RICHARD J. RAPOZA, Ph.D.

Areas of Expertise: heart health, cardiovascular devices, vascular disease, drug-eluting, bare-metal, carotid and peripheral stents, biomaterials research engineering.

Richard Rapoza is divisional vice president of vascular clinical development at Abbott. Based in Santa Clara, California, he has more than 25 years of experience in the cardiovascular field, focused on developing breakthrough devices that help people live their best lives.

Richard has led the development of several revolutionary medical technologies at Abbott, including pioneering. Richard also pioneered the development of Abbott's first bare-metal, and drug-eluting  carotid and peripheral stents.

Previously at Abbott, Richard held executive leadership positions across the vascular business, including vice president and general manager of the BVS group, vice president of R&D for peripheral devices, and vice president of operations. Prior to joining Abbott, he served in senior roles at Guidant and Advanced Cardiovascular Systems.

Richard earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Washington.