Robert M. Pilliar

Dr. Pilliar is Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto with ongoing research in the field of biomaterials. He holds cross-appointments in the Faculty of Dentistry and the Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering (IBBME). A graduate of the University of Toronto (BASc, Engineering Physics, 1961), he completed his PhD training in England (Leeds University, 1965) followed by two years at McMaster University as a Post Doctoral Fellow prior to a period in industry (International Nickel, NY and Ontario Research Foundation, Sheridan Park, ON). He joined the University of Toronto in 1978 supervising graduate research activities primarily in biomaterials on implant preparation for orthopaedic and dental applications. He has published over 200 papers in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters and other publications, been granted a number of patents related to development of orthopaedic and dental implants and has been an invited speaker at many scientific meetings internationally. He has served as supervisor or co-supervisor for over 60 graduate and undergraduate students and continues to serve on graduate student committees to the present.

During his tenure as Full Professor at the University, his administrative responsibilities included periods as Director of the Centre for Biomaterials (predecessor to IBBME), Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Dentistry and Associate Director in the Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering. For his research on bone-interfacing implants, he was awarded the Clemson Award for Applied Biomaterials Research by the US Society for Biomaterials in 1989 and named a Fellow, Biomaterials Science and Engineering in 1996. His current research is focused primarily on design, fabrication and use of biodegradable ceramic implant structures for forming novel implants for orthopaedic and dental applications.