Description of Research Expertise

My primary research goals are directed towards understanding the genetic, cellular, and mechanical mechanisms that regulate normal development, disease (e.g., chronic tendon pathologies, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), and repair of tissues in the joint. My current research focuses on 1) identifying the resident progenitor populations that contribute to normal growth, healing and repair, 2) characterizing the mechanisms that control the expansion and differentiation of these cells, and 3) ascertaining the phenotypical markers that define the stages of differentiation from early stem/progenitors to mature tendon/ligament fibroblasts and chondrocytes. These goals in combination will guide future therapeutic strategies and provide success criteria to assess efficacy moving forward.