Professor Geoff Richards

FLSW, FBSE, FIOR

Overview

Prof. Richards is the Director of the AO Research Institute (ARI) in Davos, Switzerland, the largest institute of its kind in the world. Since its foundation, ARI has made scientific discoveries that have significantly changed the ways bone fractures are managed. Under his leadership, this institute has grown to over 100 scientists from around the world, with multidisciplinary expertise in musculoskeletal medicine, including bioengineering, regenerative medicine, and biomaterials. ARI serves as a critically important training site for medical students becoming life-long scientists and surgical trainees preparing for a career as surgeon-scientists. Some field-altering discoveries and innovations in the past 10 years include clinically necessary fracture-healing monitoring sensors, bioactive gels, and locally-impregnated biomaterials to treat musculoskeletal infections. Prof. Richards has revolutionized many of the institution's processes, ranging from patent generation to funding and educational opportunities to the creation of a novel open-access journal. He has created an environment that fosters and financially enables creative work. Additionally, the ARI supports the scientific education of nearly 60,000 surgeons globally through over 800 annual courses.

Innovation in Translation

Prof Richard's research work on metal implant interfaces in the trauma area of orthopaedics translated to major improvements in the design and manufacture of fracture fixation products, not only with Synthes (now DPS from Johnson & Johnson) but also seen in many companies since. The control of tissue interactions through developed surface micro-topographies for prevention of tendon, muscle or nerve adhesion to implant surfaces in trauma has led to vastly improved clinical outcomes in many subspecialty areas.

Innovation in Publishing

In 1999 then Dr Richards co-founded eCM journal (with Iolo ap Gwynn / Godfried Roomans), the first online only open access journal in the fields of Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine and Orthopaedics, a pioneer in open access publishing. This concept disrupted the publishing field in science and was part of the push on major publishers to be available with early views online, which is now standard practice. This initiated the first version of the transparent review process in 1999 through eCM, where reviewers are named on accepted manuscripts as part of the discussion with reviewers section. This also initiated a transparent route to becoming a member of the eCM International Review Panel. The journal is a leader in the orthopaedics field. Since 1999 where Richards has been co-webmaster, co-web editor and Editor-in-Chief. (eCM ISSN:1473-2262; NLM:100973416 ; DOI:10.22203/eCM).

Innovation in Societies

In 2016 Prof Richards founded the International College of Fellows for the International Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies (ICORS), where he is a member of the ICORS Board. He developed the charter and the rules for the ICORS constituent members for nomination of fellows to the College. ICORS is an alliance of national societies from around the world which aims to promote basic, translational, and musculoskeletal research worldwide. Nominees to become Fellows are selected by individual constituent societies and nominated to the ICORS board. The ICORS Board then elect Fellows to be recognized with the honorary status of Fellow of International Orthopaedic Research (FIOR) of the ICORS International College of Fellows in the ICORS world meeting every three years. He also created the list of roles and responsibilities for the College. Nominees selected should display a status of excellent professional standing and high achievements in the field of orthopaedic research. Nominees are recognized for their accomplishments and as role models among their peers. FIOR honorees shall foster professional interactions among each other and ICORS members, with research and medical practitioners, regulatory and legislative offices, and will promote public awareness of the profession of orthopaedic research and promote and encourage professional and continuing education in orthopaedic research. The creation of this College for a true international alliance of societies was a task which, in addition to high global scientific standing and respect, required cultural diplomatic skills that he has built up with within numerous international networks over the years.

Innovation: AO Research Institute Davos (ARI)

• Supervised 15 PhD's, 15 Masters, 4 medical / vet thesis's and 2 diploma thesis's. As Director of AO Research Institute Davos (ARI), Responsible for annual budget of 13.6 million CHF (2017), 20-25% of which is extramurally acquired (2017 ARI brought in 3 million CHF extramural funding). FTE 55 permanent and around 70 non-permanent. Created ARI medical research fellowships which are highly competitive and attracts resident and senior surgeons from around the world to spend 6-12 months at the Institute involved in preclinical research. Both scientists and medical research fellows also apply for external funding mechanisms to join us (from scholarships etc.) from several months to a year and we have had a good number join ARI in recent years.
• Brought the ARI into international standard ISO 9001:2008 and institute's Biomedical Services Program additionally certified as a medical device manufacturer according to EN ISO 13485:2012. ARI is one of the very few academic research organizations to have achieved this certification. In 2017 an audit conducted by the Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems (SQS) has led to the successful certification according to the revised standards ISO 9001:2015 (Focus Areas Biomechanical Services and Concept Development of the Biomedical Development Program are additionally certified to develop and test medical device according to the completely revised EN ISO 13485:2016).
• Brought the ARI's Preclinical Facility to be accredited by AAALAC International in early 2013. The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC), is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. ARI is one of only 2 accredited institutions in Switzerland, and the only accredited academic Research Institute in Switzerland.
• Achieved ARI's GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) level in February 2016, where ARI is listed as a GLP compliant test facility. Recertification was granted for the next 3 years in 2017 under biocompability and efficacy with medical devices and pharmaceuticals.