Stephen Ferguson

Professor Stephen Ferguson is a faculty member at ETH Zurich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST), affiliated with the Institute for Biomechanics. His research program focuses on advancing cartilage tissue engineering solutions for osteoarthritis, a condition affecting over 32.5 million adults in the United States.

• Institution: ETH Zurich
• School: Department of Health Sciences and Technology
• Department: Institute for Biomechanics
• Academic Rank: Professor

Professor Ferguson's research centers on developing innovative biomaterial scaffolds that mimic native cartilage structure and function. His laboratory investigates advanced fabrication techniques including solution electrospinning (SES) and melt electrowriting (MEW) to create precisely engineered fibrous architectures. Current work addresses critical limitations in the field such as poor cell infiltration in conventional scaffolds, hydrophobic polymer surfaces, and mechanical mismatch with native tissue.

• Development of dual-nozzle electrospinning with sacrificial materials to enhance scaffold porosity
• Adaptation of open-source tools for customized melt electrowriting of cartilage scaffolds
• Surface modification strategies including NaOH treatment to improve cell compatibility
• Multiscale scaffold design combining fibrous and hydrogel components
• Optimization of novel triblock copolymers for improved mechanical and biological properties

While specific awards are not documented in the available information, Professor Ferguson's research contributes significantly to addressing the global challenge of osteoarthritis treatment where current clinical approaches fail to fully restore native cartilage function.

Professor Ferguson's research group provides structured mentoring through semester projects, internships, and master's theses. The laboratory collaborates with researchers including Elisa Bissacco and Alessio Amicone on scaffold fabrication, characterization, and biological evaluation. Current projects emphasize translating engineering principles into biologically relevant solutions for musculoskeletal disorders.

The Tissue Mechanobiology laboratory under Professor Ferguson's leadership maintains comprehensive capabilities in advanced biomaterials research, including electrospinning, melt electrowriting, material characterization, and biological assessment, positioning the group at the forefront of cartilage tissue engineering innovation.