The Ninth Annual Musculoskeletal Health Symposium took place on Friday, May 30, 2025, at the North Campus Research Complex in Ann Arbor, MI. The event offered a full day of engaging presentations, thought-provoking discussions, and valuable networking opportunities—all centered on advancing musculoskeletal health.

This annual gathering brought together clinicians, researchers, and students to share cutting-edge research, exchange ideas, and build meaningful collaborations. This year’s symposium welcomed over 150 in-person attendees, along with a robust virtual audience. The event featured 51 abstract poster presentations, with more than 20 contributed by members of our department, showcasing the breadth and depth of research in the field.

A highlight of the day was the keynote address by Dr. Alayna E. Loiselle, titled “S100a4 in Soft Tissue Fibrosis: From Fundamental Cell Biology to Translational Science,” which sparked rich conversation and insight into translational applications.

Thank you to all who participated and contributed to making this year’s symposium a success!

For further information about the event: https://mimhc.med.umich.edu 

Dr. Kheir’s research interests include studying current practices and pushing the envelope for improved patient outcomes with new technologies, as well as postoperative pain and prophylactic protocols (including venous thromboembolism, infection, and stiffness prevention). Dr. Kheir enjoys studying our own institution’s unique patient population as well as larger registry studies to study clinical outcomes and patient-reported measures after hip and knee replacements. He is involved in collaborative projects and clinical trials with grants awarded/submitted examining implant safety, drug-eluting bone void fillers and cutting-edge technology to treat infections, as well as machine-learning to predict outcomes. Lastly, Dr. Kheir is involved in international consensus meetings where he has worked with experts to create evidence-based guidelines to guide care for patients world-wide.

Rob Goulet, PhD, earned his doctorate in Bioengineering from the University of Michigan in 1995, conducting his thesis work under the mentorship of Dr. Steve Goldstein, during the period when the Orthopaedic Research Laboratories (ORL) were housed in the North Ingalls Building. His dissertation focused on examining the relationship between the three-dimensional structure of trabecular bone and its mechanical properties.

During his doctoral training, Dr. Goulet conducted extensive work using the first-generation 3D micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system developed by Dr. Lee Feldkamp at the Ford Motor Company Research Laboratories. He later played a key role in developing a second-generation micro-CT system at the ORL, contributing to the system’s design and writing much of the software used for data acquisition and image reconstruction. He also developed software for scan analysis and assisted numerous researchers and fellow graduate students in imaging and analyzing their specimens.

Following the completion of his PhD and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan, Dr. Goulet joined Warner-Lambert, which later merged with Pfizer. Over the course of his tenure at Pfizer, which continued until the closure of its St. Louis research site around 2010, he progressed from a role in the Computational Chemistry group focused on systems maintenance and scientific programming to a Research Scientist position. There, he specialized in cheminformatics, developing tools to support medicinal and computational chemistry efforts. After leaving Pfizer, he provided consulting services to Endra Life Sciences, contributing to the development of software for their photoacoustic imaging systems.

Dr. Goulet returned to the University of Michigan in August 2011, assuming the role of Research Computer Specialist at the ORL. In this capacity, he oversees and maintains the lab’s computer infrastructure, serving as a liaison to Health Information Technology & Services (HITS) to ensure optimal performance and support. Additionally, he leads the development of imaging tools for micro-CT and nano-CT data analysis, trains users on advanced imaging software, and supports researchers in developing image analysis protocols.

On June 6, 2025, Dr. Rhima Coleman, Dr. Ken Kozloff, and Conor Locke, our research project engineer, provided Orthopaedic Surgery residents with a series of hands-on experiments and tutorials to demonstrate basic biomechanical fundamentals. Creative energy was on display as residents rotated between stations that included hands-on testing of bones of varying mechanical properties, live action demonstrations of viscoelasticity, and other examples using everyday materials. Attendees left with a better understanding of essential biomechanics concepts and how they might apply to their own clinical practice.

Dr. Megan Killian was recently elected via rank choice voting by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) members to serve as the Secretary-Elect in the first year of a four-year total term on the “Chair cycle” with subsequent years serving as the Secretary (2026-2027), Chair (2027-2028), and Past Chair (2028-2029). Dr. Killian recently completed her role as chair of the Student Paper Competition for the ASME/SB3C in 2024. The ASME Bioengineering Division is focused on the application of mechanical engineering knowledge, skills and principles from conception to the design, development, analysis and operation of biological systems. 

Congratulations to Dr. Karl Jepsen for being featured in the Michigan Research e-newsletter for his groundbreaking work in osteoporosis treatment. His innovative research continues to advance the field of musculoskeletal health and holds great promise for improving patient outcomes. We celebrate this well-deserved recognition of his contributions to science and public health. 

The University Record Article: Breakthrough treatment for osteoporosis? 

Congratulations to Dr. Ken Kozloff for being highlighted in The University Record newsletter for his recent appointment to the Global Sport University Network (GSUN) Leadership Council. The University of Michigan is proud to join this international consortium of 10 leading universities dedicated to leveraging sport science research to address complex societal challenges. Dr. Kozloff's leadership and expertise will play a vital role in advancing collaborative, interdisciplinary solutions through this global initiative. 

The University Record Article: University of Michigan joins global sports science council | The University Record 

Emma Wessels recently showcased her work on the Osteo-Sleeve project with a poster presentation at the annual Musculoskeletal Research Retreat hosted by Henry Ford Hospital and Michigan State University. She is also beginning a dual Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)/Biomedical Engineering PhD program at Michigan State University, where she will be mentored by Dr. Chris Contag, Director of the Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Christina Capobianco is excited and honored to share that she was recently awarded the Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellowship from the National Institutes of Health. This prestigious fellowship will support her research investigating the role of cyclin dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) in ischemic fracture repair. Nonunion fractures, defined as those that fail to heal for more than nine months, are both physically and psychologically debilitating. When fractures are accompanied by compromised or damaged vasculature (ischemia), they are five times more likely to progress to nonunion, resulting in reduced fracture callus formation, poor healing, and increased cell death and fibrosis. The research she proposes to conduct under this fellowship aims to deepen our understanding of CDK8’s role in chondrogenesis. This work will help advance therapeutic treatments for ischemic fracture patients and improve patient quality of life. 

Ciara joins the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery as the Disability and Research Safety Infrastructure Project Manager. She earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, where her research focused on developing computational tools to explore the structure and function of noncoding RNAs. In this position, Ciara will help manage a campus-wide effort to improve the accessibility, safety, and inclusivity of research spaces across the University of Michigan. She recently completed the Research Operations, Management, & Strategy (ROMS) Fellowship in the Medical School Office of Research, where she supported projects in space planning, regulatory compliance, and operational strategy. Outside of work, Ciara enjoys cooking, running, watching Formula 1, and attending trivia nights with friends.

Christophe obtained his Ph.D. from Nantes University, France, under the supervision of Dr. Jerome Guicheux Ph.D. He specialized in cell and molecular biology applied to stem cell differentiation and cartilage tissue engineering. As a research assistant and temporary lecturer, he developed in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo osteoarthritic models to assess the effect of nutritional compounds. 

He was awarded a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship and joined Dr. Ernestina Schipani M.D., Ph.D. initially at Indiana University Purdue University Indiana (IUPUI) and then at the University of Michigan. He investigated the role of the hypoxia inducible factor pathway in skeletal development (with a specific focus on growth plate and intervertebral disc) and in bone mass accrual and homeostasis. During his career, Christophe has developed expertise in fields such as biological image analysis and quantification and gained knowledge in bone phenotype analysis.
After a few years in the medical information and pharmacovigilance industry, Christophe joined Dr. Lang’s lab in May 2025. He will focus on the role of cellular oxygen in the bone and cartilage repair processes.

Outside of the lab, Christophe enjoys spending time with his family, the great outdoors, landscape and wildlife photography, and as a French native, cooking.

Ivan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Trevecca Nazarene University and a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from Point Loma Nazarene University. His main research interests focus on sport performance, injury prevention, and human movement. He has a background in biomechanics, exercise physiology, and sport science using motion capture, metabolic testing, force plates, and EMG. He has used his experience to work on projects with the San Diego Padres, San Diego Legion, the Olympic track cycling team, and various Division I and II sports teams. He is looking forward to leveraging those experiences and interests to work with University of Michigan athletes to be the best that they can be and to mentor students to be outstanding professionals in their future endeavors. His hobbies include strength training, running, playing video games, reading, and spending time with his wife Nicole and dog Coconut. (Christmas card tradition is always to get Coconut to smile big!) 

Paniz has a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University and comes to us with experience in clinical documentation and molecular biology research. She will be primarily supporting our hand, foot/ankle, and oncology services. In her free time, she enjoys watching films at the State Theatre, going on hikes and reading the latest Sally Rooney novel. 

This July, Action for Happiness encourages you to embrace Jump Back Up July — a time to rise, reflect, and renew. Whether it's taking a small step toward solving a challenge, shifting your perspective to see the silver lining, or simply finding something to look forward to each day, you have the power to turn setbacks into stepping stones. Challenge yourself to bring deeper meaning to at least two areas of your life this month.

“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.” — Steve Maraboli