Interdisciplinary Musculoskeletal Research Training Program (IMSKR T32)

The University of Minnesota has a rich tradition of training individuals to study musculoskeletal biology and disease. This NIH training program boasts a group of highly qualified mentors in state-of-the-art research environments, providing an ideal modern setting for training young scientists. Our IMSKR training program provides integrated training in three thematic areas: 1) MSK Development and Aging; 2) MSK Imaging and Translational Studies; and 3) MSK Cancers and Osteoimmunology, with the recognition that these areas may overlap for specific projects. Our selected faculty within these themes align with the central concept of interdisciplinary science and have a strong record of accomplishment of mentoring predoctoral students and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Program Goals

Our Goals:

  • The long-term, overall mission of our IMSKR T32 training program is to train the next generation of investigators who will advance prevention, treatment, and clinical care for musculoskeletal conditions and provide the building blocks to launch a long-lasting career that addresses pressing issues in musculoskeletal research.
  • Key components of this program include cross-disciplinary research training, coursework, career development activities, and mentorship for trainees.
Focus Groups

These primary focus groups allow for and encourage cross-disciplinary interactions between molecular biologists, (stem) cell biologists, orthopedic surgeons, veterinary researchers, and bioengineers. The primary interests of each faculty member guide placement into the groups; however, many faculty members make significant contributions to more than one focus group.

These primary focus groups allow for and encourage cross-disciplinary interactions between molecular biologists, (stem) cell biologists, orthopedic surgeons, veterinary researchers, and bioengineers. The primary interests of each faculty member guide placement into the groups; however, many faculty members make significant contributions to more than one focus group.

Musculoskeletal Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
(D.R. Clohisy,* M. Garwood, D. Largaespada, J. Modiano)

The collective focus of this group is to understand the etiology, progression, and clinical sequelae of musculoskeletal cancers and to develop new therapies for treatment and prevention. Specific areas of this research include:

  • Cellular mechanisms regulating osteolysis in cancer
  • Bone cancer-associated pain and tumor metastasis to bone 
  • Animal models of sarcoma
  • Clinical epidemiology research in osteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Development of new techniques in MR imaging and oncology 
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Biology Group
(C. Carlson,* J. Bechtold, P. Ludewig, G.E. Pluhar)

This group has a common interest in understanding the etiology and treatments of osteoarthritis. Specific areas of research include:

  • Development and validation of animal models of osteoarthritis
  • Bone fracture repair
  • Biomechanics of the shoulder joint
  • Pathophysiology of degenerative osteoarthritis of the spine
Musculoskeletal Development Group
(R. Gopalakrishnan, D. Kaufman, K. Mansky, L. Potter, M. O'Connor)

This group is unified by the common interest of understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate skeletal development, maturation, and differentiation. Specific areas of research include:

  • Osteoblast and osteoclast biology and the role of these cells in the physiologic and pathophysiologic formation of the skeleton
  • Mechanisms involved in limb regeneration in xenopus tadpoles
  • Skeletal aberrations occurring in dwarfism
  • Estrogen signal transduction cascades in bone metabolism and cancer biology
Epidemiology and Clinical Outcomes Research Group
(L. Spector*, M. Swiontkowski)

This group of investigators applies state-of-the-art epidemiologic and clinical outcomes research methodologies to critically evaluate a wide variety of musculoskeletal treatments. This group has multiple strengths but the two most important are their access to large patient/sample populations through cooperative multi-institutional trials and their international reputation in orthopedic-based clinical outcomes research. Specific areas of research include:

  • Assessment of functional outcomes for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions
  • Etiology and behavior of musculoskeletal cancers
Leadership & Faculty

Director

Co-Directors

Advisory Council

Faculty

Alumni

Predoctoral

  • Laura Antos, PhD
    • Characterizing ATP’s effect on natriuretic peptide receptors in relation to long bone growth using fibroblast cell cultures
    • Mentor: Lincoln Potter, PhD
  • Emily Bermel
    • Developing a theoretical/computational model of the degeneration process using growth and remodeling theories in conjunction with realistic models of the tissue geometry and properties
    • Mentor: Victor Barocas, PhD

Doctoral

Charles Billington, PhD

  • Examining the spectrum of craniofacial malformations resulting from a mutation of the gene Twisted Gastrulation
    • Mentor: Anna Petryk, MD

Nicholas Blixt 

  • Providing mechanistic insight into controlling osteoclast differentiation as a potential new therapy for osteoporosis or other diseases characterized by uncontrolled bone loss
    • Mentor: Kim Manksy, PhD

Christina Brakken-Thal, PhD

  • Understanding how Decapentapolegic (Dpp), a BMP protein, is regulated to pattern the dorsal surface of the embryo
    • Mentor: Michael O’Connor, PhD

Aaron Broege, PhD

  • Determining how delta EF1 regulates osteoblast development 
    • Mentor: Michael Sanders, PhD

Amy Claeson, PhD

  • Developing a multi-scale understanding of the structure and mechanical properties of the lumbar facet capsular ligament (FCL) at the spinal, segmental, and tissue levels
    • Mentor: Victor Barocas, PhD

Brandon Diessner, PhD

  • Identifying genetic variants that predispose individuals to osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma development
    • Mentor: Logan G. Spector, PhD

Aaron Edmund, PhD

  • Discovering the mechanisms of activation and inactivation of natriuretic peptide receptors
    • Mentor: Lincoln Potter, PhD

Arin Ellingson, PhD 

  • Measuring the helical axis of motion of lumbar spinal motion segments using a human cadaveric model to establish factors that are distinguishable and correlated by the location and/or direction of the helical axis throughout motion
    • Mentor: David Nuckley, PhD

Bora Faulkner, PhD

  • Understanding the mechanism by which histone deacetylase 4 ( HDAC4 ) regulates osteoclasts gene expression and differentiation.
    • Mentor: Kim Mansky, PhD

Sarah Frommer, PhD 

  • Investigating the use of stem cells as treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
    • Mentor: Catherine Verfaillie, MD

Liz Gacek, PhD

  • Mechanically characterizing and computationally modeling the lumbar facet capsular ligament (FCL)
    • Mentor: Victor Barocas, PhD

Craig Kage

  • Cervical spine kinematics
    • Mentor: Arin Ellingson, PhD

Rachel Kahler, PhD 

  • Defining the intentions of the transcription factors, Runx2 and LEF1, and determining the role of LEF1 in osteoblast differentiation.
    • Mentor: Jennifer Westendorf, PhD

Rebekah Lawrence, PT, DPT, OCS

  • Developing a biomechanical model based on kinematic data that will help establish a foundation for a clinical examination of movement impairments for people with shoulder pain
    • Mentor: Paula Ludewig, PhD, PT

Margaret McNulty, PhD 

  • Developing a histological grading scheme for osteoarthritis in mice.
    • Mentor: Cathy Carlson, DVM, PhD

Branden Moriarity, PhD 

  • Identify osteosarcoma (OS) development and metastasis genes by using candidate genes from a forward genetic screen
    • Mentor: David Largaespada, PhD

Christopher Peters, PhD 

  • Identifying unique cellular interactions that occur within the bone microenvironment in both osteolytic and osteoblastic models of bone cancer
    • Mentor: Patrick Mantyh, PhD, JD

Emily Pope, PhD

  • Characterizing adaptations in the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and tumor microenvironment in response to chemotherapy
    • Mentor: David Largaespada, PhD

Jerid Robinson, PhD 

  • The natriuretic peptide receptor B (NPR-B), which has relevance in musculoskeletal research via its effects on long bone growth.
    • Mentor: Lincoln Potter, PhD

Gaura Saini, DPT

  • Testing how anticipated patterns of muscle activation based on movement patterns identified using biplane fluoroscopy correlate to quantitatively observed muscle activity
    • Mentor: Paula Ludewig, PhD, PT

Brandon Smeester

  • Validating candidate cancer genes using the CRISPR system and testing novel therapeutic targets to treat osteosarcoma
    • Mentors: Branden Moriarty, PhD and David Largaespada, PhD

Postdoctoral

Alexandra Armstrong, DVM

  • Osteochondrosis (OC)/juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD)
    • Mentor: Cathy Carlson, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Randy Daughters, PhD

  • Understanding the origin and specification of satellite cells during embryonic development and their contribution to muscle regeneration in Xenopus Laevis tadpole tails
    • Mentor: Jonathan Slack, PhD

Dawne Dougherty, PhD

  • Understanding prostate cancer as it progresses to bone metastases, particularly with respect to the contributing hormonal signaling pathways
    • Mentor: Michel Sanders, PhD

Emily Gillespie, MD

  • Discovering underlying systemic autoimmune disease with the hope of improving disease management and generating better therapies
    • Mentor: Timothy Behrens, MD

Curtis Goreham-Voss, PhD

  • Applying finite element analysis to simulate the implant-bone fixation
    • Mentor: Joan Bechtold, PhD

Eric Jensen, PhD 

  • Studying interactions between Runx2 and histone deacetylases in the regulation of bone-specific genes
    • Mentor: Jennifer Westendorf, PhD

Kristina Kiefer, DVM 

  • Evaluating the use of canine adipose derived stem cells as a therapeutic modality for the treatment of intervertebral disc disease and degenerative myelopathy, as well as other various orthopedic conditions in canines
    • Mentor: Elizabeth Pluhar, DVM, PhD

Gengyun (Coco) Le, PhD

  • Investigating how estrogen affects the inflammatory responses and strength recovery following traumatic muscle injury
    • Mentor: Dawn Loe, PhD

Amanda Leightner, PhD

  • Understanding the role of PKD2 in osteoclast differentiation and function
    • Mentor: Eric Jensen, PhD

Carol Lin, MD

  • Comparing reoperation rates and outcomes in patients not enrolled or excluded from SPRINT to assess the influence of enrollment in the trial
    • Mentor: Marc Swiontkowski, MD

John Looft, PhD

  • Developing a high fidelity shoulder finite element model for clinical applications by combining finite element models along with MRI and fluoroscopy to develop predictive models for diagnosing shoulder pain and dysfunction
    • Mentor: Paula Ludewig, PhD

Kai Ludwig, PhD

  • Developing and evaluating advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques at clinical-strength and ultra-high magnetic field for noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of musculoskeletal diseases (e.g., juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD)
    • Mentors: Jutta Ellermann MD, PhD, and Greg Metzger, PhD

Shawn Mahmud, MD, PhD

  • Understanding the breakdown of tolerance in human autoimmune diseases by identifying, tracking, and characterizing rare, autoreactive T and B cells to understand how they cause autoimmunity
    • Mentors: Marc Jenkins, PhD, and Bryce Binstadt, MD, PhD

Christiana Raymond-Pope, PhD

  • Examining the musculoskeletal system following complex orthopedic and volumetric muscle loss (VML) injury
    • Mentor: Sarah M. Greising, PhD
Current Predoctoral Trainees
Ashton Amann smiling.

Ashton A. Amann, BS

Predoctoral Graduate Research Assistant  
Interdisciplinary Musculoskeletal Research Training Program (IMSKR)
Department of Clinical Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine 
Dual DVM/PhD Program
Project Title: “Advancing Detection of Ischemia and Bone Repair in the Femoral Head Using Quantitative MRI: Insights from a Piglet Model of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (LCPD)”
Mentor: Casey P. Johnson, PhD

Jonathan Washatka smiling with a dog in his lap.

Jonathan Washatka, BS, DPT

Predoctoral Physical Therapist
Interdisciplinary Musculoskeletal Research Training Program (IMSKR)
Department of Family Medicine and Community Heath
Rehabilitation Science
Project Title: “Comparison of shoulder kinematics, humeral translation, shoulder kinetics, and center of pressure sway during the Upper-Quarter Y-Balance Test between individuals with a previous shoulder stabilization surgery and matched controls”
Mentors: Justin Staker, PT, PhD, and Paula Ludewig, PT, FAPTA, PhD

Yaqoub Yusuf smiling.

Yaqoub Yusuf, BS, MS

Predoctoral Graduate Research Assistant
Interdisciplinary Musculoskeletal Research Training Program (IMSKR)
Department of Family Medicine and Community Heath
Rehabilitation Science
Project Title: “Investigating Cervical Spine Kinematics Pre- and Post-Spinal Manipulative Therapy to Understand Biomechanical Mechanisms Using Biplane Video-radiography”
Mentor: Arin Ellinson, PhD

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the T32 training grant and what is its purpose?

The training grant is a 5-year award from the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) of the NIH. Its purpose is to provide state-of-the-art research training in musculoskeletal biology to predoctoral graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

How many positions are available on the training grant?

Three predoctoral positions are supported by this training grant. Typically, each individual is supported for two years, but trainees wishing to continue for a third year can reapply for the position.

Who is eligible to apply for a position on the training grant?

All individuals supported by this grant mechanism must be a US citizen or noncitizen national (permanent resident). Students on temporary or student visas are not eligible. Predoctoral students must be enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Minnesota and be in good academic standing. 

What are the criteria for acceptance into the program?

The criteria for acceptance include the following:

  1. Academic credentials
  2. Strong interest in musculoskeletal research and a desire for a research career
  3. Desirable personal characteristics, including integrity, perseverance, and communications skills

How do individuals apply to the program and what is the application deadline?

Applications are typically solicited during June. A complete application must include the following:

  1. A completed predoctoral or postdoctoral application form that is available online or from Tanya Doble
  2. Applicant’s Biosketch
  3. Mentor’s Current Research Support
  4. Mentor’s Letter of Support

These materials should be submitted to Tanya Doble, Orthopedic Surgery, 2450 Riverside Av., Suite R200, Minneapolis, MN 55454; Phone 612-273-8052; FAX 612-273-8072; or by email at [email protected].

What is the level of stipend support for trainees supported by this grant?

Predoctoral stipends are set by the trainee’s graduate program. The NIH provides a set stipend

level; any amount over the NIH funded level to match graduate program level may be funded by matching funds by the Department of Orthopedics or the faculty mentor’s funds. The training grant also supports tuition/fees, health insurance, travel, and trainee-related expenses. 
Trainees are not considered University of Minnesota employees and thus withholding taxes are not withheld unless requested by the trainee. If appointed, you are responsible for addressing this issue. Learn more on the University HR website

.

What are the expectations of the trainees?

Expectations of T32 trainees are: 

  1. Committed to full-time research training resulting in at least one primary research publication per year of T32 support.
  2. Apply for an individual fellowship within the first or second year of support. 
  3. Regularly attend program seminars/journal clubs, speaker networking sessions, and present one journal club and/or research seminars each year. 
  4. Complete a Responsible Conduct of Research training
  5. Complete didactic course work including a grant writing course and the Skeletal Biology course (OBIO 8012). 
  6. Develop an interdisciplinary mentorship team.
  7. Present at a musculoskeletal research scientific conference and the UMN-Mayo Combined Symposium. 

Annual review of trainees by the Steering Committee is required prior to re-appointment for continued support.

Who are the faculty mentors that are listed on the grant?

Elizabeth W. Bradley, Sarah M. Greising, Casey P. Johnson, and Kim C. Mansky are the directors of the training program. Additional training faculty are listed on the training grant website under the Leadership & Faculty tab.

Can additional faculty members participate?

Additional mentors may be added, based on the research interests of trainees (i.e. trainee has a research interest outside of the current mentor research expertise and identifies an individual he/she wishes to work with). These individuals must meet the criteria outlined below, including an extramurally funded, independent research program and a strong interest in providing musculoskeletal research training. Faculty members may apply by submitting a letter of interest and a CV to Dr. Kim Mansky. A completed application form is also required. New faculty must be approved by the training program faculty as well as at the NIH program level.

The criteria for membership are: 

  • Full member of the graduate faculty
  • Established, extramurally supported research program 
  • Commitment to strong research training in spirit of the program

Your responsibilities as a mentor will include:
When sponsoring a trainee, mentors will submit a proposal to the steering committee explaining a potential trainee’s project, its merits as a training experience, including cross-disciplinary elements and mentorship, and ancillary supporting experiences that will be given to the trainee.  The mentor will also submit an annual report to the Steering Committee, describing progress, performance, and a summary diary of mentoring of the trainee.  Reports and trainee programs will be reviewed and approved by the Steering Committee to ensure compliance with mission.  As needed, the Steering Committee will determine remedy.

To apply for membership, please complete the attached application form and provide us with the requested materials. Applications from new prospective mentors will be reviewed and approved by the Steering Committee.  

Applications & Recruitment

For info on how to apply, eligibility, and criteria, see our FAQ page.

Please contact Grants & Contracts Professional Tanya Doble to inquire about the status of open positions.