Bio
Sefton is regarded as a pioneer in tissue engineering and a leader in biomaterials, biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine. He was the first to recognize the importance of combining living cells with synthetic polymers to create "artificial" organs and tissues. He was also one of the first in the world that succeeded in micro-encapsulating live cells – with a view to creating an artificial pancreas and other tissues that could then evade the patient's immune system through the barrier properties of the encapsulating membrane. Sefton has published extensively in the world's leading journals and international conference proceedings, and is the holder of several U.S. and international patents.
Education
- B.A.Sc., 1971, Chemical Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada
- ScD, 1974, Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
Appointments & Affiliations
- University Professor, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto
- Scientific Director, Medicine by Design
- Cross-appointed, Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto
- Affiliate Scientist, Toronto General Research Institute
Phone: 416-978-3088
Fax: 416-978-4317
Awards
- International member, National Academy of Engineering, 2020
- Officer of the Order of Canada, 2017
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society, 2016
- ESB International Award, 2016
- Terumo Global Science Prize, 2016
- Member, Institute of Medicine (National Academies, US), 2014
- 40 Year Service Award, University of Toronto, 2014
- Gold Medal Award, Engineers Canada, 2014
- Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2012
- Acta Biomaterialia Gold Medal, 2011
- Killam Prize, Canada Council for the Arts, 2008
- Founders Award, US Society For Biomaterials, 2008
- Fellow, Royal Society of Canada
- University Professor, University of Toronto
- Fellow, Chemical Institute of Canada
- Fellow, Biomaterials Science and Engineering
- Fellow, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering
- Fellow, American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- Century of Achievement, CSChE, 1999
- Clemson Award for Basic Research, US Society for Biomaterials, 1993
- Faculty Teaching Award, University of Toronto, 1992
- Albright and Wilson America Award, CSChE, 1989
Office Address:
Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research
160 College Street, Room 406
Mailing Address:
Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering
University of Toronto
164 College Street, Suite 407
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5S 3G9