Following an exhaustive national search, Techshot has hired Eugene Boland, Ph.D., as chief scientist, replacing the retiring Paul Todd, Ph.D., who has been named chief scientist emeritus for the technology development company.

“We’ve looked for years for someone with Gene’s credentials,” said Techshot President and CEO Mark Deuser. “Our broad spectrum of customers will be well served by his unique combination of academic and professional qualifications.”

Boland earned a bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering from Marquette University in 1994 and a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004.

For nearly 20 years, his work has focused on the development of engineering solutions for cardiovascular diseases as well as chronic wounds. His materials expertise extends from bioinert metals and ceramics to bioactive and bioresorbable electrospun polymers and proteins.

Prior to joining Techshot, Boland held senior engineering positions with companies such as St. Jude Medical Inc., Cordis (a Johnson & Johnson Co.) and Cryolife. More recently he served as principal scientist at Tissue Genesis Inc. and chief of regenerative medicine at the University of Louisville’s Cardiovascular Innovation Institute.

Combining his past expertise in materials with his current research utilizing adipose-derived microvascular and adult stem cells (ADSCs), Boland has developed an epicardial heart patch for micro-coronary artery vascular grafts, as well as initiated clinical trials to advance the therapeutic use of ADSCs for peripheral and coronary vascular diseases.

He has also co-developed ADSC-specific digestion solutions for clinical and research applications, as well as developed applications and delivery systems for ADSCs in regenerative medicine and wound healing. He has published 15 articles in peer-reviewed journals and written five book chapters and holds two U.S. patents.