Prof. Vassilios Sikavitsas | Chemical Engineering | Best Researcher Award
Professor at University of Oklahoma, United States
Professor Vassilios I. Sikavitsas is a distinguished researcher and educator in biomedical and chemical engineering at the University of Oklahoma. With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from SUNY Buffalo and postdoctoral experience at Rice University, his work focuses on tissue engineering, cancer therapeutics, and bioreactor technologies. He has authored numerous high-impact publications and holds patents related to bone tissue engineering and scaffold design. Recognized multiple times as Best Professor by chemical engineering students, he has also mentored award-winning graduate researchers. His research bridges fundamental science and clinical application, notably in cancer exosome-based therapies and dynamic in vitro tumor models. Sikavitsas actively contributes to the scientific community through editorial board service and memberships in leading professional societies such as AIChE, BMES, and TERMIS. His commitment to interdisciplinary innovation, student development, and translational impact positions him as a leading figure in his field and a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Professional Profile
Education
Professor Vassilios I. Sikavitsas holds a strong academic foundation in chemical engineering. He earned his Ph.D. (2000) and M.S. (1995) in Chemical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he built his expertise in biomaterials and tissue engineering. Prior to his graduate studies in the United States, he obtained a Diploma in Chemical Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1991. His educational trajectory reflects a progressive focus on biomedical applications within engineering, which laid the groundwork for his future research in regenerative medicine and bioreactor technologies. This combination of classical chemical engineering training and biomedical specialization has enabled him to operate at the intersection of engineering and life sciences, a hallmark of his interdisciplinary research. The international scope of his education also contributes to his broad perspective on engineering challenges and biomedical innovation.
Professional Experience
Professor Sikavitsas has built a distinguished academic career at the University of Oklahoma, where he currently serves as a Professor in the School of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering and is affiliated with the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Technology. He joined the university as an Assistant Professor in 2002 and was progressively promoted to Associate Professor in 2008 and Full Professor in 2015. His academic journey began with a postdoctoral research appointment in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University from 2000 to 2002, where he deepened his expertise in tissue engineering. Throughout his academic appointments, he has established a dynamic and productive research laboratory, collaborated across disciplines, and contributed significantly to curriculum development in bioengineering. In addition to his academic duties, he serves on editorial boards and remains active in professional societies, enhancing his engagement with the broader scientific and engineering communities.
Research Interest
Professor Sikavitsas’s research is centered around tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, cancer biology, and bioreactor design. He specializes in the development of 3D biomimetic scaffolds, dynamic in vitro tumor models, and bone tissue constructs using advanced flow perfusion systems. His work investigates the role of mechanical stimulation and surface modifications in cell differentiation and tissue regeneration. In recent years, he has expanded into cutting-edge cancer research, exploring exosome-based drug delivery systems and tumor-immune interactions. His interdisciplinary projects bridge chemical engineering principles with biomedical applications, contributing to both fundamental understanding and clinical translation. Notable innovations include US patents on scaffold technology and tissue construct production. With an emphasis on bioreactor modeling and oxygen transport optimization, his work has practical implications in both regenerative therapies and anti-cancer strategies. His lab’s ability to combine experimental and computational methods distinguishes his contributions in the field of biomedical engineering.
Award and Honor
Professor Sikavitsas has received numerous awards and recognitions that reflect his excellence in research, teaching, and mentorship. He has been honored multiple times as the “Best Chemical Engineering Professor” by senior undergraduate students at the University of Oklahoma, recognizing his dedication to teaching and student engagement. As a research advisor, he has mentored students who have won prestigious accolades, including the Biomedical Engineering Society’s Best Dissertation Award and several Best Poster Awards at regional and national conferences. His achievements are further highlighted by multiple editorial board appointments in respected journals like the Journal of Functional Biomaterials and Scientifica (tissue engineering section). Additionally, his professional affiliations with AIChE, BMES, the Biomaterials Society, and TERMIS underscore his standing in the scientific community. These recognitions demonstrate his well-rounded excellence as a researcher, educator, and mentor, making him a strong role model and leader in his academic field.
Conclusion
Professor Vassilios I. Sikavitsas is a highly accomplished researcher and educator whose work bridges chemical engineering and biomedical science. His academic background, combined with over two decades of professional experience, has positioned him as a leader in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and cancer therapeutic research. His innovative work on bioreactors, scaffolds, and cancer exosomes has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications, patents, and awards. Equally committed to mentorship and education, he has been recognized for excellence in teaching and for guiding students toward national-level accolades. His involvement in editorial boards and leading scientific societies demonstrates a commitment to the advancement of science and engineering at large. Professor Sikavitsas’s sustained contributions to both research and academic service, along with his interdisciplinary impact, make him a compelling candidate for honors such as the Best Researcher Award. His career reflects a balance of innovation, collaboration, and academic leadership.
Publications Top Notes
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Title: Fluid flow increases mineralized matrix deposition in 3D perfusion culture of marrow stromal osteoblasts in a dose-dependent manner
Authors: GN Bancroft, VI Sikavitsas, J Van Den Dolder, TL Sheffield, CG Ambrose, et al.
Year: 2002
Citations: 901 -
Title: Biomaterials and bone mechanotransduction
Authors: VI Sikavitsas, JS Temenoff, AG Mikos
Year: 2001
Citations: 815 -
Title: Mineralized matrix deposition by marrow stromal osteoblasts in 3D perfusion culture increases with increasing fluid shear forces
Authors: VI Sikavitsas, GN Bancroft, HL Holtorf, JA Jansen, AG Mikos
Year: 2003
Citations: 595 -
Title: Formation of three‐dimensional cell/polymer constructs for bone tissue engineering in a spinner flask and a rotating wall vessel bioreactor
Authors: VI Sikavitsas, GN Bancroft, AG Mikos
Year: 2002
Citations: 541 -
Title: Design of a flow perfusion bioreactor system for bone tissue-engineering applications
Authors: GN Bancroft, VI Sikavitsas, AG Mikos
Year: 2003
Citations: 529 -
Title: In vitro generated extracellular matrix and fluid shear stress synergistically enhance 3D osteoblastic differentiation
Authors: N Datta, QP Pham, U Sharma, VI Sikavitsas, JA Jansen, AG Mikos
Year: 2006
Citations: 521 -
Title: Effect of flow perfusion on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells cultured on starch‐based three‐dimensional scaffolds
Authors: ME Gomes, VI Sikavitsas, E Behravesh, RL Reis, AG Mikos
Year: 2003
Citations: 468 -
Title: Effect of bone extracellular matrix synthesized in vitro on the osteoblastic differentiation of marrow stromal cells
Authors: N Datta, HL Holtorf, VI Sikavitsas, JA Jansen, AG Mikos
Year: 2005
Citations: 388 -
Title: Flow perfusion enhances the calcified matrix deposition of marrow stromal cells in biodegradable nonwoven fiber mesh scaffolds
Authors: VI Sikavitsas, GN Bancroft, JJ Lemoine, MAK Liebschner, M Dauner, et al.
Year: 2005
Citations: 247 -
Title: Flow perfusion culture of marrow stromal osteoblasts in titanium fiber mesh
Authors: J van den Dolder, GN Bancroft, VI Sikavitsas, PHM Spauwen, JA Jansen, et al.
Year: 2003
Citations: 205 -
Title: Pre‐culture period of mesenchymal stem cells in osteogenic media influences their in vivo bone forming potential
Authors: H Castano‐Izquierdo, J Álvarez‐Barreto, J Dolder, JA Jansen, AG Mikos, et al.
Year: 2007
Citations: 203 -
Title: Tuning the biomimetic behavior of scaffolds for regenerative medicine through surface modifications
Authors: NR Richbourg, NA Peppas, VI Sikavitsas
Year: 2019
Citations: 196 -
Title: Flow perfusion improves seeding of tissue engineering scaffolds with different architectures
Authors: JF Alvarez-Barreto, SM Linehan, RL Shambaugh, VI Sikavitsas
Year: 2007
Citations: 171 -
Title: Polypyrrole thin films formed by admicellar polymerization support the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: H Castano, EA O’Rear, PS McFetridge, VI Sikavitsas
Year: 2004
Citations: 158 -
Title: Influence of the in vitro culture period on the in vivo performance of cell/titanium bone tissue‐engineered constructs using a rat cranial critical size defect model
Authors: VI Sikavitsas, J Dolder, GN Bancroft, JA Jansen, AG Mikos
Year: 2003
Citations: 150