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John Adams, MD

Dr. Adams is board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. Dr. Adams has focused his research on sterol synthesis and metabolism, vitamin D and steroid hormone action, and osteoporosis. His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including Nature, Science, Cell, Endocrinology, Molecular Endocrinology, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Journal of of Clinical Investigation, Annals of Internal Medicine and The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Adams serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research and on the editorial board for the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

‍Specialties

  • Sterol / Steroid Hormone Intracellular Trafficking, Action and Metabolism
  • Vitamin D and Human Immune Function
  • Bone
  • Stem Cells
  • Innovative Approaches for the Recruitment and Training of Clinical Scientists
  • Biomedical Informatics

Dr. Adams is an active member of several professional committees on the national scene. He currently serves on the Skeletal Biology Development and Disease, the Orthopaedic Study Section for grant review at the National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Adams received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed his fellowship in endocrinology and internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

Education

  • MD, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha (third year), 1974
  • BA, Cum Laude, University of Kansas, 1971

Professional Certification

  • Diplomat, Leadership Strategies for Evolving Health Care Executives, Harvard School of Public Health, 2011
  • Diplomat, Endocrinology and Metabolism, American Board of Internal Medicine, 1985
  • Diplomat, American Board of Internal Medicine, 1979

Affiliation

  • Member, Orthopaedic Research Society, 2007
  • Member, Association of American Physicians, 2002
  • Member, Western Association of Physicians, 1991
  • Member, American Society of Clinical Investigation, 1990
  • Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1982
  • Member, American Society of Bone and Mineral Research, 1981
  • Member, Endocrine Society, 1980
  • Member, American Federation of Clinical Research, 1979
  • Member, American College of Physicians, 1978
  • Member, Alpha Omega Alpha, 1973

Awards and Recognition

  • Brasel Basic Science Award, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 2011
  • Broad Stem Cell Research Center Innovation Award, UCLA, 2010-2012
  • Internationally Elected Council Member, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, 2009
  • American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Boy Frame Award for Clinical Excellence in Bone and Mineral Metabolism, 2005
  • Cedars-Sinai Research Institute Award for Creative, Multi-user Computing, 1994-1995
  • New Investigator (First) Award, National Institutes of Health, 1985
  • University of Southern California Faculty Innovation Award, 1983-1985
  • Young Investigator Award, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, 1983
  • Clinical Associate Physician Award, National Institutes of Health General Clinic Research Center, 1982
  • National Research Service Award, National Institutes of Health, 1980 – 1982
  • University-Wide Research Award, University of Kansas, 1978
  • University of Kansas Resident Teaching Award in Medicine, 1978
  • Mustala Research Award in Clinical Pharmacology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, 1976
  • Haden Research Medal, University of Kansas School of Medicine 1975

Research and Publications

  1. Lomax GP, Adams JS, Jamieson C, Zaia J, Millan MT. Accelerating Stem Cell Treatments for Patients: The Value of Networks & Collaboration. Stem Cells Trans Med. June 26, 2015
  2. James, AW, Shen J, Zhang X, Asatrian BS, Goyal R, Kwak JH, Jiang L, Bengs B, Culiat CT, Turner AS, Seim HB, Wu BM, Lyons Km Adams JS, Ting K, Soo C. NELL-1 in the treatment of osteoporotic bone loss. Nat Commun. 2015 Jun 17;6:7362. PMCID: PMC4557288.
  3. Wu L, Petrigliano FA, Ba K, Lee S, Bogdanov J, McAllister DR, Adams JS, Rosenthal AK, Van Handel B, Crooks GM, Lin Y, Evseenko D. Lysophosphatidic acid mediates fibrosis in injured joints by regulating collagen type I biosynthesis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 2015 Feb;23(2):308-18. Epub 2014 Nov 20. PMCID: PMC4465392
  4. Chun RF, Blatter E, Elliott S, Fitz-Gibbon S, Rieger S, Sagasti A, Adams JS, Hewison M. Cloning of a functional 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Cell Biochem Funct. 2014 Dec;32(8):675-82. Epub 2014 Oct 7. PMCID: PMC4363119
  5. Zhou R, Chun RF, Lisse TS, Garcia AJ, Xu J, Adams JS, Hewison M. Vitamin D and alternative splicing of RNA. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2015:148: 310-317. Epub 2014 Oct 16. PMCID: PMC4361308
  6. Chun RF, Liu NQ, Lee T, Schall JI, Denburg MR, Rutstein RM, Adams JS, Zemel BS, Stallings VA, Hewison M. Vitamin D supplementation and antibacterial immune responses in adolescents and young adults with HIV/AIDS. J Steroid Biochem. 2015 Aug:148:290-297. Epub 2014 Aug 1. PMCID: PMC4312738
  7. Montoya D, Inkeles MS, Liu PT, Realegeno S, Teles RMB, Vaidya P, Munoz MA, Schenk M, Swindell WR, Chun R, Zavala K, Hewison M, Adams JS, Horvath S, Pellegrini M, Bloom BR, Modlin RL. IL-32 is a molecular marker of a host defense network in human tuberculosis. Sci Transl Med. 6:250ra114, 2014. PMCID:PMC4175914.
  8. Lisse TS, Kanagasabai V, Bajaj SP, Zhou R, Chun RF, Hewison, M, Adams JS. The heterodimeric structure of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C1/C2 dictates 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-directed transcriptional events in osteoblasts. Bone Research. 2:1-11, 2014. PMCID: PMC4261231
  9. Chun RF, Liu PT, Modlin RL, Adams JS, Hewison M. Impact of vitamin D on immune function: lessons learned from genome-wide analysis. Front Physiol. 5:1-15, 2014. PMCID:PMC4000998
  10. Yuan F-N F, Valiyaparambil J, Woods MC, Tran H, Pant R, Adams JS, Mallya, SM. Vitamin D signaling regulates oral keratinocyte proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Int J Oncol. 44:1625-1633, 2014. PMID:PMC24626468.

Fabrizio Billi, PhD

Specialties

  • Biomaterials
  • Biomechanics
  • Tribology
  • Orthopaedic Implants
  • Artificial Joints
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Wear Particle Characterization

More research interests:

  • Nanomaterials
  • Retrieval Analysis
  • Failure Analysis
  • Non-destructive Analysis (Ultrasounds, Acoustic Emission, Liquid Penetrant, Low Coherence Interferometry, X-Ray)
  • Metal Alloys
  • Ceramic Materials
  • Polymeric Materials
  • Composite Materials
  • Mechanical Testing
  • Corrosion Testing
  • Radio Tracer and Thin Layer Activation
  • Sensor Fusion and Structural Health Monitoring
  • Wireless Health

Education

Doctoral Degree

  • PhD, Materials Engineering – Biomaterials and Biomechanics, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy, 2000

Masters Degree

  • MS, Chemical Engineering, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy, 1995

Affiliations

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • American Society of Metals (ASM)Society for Biomaterials (SFB)
  • European Society for Biomaterials (ESB)
  • Foresight Institute
  • Italian Association of Materials Engineering (AIMAT)
  • Italian Society of Biomechanics in the Orthopaedic and Traumatological Field
  • Italian Society for Biomaterials
  • Italian Professional Engineers Association
  • Materials Research Society (MRS)
  • Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS)

Awards and Recognition

  • Invited chair of Session 28 “Bone Failure Mechanisms and Assessment”, International Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society, 2013
  • Stein Oppenheimer Award – University of California Los Angeles, 2012
  • Lloyd Taylor Award – Western Orthopaedic Association, 2011
  • June Marshall Award – Extraordinary Achievement in Orthopaedic Research – Orthopaedic Hospital, 2008
  • Elinor Barry Fellowship – Orthopaedic Hospital (for 3 consecutive years), 2002-2004
  • Marie Curie Fellowship – European Commission (3 years), 1998-2000
  • Italian Government Doctorate Fellowship (4 years), 1996-1999
  • Cavalieri del Lavoro (Italian top Industrialists) Fellowship (for six consecutive years), 1982-1987

Research and Publications

  1. A. Kavanaugh, T. Schmalzried and F Billi Factors Influencing the Initial Strength of the Tibial Tray-Cement Interface Bond Bone Joint J, 2013 vol. 95-B no. SUPP 34 98
  2. F Billi, C Iglesias, E Onofre, RM Lozano, B Perez-Maceda, JC Rubio, ML Escudero, MC Garcia-Alonso Characterization of Oxidized TIAlV after Fretting-Corrosion Tests Using Near-Field Microscopy British Journal of Surgery 2013, 100, 13-16
  3. Pedowitz RA, Billi F, Kavanaugh A, Colbert A, Liu S, Savoie FH, You Z. Arthroscopic surgical tools: a source of metal particles and possible joint damage.
  4. Stavrakis AI, Niska JA, Loftin AH, Billi F, Bernthal NM Understanding Infection: A Primer on Animal Models of Periprosthetic Joint Infection. ScientificWorldJournal. 2013 Sep 22;2013:925906. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/925906
  5. RA Pedowitz, F Billi, A Kavanaugh, A Colbert, S Liu, FH Savoie, Z You Micro-particles From Arthroscopic Tools May Induce A Pathologic Cascade Mediated by Synoviocytes Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery 29 (6), e10-e10 (SS-20); doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2013.03.027
  6. A. Kavanaugh, P.Benya, F.Billi A Method to isolate and characterize metal debris from synovial fluid and periprosthetic tissue ASTM – STP1560 August 2012
  7. Zhang D, Page JR, Kavanaugh AE, Billi F. A New Method for Shape and Texture Classification of Orthopaedic Wear Nanoparticles. J Appl Biomater Function Mater. 2012 Sep 27;10(2):e141-8. doi: 10.5301/JABFM.2012.9680.
  8. Niska JA, Shahbazian JH, Ramos RI, JR Pribaz, F Billi, KP. Francis, and LS. Miller Daptomycin and Tigecycline Have Broader Effective Dose Ranges than Vancomycin as Prophylaxis against a Staphylococcus aureus Surgical Implant Infection in Mice. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. May 1, 2012;56(5):2590-2597.
  9. F. Billi, E. Onofre, E. Ebramzadeh, T. Palacios, M.L. Escudero, M.C. Garcia-Alonso Characterization of modified Ti6Al4V alloy after fretting–corrosion tests using near-field microscopy Surface and Coatings Technology, Available online 27 September 2012, ISSN 0257-8972, 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2012.09.034
  10. Ascenzi MG, Liao VP, Lee BM, Billi F, Zhou H, Lindsay R, Cosman F, Nieves J, Bilezikian JP, Dempster DW. Parathyroid hormone treatment improves the cortical bone micro-structure by improving the distribution of type I collagen in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. J Bone Miner Res. 2011 Dec 8. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.1497. [Epub ahead of print]

Daniel Cohn, PhD

Specialties

  • Short-rib Polydactyly and the Skeletal Ciliopathies
  • Genomics Core, Pathogenesis of Novel Forms of Osteogenesis Imperfecta
  • Exome Sequencing in the Skeletal Dysplasias
  • Unraveling the Mechanisms of Prenatal-onset Disorders Affecting the Skeleton
  • Molecular Studies in the Skeletal Dysplasias

Education

Postdoctoral Degree

  • Human Genetics, University of Washington, 1983-88

Doctoral Degree

  • PhD, Marine Biology, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, 1977-83

Degree

  • BA, Aquatic Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1975-77

Undergraduate Studies

  • Biology, University of California, San Diego, 1973-75

Affiliations

  • Member, American Society of Human Genetics
  • Member, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
  • Molecular Diagnostics Certification, American Board of Medical Genetics

Awards and Recognition

  • Winnick Family Clinical Scholar’s Award, 2003
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center President’s Award, 1996
  • Cedars-Sinai Research Institute Young Investigator Award, 1993
  • NIH Individual National Research Award, Molecular Basis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta
  • Eckhart Prize, Outstanding Thesis in Oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 1983
  • Martin Kamen Award, Outstanding Thesis in Biochemistry, UC San Diego, 1983
  • Phi Beta Kappa, UC Santa Barbara, 1977
  • Magna Cum Laude, UC Santa Barbara, 1977
  • Outstanding Graduating Senior in Biology, UC Santa Barbara, 1977

Research and Publications

  1. Rock MJ, Prenen J, Funari VA, Funari TL, Merriman B, Nelson SF, Lachman RS, Wilcox WR, Reyno S, Quadrelli R, Vaglio A, Owsianik G, Janssens A, Voets T, Ikegawa S, Nagai T, Rimoin DL, Nilius B, Cohn DH. Gain-of-function mutations in TRPV4 cause autosomal dominant brachyolmia. Nat Genet 40:999-1003, 2008. PMCID: PMC3525077
  2. Krakow D, Vriens J, Camacho N, Luong P, Deixler H, Funari TL, Bacino CA, Irons MB, Holm IA, Sadler L, Okenfuss EB, Janssens A, Voets T, Rimoin DL, Lachman RS, Nilius B, Cohn DH. Mutations in the gene encoding the calcium-permeable ion channel TRPV4 produce spondylometaphyseal dysplasia, Kozlowski type and metatropic dysplasia. Am J Hum Genet 84:307-315, 2009. PMCID: PMC2667978
  3. Camacho N, Krakow D, Johnykutty S, Katzman PJ, Pepkowitz S, Vriens J, Nilius B, Boyce BF, Cohn DH. Dominant TRPV4 mutations in nonlethal and lethal metatropic dysplasia. Am J Med Genet A 152A:1169-1177, 2010. PMCID: PMC4169191
  4. Weinstein MM, Tompson SW, Chen Y, Lee B, Cohn DH. Mice expressing mutant Trpv4 recapitulate the human TRPV4 disorders. J Bone Miner Res 29:1815-1822, 2014. PMCID: PMC4108531
  5. Krakow D, Sebald ET, Pogue R, Rimoin LP, King LM, Cohn DH. Analysis of clones from a human cartilage cDNA library provides insight into chondrocyte gene expression and identifies novel candidate genes for the osteochondrodysplasias. Mol Genet Metab 79:34-32, 2003. PMID 12765844
  6. Pogue RP, Sebald E, King L, Kronstadt E, Krakow D, Cohn DH. A transcriptional profile of human fetal cartilage. Matrix Biol 23:299-307, 2004. PMID 15464362
  7. Funari VA, Day A, Krakow D, Cohn ZA, Chen Z, Nelson SF and Cohn DH. Cartilage-selective genes identified in a genome-scale analysis of non-cartilage and cartilage gene expression. BMC Genomics 8:165, 2007. PMCID: PMC1906768
  8. Tompson SW, Merriman B, Funari VA, Fresquet M, Lachman RS, Rimoin DL, Nelson SF, Briggs MD, Cohn DH, Krakow D. A recessive skeletal dysplasia, SEMD aggrecan type, results from a missense mutation affecting the C-type lectin domain of aggrecan. Am J Hum Genet 84:72-79, 2009. PMCID: PMC2668039
  9. Cohn DH, Byers PH, Steinmann B and Gelinas RE. Lethal osteogenesis imperfecta resulting from a single nucleotide change in one human proα1(I) collagen allele. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 83:6045-6047, 1986. PMCID: PMC386434
  10. Cohn DH, Starman BJ, Blumberg B and Byers PH. Recurrence of lethal osteogenesis imperfecta due to parental mosaicism for a dominant mutation in a human type I collagen gene. Am J Hum Genet 46:591-601, 1990. PMCID: PMC5400

Karen Lyons, PhD

Specialties

  • CCNs in Chondrogenesis
  • BMPs in Skeletal Growth and Osteogenic Differentiation
  • Regenerative Musculoskeletal Medicine Training Program

Education

Doctoral Degree

  • PhD, Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1989

Degree

  • BA with High Honors, Departmental Honors in Genetics, University of California, Berkeley, 1980

Post Graduate Training

  • Post-doctoral studies, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Harvard University, 1992-94
  • Post-doctoral studies, Department of Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University, 1989-92

Affiliations

  • American Association of Anatomists
  • American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
  • American Society for Matrix Biology
  • Council of Research, Academic Senate, UCLA
  • Executive Academic Action Committee (EAAC), Orthopaedic Surgery, UCLA
  • International CCN Society
  • Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC), UCLA
  • Orthopaedic Research Society

Awards and Recognition

  • Kappa Delta Ann Doner Vaughn Award, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2008
  • Elected to Nomination Committee, Orthopaedic Research Society, 2008-2011
  • Elected to Program Committee, Orthopaedic Research Society, 2007-2008
  • Invited speaker, “Meet The Professor” Symposium, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, 2007
  • Elected Chair, 2010 Cartilage Gordon Conference , 2007
  • Organizer, AAOS Symposium on Fracture Repair, American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2007
  • Elected to Council, American Society for Matrix Biology, 2006
  • Chair, Abstract Selection Committee, Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, 2006, 2005
  • Marta Marx Eradication of Scleroderma Award (Scleroderma Foundation), 2004
  • AIMM (Advances in Mineral Metabolism) Investigator Award (American Society for Bone and Mineral Research), 2003
  • David Paul Kane Scholar (UCLA), 1998
  • UCLA Bridge Award, 1997
  • Richard F. Dwyer and Elaine W. Dwyer Award for Excellence (UCLA), 1996
  • Stein-Oppenheimer Award (UCLA), 1995
  • NIH Postdoctoral training grant, 1989-1990
  • NIH Predoctoral training grants, 1982-1984, 1986
  • Genetics Society of America Student Award, 1985
  • Alumni Scholarships, U.C. Berkeley, 1976, 1979

Research and Publications

  1. Azen, E.A., K.M. Lyons, T. McGonigal, N.L. Barrett, L.S. Clements, N. Maeda, E.F. Vanin, D. Carlson, and O. Smithies (1984) Clones from the human gene complex coding for salivary proline-rich proteins. Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. (USA) 81: 5561-5565.
  2. Mamula, P.W., N.A. Heerman, C.G. Palmer, K.M. Lyons, and R.C. Karn (1985) Localization of the human salivary protein complex (SPC) to chromosome band 12p13.2. Cytogent. Cell Genet. 39: 279-284.
  3. Lyons, K.M., J.H. Stein and O. Smithies (1988) Length polymorphism in human proline-rich protein genes generated by unequal crossing over. Genetics 120: 267-278.
  4. Lyons, K.M., E.A. Azen, P.A. Goodman, and O. Smithies (1988) Many protein products from a few loci: assignment of human salivary proline-rich proteins to specific loci. Genetics 120: 255-265.
  5. Lyons, K.M., J.L. Graycar, A. Lee, S. Hashmi, P.B. Lindquist, E.Y. Chen, B.L.M. Hogan, and R. Derynck (1989) Vgr-1, a mammalian gene related to Xenopus Vg-1, is a member of the transforming growth factor ß gene superfamily. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 86: 4554-4558.
  6. Lyons, K.M., R.W. Pelton and B.L.M. Hogan (1989) Patterns of expression of murine Vgr-1 and BMP-2 RNA suggest that transforming growth factor-ß-like genes co-ordinately regulate aspects of embryonic development. Genes and Devel. 3: 1657-1668.
  7. Lyons, K.M., R.W. Pelton, J.L. Graycar, R. Derynck, and B.L.M. Hogan (1989) Developmental expression of the murine vgr-1 gene: a new member of the TGF-ß multigene family. In Molecular Genetics of Early Drosophila and Mouse Development. Ed M.R. Capecchi, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York
  8. Lyons, K.M., R.W. Pelton, and B.L.M. Hogan (1990) Organogenesis and pattern formation in the mouse: RNA distribution patterns suggest a role for Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2A (BMP-2A). Development 109: 833-844.
  9. Jones, C.M., K.M. Lyons, and B.L.M. Hogan (1990) Involvement of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 in morphogenesis and neurogenesis in the mouse. Development 111: 531-542.
  10. Dickinson, M.E., M.S. Kobrin, C.S. Silan, D.M. Kingsley, M.J. Justice, D.A. Miller, J.D. Ceci, L.F. Lock, A. Lee, A.M. Buchberg, L.D. Siracusa, K.M. Lyons, R. Derynck, B.L.M. Hogan, N.G. Copeland, and N.A. Jenkins (1990) Chromosomal localization of seven members of the murine TGF-ß superfamily suggests close linkage to several morphogenetic mutant loci. Genomics 6: 505-520.

Edward Ebramzadeh, PhD

Dr. Ebramzadeh is the Director of the J. Vernon Luck, Sr Orthopaedic Research Center located at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children in downtown LA. The Research Center includes five full-time research faculty focusing on Biomechanics, Implant Retrieval, Implant Performance, and Wear and Tribology of Biomaterials. Dr. Ebramzadeh has an extensive background in biomechanical design, development and evaluation of implants, including joint replacement prostheses, fracture fixation devices and related instrumentation.

He has also been involved in the evaluation of surgical procedures for deformity correction, such as pediatric spine deformities, and fracture fixation. Dr. Ebramzadeh is a member of the editorial board of several prominent orthopaedic journals and is a member of the Hip Society.

Specialties

  • Biomechanics
  • Implant Retrieval
  • Implant Performance
  • Wear and Tribology
  • Biomaterials
  • Fracture Fixation

Education

Doctoral Degree

  • PhD in Biomaterials and Handicap Research, Göteborg University, Sweden, 1995

Masters Degree

  • MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1981

Undergraduate Degree

  • BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1980

Affiliations

  • Orthopaedic Research Society
  • The Hip Society

Awards and Recognition

  • The Hip Society 2011
  • The Hip Society John Charnley Award 2011
  • The Hip Society John Charnley Award 2006
  • Sumner L. Koch Award, American Society for Surgery of the Hand 1997
  • Graduate Orthopaedic Society Faculty Recognition Award, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Southern California 1996

Research and Publications

  1. Park SH, Lu Z, Hastings RS, Campbell PA, & Ebramzadeh E: Five hundred fifty-five retrieved metal-on-metal hip replacements of a single design show a wide range of wear, surface features, and histopathologic reactions. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 2018, 476(2), 261-278.
  2. Sangiorgio SN, Ebramzadeh E, Knutsen AR, Borkowski SL, Kalma JJ, Bengs BC: Fixation of non-cemented total hip arthroplasty femoral components in a simulated proximal bone defect model. The Journal of Arthroplasty 2013, 28(9), 1618-1624.
  3. Lu Z, & Ebramzadeh E. (2019) Origins of material loss in highly worn acetabular cups of metal-on-metal total hip replacements. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 37: 143-150.
  4. Ebramzadeh E, Campbell P, Tan TL, Nelson SD, Sangiorgio SN: Can wear explain the histological variation around metal-on-metal total hips? Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 2015, 473(2):487-494.
  5. Ebramzadeh E, Campbell PA, Takamura KM, Lu Z, Sangiorgio SN, Kalma JJ, De Smet KA, Amstutz HC: Failure modes of 433 metal-on-metal hip implants: How, why, and wear. The Orthopaedic Clinics of North America 2011, 42(2):241-250, ix.
  6. Lee JL, Billi F, Sangiorgio SN, McGarry W, Krueger DJ, Miller PT, McKellop H, Ebramzadeh E: Wear of an experimental metal-on-metal artificial disc for the lumbar spine. Spine 2008, 33(6):597-606.
  7. Ebramzadeh E, Billi F, Sangiorgio SN, Mattes S, Schmoelz W, Dorr L: Simulation of fretting wear at orthopaedic implant interfaces. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering 2005, 127(3):357-363.
  8. Ebramzadeh E, Sangiorgio SN, Lattuada F, Kang JS, Chiesa R, McKellop HA, Dorr LD: Accuracy of measurement of polyethylene wear with use of radiographs of total hip replacements. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery American Volume 2003, 85-A(12):2378-2384.
  9. Borkowski SL, Sangiorgio SN, Bowen RE, Scaduto AA, B. H, Bauer K, Ebramzadeh E: Strength of thoracic spine under simulated direct vertebral rotation: A biomechanical study. Spine Deformity 2016, 4(2), 85-93.
  10. Knutsen AR, Borkowski SL, Ebramzadeh E, Flanagan CL, Hollister SJ, Sangiorgio SN: Static and dynamic fatigue behavior of topology designed and conventional 3D printed bioresorbable PCL cervical interbody fusion devices. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 2015, 49:332-342.
  11. Sangiorgio SN, Sheikh H, Borkowski SL, Khoo L, Warren CR, Ebramzadeh E: Comparison of three posterior dynamic stabilization devices. Spine 2011, 36(19):E1251-1258.
  12. Rajfer RA, Kilic A, Neviaser AS, Schulte LM, Hlaing SM, Landeros J, Ferrini MG, Ebramzadeh E, Park SH: Enhancement of fracture healing in the rat, modulated by compounds that stimulate inducible nitric oxide synthase: Acceleration of fracture healing via inducible nitric oxide synthase. Bone & Joint Research 2017, 6(2), 90-97.
  13. Ebramzadeh E, Knutsen AR, Sangiorgio SN, Brambila M, Harris TG: Biomechanical comparison of syndesmotic injury fixation methods using a cadaveric model. Foot & Ankle International 2013, 34(12):1710-1717.
  14. Silva M, Knutsen AR, Kalma JJ, Borkowski SL, Bernthal NM, Spencer HT, Sangiorgio SN, Ebramzadeh E: Biomechanical testing of pin configurations in supracondylar humeral fractures: the effect of medial column comminution. Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2013, 27(5):275-280.
  15. Thordarson DB, Motamed S, Hedman T, Ebramzadeh E, Bakshian S: The effect of fibular malreduction on contact pressures in an ankle fracture malunion model. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery American Volume 1997, 79(12):1809-1815.
  16. Sangiorgio SN, Ho NC, Morgan RD, Ebramzadeh E, Zionts LE: The objective measurement of brace-use adherence in the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2016, 98(19), 1598-1605.
  17. Knutsen AR, Avoian T, Sangiorgio SN, Borkowski SL, Ebramzadeh E, Zionts LE: How do different anterior tibial tendon transfer techniques influence forefoot and hindfoot motion? Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 2014, 473(5), 1737-43.
  18. Ebramzadeh E, McKellop H, Dorey F, Sarmiento A: Challenging the validity of conclusions based on P-values alone: a critique of contemporary clinical research design and methods. Instructional Course Lectures 1994, 43:587-600.

Jenna Wahbeh, M.S

Jenna Wahbeh is a 6th year PhD student at the JVL Orthopaedic Research Center at Luskin OIC. Jenna’s dissertation work focuses on the evaluation of cervical disc replacements to improve clinical outcomes. Her published research includes collaborative studies with UCLA trauma surgeons looking at fracture fixation devices, assessment of 3D-printed tracheal stents to treat infantile tracheobronchomalacia, and multiple studies on the analysis of cervical disc replacements.

Jenna was awarded the ORS Spine Section Travel Fellowship, allowing her to collaborate with spinal researchers at the University of Waterloo. There, she worked on validating her innovative 3D printed cervical vertebral body for biomechanical assessments of cervical devices. Additionally, she received the UCLA 2024-2025 UCLA Dissertation Year Fellowship, supporting her work during the final year of her PhD

Jenna earned her Master’s degree in bioengineering from UCLA in 2020 and her Bachelor’s degree from USC in 2019. She is scheduled to defend her dissertation in early 2025, marking the culmination of her extensive academic and research efforts at Luskin OIC.

Sang-Hyun Park, PhD

Dr. Park is the Director of the Biomaterials Laboratory of the JVL Orthopaedic Research Center located at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children in downtown LA. Dr. Park’s education focused in large part on implant biomaterials and degradation. In the last decade, Dr. Park has conducted extensive studies of metal-on-metal joint replacements, including comprehensive analysis of implant failure, and mechanical, biological, and corrosion analysis. These studies include detailed characterization of implant surface and structural damage to determine mechanisms of wear and failure in total hip and knee replacement components, as well as lumbar and cervical disk replacements.

In the past, Dr. Park has also conducted landmark research studies using animal models to enhance methods for treating fractures, focusing on the effects of weight bearing, electrical muscle stimulation, and lavage of an open fracture, and the effect of pneumatic compression on blood flow to the fracture and healing. Dr. Park developed a novel method for creating different types of closed fractures in animals, and evaluated these using micro CT imaging, in vivo blood flow measurement, histology, and biomechanical testing.

Education

Doctoral Degree

  • PhD in Biomedical Engineering, The University of Iowa, 1989

Masters Degree

  • MS in Bioengineering, Clemson University, 1985

Undergraduate Degree

  • BS in Materials Engineering, Han-Yang University, Seoul, Korea, 1981

Affiliations

  • Orthopaedic Research Society

Awards and Recognition

  • The Hip Society John Charnley Award 1994
  • Zumberge Award, University of Southern California 1993
  • The Austin T. Moore Award, Clemson University 1986

Research and Publications

  1. Park, S., Lu, Z., Hastings, R. S., Campbell, P. A., & Ebramzadeh, E. (2018). Five Hundred Fifty-five Retrieved Metal-on-metal Hip Replacements of a Single Design Show a Wide Range of Wear, Surface Features, and Histopathologic Reactions. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research,476(2), 261-278.
  2. Park, S. H., Lu, Z., Hastings, R. S., Campbell, P. A., & Ebramzadeh, E. (2018). Reply to the Letter to the Editor: Five Hundred Fifty-five Retrieved Metal-on-metal Hip Replacements of a Single Design Show a Wide Range of Wear, Surface Features, and Histopathologic Reactions. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 476(11), 2280-2281.
  3. Rajfer, R. A., Kilic, A., Neviaser, A. S., Schulte, L. M., Hlaing, S. M., Landeros, J., . . . Park, S. (2017). Enhancement of fracture healing in the rat, modulated by compounds that stimulate inducible nitric oxide synthase. Bone & Joint Research,6(2), 90-97.
  4. Yuan, N., Park, S., Luck, J. V., & Campbell, P. A. (2017). Revisiting the concept of inflammatory cell-induced corrosion. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials,106(3), 1148-1155.
  5. Campbell, P., Park, S., Zoller, S., Yousuf, J., & Nelson, S. D. (2017). Solid Corrosion Products in the Periprosthetic Tissues of a Distal Femoral Endoprosthesis Used to Treat Osteosarcoma. Corrosion,73(12), 1530-1537.
  6. McKellop, H. A., Hart, A., Park, S. H., Hothi, H., Campbell, P., & Skinner, J. A. (2014). A lexicon for wear of metal‐on‐metal hip prostheses. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 32(9), 1221-1233.
  7. Amorosa, L. F., Lee, C. H., Aydemir, A. B., Nizami, S., Hsu, A., Patel, N. R., Park, S.H., & Mao, J. J. (2013). Physiologic load-bearing characteristics of autografts, allografts, and polymer-based scaffolds in a critical sized segmental defect of long bone: an experimental study. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 8, 1637.
  8. Virk, M. S., Sugiyama, O., Park, S. H., Gambhir, S. S., Adams, D. J., Drissi, H., & Lieberman, J. R. (2011). “Same day” ex-vivo regional gene therapy: a novel strategy to enhance bone repair. Molecular Therapy, 19(5), 960-968.
  9. Cadet, E. R., Vorys, G. C., Rahman, R. K., Park, S. H., Gardner, T. R., Lee, F. Y., … & Ahmad, C. S. (2010). Improving bone density at the rotator cuff footprint increases supraspinatus tendon failure stress in a rat model. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 28(3), 308-314.
  10. Suratwala, S. J., Cho, S. K., van Raalte, J. J., Park, S. H., Seo, S. W., Chang, S. S., … & Lee, F. Y. I. (2008). Enhancement of periprosthetic bone quality with topical hydroxyapatite-bisphosphonate composite. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume., 90(10), 2189.
  11. Virk, M. S., Conduah, A., Park, S. H., Liu, N., Sugiyama, O., Cuomo, A., … & Lieberman, J. R. (2008). Influence of short-term adenoviral vector and prolonged lentiviral vector mediated bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression on the quality of bone repair in a rat femoral defect model. Bone, 42(5), 921-931.

Eileen Fowler, PhD

  • Biomechanical Analysis of Gait in Individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
  • Gaming Technology for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy
  • Transforming the Healthcare of Women with Disabilities

Sophia Sangiorgio, PhD

  • Biomechanics
  • Implant Performance
  • Deformity Corrections (Scoliosis, Clubfoot)
  • Pediatric Orthopaedic Research
  • Implant Retrieval and Failure Analysis
  • Biomaterials
  • Implant Wear and Biodegradation
  • Fretting Wear and Corrosion

Overview

Dr. Sangiorgio is the Director of the Biomechanics Laboratory of the JVL Orthopaedic Research Center, located at Orthopaedic Institute for Children in downtown LA.

In the last decade, Dr. Sangiorgio has conducted several preclinical studies to evaluate surgical procedures for pediatric deformity corrections, including spine deformity and clubfoot. She has coauthored several landmark publications on the biomechanics of scoliosis surgery and the outcome of clubfoot treated using minimally invasive methods.

Since 2000, she has conducted numerous cadaveric and composite biomechanical experiments for preclinical evaluation of fixation of total joint replacement components. Her focus has been on the design, performance, and initial stability assessment of joint replacement implants as well as spine arthroplasty devices.

In addition to research activities, Dr. Sangiorgio has designed and teaches a course in orthopaedic biomechanics for the UCLA biomedical engineering department. This course covers the biomechanics of natural and artificial joints, and the evaluation of biomaterials for wear, tribology, biodegradation, and biocompatibility.

Education

Doctoral Degree

  • PhD in Biomedical Engineering, UCLA, 2006

Masters Degree

  • MS in Biomedical Engineering, UCLA, 2002

Undergraduate Degrees

  • BA in Liberal Arts, 3-2 Engineering Scripps College, 2000
  • BS in Biomedical-Mechanical Engineering, USC, 2000

Affiliations

  • Orthopaedic Research Society
  • North American Spine Society

Research & Publications

  1. Zionts, L. E., Ebramzadeh, E., Morgan, R. D., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2018). Sixty years on: Ponseti method for clubfoot treatment produces high satisfaction despite inherent tendency to relapse. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 100(9), 721-728.
  2. Beck, J. J., Sangiorgio, S. N., Jew, M. H., Marcum, T., Cooper, S. D., Ebramzadeh, E., & Zionts, L. E. (2017). Alteration in hypoplasia of the hindfoot structures during early growth in clubfeet treated using the Ponseti method. Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics, 11(6), 434-439.
  3. Dautremont, E. A., Ebramzadeh, E., Beck, J. J., Bowen, R. E., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2017). Opioid prescription and usage in adolescents undergoing orthopaedic surgery in the United States: a systematic review. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Reviews, 5(8), e5-e5.
  4. Lang, P. J., Avoian, T., Sangiorgio, S. N., Nazif, M. A., Ebramzadeh, E., & Zionts, L. E. (2017). Quantification of the ossification of the lateral cuneiform in the feet of young children with unilateral congenital talipes equinovarus. The Bone & Joint Journal, 99(8), 1109-1114.
  5. Sangiorgio, S. N., Ebramzadeh, E., Morgan, R. D., & Zionts, L. E. (2017). The timing and relevance of relapsed deformity in patients with idiopathic clubfoot. JAAOS-Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 25(7), 536-545.
  6. Borkowski, S. L., Sangiorgio, S. N., Bowen, R. E., Scaduto, A. A., He, B., Bauer, K. L., & Ebramzadeh, E. (2016). Strength of Thoracic Spine Under Simulated Direct Vertebral Rotation: A Biomechanical Study. Spine deformity, 4(2), 85-93.
  7. Knutsen, A. R., Fleming, J. F., Ebramzadeh, E., Ho, N. C., Warganich, T., Harris, T. G., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2017). Biomechanical comparison of fixation devices for first metatarsocuneiform joint arthrodesis. Foot & Ankle Specialist, 10(4), 322-328.
  8. Sangiorgio, S. N., Ho, N. C., Morgan, R. D., Ebramzadeh, E., & Zionts, L. E. (2016). The objective measurement of brace-use adherence in the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 98(19), 1598-1605.
  9. Borkowski, S. L., Tamrazian, E., Bowen, R. E., Scaduto, A. A., Ebramzadeh, E., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2016). Challenging the Conventional Standard for Thoracic Spine Range of Motion: A Systematic Review. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Reviews, 4(4).
  10. Knutsen, A. R., Avoian, T., Sangiorgio, S. N., Borkowski, S. L., Ebramzadeh, E., & Zionts, L. E. (2015). How do different anterior tibial tendon transfer techniques influence forefoot and hindfoot motion?. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®, 473(5), 1737-1743.
  11. Ebramzadeh, E., Campbell, P., Tan, T. L., Nelson, S. D., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2015). Can wear explain the histological variation around metal-on-metal total hips?. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®, 473(2), 487-494.
  12. Borkowski, S. L., Sangiorgio, S. N., Bowen, R. E., Scaduto, A. A., Kwak, J., & Ebramzadeh, E. (2017). Flexibility of thoracic spines under simultaneous multi-planar loading. European Spine Journal, 26(1), 173-180.
  13. Sangiorgio, S. N., Borkowski, S. L., Bowen, R. E., Scaduto, A. A., Frost, N. L., & Ebramzadeh, E. (2013). Quantification of increase in three-dimensional spine flexibility following sequential Ponte osteotomies in a cadaveric model. Spine Deformity, 1(3), 171-178.
  14. Zionts, L. E., Frost, N., Kim, R., Ebramzadeh, E., & Sangiorgio, S. N. (2012). Treatment of idiopathic clubfoot: experience with the Mitchell-Ponseti brace. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 32(7), 706-713.
  15. Silva, M., Knutsen, A. R., Kalma, J. J., Borkowski, S. L., Bernthal, N. M., Spencer, H. T., Sangiorgio, S. H. & Ebramzadeh, E. (2013). Biomechanical testing of pin configurations in supracondylar humeral fractures: the effect of medial column comminution. Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, 27(5), 275-280.
  16. Ebramzadeh, E., Campbell, P. A., Takamura, K. M., Lu, Z., Sangiorgio, S. N., Kalma, J. J., … & Amstutz, H. C. (2011). Failure modes of 433 metal-on-metal hip implants: how, why, and wear. Orthopaedic Clinics, 42(2), 241-250.

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