About the Society

Mission

The Society For Biomaterials is a multidisciplinary society of academic, healthcare, governmental and business professionals dedicated to promoting advancements in all aspects of biomaterial science, education and professional standards to enhance human health and quality of life.

Vision

The vision of the Society For Biomaterials is to serve as the world's preeminent interactive global community committed to advancing excellence in all aspects of biomaterial science, engineering and technology for promoting human health and well-being.

History

In 1969, a number of researchers in the biomaterials field initiated a series of International Biomaterials Symposia concentrating predominantly on materials for reconstructive surgery. As these symposia  became increasingly popular, the idea to establish a dedicated biomaterials organization germinated. The Society For Biomaterials (SFB) was formally established in April, 1974.

The purpose for the formation of SFB was, and remains today:

  • To encourage, foster, promote and advance research and development and education in biomaterials sciences
  • To promote, initiate, support and accomplish cooperative research, development and educational programs in this field in the public interest

The initial board of directors was composed of Drs. C. William Hall, Samuel F. Hulbert, Sumner N. Levine, Sigmund A. Wesolowski, and Richard S. Woodbury, and the inaugural annual meeting of SFB was held April 26, 1975, at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. The Society recognized its founder Dr. C. William Hall with both an annual award and a scholarship in his name.

In 1980, the First International Congress of Biomaterials was held in Vienna, Austria.  Presidents of participating societies included: standing: Jean Leray (France), Larry Hench (U.S.), David Williams (U.K.), Frank Cooke (U.S.), Adam Wesolov (U.S.), Walter Zingg (Canada), Thomas Salthouse, Larry Katz, Harukyuki Kawahara (Japan), seated: Franz Burny (Belgium), George Winters, C. William Hall, and Samuel Hulbert.

SFB is the oldest scientific organization in the field of biomaterials and has enjoyed tremendous growth and success over the years. In order to stay on the cutting edge of the ever-changing and fast-paced field of biomaterials, SFB supports 14 Special Interest Groups (SIGs), whose purpose is to provide a forum for networking and new ideas within a focused environment. SFB also cultivates student chapters at many universities.

SFB supports those in the field of biomaterials by bestowing a number of awards annually to deserving tenured and non-tenured faculty and students, as well as nominating eligible individuals to the status of Fellow, Biomaterials Science and Engineering.

The Society continues to be the world leader in the field of biomaterials by organizing an annual meeting in the United States and by participating in the quadrennial World Biomaterials Congress. These meetings are designed for industry, academia, and clinicians to gather and discuss the latest trends and scientific breakthroughs pertinent to the field of biomaterials.

SFB publications include the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A and B – Applied Biomaterials, and the Biomaterials Forum.
Since its founding in 1974, the Society has been “giving life to a world of materials."

In July of 2017, members of the SFB's governing Council met to review and refine the Society's Strategic Plan, including Topher Gehrmann, Andres Garcia, Daniel Hachim, David Kohn, Sarah Stabenfeldt, Bob Hastings, Liisa Kuhn, Helen Lu, Elizabeth Cosgriff-Hernandez, Adam Ekenseair, and Peter Edelman.

The society is professionally managed by Assocation Headquarters, Inc. The Society volunteer leadership is composed of a Board of Directors and a Governing Council a robust network of volunteer committees, and 14 different Special Interest Groups.