Christine Ortiz

Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

BS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1992
PhD, Cornell University, 1997

Room 13-4022, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA  02139
617-452-3084 (phone) 617-452-3085 (fax)
cortiz@mit.edu
Prof. Ortiz' Research Group

Biological materials, such as musculoskeletal and exoskeletal tissues, have developed amazingly complex, hierarchical, heterogeneous nanostructures over millions of years of evolution in order to function properly under the mechanical loads they experience in their environment. The Ortiz research group studies these fascinating materials using expertise in the new field of"nanomechanics"; i.e., the measurement and prediction of extremely small forces within and between nanoscale constituents in order to determine the local origins of macroscopic physical phenomena. Novel experimental and theoretical methods are employed in order to probe and understand fundamental nanoscale surface, bio-, and polymer physics mechanisms and design principles; i.e., how they work in tandem and what universal laws they follow to achieve a particular function. The objective of the Ortiz research program is to provide a fundamental molecular-level understanding of the mechanical function, quality, and pathology of structural biological materials. A quad-tiered approach is taken to achieve this goal which includes; nanomechanics of single cells and their pericellular matrix, individual molecules, biomimetic model systems, and in-tact tissue-level properties. The scientific foundation being formed has relevance to both the medical and engineering fields. Nanotechnological methods applied to the field of musculoskeletal tissues and tissue engineering hold great promise for significant and rapid advancements towards tissue repair and/or replacement, improved treatments, and possibly even a cure for people afflicted with diseases such as osteoarthritis. In addition, the discovery of new nanoscale design principles and energy-dissipating mechanisms will enable the production of improved and increasingly advanced biologically-inspired structural engineering materials that exhibit "mechanical property amplification"—that is, dramatic improvements in mechanical properties (e.g., increases in strength and toughness) for a material relative to its constituents.

Selected Publications 

Tai, K.; Dao, M.; Suresh, S.; Palazoglu, A.; Ortiz, C., "Nanoscale heterogeneity promotes energy dissipation in bone," Nature Materials 2007, 6, (6) 454–46.

Ng, L.; Hung, H.-H.; Sprunt, A.; Chubinskaya, S.; Ortiz, C.; Grodzinsky, A., " Nanomechanical properties of individual chondrocytes and their developing growth factor-stimulated pericellular matrix," Journal of Biomechanics 2007, 40, (5), 1011–1023.

Tai, K.; Ulm, F. J.; Ortiz, C., "Nanogranular origins of the strength of bone," Nano Letters 2006, 6, (11), 2520–2525.

Dean, D.; Han, L.; Grodzinsky, A. J.; Ortiz, C., "Compressive nanomechanics of opposing aggrecan macromolecules," Journal of Biomechanics 2006, 39, (14), 2555–256.

Bruet, B. J. F.; Qi, H.; Panas, R.; Tai, K.; Frick, L.; Boyce, M. C.; Ortiz, C., "Nanoscale morphology and indentation of individual nacre tablets from the gastropod mollusc Trochus niloticus," Journal of Materials Research 2005, 20, (9), 2400–2419.

Professor Ortiz was selected to participate in the 2008–2009 Defense Science Study Group. Over the course of the two-year program, participants focus on defense policy, related research and development, and the systems, missions, and operations of the armed forces.

Professor Ortiz will be the faculty director of a new international exchange program, MISTI-Israel. MISTI-Israel offers students the opportunity to live and work in Israel (in companies and universities) starting during Summer 2008, all expenses paid. Students can work in areas such as stem cell-based tissue engineering, advanced electron microscopy, cell biomechanics, nanotechnology, environmental protection and energy conversion systems, and more. The MIT-Israel program is a offered through MISTI, The MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives, whose objective is to promote international education in a variety
of ways.

Professor Ortiz received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) at the NSF and White House on July 11, 2002 and July 12, 2002. Her nominating agency was the National Science Foundation, Division of Materials Research (NSF-DMR) and President George W. Bush attended and made a speech at the ceremony.