My research goal is to investigate and develop stem cell-based approaches to regenerate skeletal tissues, cartilage and bone, for orthopedic applications. We focus on solving two unmet challenges: 1) impact of cellular senescence associated with donor age and in vitro culture on lineage differentiation of stem cells and 2) controlled chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells into functional hyaline chondrocytes/cartilage.
Awards, Honors And Societies
2004 Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE), NIH, Bethesda, MD
2006 Outstanding Poster Presentation Award, NIAMS, NIH, Bethesda, MD
2007 Excellence in Presentation Award, Society for Physical Regulation in Biology and Medicine, Houston, TX
2008 Young Investigator Research Award, North American Spine Society, Burr Ridge, IL
2013 3M Nontenured Faculty Award
2015 Emerging Investigator Award, Stem Cell Research & Therapy
2015 New Investigator Recognition Award, Annual Meeting of Orthopaedic Research Society
2017 Leaders in Engineering Excellence & Diversity Faculty Recognition Award