The Stryker/ORS Women’s Research Fellowship offers support of up to $50,000 to promote women in science. This is an opportunity for an ORS member who identifies as a woman or as gender non-conforming (non-binary, gender fluid, etc.). The award winner should be a recent PhD recipient (within the last four years) in science or engineering, a full time post-doctoral fellow, and should be conducting translational orthopaedic research with an experienced research advisor. Translational research is defined as research with a clearly articulated vision of how it can lead to improved musculoskeletal health of individuals.

We are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Stryker/ORS Women’s Research Fellowship:

Olivia Bruce, PhD
Identifying Imaging Biomarkers to Assess Bone Healing and Strength in Runners Recovering from Bone Stress Injuries

Dr. Bruce is a Postdoctoral Scholar at Stanford University, mentored by Dr. Feliks Kogan and Dr. Emily Kraus. She has a background in biomechanics and biomedical engineering. Her research interests include bone and tendon mechanics and health, the female athlete, and quantitative musculoskeletal imaging. Dr. Bruce is also passionate about advancing equity for women and other under-represented genders in science.

Overview

This fellowship awards up to $50,000 to promote women in science and provides an opportunity to a female ORS member who is a recent PhD in science or engineering to conduct research in the field of orthopaedic technology.

Details of the Fellowship

  • The Fellowship will be offered for one year.
  • The award amount is up to $50,000 per year, for direct costs. Indirect costs are not allowed.
  • Recipient must complete the full year or forfeit any unused funds.
  • The fellowship is not intended to provide a full-time salary, but up to 25% is acceptable.
  • For postdoctoral fellows, costs associated with tuition and fees are allowable only if they are required for specific courses in support of the research training. The application should request an institutional allowance to help defray the cost of fellowship expenses such as health insurance, research supplies, equipment, books, and travel to scientific meetings.
  • At the time of Fellowship, individuals are required to pursue their research training on a full-time basis, normally defined as 40 hours per week, or as specified by the research institution in accordance with its own policies.
  • Two awards are allowed per person per lifetime.

Eligibility

  • Identify as a woman or gender non-conforming (non-binary, gender fluid, etc.).
  • Post-doc (less than 5 years after obtaining PhD). Must maintain post-doc status throughout the Fellowship (faculty members, MD’s/PhD’s are ineligible).
  • Obtained a PhD in science or engineering.
  • Conducting research in a field that will advance orthopedic science and technology.
  • Affiliated with a US based non-profit, public or private institution of higher education, such as teaching hospitals, medical schools, universities, colleges or research institution (Awards may not be transferred outside the US).
  • Have a legal working status in the US. Must be a citizen or permanent resident or have a visa that extends beyond the fellowship. Please upload a copy of your visa.
  • Member of the ORS in good standing, or will apply for membership at the time of submission.

The Deadline for Letters of Intent (LOI) is June 13, 2025.

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Get Started Here:

The letter of intent (LOI) must not exceed two (2) pages and utilize no smaller than 11-point Arial typeface in black font color.  Minimum margins must be 1/2 inch for left and right, 1 inch for top and bottom, and no smaller than 9-point type for any figures, legends, or tables.

The following items are required:

  • Cover page – Descriptive Project Title, Name of Candidate, Current Position Title, Name of Institution, Name of Mentor(s), Eligibility Statement (state PhD graduation date and briefly describe any other details required to clarify eligibility criteria, described below).
  • Abstract of the Proposed Research – Maximum of 500 words. Please include specific aims, research approach, innovation, and significance (gap in knowledge; impact) of the project. List succinctly the specific objectives of the research proposed (e.g., to test a stated hypothesis, create a novel design, solve a specific problem, challenge an existing paradigm or clinical practice, address a critical barrier to progress in the field, or develop new technology).  The abstract should clearly address how the research project will ultimately improve the musculoskeletal health of individuals .
  • Description of the Potential Impact on Career – Please provide a short description of how your research environment, mentor and collaborator support, and career opportunities are likely to be impacted by receipt of this fellowship.
  • Description of Past Leadership Experience and Planned Leadership Development – Please provide a short description (max 100 words) of your past leadership experience and planned leadership development should you obtain the fellowship.
  • Reviewer Expertise Recommended – Indicate expertise required from potential reviewers to facilitate the review of your application. For example: (cell biology, biomechanics, tissue engineering, clinical)
  • Biosketch – In addition to the letter of intent, applicants are asked to upload a Biosketch. Use NIH formatted Biosketch for the candidate ONLY.  Do not exceed five (5) pages per individual. The NIH Biosketch template is available for download.
  • No other documentation is needed or permitted at the LOI stage.

Submission Process for Letter of Intent

  • Please compile all documents and biosketch in order listed above into a single .pdf
  • Use File name format: Last Name_First Initial_Stryker_ORS_LOI.pdf
  • Email to [email protected]

Applicants invited to submit full proposals will be notified the week of July 14, 2025. An email will be sent either inviting a full online submission or declining a full proposal. ORS will not provide comments on why proposals were not accepted or any comprehensive details informing the decision.

Please read the application instructions carefully before applying. If you wish to apply, you must be a member, please join here.

Step 1
Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by June 13, 2025.

Step 2
If you are invited to submit a full application, you will be asked to complete an online application and upload a single pdf of the following compiled in the order listed below. Please name the file as: last name_first initial_Stryker_ORS_Application.pdf

  1. Cover Page. Please use this template.
  2. Abstract of the Proposed Research. This can be an updated version of the abstract submitted with the Letter of Intent.
  3. Translational Research Statement: Describe how your proposed project fits the description of translational research. Translational research is defined as research with a clearly articulated vision of how it can advance the field of Orthopaedics and lead to improved musculoskeletal health of individuals. (Maximum one page).
  4. NIH Style Biosketch – Applicant Please include involvement in the ORS and other research societies.
  5. NIH Style Biosketch – Mentor/ Term advisor/Preceptor. Please include ongoing research support.
  6. Personal Statement (Maximum 2 pages)
    1. Applicant’s future career goals.
    2. Statement of how the fellowship will advance the applicant’s career.
  7. Leadership and Commitment to Advancing Women in STEM (2 page maximum)
    1. Provide examples of leadership experiences.
    2. Describe how the applicant has supported women (girls, students, other adults) in STEM and how they plan to support them in the future.
  8. Resources and Facilities (1-page maximum). Please describe the resources and/or facilities that you have access to that will permit the successful conduct of the study.
  9. References
  10. Research Plan
    1. Background and Significance
    2. Preliminary Studies (may include specific training)
    3. Research Plan

The research plan should include expected milestones of progress toward the specific aims of the project and an estimated timeline for achieving those milestones. This information will be used to assess the feasibility of the project as well as ongoing progress. Progress towards these milestones should be detailed in two progress reports.

The research proposal should not contain any confidential or proprietary information of applicant, her institution or any third party. Completed applications may be shared with the Fellowship sponsor.

  1. Budget and Timeline. Please use this template.
  2. Two letters of recommendation with one from the current mentor.

Two reference letters are required and are a critical element to the assessment of the applicant’s training potential and potential for a career in musculoskeletal research. One letter should be from the current postdoctoral supervisor and the other from an individual who will not be directly involved with the candidate’s postdoctoral training such as graduate adviser or an investigator in the same institution.

In addition, the mentor should address the following points:

  • Leadership potential.
  • Description of the Training Plan for the mentee.
  • A brief description of how the environment of your laboratory research environment and the institution will support the training and transition of the mentee to independence.
  1. Please upload evidence of VISA or Permanent Residence Status.

  • Recipient is expected to interact with Stryker personnel including, but not limited to, on‐site meetings and at least two presentations on research progress.
  • Recipient will also submit an ORS abstract to present a poster at the annual meeting and, if selected, a podium presentation as well.

Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

  1. Overall Impact/Merit
  2. Fellowship Applicant’s Biosketch
  3. Leadership Potential and Commitment to the Advancement of Women in Science/technology.
  4. Research Plan and Relevance to Orthopaedic Research
  5. Research Training Plan and Training Potential6)
  6. Mentor/Term Advisor/Preceptor/Collaborators
  7. Institutional Environment and Commitment to Training
  8. Involvement in the ORS and other research societies

Disclaimer:

All applications submitted are considered confidential. However, due to the nature of the event, we cannot guarantee complete confidentiality for proprietary matters. The ORS is not responsible for any proprietary information and/or intellectual property included in the application. The protection of sensitive materials; intellectual property, copyright, or patient confidentiality is the sole responsibility of the applicant. Non-disclosure agreements will not be signed by reviewers, ORS members or Stryker employees.

Uploading of Documents:

  1. Application (Single pdf in above order)
    Upload File
  2. Letter of Recommendation from a Current Mentor (pdf file only)
    Upload File
  3. 2nd Letter of Recommendation (pdf file only)
    Upload File
  4. Evidence of VISA or Permanent Residence Status*
    Upload File

Scientific Conduct and IRB Approval

The ORS and STRYKER do not assume responsibility for the conduct of the investigation or the acts of the investigator since both are under the direction and control of the recipient institution and subject to the institution’s medical and scientific policies. Recipient institutions must safeguard the rights and welfare of individuals who participate as subjects in research activities by reviewing proposed activities through an Institutional Review Board (IRB) as specified by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office for Protection from Research Risks (OPRR). In addition, institutions must adhere to the current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines regarding financial conflict of interest, recombinant DNA, biohazards, research misconduct, and vertebrate animals.

2025
Olivia Bruce, PhD
Identifying Imaging Biomarkers to Assess Bone Healing and Strength in Runners Recovering from Bone Stress Injuries

2024
Mary Bucklin, PhD
Evaluation of Socioeconomic Status and Spine Health in Chronic Low Back Pain Using Deep Learning Based Image Analysis

2023
Carolyn Chlebek, PhD
Determination of bone quality following weight loss in obese preclinical models

2022
Rebecca M. Irwin, PhD
The Role of Connexins in Mitochondrial Transfer Between Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Stressed Chondrocytes

2021
Koren Roach BS, PhD
University of California – San Francisco
Development of artificial intelligence-based tools that leverage lower-limb function and joint structure to predict hip osteoarthritis onset and progression

2020
Stephanie G. Cone, PhD
University of Wisconsin
Direct Measurement of Tendon Loading Following Pediatric and Adolescent ACL Reconstructions

2019
Amy L. Lenz, PhD
University of Utah
Advancing Total Ankle Replacement Through Morphometric and Kinematic Analyses

2018
Olufunmilayo Adebayo, PhD
Hospital for Special Surgery
Changes in Dynamic Tibiofemoral Contact Mechanics and Kinematics after Surgical Intervention for the Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears

Interested in the fellowship? View the recording from the Stryker/ORS Women’s Research Fellowship Informational Webinar and Panel Discussion from Fellowship recipients.