Thomas J. Webster

Thomas J. Webster
EducationUniversity of Pittsburgh
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Scientific career
FieldsBiomedical engineering
Chemical engineering
Nanomedicine
WorkplacesNortheastern University, Purdue University, Brown University, Hebei Institute of Technology, Saveetha University, Federal University of Piaui
ThesisDesign, synthesis, and evaluation of nanophase ceramics for orthopaedic/dental applications (2000)
Rena Bizios
Richard W. Siegel

Thomas J. Webster is an American biomedical engineer, researcher, and entrepreneur.

Education

Webster holds a BSc degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (1995), and an MSc and PhD (2000) in biomedical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY). Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the oldest engineering school in the U.S.

Research

Webster's research has examined the multiple uses of nanotechnology. His studies focus on the development, production, and assessment of nanophase materials as superior biomedical materials. He has researched on the application of nanophase materials for tissue regeneration. His research has focussed on hydroxyapatite, the major inorganic component to bone. In contrast to hydroxyapatite that had not been doped, Webster's research on osteoblast (bone-forming cells) response to hydroxyapatite doped with divalent and trivalent cations showed that osteoblast adherence and differentiation on the doped HA were increased. In other research, he creates surfaces with nanostructures that have been FDA-approved for implantation in tissues like bone, the spine, and dental applications.

His research has included nanoparticles that may enter biofilms, lessen inflammation, and specifically target cancer cells. Dr. Webster was the first to identify improved tissue growth on nanomaterials. He was the first to identify decreased bacteria functions on nanomaterials. Dr. Webster was the first to establish a mathematical equation that can be used to predict nanoscale surface features to improve tissue growth, reduce infection, and limit infection. He trademarked this process as "Nano-Optimized", 2008.

Career

Webster is presently[when?] the chief nano scientific officer at PrinterPrezz in Fremont, California, and serves as the chief scientific officer of his numerous start-up companies. He started his career as an assistant professor at the Purdue University. His research on nanomedicine has received attention in media including MSNBC, NBC Nightly News, PBS DragonFly TV, ABC Nightly News via the Ivanhoe Medical Breakthrough Segment, Fox News, the Weather Channel, NBC Today Show, National Geographic's TV series on the future of medicine, ABC Boston, Discovery Channel, and OpenAccess Government. His work has been on display at the London and Boston Science Museums.

Awards and honors

Webster has been honored with many awards including:

Webster has received numerous honors including:

Editorships

Webster is serving as the Editor-in-chief of the Research Journal of Medical and Health Sciences and was the founding editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Nanomedicine pioneering the open-access format.

Patents

Webster has obtained many patents for his inventions and his patents including:

These patents have formed many companies who have commercial products including Audax, NanoVis, NanoVis Spine, Perios, Dental Regen, Quarksen, SynCell, Novaraum, AKiCept, Zeda, MetaFree, and Interstellar Therapeutics.

Publications

Webster and his team have published over 1350 peer-reviewed publications. His H-index places him in the top 1% of cited articles by researchers in materials science.

An example of these articles appear below:

Controversies

Retractions

As of September 1, 2024, at least seven articles co-authored by Webster have been retracted.

Departure from Northeastern

Webster resigned from his position at Northeastern in 2021, reportedly "after dozens of his studies came under scrutiny online." Webster later stated, "An external investigation panel appointed by Northeastern University consisting of world renowned researchers came to the conclusion in their final report that I had not fabricated or falsified data, and subsequently cleared me of any academic wrongdoing."

References

  1. ↑ "Thomas J Webster | Materials Science Conferences | Materials Conferences | Material Science and Engineering Congress 2024". magnusconferences.com. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  2. ↑ Press, Dove. "Dr Thomas J Webster | Dove Press editor profile". www.dovepress.com. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  3. ↑ Nicodemo, Allie (2017-12-13). "Thomas Webster named Fellow of National Academy of Inventors". Northeastern Global News. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  4. ↑ Webster, Thomas J (September 2007). Nanotechnology for the Regeneration of Hard and Soft Tissues. doi:10.1142/6421. ISBN 978-981-270-615-7.
  5. 1 2 Zhang, Lijie; Webster, Thomas J. (2009-02-01). "Nanotechnology and nanomaterials: Promises for improved tissue regeneration". Nano Today. 4 (1): 66–80. doi:10.1016/j.nantod.2008.10.014. ISSN 1748-0132.
  6. ↑ Balasundaram, Ganesan; Sato, Michiko; Webster, Thomas J. (2006-05-01). "Using hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and decreased crystallinity to promote osteoblast adhesion similar to functionalizing with RGD". Biomaterials. 27 (14): 2798–2805. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2005.12.008. ISSN 0142-9612. PMID 16430957.
  7. ↑ Kargozar, Saeid; Mollazadeh, Sahar; Kermani, Farzad; Webster, Thomas J.; Nazarnezhad, Simin; Hamzehlou, Sepideh; Baino, Francesco (September 2022). "Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles for Improved Cancer Theranostics". Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 13 (3): 100. doi:10.3390/jfb13030100. ISSN 2079-4983. PMC 9326646. PMID 35893468.
  8. ↑ Webster, Thomas J.; Ahn, Edward S. (2007), "Nanostructured Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Bone", in Lee, Kyongbum; Kaplan, David (eds.), Tissue Engineering II: Basics of Tissue Engineering and Tissue Applications, Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology, vol. 103, Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, pp. 275–308, doi:10.1007/10_021, ISBN 978-3-540-36186-2, PMID 17195467
  9. ↑ Yao, Chang; Slamovich, Elliott B.; Webster, Thomas J. (April 2008). "Enhanced osteoblast functions on anodized titanium with nanotube-like structures". Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A. 85A (1): 157–166. doi:10.1002/jbm.a.31551. PMID 17688267.
  10. ↑ MacMillan, Adam K.; Lamberti, Francis V.; Moulton, Julia N.; Geilich, Benjamin M.; Webster, Thomas J. (2014-12-02). "Similar healthy osteoclast and osteoblast activity on nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and nanoparticles of tri-calcium phosphate compared to natural bone". International Journal of Nanomedicine. 9 (1): 5627–5637. doi:10.2147/IJN.S66852. PMC 4260657. PMID 25506216.
  11. ↑ Jones, A-Andrew D.; Mi, Gujie; Webster, Thomas J. (February 2019). "A Status Report on FDA Approval of Medical Devices Containing Nanostructured Materials". Trends in Biotechnology. 37 (2): 117–120. doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.06.003. ISSN 0167-7799. PMID 30075863. S2CID 51909976.
  12. ↑ Bhardwaj, Garima; Yazici, Hilal; Webster, Thomas J. (2015-04-30). "Reducing bacteria and macrophage density on nanophase hydroxyapatite coated onto titanium surfaces without releasing pharmaceutical agents". Nanoscale. 7 (18): 8416–8427. Bibcode:2015Nanos...7.8416B. doi:10.1039/C5NR00471C. ISSN 2040-3372. PMID 25876524.
  13. ↑ Shi, Di; Mi, Gujie; Wang, Mian; Webster, Thomas J. (2019-04-01). "In vitro and ex vivo systems at the forefront of infection modeling and drug discovery". Biomaterials. Organoids and Ex Vivo Tissue On-Chip Technologies. 198: 228–249. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.10.030. ISSN 0142-9612. PMC 7172914. PMID 30384974.
  14. ↑ Alpaslan, Ece; Webster, Thomas J. (2014-05-05). "Nanotechnology and picotechnology to increase tissue growth: a summary of in vivo studies". International Journal of Nanomedicine. 9 (Supplement 1): 7–12. doi:10.2147/IJN.S58384. PMC 4024972. PMID 24872699.
  15. ↑ Yao, Chang; Webster, Thomas J.; Hedrick, Matthew (June 2014). "Decreased bacteria density on nanostructured polyurethane: Decreased Bacteria Density on Nanostructured Polyurethane". Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A. 102 (6): 1823–1828. doi:10.1002/jbm.a.34856. PMID 23784968.
  16. ↑ Mathew, Dennis; Bhardwaj, Garima; Wang, Qi; Sun, Linlin; Ercan, Batur; Geetha, Manisavagam; Webster, Thomas J. (2014-04-08). "Decreased Staphylococcus aureus and increased osteoblast density on nanostructured electrophoretic-deposited hydroxyapatite on titanium without the use of pharmaceuticals". International Journal of Nanomedicine. 9 (1): 1775–1781. doi:10.2147/IJN.S55733. PMC 3986289. PMID 24748789.
  17. ↑ Machado, Mary C.; Tarquinio, Keiko M.; Webster, Thomas J. (2012-07-19). "Decreased Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation on nanomodified endotracheal tubes: a dynamic airway model". International Journal of Nanomedicine. 7: 3741–3750. doi:10.2147/IJN.S28191. PMC 3418105. PMID 22904622.
  18. ↑ Benjamin, T. B.; Bona, J. L.; Mahony, J. J. (1972-03-30). "Model equations for long waves in nonlinear dispersive systems". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences. 272 (1220): 47–78. Bibcode:1972RSPTA.272...47B. doi:10.1098/rsta.1972.0032. ISSN 0080-4614. S2CID 120673596.
  19. ↑ "openaccessgovernment.org".
  20. 1 2 Webster, Thomas J. (14 March 2023). Nanomedicine (2nd ed.). Elsevier Science. ISBN 978-0-12-818627-5. Retrieved 2023-07-10. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  21. ↑ "openaccessgovernment.org". Open Access Government.
  22. ↑ "openaccessgovernment.org".
  23. ↑ Reis, Rui L. "Thomas J Webster". International College of Fellows Biomaterials Science & Engineering. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  24. ↑ "northeastern.edu" (PDF).
  25. ↑ "BMES Rita Schaffer Young Investigator Award - Biomedical Engineering Society". www.bmes.org. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  26. ↑ "Acta Biomaterialia Silver Medal Award - News - Materialia - Journal - Elsevier". www.journals.elsevier.com. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  27. ↑ "Thomas J. Webster, Ph.D." MAScIR. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  28. ↑ lavoisier.eu.
  29. 1 2 "Thomas J Webster | Nanotechnology Conferences 2024 | Nanomaterials Conference 2024 | Nanomaterials Conferences | Nanoscience Conferences 2024 | Nano Event 2024". worldnanotechnologyconference.com. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  30. ↑ "Editorial Team | Research Journal in Medical and Health Sciences". royalliteglobal.com. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  31. ↑ US10344300B2, Chen, Yunpeng; Chen, Qian & Webster, Thomas J. et al., "Nanotubes as carriers of nucleic acids into cells", issued 2019-07-09
  32. ↑ US20030050711A1, Laurencin, Cato & Ko, Frank, "Hybrid nanofibril matrices for use as tissue engineering devices", issued 2003-03-13
  33. ↑ US7993412B2, Webster, Thomas J. & McKENZIE, Janice L., "Nanofibers as a neural biomaterial", issued 2011-08-09
  34. ↑ US10201634B2, Webster, Thomas J.; Fenniri, Hicham & Hemraz, Usha Devi, "Nanotubes and compositions thereof", issued 2019-02-12
  35. ↑ US10751280B2, Hennemann, Willard W.; Steelman, Bryan L. & Webster, Thomas J., "Implantable cellular and biotherapeutic agent delivery canister", issued 2020-08-25
  36. ↑ US20110125263A1, Webster, Thomas J. & Yao, Chang, "Method for producing nanostructures on a surface of a medical implant", issued 2011-05-26
  37. ↑ US11560014B2, Webster, Thomas J., "Nanostructured surfaces", issued 2023-01-24
  38. ↑ US20220071919A1, Cruz, David Medina; CRUA, Ada Vernet & Webster, Thomas J., "Tellurium Nanostructures with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties Synthesized by Aloe Vera-Mediated Green Chemistry", issued 2022-03-10
  39. ↑ EP1613248B1, Webster, Thomas J. & Ejiofor, Jeremiah U., "Metallic nanoparticles as orthopedic biomaterial", issued 2012-08-01
  40. ↑ WO2012009433A1, Webster, Thomas J. & Tran, Phong Anh, "Antipathogenic surfaces having selenium nanoclusters", issued 2012-01-19
  41. ↑ Webster, Thomas J; Ergun, Celaletdin; Doremus, Robert H; Siegel, Richard W; Bizios, Rena (2000-09-01). "Enhanced functions of osteoblasts on nanophase ceramics". Biomaterials. 21 (17): 1803–1810. doi:10.1016/S0142-9612(00)00075-2. ISSN 0142-9612. PMID 10905463.
  42. ↑ Webster, Thomas J.; Ergun, Celaletdin; Doremus, Robert H.; Siegel, Richard W.; Bizios, Rena (2000-09-05). "Specific proteins mediate enhanced osteoblast adhesion on nanophase ceramics". Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. 51 (3): 475–483. doi:10.1002/1097-4636(20000905)51:3<475::AID-JBM23>3.0.CO;2-9. ISSN 0021-9304. PMID 10880091.
  43. ↑ Webster, Thomas J.; Ejiofor, Jeremiah U. (2004-08-01). "Increased osteoblast adhesion on nanophase metals: Ti, Ti6Al4V, and CoCrMo". Biomaterials. 25 (19): 4731–4739. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2003.12.002. ISSN 0142-9612. PMID 15120519.
  44. ↑ Webster, Thomas J; Ergun, Celaletdin; Doremus, Robert H; Siegel, Richard W; Bizios, Rena (2001-06-01). "Enhanced osteoclast-like cell functions on nanophase ceramics". Biomaterials. 22 (11): 1327–1333. doi:10.1016/S0142-9612(00)00285-4. ISSN 0142-9612. PMID 11336305.
  45. ↑ Webster, Thomas J.; Schadler, Linda S.; Siegel, Richard W.; Bizios, Rena (June 2001). "Mechanisms of Enhanced Osteoblast Adhesion on Nanophase Alumina Involve Vitronectin". Tissue Engineering. 7 (3): 291–301. doi:10.1089/10763270152044152. ISSN 1076-3279. PMID 11429149.
  46. ↑ Bik, Elisabeth (2021-05-05). "Northeastern University professor with 69 papers on PubPeer has resigned". Science Integrity Digest. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  47. ↑ Chawla, Dalmeet Singh. "Prominent US chemical engineer leaves post amid allegations of image irregularities". Chemistry World. Archived from the original on 2021-09-23. Retrieved 2024-08-24.