Research lines or specialties:
SIMULATED NEURONAL NETWORKS, BIOLOGICAL SIGNALS PROCESSING, BIOENGINEERING, BIOMATERIALS, TISSUE ENGINEERING, SURFACE ANALYSIS, ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANTS, DENTAL IMPLANTS, TITANIUM OSTEOINTEGRATION, HEAVY DIFFERENTIATION
Summary of resume:
Bachelor’s Degree: Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Technological University of Panama (2006); Master: Engineering and Materials Science, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech, 2011); PhD: Georgia Tech Bioengineering (2012). Dr. Gittens investigates the role of the nanostructural and electrical properties of biomaterials in the processes of cell differentiation. His work has resulted in two patents for the superficial nano-modification of titanium implants, more than 15 publications in high-impact journals, co-authorship on a book chapter, and prestigious recognition at conferences. Currently Dr. Gittens is working as a researcher at INDICASAT-AIP in the development of new regenerative medicine therapies through the use of biomaterials and stem cells. He also serves as the National Coordinator of ARCAL, promoted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Finally, Dr. Gittens has worked as a consultant for Biotechnology companies in the development of nanotechnology manufacturing processes and for law firms in the writing of opinions and technical documents.
Premios:
- Becario nacional para estudios doctorales IFARHU-SENACYT por excelencia académica
- Premio Georgia Tech Tower Award 2011 por altos logros académicos durante MSc/PhD
- Premio Joven Investigador (Grupo de Implantológica) en la Conferencia IADR 2012 & 2011
- Premio Georgia Tech Best BioE Student Paper, 2012
- Premios SAIC: Student Paper Award y Best Presentation Award, 2011
- Mención Honorífica Student Travel Achievement Recognition (STAR), Conferencia SFB 2011
- Premio de Excelencia Estudiantil por póster en la Conferencia SIBF Biointerface 2010
- Miembro del Capítulo de Honor “Sigma Lambda” con índice de 2.72 en base a 3.0
- Premiado con la Medalla “Guillermo Andrave”: Primer puesto de Secundaria
Selected publications:
Lee CS, Hermann CD, Gittens RA, Olivares-Navarrete R, Schwartz Z, Boyan BD. Bone bioengineering: scaffolds, growth factors and stem cells. In: Huang GTJ, Thesleff I, editors. Stem cells in craniofacial development and regeneration. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2013. p. 341-366.
Gittens Ibacache RA, Sandhage KH, Tannenbaum R, Schwartz Z, Boyan BD. Surface modification of implant devices (Gaseous Heat Treatment), 2013. US Patent US13/575,540
Gittens Ibacache RA, Vernon J, Sandhage KH, Boyan BD. Surface Modification of Implant Devices (Microwave Hidrothermal Treatment), 2013. US Patent PCT/US2012/068469.
Gittens RA, McLachlan T, Olivares-Navarrete R, Cai Y, Berner S, Tannenbaum R, et al. The effects of combined micron-/submicron-scale surface roughness and nanoscale features on cell proliferation and differentiation. 2011;32(13):3395-3403. (PMID: 21310480)
Gittens RA, Olivares-Navarrete R, McLachlan T, Cai Y, Hyzy SL, Schneider JM, Schwartz Z, et al. Differential responses of osteoblast lineage cells to nanotopographically-modified, microroughened titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy surfaces. Biomaterials. 2012;33(35):8986-94 (PMID: 22989383).
Gittens RA, Olivares-Navarrete R, Rettew R, Butera RJ, Alamgir FM, et al. Electrical polarization of titanium surfaces for the enhancement of osteoblast differentiation. Bioelectromagnetics. 2013. 34(8):599-612 (PMID: 23996899).
Gittens RA, Olivares-Navarrete R, Schwartz Z, Boyan BD. Implant osseointegration and the role of microroughness and nanostructures: Lessons for spine implants. Acta Biomater. 2014;10(8):3363-71 (PMID: 24721613)
Wang X, Gittens RA, Song R, Tannenbaum R, Olivares-Navarrete R, Schwartz Z, et al. Effects of structural properties of electrospun TiO2 nanofiber meshes on their osteogenic potential. Acta Biomater. 2012;8:878-85. (PMID: 22075122).
Thesis in process:
Principal tutor of students of the Doctorate Program in Biotechnology (INDICASAT- Acharya Nagarjuna University)
- Daniel Torres Mendoza. Chemical interactions of bacteria associated with marine invertebrates: Discovery of new compounds with Biomedical potential.
- Christopher Boya. Compounds with biomedical potential of actinomycetes associated with Atin ants.
- Christian Martin. Exploring the secondary biological and chemical diversity of bacteria associated with the skin of amphibians from Panama, Librada Atencio. Genomics-guided discovery of natural products of Pseudoalteromonas species associated with marine invertebrates.
- Candelario Rodríguez. Chemistry and biomedical potential of natural products from poison frogs.
Rolando Gittens, PhD
Highest degree of studies: PhD Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA, 2012
Category: Research Engineer
SNI Level: : National Researcher Category II
Contact information:
E-mail: rgittens@indicasat.org.pa