Dr Nicholas Farr

School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering

Research Fellow

n.t.farr@sheffield.ac.uk

North Campus

Full contact details

Dr Nicholas Farr
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering
North Campus
Broad Lane
Sheffield
S3 7HQ

Profile

After completing undergraduate studies in Human Biology at Loughborough University and Law at BPP Law School, Nicholas joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering as a PhD researcher specialising in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.

His early research focused on developing materials characterisation techniques tailored for the surface analysis of medical devices. Nicholas’s work demonstrated how advanced imaging approaches can elucidate the complex dynamics of cellular interactions with polymeric medical materials. Upon submission of his PhD thesis, he was awarded the EPSRC Prize Research Fellowship, enabling him to undertake independent research in medical device evaluation and instrumentation development.

Currently, Nicholas’s research centres on the innovation of analytical tools designed to improve existing pre-clinical testing methods for medical devices. With expertise in medical device characterisation and testing, he has authored numerous impactful studies, with recent work addressing key clinical challenges such as surgical mesh and breast implants. Working closely with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, the MHRA, the NHS Implant Service, and partners in Germany and Australia, Nicholas’s research seeks to better understand implant degradation and its implications for patient outcomes.

In addition to his Fellowship, Nicholas has contributed to a range of materials characterisation projects funded by the EPSRC, UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), UK Medical Research Council (MRC), and industrial collaborators including Johnson Matthey. His academic career has also been international, having served as a visiting researcher at the University of British Columbia (Canada), Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic), and Monash University (Australia).

Research interests

Analysis of Explanted Medical Devices

Surgical mesh is one of several medical devices that Nicholas has characterised and published studies on. In 2021, he developed and published a study presenting a novel characterisation approach to reveal the mechano–chemical effects of oxidation and dynamic distension on polypropylene surgical mesh. This work was significant in demonstrating that polypropylene surgical mesh is susceptible to oxidative degradation and in elucidating how such degradation influences the functional performance. Following this study, Nicholas has published a series of complementary papers detailing the mechanisms of oxidative degradation in polypropylene surgical mesh. These include the first studies to characterise, quantify, and identify particles released from polypropylene mesh under oxidative stress; to analyse titanium-coated polypropylene surgical mesh explanted from patients; to culture macrophages (immune cells) directly onto surgical mesh; to mitigate surface cracking and crazing through plasma modification; and to demonstrate time-related degradation of polypropylene surgical mesh within the body.

He continues to advance research in this field in collaboration with internationally recognised clinicians and academics from institutions including NHS Teaching Hospital Trusts, the Institute for Pathology at Düren Hospital, University of Witten Herdecke, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology, New York Structural Biology Centre, University of Queensland, University of Newcastle, Freeman Hospital, and University Hospitals KU Leuven.

Policy, Regulation, and Patient Safety

Nicholas’s interests extend beyond the laboratory, reflecting a commitment to ensuring that research outcomes contribute to policy development and public understanding. He has published several commentaries advocating for updates to existing legislation, including proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, to better address the complexities of modern medical devices and patient safety.

He has also engaged directly with government departments and contributed written evidence to parliamentary inquiries. Most recently to the Women’s Health and Equality Committee investigation into breast implant safety and cosmetic regulation. His contributions have informed ongoing discussions on regulatory frameworks governing medical implants and post-market surveillance.

Driven by a commitment to patient engagement, Nicholas collaborates closely with patient groups and charities, facilitating open discussions on medical device safety and performance. These conversations provide valuable insights that not only guide his research but also help shape more patient-centred regulatory and scientific approaches.

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Media

Nicholas is actively involved in disseminating his research to the public. He has authored numerous public-facing articles and has contributed to platforms such as Sky News Radio. Nicholas regularly engages with the general public and patient groups interested in his research, resulting in Q&A articles that provide valuable insights. Additionally, Nicholas has contributed to documentaries, sharing his passion for science and engineering. He collaborated on the BBC 4 Documentary series "The Secrets of Size: Going Small" and a series called “Engineering Reborn” premiering on Channel 4 - also available on BBC Earth (worldwide) and SDS (Australia).