Meet the 2025–2026 SCR Trainee Officer
McKenzie White, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
Department of Radiology, Stanford University
Dr. White’s research integrates biomechanics, medical imaging, and artificial intelligence to better understand muscle and joint dysfunction in orthopaedic conditions. Learn more below.
How did you get involved in orthopaedic research?
I first became interested in orthopaedic research through my own experiences as a lifelong patient. Years of surgeries gave me a unique perspective on the gaps in care and the need for better tools to guide surgical decisions.
What are your specific research areas and expertise?
My research interests include lower extremity musculoskeletal imaging, biomechanics, and modeling. For example, we recently found that three years after ACL reconstruction via patellar tendon autograft, individuals showed cartilage composition changes in the patellofemoral joint, as measured by T1rho MRI, that were not associated with quadriceps strength or size. These findings suggest other factors may contribute to posttraumatic osteoarthritis risk and warrant further investigation across graft types (PMID: 40400186). My research interests also include the development of tools to automate and enhance musculoskeletal imaging, biomechanical, and modeling analyses.
What do you want to do next in your career?
My goal is to develop tools that clinicians can use to guide personalized surgical decision-making.
What are some of the unmet challenges or unanswered questions in MSK research that you hope to prioritize during your career?
Many imaging and biomechanical factors exist, but translating them into actionable, individualized insights remains a challenge. I hope to prioritize work that bridges the gap between imaging and clinical decision-making.
Any personal interests or hobbies you would like to share?
Soccer, hiking, and being as active as I can!
