Alejandro Almarza

  • (2005) Mary Frances Dunnam Morse Graduate Fellowship in Biosciences (Rice University).
  • (2005) 1st Place Student Poster Competition (Rice University).
  • (2004) Biomedical Engineering Society Travel Award (Rice University).
  • (2001) Summa Cum Laude.
  • (2000) 2nd Place Student Podium Competition AICHE Southern Regional Conference (Florida State University).
  • (2000) National Starch and Chemical Scholarship (Florida State University).
  • (1998) Golden Key National Honor Society Central Missouri State University.
  • (1997 - 2001) Dean’s List (6 semesters) (Florida State University).

  • Ph.D, Bioengineering, Rice University, 2001 - 2005
  • B.S., Chemical Engineering, Florida State University, 1998 - 2001

  • Socorro, M., Dong, X., Trbojevic, S., Chung, W., Brown, B.N., & Almarza, A. (2025). The goat as a model for temporomandibular joint disc replacement: Techniques for scaffold fixation. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 63(2), 91-97.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2024.10.233.
  • Chin, A.R., Taboas, J.M., & Almarza, A.J. (2021). Regenerative Potential of Mandibular Condyle Cartilage and Bone Cells Compared to Costal Cartilage Cells When Seeded in Novel Gelatin Based Hydrogels. Ann Biomed Eng, 49(5), 1353-1363.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s10439-020-02674-y.
  • Chin, A.R., Gao, J., Wang, Y., Taboas, J.M., & Almarza, A.J. (2018). Regenerative Potential of Various Soft Polymeric Scaffolds in the Temporomandibular Joint Condyle. J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 76(9), 2019-2026.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2018.02.012.
  • Lowe, J., & Almarza, A.J. (2017). A review of in-vitro fibrocartilage tissue engineered therapies with a focus on the temporomandibular joint. Arch Oral Biol, 83, 193-201.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2017.07.013.
  • Henderson, S.E., Lowe, J.R., Tudares, M.A., Gold, M.S., & Almarza, A.J. (2015). Temporomandibular joint fibrocartilage degeneration from unilateral dental splints. Arch Oral Biol, 60(1), 1-11.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2014.08.022.
  • Henderson, S.E., Tudares, M.A., Tashman, S., & Almarza, A.J. (2015). Decreased Temporomandibular Joint Range of Motion in a Model of Early Osteoarthritis in the Rabbit. J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 73(9), 1695-1705.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2015.03.042.
  • Henderson, S.E., Desai, R., Tashman, S., & Almarza, A.J. (2014). Functional analysis of the rabbit temporomandibular joint using dynamic biplane imaging. J Biomech, 47(6), 1360-1367.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.01.051.
  • Henderson, S.E., Verdelis, K., Maiti, S., Pal, S., Chung, W.L., Chou, D.T., Kumta, P.N., & Almarza, A.J. (2014). Magnesium alloys as a biomaterial for degradable craniofacial screws. Acta Biomater, 10(5), 2323-2332.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.12.040.
  • Almarza, A.J., Hagandora, C.K., & Henderson, S.E. (2011). Animal models of temporomandibular joint disorders: implications for tissue engineering approaches. Ann Biomed Eng, 39(10), 2479-2490.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s10439-011-0364-8.
  • Hsu, S.L., Liang, R., & Woo, S.L. (2010). Functional tissue engineering of ligament healing. Sports Med Arthrosc Rehabil Ther Technol, 2, (p. 12).England. doi: 10.1186/1758-2555-2-12.
  • Nguyen, T.D., Liang, R., Woo, S.L.Y., Burton, S.D., Wu, C., Almarza, A., Sacks, M.S., & Abramowitch, S. (2009). Effects of cell seeding and cyclic stretch on the fiber remodeling in an extracellular matrix-derived bioscaffold. Tissue Eng Part A, 15(4), 957-963.SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1089/ten.tea.2007.0384.
  • Almarza, A.J., Augustine, S.M., & Woo, S.L.Y. (2008). Changes in gene expression of matrix constituents with respect to passage of ligament and tendon fibroblasts. Ann Biomed Eng, 36(12), 1927-1933.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s10439-008-9565-1.
  • Almarza, A.J., Yang, G., Woo, S.L.Y., Nguyen, T., & Abramowitch, S.D. (2008). Positive changes in bone marrow-derived cells in response to culture on an aligned bioscaffold. Tissue Eng Part A, 14(9), 1489-1495.SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1089/ten.tea.2007.0422.
  • Liang, R., Woo, S.L.Y., Nguyen, T.D., Liu, P.C., & Almarza, A. (2008). Effects of a bioscaffold on collagen fibrillogenesis in healing medial collateral ligament in rabbits. J Orthop Res, 26(8), 1098-1104.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/jor.20616.
  • (2006). Evaluation of three growth factors in combinations of two for TMJ disc tissue engineering,. Archives of Oral Biology, 51, 215-221.
  • (2006). Biochemical content and distribution in the porcine temporomandibular joint disc. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 44, 124-128.
  • Almarza, A.J., & Athanasiou, K.A. (2006). Effects of hydrostatic pressure on TMJ disc cells. Tissue Eng, 12(5), 1285-1294.SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1089/ten.2006.12.1285.
  • Bean, A.C., Almarza, A.J., & Athanasiou, K.A. (2006). Effects of ascorbic acid concentration on the tissue engineering of the temporomandibular joint disc. Proc Inst Mech Eng H, 220(3), 439-447.SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1243/09544119JEIM51.
  • Detamore, M.S., Hegde, J.N., Wagle, R.R., Almarza, A.J., Montufar-Solis, D., Duke, P.J., & Athanasiou, K.A. (2006). Cell type and distribution in the porcine temporomandibular joint disc. J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 64(2), 243-248.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2005.10.009.
  • Woo, S.L.Y. (2006). Functional tissue engineering of ligaments and tendons. CYTOTHERAPY, 8, (p. 13).Springer Nature. doi: 10.1186/1758-2555-2-12.
  • Almarza, A.J., & Athanasiou, K.A. (2005). Effects of initial cell seeding density for the tissue engineering of the temporomandibular joint disc. Ann Biomed Eng, 33(7), 943-950.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s10439-005-3311-8.
  • Detamore, M.S., Orfanos, J.G., Almarza, A.J., French, M.M., Wong, M.E., & Athanasiou, K.A. (2005). Quantitative analysis and comparative regional investigation of the extracellular matrix of the porcine temporomandibular joint disc. Matrix Biol, 24(1), 45-57.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.matbio.2004.11.006.
  • (2004). Seeding techniques and scaffolding choice for the tissue engineering of the temporomandibular joint disc. Tissue Engineering, 10(-12)), 1787-95.
  • (2004). The TMJ disc: Tissue engineering concerns and current efforts. TMJ Science, 12, 1285-94.
  • Almarza, A.J., & Athanasiou, K.A. (2004). Design characteristics for the tissue engineering of cartilaginous tissues. Ann Biomed Eng, 32(1), 2-17.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1023/b:abme.0000007786.37957.65.
  • Almarza, A.J., & Athanasiou, K.A. (2004). Seeding techniques and scaffolding choice for tissue engineering of the temporomandibular joint disk. Tissue Eng, 10, (pp. 1787-1795).SAGE Publications.United States. doi: 10.1089/ten.2004.10.1787.
Research Interests
Biomedical engineering Dentistry Sports science and exercise Control engineering, mechatronics and robotics Public health Clinical sciences
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Contact Alejandro Almarza
Professor
Associate Professor
alejandro.almarza@pitt.edu
Work: (412) 648-3101