Biography

My research training and diverse scientific background in musculoskeletal pathophysiology has provided me with a unique experimental skill set – combining cell, molecular and immune biology with biomedical engineering that enables me to investigate highly translational questions and mechanisms while grounded in fundamental basic science. I am currently an Early Stage Investigator/ New Investigator Assistant Professor (Tenure track) in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Spine Research Institute and Orthopaedics at the Ohio State University. I also work closely with my clinical collaborators, spine surgeon Dr. Safdar Khan and veterinary neurosurgeon, Dr. Sarah Moore. There exists an unmet clinical need where the clinicians do not have access to the necessary tools and non-addictive biologics to treat low back pain and regenerate the IVD. My long-term research interests lie in understanding the Intervertebral disc (IVD) joint as a whole organ system and how the IVD and surrounding inflammatory and tissue microenvironment influence the pathogenesis of discogenic back pain while simultaneously developing suitable in vitro and in vivo animal models for clinical translation to identify potential non-additive biological strategies for back pain. My training with Drs. Hoyland and Freemont, at Manchester, Dr. Kinloch at Pfizer, (Pain therapeutics) and with Bioengineer Dr. Iatridis has provided me with a strong background and research training in IVD pathophysiology and developmental biology, regenerative strategies for the IVD and ex vivo and in vivo animal models that has provided a solid platform to launch my academic career.