Chris Mason, MBBS, PhD, FRCS
Professor
Regenerative Medicine Bioprocessing
Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering
University College London
London, United Kingdom
Professor Chris Mason is internationally recognised to be at the forefront of the emerging field of cell therapy and regenerative medicine translation and commercialisation. A background in basic science, clinical medicine, bioprocessing and business allows Chris a unique insight and understanding of the challenges facing the cell-based therapy sector as it grows into a competitive and sustainable global healthcare industry.
Chris holds a Clinical Sciences degree from Imperial College London, a Medical degree from the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St. Thomas’s Hospitals (now King’s College London) and a PhD under the supervision of Prof. Peter Dunnill in tissue-engineering bioprocessing from University College London.
Following graduation, Chris specialised in surgery and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons both of England and in Ireland. Today, after a transition from clinical practice to translational research, he holds a Personal Chair in Regenerative Medicine Bioprocessing, leads the Regenerative Medicine Bioprocess Group in the UCL Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering and is on the Steering Committee for the UCL Centre for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine. Other responsibilities include; being Senior Editor of "Regenerative Medicine" journal, Trustee of the UK Stem Cell Foundation (UKSCF), co-founder and Director of the London Regenerative Medicine Network (LRMN) - the world’s first and largest regenerative medicine network, member of the UK-Israel Life Sciences Council, member of the Biologicals and Vaccines Expert Advisory Group of the Commission on Human Medicines, and member of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Monographs - Biologics & Biotechnology Expert Committee.
Chris is on a number of national and international committees, working groups and initiatives related to the academic, clinical and commercial advancement of cell-based therapies and tissue engineering including; Chair of the BIA Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine Industry Group (RIG) and member of the ISSCR Industry Committee, the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) Communication & Education Committee and ISCT Commercialization Committee. Specifically he has a broad range of expertise in commercial consultancy and is on the Scientific Advisory Boards of several companies based in North America. On many occasions Chris has acted as a general spokesperson for the sector including many newspaper, radio and TV interviews plus frequent news briefings.
Having won several awards, Chris was particularly delighted to have had the opportunity in 2007 to give a Royal Institution of Great Britain, Friday Evening Discourse - "Therapeutic potential of human stem cells: promise and pitfalls".
