ratner talks to Francesca Lake, Managing Editor. After receiving his PhD in polymer chemistry from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (USA) in 1972, Ratner moved to the University of Washington (USA), where he has since become joint professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering and Michael L & Myrna Darland Endowed Chair in Technology Commercialization. Since 1996, he has led the UWEB Research Center for Biomaterials at the University of Washington, originally funded by the National Science Foundation. A pioneer of the biomaterials field, Ratner's research interests include biomaterials, tissue engineering, polymers, biocompatibility and surface analysis of organic materials. A leader in the field, he has received numerous awards, has launched several companies and holds over 20 patents.