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Senior Research Scientist

Dr. Victor Anthony Convertino

Senior Research Scientist, USAISR

Dr. Victor Anthony Convertino

Serves as an advisor to the Medical Research & Development Command and US Army Institute of Surgical Research Commanders for scientific issues related to Combat Casualty Care.

Career Chronology:

Senior Research Physiologist (GS15) and Tactical Combat Casualty Care Research Program Area Manager, US Army Medical Research & Materiel Command – October 1998 to October 2014
Senior Research Physiologist (GS15) and Physiology Research Branch Chief, US Air Force Research Laboratory – January 1993 to October 1998
Senior Research Physiologist (GS14/15), National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), Kennedy Space Center – September 1987 to January 1993
Research Physiologist, Bionetics Corp., Kennedy Space Center – June 1985 to September 1987
Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Arizona – August 1982 to June 1985
Post-doctoral Fellow, Cardiology Division of the Stanford University School of Medicine – May 1981 to August 1982
Research Associate, Cardiology Division of the Stanford University School of Medicine – September 1979 to May 1981
Research Assistant, Clinic Services Management Corp., NASA-Ames Research Center – October 1978 to September 1979
Student Research Associate, Laboratory of Human Environmental Physiology, NASA-Ames Research Center – January 1977 to October 1978

College:

Ph.D. in Physiology, University of California, Davis, CA – 1981
M.A. in Exercise Science, University of California, Davis, CA – 1974
B.S. in Physical Education, California State University, San Jose, CA – 1972
B.A. in Mathematics, California State University, San Jose, CA – 1971

Significant Training:

Community College Instructor Credential, State of California
Advanced Program Management for S&T Managers (STM 302)
Intermediate Medical Acquisition (IMAC) Course
Program Management for S&T Managers (STM 301)
Systems Acquisition Management Course (ACQ 101)
Contract Officer Representative (COR) Mentor Course
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Course
Institutional Review Board Principal Investigator Course
Applied Research Ethics National Association (ARENA) Course
Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIMR) Course
US Air Force Material Command Metrics Course
NASA Total Quality Management Supervisors Workshop

Certifications:

Level III Acquisition Professional Science and Technology Manager
American Heart Association Certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Good Clinical Practices (GCP) Certified
Contract Officer Representative (COR) Certified

Awards and Honors:

2001-2021 Top 10 Contributing Author to Combat Casualty Care Literature – 2021
BioMedSA Award for Innovation in Healthcare and Bioscience Nominee – 2020
Order of Military Medical Merit Selectee – 2020
Senior Executive Service Meritorious Presidential Achievement Rank Award Nominee – 2019
Inducted into the American Physiological Society Living History Project – 2018
Marquis Who's Who Lifetime Achievement Award – 2018
Award for Excellence Honorable Mention, Military Health System Research Symposium – 2017
Commander's Civilian Service Award – 2014
Texas Regional American College of Sports Medicine Career Award – 2014
EMS Today Top Ten Innovator Award – 2013
Outstanding Distinguished Alumnus Award from the College of Biological Sciences at the University of California at Davis – 2013
US Army Small Business Innovative Research Achievement Award – 2008, 2012
Nello Pace Award, The Galileo Foundation & International Society of Gravitational Physiology – 2011
US Army Medical Research & Materiel Command Combat Casualty Care Research Program Award for Excellence – 2010
Distinguished Alumnus Award, Department of Kinesiology, San Jose State University – 2008
US Space Technology Hall of Fame Inductee, Space Foundation – 2008
Arnold D. Tuttle Award, Aerospace Medical Association – 2007
Citation Award, American College of Sports Medicine – 2006
Sidney D. Leverett, Jr. Environmental Science Award, Aerospace Medical Association – 2006
Research Citation Award, Society of Critical Care Medicine Critical Care Congress – 2003
Lectureship Award, Southeast Chapter, American College of Sports Medicine – 2002
Lectureship Award, Texas Chapter, American College of Sports Medicine – 1990
Visiting Scholar Award, American College of Sports Medicine – 1986
Ellingson Literary Award, Aerospace Medical Association – 1985
Travel Grant Award, American Physiological Society – 1981, 1984
Lectureship Award, New England Chapter, American College of Sports Medicine – 1984
New Investigator Award, American College of Sports Medicine – 1982

Professional Memberships and Associations:

American College of Sports Medicine (Fellow)
Aerospace Medical Association (Fellow)
American Physiological Society (Fellow)
International Society for Gravitational Physiology (Past President)

Major Publications:

Convertino VA, Cardin S, Cap AP, Crowder AT, Stackle ME, Talley MJ, Lurie KG. Saving the brain after mild-to-moderate traumatic injury: a report on new insights of the physiology underlying adequate maintenance of cerebral perfusion. J. Trauma Acute Care Surg. 19:S33-S39, 2021.
Convertino VA, Johnson MC, Alarhayem A, Nicholson SE, Chung KK, DeRosa M, Eastridge BJ. Compensatory reserve detects subclinical phases of shock with more expeditious prediction for need of life-saving interventions compared to vital signs and arterial lactate. Transfusion 61:S167-S173, 2021.
Schauer SG, April MD, Arana AA, Maddry JK, Escandon MA, Linscomb C, Rodriguez D, Convertino VA. Efficacy of the compensatory reserve measurement in an emergency department trauma population. Transfusion 61:S174-S182, 2021.
Convertino VA, Koons NJ, Suresh M. Physiology of human hemorrhage and compensation. Compr. Physiol. 11:1531-1574, 2021.
Convertino VA, Schauer SG, Weitzel EK, Cardin S, Stackle ME, Talley MJ, Sawka MN, Inan OT. Wearable sensors integrated with compensatory reserve monitoring in critically injured trauma patients. Sensors 20(22): 6463, 2020.
Convertino VA, Wampler MR, Johnson MC, Alarhayem A, Le TD, Nicholson S, Myers JG, Chung KK, Struck KR, Cuenca C, Eastridge BJ. Validating clinical threshold values for a dashboard view of the compensatory reserve measurement for hemorrhage detection. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 89:S169-S174, 2020.
Convertino, V.A., and N.J. Koons. The compensatory reserve: potential for accurate individualized goal-directed whole blood resuscitation. Transfusion 60:S150-S157, 2020.
Schlotman, T.E., K.S. Akers, S. Cardin, M.J. Morris, and V.A. Convertino. Evidence for misleading decision support in characterizing difference in tolerance to reduced central blood volume using measurements of tissue oxygenation. Transfusion 60:S62-S69, 2020.
Koons NJ, Nguyen B, Suresh MR, Hinojosa-Laborde C, Convertino VA. Tracking DO2 with compensatory reserve during whole blood resuscitation following controlled hemorrhage in baboons. Shock 53:327-334, 2020
Convertino VA. Mechanisms of inspiration that modulate cardiovascular control: the other side of breathing. J Appl Physiol 127:1187-1196, 2019
Convertino VA, Lye KR, Koons NJ, Joyner MJ. Physiological comparison of hemorrhagic shock and VO2max: a conceptual framework for defining the limitation to oxygen delivery. Exp Biol Med 244:690-701, 2019
Goswami N, Blaber A, Hinghofer-Szalkay H, Convertino VA. Lower body negative pressure: physiological effects, applications and implementations. Physiol Rev 99:807-851, 2019.
Convertino VA, Sawka MN. Wearable compensatory reserve measurement for hypovolemia sensing. J. Appl. Physiol. 124:442-451, 2018.
Xiang L, Hinojosa-Laborde C, Ryan KL, Rickards CR, Convertino VA. Time course of compensatory physiological responses to central hypovolemia in high and low tolerant subjects. Am. J. Physiol. 315:R408-R416, 2018.
Schiller AM, Howard JT, Lye KR, Magby CG, Convertino VA. Comparisons of traditional metabolic markers and compensatory reserve as early predictors of tolerance to central hypovolemia in humans. Shock 50:71-77, 2018.
Convertino VA, Parquette BA, Wampler DA, Manifold CA, Lindstrom DA, Boland LL, Burkhart NT, Lurie KG, Lick CJ. Use of intrathoracic pressure regulation therapy in breathing patients for the treatment of hypotension secondary to trauma. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 25(1):105, 2017.
Howard JT, Janak JC, Bukhman V, Robertson C, Frolov I, Nawn CD, Convertino VA. The neurovascular complexity index as a potential indicator of traumatic brain injury severity: A case series study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 83:S77-S82, 2017.
Schiller AM, Howard JT, Convertino VA. The physiology of blood loss and shock: new insights from a human model of hemorrhage. Exp Biol Med 242:874-883, 2017.
Convertino VA, Schiller AM. Measuring the compensatory reserve to identify shock. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 82:S57-S65, 2017.
Convertino VA, C. Hinojosa-Laborde, G.W. Muniz, and R. Carter III. Integrated compensatory responses in a human model of hemorrhage. J Vis Exp (117), e54737, 2016.
Convertino VA, Wirt MD, Glenn JF, Lein BC. The compensatory reserve for early and accurate prediction of hemodynamic compromise: a review of the underlying physiology. Shock 45:80-90, 2016.
Carter III R, Hinojosa-Laborde C, Convertino VA. Sex comparisons in muscle sympathetic nerve acitivity and arterial pressure oscillations during progressive central hypovolemia. Physiol Rep 3:e12420, 2015.
Convertino VA, Howard JT, Hinojosa-Laborde C, Cardin S, Batchelder P, Grudic GZ, Mulligan J, Moulton SL, MacLeod D. Individual-specific, beat-to-beat trending of significant human blood loss: the compensatory reserve. Shock 44(suppl. 1):27-32, 2015
Hinojosa-Laborde C, Aden JK, Goei KA, Convertino VA. Evidence for a higher risk of hemorrhage-induced hemodynamic instability in females: implications for decision support during pre-hospital triage. Milit Med 180:19-23, 2015
Convertino VA. How intrathoracic pressure regulation (IPR) therapy helps the body help itself in states of low blood flow. JEMS 39(Dec. Suppl.): 2-7, 2014.
Wampler DA, Parquette B, Convertino VA, Manifold C. Respiratory impedance in the hypotensive breathing patient – harnessing the respiratory pump to enhance blood flow. JEMS 39(Dec. Suppl.): 20-24, 2014.
Poh PYS, Carter III R, Hinojosa-Laborde C, Mulligan J, Grudic GZ, Convertino VA. Respiratory pump contributes to increased physiological reserve for compensation during simulated hemorrhage. Exp Physiol 99:1421-1426, 2014.
Stewart, C.L., Mulligan J, Grudic GZ, Convertino VA, Moulton SL. Detection of low volume blood loss: The compensatory research index vs. traditional vital signs. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 77:892-898, 2014.
Schlader ZJ, Rivas E, Soller BR, Convertino VA, Crandall CG. Tissue oxygen saturation during hyperthermic progressive central hypovolemia. Am J Physiol 307:R731-736, 2014.
Wampler, D., Convertino VA, Weeks S, Hernandez M, Larrumbide J, Manifold C, Lurie KG. Use of an impedance threshold device in spontaneously-breathing patients with hypotension secondary to trauma: an observational cohort feasibility study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 77:S140-S145, 2014.
Johnson BD, van Helmond N, Curry TB, van Buskirk CM, Convertino VA, Joyner MJ. Reductions in central venous pressure by lower body negative pressure or blood loss elicit similar hemodynamic responses. J Appl Physiol 117:131-141, 2014.
Nadler R, Convertino VA, Gendler S, Lending G, Lipsky AM, Cardin S, Lowenthal A, Glassberg E. The value of non-invasive measurement of the compensatory reserve index in monitoring and triage of patients experiencing minimal blood loss. Shock 42:93-98, 2014.
Rickards CA, Vyas N, Ryan KL, Ward KR, Andre D, Hurst GM, Barrera CR, Convertino VA. Are you bleeding? Validation of a machine-learning algorithm for determination of blood volume status: application to remote triage. J Appl Physiol 116:486-494, 2014.
Hinojosa-Laborde C, Shade RE, Muniz GW, Bauer C, Goei KA, Pidcoke HF, Chung KK, Cap AP, Convertino VA. Validation of lower body negative pressure as an experimental model of hemorrhage. J Appl Physiol 116:406-415, 2014.
Moulton SL, Mulligan J, Grudic GZ, Convertino VA. Running on empty? The compensatory reserve index. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 75:1053-1059, 2013.
Convertino VA, Grudic GZ, Mulligan J, Moulton SL. Estimation of individual-specific progression to cardiovascular instability using arterial waveforms. J Appl Physiol 115:1196-1202, 2013.
Van Sickle C, Schafer K, Mulligan J, Grudic GZ, Moulton SL, Convertino VA. Evidence for an improved 'shock index' for assessment of patient status during progressive simulated hemorrhage. Aviat Space Environ Med 84:907-912, 2013.
Metzger A, Rees J, Segal N, McKnite S, Matsuura T, Convertino VA, Gerhardt RT, Lurie KG. "Fluidless" resuscitation with permissive hypotension via impedance threshold device therapy compared with normal saline resuscitation in a porcine model of severe hemorrhage. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 75:S203-S209, 2013.
Schafer K, Van Sickle C, Hinojosa-Laborde C, Convertino VA. Physiological mechanisms underlying the failure of the 'shock index' as a tool for accurate assessment of patient status during progressive simulated hemorrhage. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 75:S197-S202, 2013
Muniz GW, Wampler DA, Manifold CA, Grudic GZ, Mulligan J, Moulton S, Gerhardt RT, Convertino VA. Promoting early diagnosis of hemodynamic instability during simulated hemorrhage with the use of a real-time decision-assist algorithm. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 75:S184-S189, 2013.
Convertino VA, Parquette B, Meiher J, Traynor K, Baia D, Baumblatt M, Vartanian L, Suresh M, Metzger A, Lurie KG, Lindstrom D. Use of respiratory impedance in pre-hospital care of hypotensive patients associated with hemorrhage and trauma: A case series. J Trauma 73:S54-S59, 2012.
Soller B, Zou F, Ryan KL, Rickards CA, Ward K, Convertino VA. Lightweight non-invasive trauma monitor for early indication of central hypovolemia and tissue acidosis: A review. J Trauma 73:S106-S111, 2012.
Convertino VA. Blood pressure measurement for accurate assessment of patient status in emergency medical settings. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 83:614-619, 2012.
Convertino VA., Rickards CA, Ryan KL. Autonomic mechanisms associated with heart rate and vasoconstrictor reserves. Clin Auton Res 22:123-130, 2012.
Soller B, Silwa J, Yang Y, Zou F, Rickards CA, Ryan KL, Convertino VA. Simultaneous spectroscopic determination of muscle pH and SO2 for the noninvasive monitoring of patients with hemorrhage and during resuscitation. J NIRS 20:141-150, 2012.
Rickards CA, Ryan KL, Cooke WH, Convertino VA. Tolerance to central hypovolemia: the influence of oscillations in blood pressure and cerebral blood velocity. J Appl Physiol 111:1048-1058, 2011.
Convertino VA, Moulton SL, Grudic GZ, Rickards CA, Hinojosa-Laborde C, Gerhardt RT, Blackbourne LH, Ryan KL. Use of advanced machine-learning techniques for non-invasive monitoring of hemorrhage. J Trauma 71:S25-S32, 2011.
Ryan KL, Rickards CA, Hinojosa-Laborde C, Gerhardt RT, Cain J, Convertino VA. Advanced technology development for remote triage applications in bleeding combat casualties. US Army Med Dep J Apr-Jun:61-72, 2011.
Convertino VA, Ryan KL, Rickards CA, Glorsky SL, Idris AH, Yannopoulos D, Metzger A, Lurie KG. Optimizing the respiratory pump: Harnessing inspiratory resistance to treat systemic hypotension. Respir Care 56:846-857, 2011.
Rickards CA, Ryan KL, Convertino VA. Is heart period variability associated with administration of lifesaving interventions in individual pre-hospital trauma patients with normal standard vital signs? Crit Care Med 38:1666-1673, 2010.
Parsons D, Convertino VA, Idris AH, Smith S, Lindstrom D, Parquette B, Aufderheide T. The impedance threshold device (ITD-7): a new device for combat casualty care to augment circulation and blood pressure in hypotensive spontaneously breathing war fighters. J Spec Op Med 9:49-52, 2009.
Convertino VA, Ryan KL, Rickards CA, Salinas J, McManus JG, Cooke WH, Holcomb JB. Physiological and medical monitoring for en route care of combat casualties. J Trauma 64:S342-353, 2008.
Convertino VA, Ryan KL, Rickards CA, Cooke WH, Idris AH, Metzger A, Holcomb JB, Adams BD, Lurie KG. Inspiratory resistance maintains arterial pressure during central hypovolemia: Implications for treatment of patients with severe hemorrhage. Crit Care Med 35:1145-1152, 2007.