Curriculum Vitae

Blood Products Advisory Committee

Francisco J. Rentas, PhD, MS, MT (ASCP), SBB
Chief, Blood Services, Director Education and Training, North Atlantic Regional Medical
Command Blood Manager, Walter Reed Army Medical Center

EDUCATION:

University of Puerto Rico, Cayey, PR, B.S. -- Biology
Bowling Green State University, Bowling, M.S. -- Immunohematology
Green, OH (Fellowship in Blood Banking)
The Catholic University of America, Wash DC, Ph.D. -- Clinical Lab.Science

Professional Position

1982-1984 Blood Bank Technician, Letterman Army Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
1985-1987 Clinical Laboratory NCO, Irwin Army Community Hospital, Fort Riley, KS
1987-1990 Chief, Clinical Laboratory Services, 130th Station Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
1992-1994 Technical Director, Camp Memorial Blood Center, Fort Knox, KY
1994-1997 Director, The Blood Bank Center, Fort Hood, TX
1994-1997 Clinical Instructor, Central Texas College, Killeen, TX
2000-2001 Vice President, Alumni Association of the Blood Bank Fellowship, Washington, DC
2001-2002 Director, Camp Memorial Blood Center, Fort Knox, KY
2002-2003 Assistant Chief, Dept. of Blood Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD
2003-2004 Chief, Dept. of Blood Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD
2002-2004 Adjunct Professor of Pathology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
2003- 2004 President, Alumni Association of the Blood Bank Fellowship, Washington, DC
2004- 2005 Director, US Forces Korea Joint Blood Program, USFK Surgeon’s Office, ROK
2005- Present Chief, Blood Services, Director Education and Training, NARMC Blood Manager, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC
2005- Present Adjunct Professor of Pathology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC

Honors and Awards:

  • Distinguished Honor Graduate, School of Medical Technology, Brooke Army Medical Center
  • Commandant's List (top 20%), Primary Leadership Course
  • Honor Graduate, Officer's Basic Course. Received Commander's Award. Academy of Health Sciences
  • Top 10%, Officer's Advanced Course, Academy of Health Sciences
  • Distinguished Honor Graduate, Blood Bank Fellowship, Walter Reed Army Medical Center
  • Defense Meritorious Service Medal
  • Meritorious Service Medal - 4OLC
  • Army Commendation Medal - 2OLC
  • Army Achievement Medal - 1OLC
  • German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge in Silver
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Korean Defense Service Medal
  • Order of Medical Military Merit Medallion
  • U.S. Army’s Greatest Invention Award 2003 for the "Golden Hour" Container
  • "A" Proficiency Designator in Clinical Laboratory"

Professional Status and Affiliations

  • Certified Medical Technologist, Specialist in Blood Banking
  • American Society of Clinical Pathologists
  • College of American Pathologists Inspector
  • American Association of Blood Banks
  • Society of Armed Forces Medical Laboratory Scientists
  • Manuscript Reviewer, AABB Journal "Transfusion"
  • Member, FDA Blood Products Advisory Committee

Presentations and Publications

  1. Anticoagulant and Time-Dependent Effects on Lymphocyte Phenotypes from Normal Donors and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infected Subjects , Clinical Applications of Flow Cytometry Poster, Charleston, S.C., 1992.
  2. Specificity and Sensitivity Issues Between the Ortho and Abbott Anti-Hepatitis B Core Tests , Kentucky Association of Blood Banks Poster, Louisville, KY, 1994.
  3. Red Blood Cell Transfusions Contaminated with Yersinia enterocolitica -- United States, 1991-1996, and Initiation of a National Study to Detect Bacteria-Associated Transfusion Reactions TJ Halpin, W Moore, SH Waterman, JL Hadler, MD, KR Wilcox, Jr, B Ensign, DM Simpson, KE Toomey, FJ Rentas, DM Dwyer, R Haley. MMWR, 20 Jun 1997, 46(24); 553-555.
  4. Blood type discrepancies on military identification cards and tags: a readiness concern in the U.S. Army . Rentas FJ, Clark PA. Mil Med ., 1999 Nov; 164 (11) 785-787.
  5. Functional Analysis of a "His-Asp Cluster" in the large DNA Packaging/Terminase Protein gp17 from Bacteriophage T4 . Virus/Phage Assembly Conference, Saxton’s River, Vermont, Jul 2000
  6. Evidence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection (Chagas' disease) among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Leiby DA, Rentas FJ, Nelson KE, Stambolis VA, Ness PM, Parnis C, McAllister HA Jr, Yawn DH, Stumpf RJ, Kirchhoff LV. Circulation 2000 Dec 12; 102 (24):2978-85.
  7. Molecular Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of gp17, the large DNA Packaging/Terminase Protein of Bacteriophage T4. XVII International Conference on Virus Assembly, Helsinki, Finland, Jul 2001.
  8. Red cell storage in austere environments . FJ Rentas , V.W. Macdonald. Advanced Technical Applications for Combat Casualty Care Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL Sept. 2002.
  9. Blood research update. American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL Oct 2002.
  10. Increased storage capability of red blood cells during contingency operations. 23rd Army Science Conference, Orlando, FL, Dec 2002.
  11. Platelet substitutes in the management of thrombocytopenia. Reid TJ, Rentas FJ, Ketchum LH. Curr Hematol Rep. 2003 Mar;2(2):165-70.
  12. Development, Design, and Validation of an "Iceless" Container for the Far Forward Storage of Red Blood Cells during Contingency Operations. FJ Rentas , VW Macdonald, DM Houchens, MW Wallace,W Mayer, TJ Reid. Maryland Technology Development Corporation Annual Meeting, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, Mar 2003.
  13. Army Blood Program Lessons Learned and Program Management Workshop. Technology Update. Southbridge, MA, Jul 2003.
  14. The "Golden Hour" Container - A Major Advance in the Transport of Blood and Other Biologics. Advanced Technical Applications for Combat Casualty Care Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL Aug 2003.
  15. Defining the Bacteriophage T4 DNA Packaging Machine: evidence for a C-terminal DNA cleavage domain in the large terminase/packaging protein gp17.Rentas FJ, Rao,V. J Mol Biol, 2003; 334:37-52.
  16. White Particulate Matter found in Terumo Blood Collection Bags Consisted of Mostly Platelets and White Blood Cells. F. Rentas, V. Macdonald, S. Rothwell, S. McFaul, L. Asher, A. Kennedy, P. Hmel, C. Meledandri, J. Salata, R. Harman, T. Reid. Transfusion, 2003 Sept; 43 (9S): SP67.
  17. Inactivation of Orientia tsutsugamuchi in an Animal Model using The INTERCEPT Blood System for Platelets. F. Rentas, L. Lippert, R. Harman, C. Gomez, J. Salata, J. Childs, T. Silva, T. Reid, A. Richards, C. Chan, J. Jiang, K. Dupuis, L. Sawyer. Transfusion, 2003 Sept; 43 (9S): SP141.
  18. An "Iceless" Container Capable of Keeping Red Blood Cells at 1-10 0 C in Austere Environments for Over 78 Hours . F. Rentas, V. Macdonald, D. Houchens, T. Reid, M. Wallace, W. Mayer. Transfusion, 2003 Sept; 43 (9S): SP46.
  19. Post-Thaw Storage Unaffected by the Use of Different Plastic Bags for Freezing Red Blood Cells. F. Rentas , L. Lippert, J. Salata, R. Harman, J. Childs, S. McFaul, T. Reid, A. Colon, J. Holmberg. Transfusion, 2003 Sept; 43 (9S): SP89.
  20. Real-time PCR assay for scrub typhus: evaluation of blood and tissue samples from laboratory animals experimentally infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi. J. Jiang, S. Chattopadhyay, F. Rentas, A. Richards. The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, Dec 2003.
  21. New Insulation Technology Provides Next Generation Containers for "Iceless" and Light-Weight Transport of Red Blood Cells at 1-10 ºC in Austere Environments for Over 78 Hours. F.J. Rentas , V.W.Macdonald, D. M. Houchens, P.J. Hmel, and T.J. Reid. Transfusion, 2004 Feb;44(2):210-6.
  22. White Particulate Matter found in Terumo Blood Collection Bags Consist of Platelets and Leukocytes. F. Rentas, V. Macdonald, S. Rothwell, S. McFaul, L. Asher, A. Kennedy, P. Hmel, C. Meledandri, J. Salata, R. Harman, T. Reid. Transfusion, 2004 Jul; 44(7):959-966.
  23. Inactivation of Orientia tsutsugamushi in Red Blood Cell Suspensions with Riboflavin and Light. F. Rentas , R. Harman, C. Gomez, J. Salata, J. Childs, T. Silva, A. Kennedy, C. Meledandri, AM O’ Sullivan, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; A. Richards, C. Chan, J. Jiang, Naval Medical Research Institute, Silver Spring, MD; H Reddy, R. Goodrich; Navigant Biotechnologies, Inc., Lakewood, CO. Transfusion, 2004 Sept; 44 (9S): SP236
  24. Inactivation of Orientia tsutsugamushi using The INTERCEPT Blood System for Plasma, as Demonstrated in an Animal Model. F. Rentas , R. Harman, C. Gomez, J. Salata, J. Childs, T. Silva, A. Kennedy, C. Meledandri, AM O’ Sullivan, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; A. Richards, C. Chan, J. Jiang, Naval Medical Research Institute, Silver Spring, MD; K. Dupuis, L. Sawyer, Cerus Corporation, Concord, CA. Transfusion, 2004 Sept; 44 (9S): SP249
  25. Post-Thaw Storage of Red Cells Affected by the Use of Different Additive Solutions. F. Rentas , J. Salata, R. Harman, J. Childs, T. Silva, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; D. Koch, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA. Transfusion, 2004 Sept; 44 (9S): SP96
  26. Post-Thaw Storage of Red Cells In Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Plastic Bags Results in Increased Hemolysis. F. Rentas, J. Salata, R. Harman, J. Childs, T. Silva, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; D. Koch, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA. Transfusion, 2004 Sept; 44 (9S): SP97
  27. New Blood Shipping Containers that Maintain Temperature in Environmental Extremes are Potential Collins Box Replacements. V.W. Macdonald, F. Rentas, D.M. Houchens, J. Childs, C. Allen. Advanced Technical Applications for Combat Casualty Care Annual Meeting, St. Petersburg, FL Aug 2004.
  28. New Insulation Technology Provides Next Generation Containers for "Iceless" and Light-Weight Transport of Red Blood Cells at 1-10ºC in Austere Environments for Over 78 Hours. F.J. Rentas , V.W.Macdonald, D. M. Houchens, P.J. Hmel, and T.J. Reid. Clinical Laboratory, 2004, 50, 9+10: 635.
  29. United States Blood Support System in the Republic of Korea during Wartime . Combined Medical Steering Committee Meeting, Republic of Korea Armed Forces Medical Command, Seoul, Korea, June 2005.
  30. An Iceless Replacement Shipping Container for the Collins Box Capable of Keeping Red Blood Cells at 1-10º C for 56 Hours in Austere Environments . VW Macdonald, F Rentas, DM Houchens, DM Leonard, J Flicker, LH Ketchum. Advanced Technical Applications for Combat Casualty Care Annual Meeting, St. Petersburg, FL Aug 2005.
  31. The Joint Blood Program Of The United States Forces, Korea. F. Rentas , 18th Medical Command, Seoul, South Korea. Transfusion, 2005 Sept; 45 (s3): AP120.
  32. Inactivation of Orientia tsutsugamushi in Plasma and Platelets with Riboflavin and Light, as Demonstrated in an Animal Model F. Rentas , R. Harman, C. Gomez, J. Salata, J. Childs, T. Silva, A. Kennedy, C. Meledandri, AM O’ Sullivan, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; A. Richards, C. Chan, J. Jiang, Naval Medical Research Institute, Silver Spring, MD; H Reddy, R. Goodrich; Navigant Biotechnologies, Inc., Lakewood, CO. Transfusion, 2005 Sept; 45 (s3): SP264.
  33. Freezing RBCs Collected by Apheresis after 6 days of Collection H. L. Grose , K.M. Byrne, D.F. Stroncek, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; J.M.Salata, F.J. Rentas, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD. Transfusion, 2005 Sept; 45 (s3): S56-040A.
  34. An Iceless Replacement Shipping Container for the Collins Box Capable of Keeping Red Blood Cells at 1-10ºC up to 60 Hours in Austere Environments. VW Macdonald, FJ Rentas, DM Houchens, DM Leonard, LH Ketchum. Transfusion, 2005 Sept; 45 (s3): SP164.
  35. Blood Donor Collection and Transfusion Practices in the Republic of Korea in 2004. F. Rentas , 18th Medical Command, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Mi-kyung Lee, Korean Red Cross, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Kyou-Sup Han, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Nam, Pil Sun, 121st General Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Transfusion, 2005 Sept; 45 (s3): AP21.
  36. Recent Improvements in the Safety of the Blood Supply in the Republic of Korea . F. Rentas , 18th Medical Command, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Mi-kyung Lee, Korean Red Cross, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Kyou-Sup Han, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Nam, Pil Sun, 121st General Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Transfusion, 2005 Sept; 45 (s3): AP13.
  37. Pathogen Inactivation of Leishmania donovani infantum in Platelet Concentrates with Riboflavin and UV Light. Lisa J Cardo, Francisco J. Rentas, Lloyd Ketchum, Jeanne Salata, Ronald Harman, William Melvin, Peter J Weina, Juan Mendez, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; Heather Reddy, Raymond Goodrich, Navigant Biotechnologies, Lakewood, CO. Transfusion, 2005 Sept; 45 (s3): SP265.
  38. Pathogen Inactivation of Leishmania donovani infantumin Plasma with Riboflavin and UV Light. Lisa J Cardo, Francisco J. Rentas, Lloyd Ketchum, Jeanne Salata, Ronald Harman, William Melvin, Peter J Weina, Juan Mendez, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; Heather Reddy, Raymond Goodrich, Navigant Biotechnologies, Lakewood, CO. Transfusion, 2005 Sept; 45 (s3): SP266.
  39. Pathogen inactivation of Leishmania donovani infantum in plasma and platelet concentrates using riboflavin and ultraviolet light . Lisa J Cardo, Francisco J. Rentas, Lloyd Ketchum, Jeanne Salata, Ronald Harman, William Melvin, Peter J Weina, Juan Mendez, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; Heather Reddy, Raymond Goodrich, Navigant Biotechnologies, Lakewood, CO. Vox Sang. 2006 Feb; 90(2):85-91.
  40. AABB National Blood Inventory Management Conference: Innovative Strategies for Success. New Technologies I: Pathogen Inactivation, HBOCs, Homeostatic agents (frozen and lyophilized), Homeostatic Bandages (chitosan and Quik-Clot), New iceless shipping containers (Golden Hour Container and the MTS Blood Shipment Containers), Francisco J. Rentas, Victor Macdonald. 31 March 2006, Dallas, TX.
  41. In vitro variables of red blood cell components collected by apheresis and frozen 6 and 14 days after collection. Heather L. Grose, Karen M. Byrne, David F. Stroncek, Department of Transfusion Medicine, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD; Jeanne M. Salata, Francisco J. Rentas, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; Transfusion , 2006 Jul; 46 (7), 1178-1183.
  42. Transfusion Challenges on Massively Transfused Soldiers Returning From Iraq. L. Gery, C. Howard, F. Chiricosta, M. DeVan, F. Rentas, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. Transfusion, 2006 Sept; 46: SP364.
  43. Training of Soldiers in Preparation for Apheresis Platelet Collections in Iraq. LTC Richard Gonzales, Army Medical Department Center and School, Ft Sam Houston, TX, LTC Emmett Gourdine, CMBC, Ft Knox KY, LTC Francisco Rentas, CPT Grace Toro, Angela Hall, Lois Feige, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, Thomas Hall, Lockheed Martin/ Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, COL Stephen Beardsley, Office of the Surgeon General, Falls Church, VA. Transfusion, 2006 Sept; 46: A22-020D.
  44. Collecting Single Donor Platelets at a United States Army Combat Support Hospital in Iraq. Emmett Gourdine, Camp Memorial Blood Center, Fort Knox, KY; Noel Webster, United States Army Medical Command, Fort Sam Houston, TX; Jeffery Smith, Lyster Army Community Hospital, Fort Rucker, AL; Gregory Johnson, 10th US Army Combat Support Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq; Vernon Malaer, 86th US Army Combat Support Hospital, Fort Campbell, KY; Johnny Arterson, 10th US Army Combat Support Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq; Richard Gonzales, Combat Development Branch, Fort Sam Houston, TX; Francisco Rentas, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC; Ronny Fryar, Armed Services Blood Program Office, Falls Church, VA. Transfusion, 2006 Sept; 46: AP72.
  45. Inactivation of Orientia tsutsugamushi in Red Blood Cells, Plasma, and Platelets with Riboflavin and Light, as Demonstrated in an Animal Model F. Rentas , R. Harman, C. Gomez, J. Salata, J. Childs, T. Silva, L. Lippert, J. Montgomery. Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD; A. Richards, C. Chan, J. Jiang, Naval Medical Research Institute, Silver Spring, MD; H Reddy,J. Li, R. Goodrich; Navigant Biotechnologies, Inc., Lakewood, CO. Transfusion, 2007 Feb; 47: 240-47.
  46. Analysis Of Department Of Defense Blood Donor Center Services, Processes, and Methods V. McCarthy and F. Rentas, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. Society of Armed Forces Medical Laboratory Scientists Annual Meeting, Boston MA, 26-28 February 2007.
  47. Laboratory Evaluation of Rapid Diagnostic Devices Being Used to Screen Freshly Collected Blood Products in Support of OIF/OEF. MAJ Robert J. O’Connell, , CPT Robert G. Gates, LTC Francisco J. Rentas, LCDR Jennifer A. Malia, Linda L. Jagodzinski, COL Nelson L. Michael, Sheila A. Peel. Advanced Technical Applications for Combat Casualty Care Annual Meeting, St. Petersburg, FL Aug 2007.
  48. An " Iceless" Operating Room Container Capable of Keeping Red Blood Cells at 1-60 C for Over 11 Hours . Francisco J. Rentas, Delories Houchens, Victor W. Macdonald, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD. Transfusion, 2007 Sept; 47: SP152.
 
Updated: June 5, 2008