Pete McFetridge has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Bath University in the United Kingdom and is Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UF. He has pioneered novel growth factor technologies and bioreactor designs for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. From the beginning of his independent career as an Assistant Research Professor, Dr. Mcfetridge has focused on exploring a variety of materials that have both direct clinical application as well as the potential to deepen the understanding of both biological and engineering principles.

From a materials perspective, most of Dr. McFetridge’s work utilizes human tissue that is processed into functional biomaterials – termed ex vivo-derived tissue implants. There are several important components to this process, not least the removal of the existing cellular debris and other soluble factors to ensure immune compliance. His research focuses on both the general processing conditions (solvents, surfactants etc.) as well as understanding key events and influences that drive active and functional regeneration. Dr. McFridge’s overarching research objective is to create functional organs that can be used in organ replacement therapies

Dr. McFetridge’s research has been at the forefront of biomaterials applications using human placental tissues as both direct implants and as platforms for guided tissue regeneration. These materials have rapidly found a place in the clinic in variety of applications, blood vessels, tendons, nerves. Dr. McFetridge has been recognized for his innovative successes as a two-time recipient of the University of Florida Technology Innovator Award and the Innovator of the Year by The Journal Record. His research and excellence in science has been recognized through the Japanese BME TOIN award and by the Japan Research Institute of Material Technology.