Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering
McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Pennsylvania
Brief Bio (Past Education, Research Positions, Etc.):
I obtained my undergraduate degree in Materials Science and Engineering with a specialization in Biomaterials from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2005. I completed my PhD in the Functional Tissue Engineering laboratory under the direction of Dr. David Butler at the University of Cincinnati in 2011. After postdoctoral training in musculoskeletal biology with Dr. David Rowe at UConn Health, I moved to the University of Pennsylvania in 2017 where I developed an independent research program in the McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory.
Who have been your mentors?
I have been blessed to have several outstanding mentors at each stage of my career. I would not have gone to graduate school without the advice from Russel Jamison in his Tissue Engineering course at the University of Illinois. During graduate school, my advisor, Dave Butler, and his close collaborator, Jason Shearn, were instrumental to my success. My postdoctoral advisor, David Rowe, as well as several colleagues (e.g., Ivo Kalajzic, Peter Maye, Gus Mazzocca) made my postdoctoral years some of my most enjoyable as a scientist. Finally, I currently seek advice from Lou Soslowsky, Rob Mauck, and many other McKay faculty colleagues.
What are your specific research areas and expertise?
My lab’s primary research goals are directed towards understanding the genetic, cellular, and mechanical mechanisms that regulate normal development, disease, and repair of tissues within the joint. I am particularly interested in identifying markers that define resident progenitors vs. mature cell types and the environmental cues (molecular and mechanical) that regulate their differentiation.
What are you currently working on?
There are two main themes of my lab. The first focuses on leveraging the hedgehog signaling pathway to improve tendon-to-bone integration using a variety of genetic animal models, unique surgical models, and scaffold delivery systems. The second examines how biophysical cues regulate the formation and maintenance of dense connective tissues. We utilize a combination of altered loading models and genetic animal models to perturb mechanosignaling in these cells in embryos, neonates, and adults.
What has been the biggest challenge for you in your research?
Navigating the multitude of responsibilities of faculty life has been challenging, while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance. My lab has also had some significant setbacks including a viral outbreak in our mouse colony that forced us to rederive all our lines. Although, I’m lucky enough to have amazing people in my lab that were able to weather the storm during these hard times.
What project(s) are you looking forward to in the near future?
We just started three projects in the past year focused on how to improve tendon-to-bone integration, how actomyosin contractility regulates the formation of tissues within the joint, and how maternal exercise affects limb development. I’m excited to work with established and new collaborators on these projects and look forward to tackling important research questions in these areas.
What do you want to do next in your career?
Given that my Dossier is currently being reviewed, I would like to be promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure at Penn. At least that is my immediate goal.
What advice would you give young investigators in the field?
Science is hard and you’re going to fail a lot. That’s why it’s important to celebrate the wins. I also find that team science is more rewarding. Not only do your colleagues help you overcome the losses but celebrating the wins with friends is that much sweeter.
When you’re not in the lab, what do you like to do for fun?
My life outside of the lab is run by my kids (8- and 6-year-old). Whether it’s building LEGO kits, going to their sporting events, going to amusement parks, etc., we’re always having fun.
What resources would you like to see available from the ORS Tendon Section?
The Tendon Section has been outstanding and given me a true home in science. I look forward to the continued growth of the section, building our community, and coming together to tackle important clinical problems in the field.
How can we follow you?
@DymentLabPenn on X/Twitter
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