Ann Arbor, MI — April 19, 2011 — A University Michigan School of Dentistry researcher has been named one of the world’s Top 100 Materials Scientists, and the only one from a dental school anywhere in the world.

Dr. Peter Ma, the Richard Kingery Endowed Collegiate Professor in the Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, ranked 76^th among the world’s top materials scientists whose published research papers were among the most frequently cited by peer researchers worldwide between 2000 and 2010.  The rankings were based on the average number of citations per paper that were referenced by researchers. The results were published by Thomson Reuters, a global information company.

“I was surprised to learn I was on the list,” Ma said.  “In fact, I didn’t know anything about it until some of my colleagues in other parts of the world sent e-mails to me offering their congratulations.”  Ma said that for a biomaterials researcher on the list, and being the only one from a dental school anywhere in the world, “speaks highly of the support I have received from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.”

Ma’s Biomaterials Research

Ma is the lead author of a new paper which he describes as "a very significant advance in tissue repair."  Ma and his colleagues made star-shaped, biodegradable polymers that can self-assemble into hollow, nanofiber spheres, and when the spheres are injected with cells into wounds, these spheres biodegrade, but the cells live on to form new tissue.

Materials science is a field of study that encompasses metals, alloys, ceramics, glass, minerals, polymers (rubber, plastic, fibers, and gels), natural materials, and combinations of these materials.  Researchers modify existing materials, or develop new ones, and subsequently investigate how they perform in structural, electrical, thermal, optical, mechanical, and biomedical environments. 

Biomaterials science is a small but rapidly growing subset that focuses on potential biomedical applications.  “Unlike other materials whose effectiveness can be measured relatively quickly, the ability to measure the impact of biomaterials takes more time because animal studies, clinical trials and other factors are involved,” Ma said.  “Nonetheless, I am happy that the work we are doing has been proven to be of value to others around the world.”

Ma’s research focuses on developing materials that have dental and medical applications.  Some of these materials, such as those used in restorative dentistry, are developed to directly replace the structure and function of damaged or diseased tissues or organs.  Some are developed as scaffolding (matrix materials) for cells to grow on and develop into new tissues.  As new tissue develops, the special materials (scaffolds) degrade and resorb, leading to completely “natural” tissue replacement and/or regeneration.

Ma has published 181 articles in scientific journals, conference proceedings and book chapters, and edited a book, Scaffolding in Tissue Engineering (CRC Press).  He has also published 180 abstracts/presentations at professional conferences, been an invited or keynote speaker 160 times at conferences worldwide, is a reviewer for 70 scientific journals, is a member of four journal editorial and advisory boards, a grant reviewer for government agencies and private organizations worldwide, and an elected Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE).  He also received the DuPont Young Professor Award in 2000, the first time the award was presented to a dental school faculty member since it was established in 1968.