Harvard Catalyst Profiles

Director, Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Director, Tissue Engineering Laboratory, VA Boston Healthcare System
Senior Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering , MIT

Prof. Spector has been engaged in biomaterials research for over 30 years, and in tissue engineering studies for 15 years, employing animal models and cell culture systems. He is supervising investigations related to musculoskeletal and nerve regeneration, involving biopolymer sponge-like scaffolds and injectable gels. He recently has established projects demonstrating the potential of extracorporeal shock wave treatment to enhance the make-up of select tissues to be used as autografts for bone and cartilage repair.

Prof. Spector teaches 4 subjects at MIT: Biomaterial-Tissue Interactions (2.79J/3.96J/BEH.441HST 522J); Cell-Matrix Mechanics (2.785J/3.97J/20.411J/HST523J); Design of Medical Devices/Implants (2.782J/3.961J/20.451J/HST524J); and Principles and Practice of Tissue Engineering (HST.535). He is the principal research supervisor for students in: MIT doctoral programs; Harvard Medical School; and postgraduate programs at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. His postdoctoral research fellows come with varied backgrounds from many countries.

Dr. Spector is a VA Research Career Scientist.

Other Positions:
2005-present: Co-Editor-in Chief, Biomedical Materials: Materials for Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine
1993-1997: Chairman, Food and Drug Administration General and Plastic Surgery Devices Advisory Panel
1990-1991: President, Society for Biomaterials