George Joseph Christ

George Joseph Christ is the Commonwealth Professor of Engineering and Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Virginia. He leads the Laboratory of Regenerative Therapeutics, focusing on tissue engineering solutions for musculoskeletal injuries, vascular repair, and urinary tract disorders. His work emphasizes regenerative medicine, advanced biomanufacturing, and engineered biomaterials. Dr. Christ has authored over 215 publications and holds 26 patents, including gene therapy and tissue engineering innovations.

• Education: B.S., Muhlenberg College (1982); Ph.D., Wake Forest University (1987)
• Roles: Past Chairman of ASPET’s Division of Systems and Integrative Pharmacology; Editor for five journals

His research addresses volumetric muscle loss (VML), developing hydrogels and scaffold technologies for military and civilian applications. Notable projects include a tissue-engineered muscle repair (TEMR) platform and clinical trials for gene therapy. He has secured grants from DOD and NIH for studies on peripheral nerve regeneration and muscle regeneration.

• Key Awards: AIMBE Fellow (2017), Breakout Award (2019), Commonwealth Professorship (2023)

Dr. Christ’s lab collaborates across disciplines to translate preclinical studies into clinical solutions, including FDA-approved trials for muscle repair and bladder dysfunction. He advises on national/international committees and holds leadership roles in organizations like NCTERM and ASPET.