Areas of expertise
Biography
Number of Peer-Reviewed Publications: 722 (ISI Web of Science All Databases)
H-index: 105
For full list of publications, see
http://apps.webofknowledge.com.ezproxy.utu.fi/Search.do?product=UA&SID=D5GBhXbn6lvOGFpqEaM&search_mode=GeneralSearch&prID=47c1a391-b48e-4785-b6fb-6977327f8bb0
For art:
http://www.pekkavallittuart.com
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Pekka Vallittu has earned his degrees in Dental Technology in 1988, Doctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Philosophy in 1994, received Adjunct Professorship in 1995 and specialized in prosthodontics and stomatognathic physiology (European Prosthodontic Association Recognized Prosthodontist) in 2000. Presently, he is a Full Professorship and Chair of Biomaterials Science in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Finland and works as Dean of the Institute of Dentistry at the University of Turku and as the Director of Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre (http:// www.biomaterials.utu.fi). He holds Honorary Professorship at the University of Hong Kong. He is Doctor of Odontology honoris causa (h.c.) of the University of Eastern Finland. He has also been Board Member of the University of Turku since 2018.
Teaching
Dental education (theoretical and clinical), biomaterial education at different levels
Research
He has been awarded e.g. by the Distinguished Scientist Award in Prosthodontics and Implant Research by the International Association of Dental Research (IADR), the Acta Odontologica Scandinavica Big Prize, the Bensow-Äyräpää Prize and George Winter Award.
SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIETAL IMPACT
Vallittu´s focus of interest was based of dental technology and dentistry in early 1990s which turned the focus to high aspect ratio filler resin composite (FRC) research and this became predominant research area for coming decades. In early 2000s FRC research was expanded to ceramics, bioceramics and bioactive glasses which opened research area of biomineralizing and bioactive non-metallic bone surgery implants. Presently research focus contains also natural based fibers of nanocellulose, biomineralization and hydrogels to be applied in dental restorations and bone implants. By the aforementioned research focuses Vallittu has networked with the experts in the fields of cell biology, bone surgery (oral, CMF, ENT, orthopaedics and neurosurgery) and materials chemistry. One key focus of research has also been in transferring the research findings to clinics via existing or start-up companies and to understand regulatory issues (MDR-EU, FDA) of dental and medical biomaterials. The most recent spin-off activity is in sustainable 3D printing technology platform technology development.
Pekka Vallittu´s h-index is 105 (Google Scholar) and 73 (WOS – Web of Science) and WOS databases list 722 indexed publications for him. Research.com ranks Vallittu to the position of 734 in the world and position 3 in Finland of the best material scientists (https://research.com/university/materials-science/university-of-turku). Vallittu has over 150 granted international patents based on 36 inventions. He has been awarded e.g. by the Distinguished Scientist Award in Prosthodontics and Implant Research by the International Association of Dental Research (IADR), the Acta Odontologica Scandinavica Big Prize, the Bensow-Äyräpää Prize and George Winter Award. He is Fellow of the Academy of Dental Materials.