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McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory

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Soslowsky Laboratory

Michael DiStefano

Graduate Student in Bioengineering
University of Pennsylvania

Hometown

Staten Island, New York

Education

B.S. Biomedical Engineering & Mechanical Engineering, 2020, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Areas of Interest

Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Tendon Injury Repair and Rehabilitation

Honors

  • Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) Awardee (F31 AR083255)
  • 1st Place Tendon Section Poster at 2023 Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting
  • Finalist, PhD Student Paper Competition: 2022 Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Annual Conference
  • 2022 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Honorable Mention
  • Musculoskeletal T32-AR007132 Training Grant Trainee

Conference Abstracts and Presentations

  1.  Han B, DiStefano MS, Shetye SS, Kuntz AF, Soslowsky LJ. “Region and Strain-Dependent Mechanics of Supraspinatus Tendons are Influenced by Fibril Modulus and Sliding.” Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Conference; February 2022.2. 
  2. DiStefano MS, Weiss SN, Kuntz AF, Soslowsky LJ. “Collagen XII is a Critical Regulator of Supraspinatus Tendon Mechanics and Collagen Fiber Realignment Across Sex.” Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Conference; February 2023.3.
  3. DiStefano MS, Soslowsky. “Tendon-Targeted Collagen XII Knockout Attenuates Male and Female Achilles Tendon Function Similarly” Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Conference; February 2023.
  4. DiStefano MS, Han B, Paglia-Garcés PL, Weiss SN, Shetye SS, Kuntz AF, Soslowsky LJ. Determining Region-Specific Mechanical and Structural Differences in Aging Mouse Supraspinatus Tendons. Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Conference, 2022.
  5. DiStefano MS, Han B, Paglia-Garcés PL, Weiss SN, Shetye SS, Kuntz AF, Soslowsky LJ. Aging Mouse Supraspinatus Tendons Demonstrate Regional Mechanical and Structural Differences. Orthopaedic Research Society Tendon Section Conference, 2022.
  6. DiStefano MS, Paglia-Garcés PL, Weiss SN, Shetye SS, Kuntz AF, Soslowsky LJ. Mouse Supraspinatus Tendon Mechanical and Structural Properties are Dependent on Region and Age. [PhD Student Paper Competition Finalist]. Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Annual Conference, 2022.
  7. Mancuso ME, DiStefano MS, Troy KL. Simulation of Strain-Driven Trabecular Bone Adaptation to Compressive Forearm Loading in Humans. Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Conference, 2021.
  8. Mancuso ME, DiStefano MS, Troy KL. Bone Strain Distribution, Not Magnitude, is Affected by Execution of a Forearm Loading Task [Podium Presentation]. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Conference, 2020.

 

Michael joined the McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory in the summer of 2020 and is currently working towards the completion of his doctoral studies in the Department of Bioengineering. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, exercising, watching sports, traveling, and learning to master the Italian language.

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