UNIONDALE, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 9, 2026 / Marquis Who's Who honors Roland N. Pittman, PhD, for his expertise in cardiovascular physiology. As a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and a preeminent figure in cardiovascular physiology, Dr. Pittman is celebrated for a career spanning more than 50 years of dedicated research, teaching and groundbreaking scientific achievement.

About Dr. Roland N. Pittman

Dr. Pittman's most important scientific contribution is his world-class knowledge of oxygen transport. He invented a highly sophisticated method that lets researchers directly observe red blood cells under a microscope and, by shining different-colored lights through blood vessels, precisely measure the amount of oxygen hemoglobin carries. He has collaborated with other scientists to develop better ways to store donated blood, significantly extending its shelf life. As a committed educator, he is the author of the book "Regulation of Tissue Oxygenation" and hundreds of published research papers.

A professor for more than five decades, Dr. Pittman joined Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 1974 and has been heavily focused on research, though he also dedicates significant time to teaching and administrative duties. He teaches students across various levels, including undergraduate, graduate and medical, in cardiovascular physiology. He also instructs biomedical engineering students.

Dr. Pittman's career began with an unexpected change of direction. After earning a bachelor's degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1966 and a Doctor of Philosophy in high-energy physics from Stony Brook University, he chose to shift his focus entirely. Though he had no prior background in the field, he began applying his knowledge of physics to the biomedical sciences. His ambition led him to a successful postdoctoral research position at the University of Virginia, which ultimately paved the way for his long and impactful tenure at VCU.

Dr. Pittman's work has earned him numerous awards throughout his career, including the Kurofune Research Award at the 10th World Congress for Microcirculation in 2015 and the Eugene M. Landis Research Award from The Microcirculatory Society in 2012. VCU has repeatedly honored his teaching excellence with multiple Outstanding Teacher Awards and the Distinguished Mentor Award. He was also a finalist for the Outstanding Faculty Awards from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia in 2005 and 2007. Dr. Pittman is additionally an Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award honoree through Marquis Who's Who.

Dr. Pittman credits his success to a deep, lifelong curiosity. He encourages his graduate students to maintain that trait and focus on the basic principles of how things work. His current advice to those entering his field is to stay curious and focus on understanding how things work.

Looking Ahead

Looking to the future, Dr. Pittman is dedicated to finding alternative substances to replace blood, motivated by ongoing blood shortages. He aims to develop artificial blood that is both safe and affordable. As a respected leader in his professional community, he holds the title of fellow in organizations such as the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering and the Cardiovascular Section of the American Physiological Society. He is also a senior member and fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society and previously served as president of the Microcirculatory Society.

Outside of his professional life, Dr. Pittman is an avid choir singer and volunteers for the American Heart Association. He also enjoys running and reading both scientific biographies and thriller novels.

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SOURCE: Marquis Who's Who