University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry - United States
AUTHOR PROFILE
🌟 PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Amanda Rodriguez Betancourt stands as a distinguished Doctor of Dental Surgery whose journey began at Universidad Santa María in Venezuela. Her commitment to dental excellence led her to specialize in Periodontics and achieve a master’s degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia. Throughout her decade-long career, Amanda has combined advanced periodontal microsurgery techniques with state-of-the-art imaging tools like CBCT, ultrasound, and laser speckle imaging. Her academic curiosity and dedication to interdisciplinary teamwork are reflected in her role as a Research Fellow and Assistant Program Director at the University of Michigan’s Periodontal, Implant, and Microsurgery Academy (PiMA). Amanda’s work advances patient care through minimally invasive surgical approaches and the integration of digital technologies for precision diagnostics. Currently pursuing a second master’s at the University of Illinois Chicago, she continues to innovate in the fields of wound healing and tissue perfusion dynamics, embodying the future of periodontics with every endeavor.
📚 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING
Amanda Rodriguez’s educational journey highlights her pursuit of knowledge across borders and disciplines. Graduating with honors as a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Universidad Santa María, she soon realized her passion for periodontics and microsurgery. She undertook rigorous specialty training at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, where she also earned a master’s degree with the highest GPA, becoming Chief Resident. Amanda expanded her global perspective through academic exchanges, such as an English Language Diploma from EF International Language School in Vancouver. She honed her implantology skills through intensive courses and specialized in oral surgery during hospital rotations. Her educational experiences blended theory with clinical practice, fostering her expertise in soft tissue management, implant rehabilitation, and microsurgical techniques. Amanda’s early academic journey laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to clinical innovation, teaching, and impactful research, setting the stage for her influential career in periodontology and dental imaging sciences.
🏥 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS AND CLINICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Amanda Rodriguez’s professional path is marked by excellence in both clinical practice and academic leadership. She practiced in top private clinics in Colombia and Venezuela, mastering non-surgical and surgical periodontal and peri-implant treatments, including mucogingival surgeries under the operating microscope. Amanda's skills were recognized by prestigious institutions like the University of Michigan, where she worked as a Research Fellow, Study Coordinator, and Faculty Member. She developed pioneering techniques in digital ultrasound guide design, 3D imaging, and data analysis using platforms like 3D Slicer and Meshmixer. Amanda also contributed significantly to NIH-funded research projects focused on wound healing and peri-implant conditions. As Assistant Director of PiMA, she delivered lectures, workshops, and hands-on training to the next generation of dental professionals. Her clinical and research work has consistently bridged the gap between theoretical advances and practical, patient-centered care, redefining best practices in periodontology and dental microsurgery.
🔬 RESEARCH FOCUS AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION
Research defines Amanda Rodriguez’s career as much as clinical excellence does. Her focus areas include periodontal and peri-implant wound healing, early tissue perfusion quantification, and the use of non-invasive imaging like ultrasound and laser speckle contrast imaging. Amanda’s contributions to NIH/NIDCR-funded projects such as "Ultrasonic Imaging of Bone Graft Healing" and "Quantitative Estimation of Periodontal Inflammation" are transformative for dental diagnostics. Her innovative work in designing digital guides for guided ultrasound scans marks a pioneering achievement in dentistry. Amanda’s extensive publication record covers cutting-edge topics like soft tissue perfusion, peri-implant bone evaluation, and regenerative therapies. She constantly explores the relationship between systemic and local factors in periodontal disease, using 3D imaging to predict and monitor disease progression. Amanda’s research not only deepens scientific understanding but also improves clinical outcomes, reinforcing her role as a key innovator in periodontal regenerative sciences and imaging technology.
🏆 ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION IN DENTAL SCIENCES
Amanda Rodriguez’s outstanding contributions have been recognized through numerous awards and honors. She won first-place awards at the University of Michigan’s Research Day and the Michigan Medicine Radiology Symposium for her pioneering work in intraoral ultrasound imaging. Amanda’s abstracts have been celebrated at major conferences like the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. She was also honored as a commencement speaker for her master’s graduation and consistently ranked as the highest GPA holder throughout her academic programs. Her academic leadership includes nominations for teaching fellowships and awards for excellence in teaching at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Amanda’s scientific articles have been published in top-tier journals like Journal of Periodontology, Clinical Oral Implants Research, and Diagnostics. Through accolades that recognize both her scientific innovation and educational impact, Amanda has solidified her status as a trailblazer and rising star in the global dental community.
🌍 IMPACT ON RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
Amanda Rodriguez’s influence extends across the interconnected spheres of research, education, and clinical care. She has redefined periodontal and peri-implant imaging by integrating advanced ultrasound and laser technologies into daily practice. Amanda’s teaching roles across institutions like the University of Michigan, University of Illinois Chicago, and guest lectures internationally have inspired a new generation of clinicians to embrace evidence-based, minimally invasive procedures. Her collaborative work with engineers and imaging specialists has produced new tools for surgical training and diagnostics, advancing interdisciplinary research in dental medicine. Amanda’s commitment to public health is evident from her early community service to her ongoing patient-centered clinical practice. By blending scientific discovery with clinical excellence, she creates a ripple effect that elevates dental standards worldwide, reinforcing a future where precision, technology, and compassionate care are seamlessly integrated in periodontology and implantology.
🚀 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS IN DENTAL SCIENCE
Amanda Rodriguez’s evolving legacy is one of fearless innovation, scientific rigor, and unwavering commitment to patient care. She is poised to continue her pioneering work in digital imaging, personalized treatment planning, and minimally invasive surgery. Her ongoing projects, including predictive models for implant placement risk assessment and advancements in soft-tissue characterization, position her as a leader in shaping the future of dental medicine. Amanda envisions dentistry where technology augments clinical intuition, enabling tailored treatments and superior outcomes for diverse populations. Through mentorship, publication, and active professional engagement, she inspires young researchers to challenge boundaries and explore new frontiers. With her strong foundation, global perspective, and relentless drive, Amanda Rodriguez is not just contributing to the present landscape of periodontics and implantology—she is actively building the future, ensuring her work will influence dental science and education for generations to come.
NOTABLE PUBLICATION
Title: Tracking of airborne radionuclides from the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear reactors by European networks
Authors: O. Masson, A. Baeza, J. Bieringer, K. Brudecki, S. Bucci, M. Cappai, ...
Journal: Environmental Science & Technology
Title: Overview of ultrasound in dentistry for advancing research methodology and patient care quality with emphasis on periodontal/peri-implant applications
Authors: A.R. Betancourt, A. Samal, H.L. Chan, O.D. Kripfgans
Journal: Zeitschrift für Medizinische Physik
Title: Study of the comparative dynamics of the incorporation of tissue free-water tritium (TFWT) in bulrushes (Typha latifolia) and carp (Cyprinus carpio) in the Almaraz nuclear area
Authors: A. Baeza, E. García, J.M. Paniagua, A. Rodríguez
Journal: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Title: Review of Intraoral Vasculature and Implications on Incision Designs of Periodontal and Implant Surgeries
Authors: M.S. Amanda Rodriguez, Diego Velasquez, Hsun-Liang Chan
Journal: International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry
Title: The use of digital technologies in peri‐implant soft tissue augmentation–a narrative review on planning, measurements, monitoring and aesthetics
Authors: F.J. Strauss, A. Gil, R. Smirani, A. Rodriguez, R. Jung, D. Thoma
Journal: Clinical Oral Implants Research