Gregory Sawyer Received the 2023 Tribology Gold Medal

Gregory Sawyer, Chair of the Bioengineering Department at Moffitt Cancer Center, has been awarded the 2023 Tribology Gold Medal by the International Tribology Council.

The Tribology Gold Medal Award is a prestigious recognition funded by The Tribology Trust Fund and selected by the Tribology Trust Awards Committee, which is administered by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. This award is presented annually for outstanding achievements in the field of tribology, which is the study of friction, wear, and lubrication.

“The Tribology Gold Medal is a prestigious honor that recognizes the very best in the field. Dr. Sawyer’s achievements are remarkable, and his dedication to improving our world through innovative science is inspiring. His work has had a profound impact and has the potential to improve the lives of countless cancer patients.” – said John Cleveland, center director and chief scientific officer at Moffitt Cancer Center

Established in 1972, the Tribology Gold Medal has been awarded to 52 individuals from 18 different countries, highlighting its international significance and the global contributions to the field of tribology.

Gregory Sawyer is the 52^nd individual to receive the Tribology Gold Medal. He received the award Sept. 26 in London.

About Gregory Sawyer

Gregory Sawyer earned his Bachelor of Science (1994), Master of Science (1996), and Doctorate (1999) in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York. As a student, he gained valuable experience working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as part of the Mars Rover design team. The challenges encountered during this project inspired him to focus his research on tribology.

After completing his doctorate, Sawyer joined the faculty at the University of Florida, where he established a tribology laboratory that worked on interdisciplinary projects ranging from nanomaterials for space applications to the biology of the ocular surface. In 2013, he leveraged his expertise in tribology to create a center for cancer engineering. This center aims to develop precise 3D miniature tumors and the necessary systems to maintain their viability and function. It also incorporates advanced in situ imaging techniques and tools to manipulate and measure the tumor microenvironment.

In 2023, Sawyer joined Moffitt Cancer Center as Chief Bioengineering Officer and chair of the Department of Bioengineering—the first department of its kind at a U.S. NCI-Designated comprehensive cancer center. His accolades include being a member of the National Academy of Inventors and a Fellow of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. He has authored over 200 scientific publications, holds more than 20 U.S. patents, and has been cited over 17,000 times.

Throughout his career, he has developed advanced instrumentation to study these interfaces, aiming to understand the mechanisms that contribute to durability, dynamicity, and low friction. His work has led to the development of tribological materials and approaches applicable in diverse areas such as space exploration, high-temperature environments, cryogenic temperatures, electrical contacts, fluoropolymer systems, hydrogels, and biological surfaces.

Greg Sawyer:

“I am deeply honored to receive the prestigious Institution of Mechanical Engineers Tribology Gold Medal! This recognition reflects not just my work, but the incredible collaboration and support from my team at Moffitt Cancer Center. Together, we strive to advance cancer research and improve patient outcomes.”

IMechE:

“Congratulations to Professor W. Gregory Sawyer for being awarded with IMechE’s 2023 Gold Medal for Tribology. His achievements include founding a centre for cancer engineering, where he employed tribology tools to advance cancer research.”

Moffit Cancer Center:

“Join us in congratulating Greg Sawyer, PhD for receiving the 2023 IMechE Tribology Gold Medal! This prestigious award is the highest honor in the field and recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary lifetime contributions to the study of friction, wear and lubrication. One of Sawyer’s most notable achievements is his pioneering work applying principles of tribology to cancer research. Read more.”

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