To see the most recent news about what's happening in the Biomechanics Lab at UCLA, you can take a look at the UCLA Orthopaedic Biomechanics Annual Newsletter.
Our research group consists of David McAllister, MD, Keith Markolf, PhD, and Tyler Clites, PhD
Dr. McAllister is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and chief of the sports medicine service at UCLA. He specializes in all areas of orthopaedic sports medicine and has special expertise in knee ligament injuries and knee ligament biomechanics. In addition to running a busy sports medicine clinic, he is actively involved in research and in the education and mentoring of medical students, residents, and fellows in both the basic science and clinical research arenas.
Dr. Markolf is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery with over 40 years of experience in biomechanics research. He invented and developed a special technique for directly measuring forces in both cruciate ligaments of the knee with custom designed load cells. This has brought prominence to UCLA, as we are the only lab in the world using this direct measurement technique.
Drs. McAllister and Markolf have had a longstanding collaboration with significant contributions and high quality publications in the field of orthopaedic research (add link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=markolf+and+mcallister&sort=date). Their vast experience and combination of expertise from both a clinical and basic science perspective has established the UCLA Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab as a leader in orthopaedic research. Recently, Dr. Tyler Clites has joined their research team.
The use of a robotic testing system to study knee joint function allows combined motion and force control to measure corresponding kinematic instabilities under simulated physiologic conditions. Our innovative approach provides an opportunity for enhanced studies of tissues that have never before been performed, providing insight into physiologic function and mechanisms of knee injury.
The UCLA Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab is focused on training future clinician scientists in the area of orthopaedic research. We have had sustained success in mentoring and training the next generation of researchers, from residents and medical students to undergraduate students, graduate students and high school interns. It is a core belief in our lab that teaching passionate young investigators in orthopaedic research is fundamental to the future of our field.
Ed Cheung, MD and Nirav Joshi, MD working in the lab.
Nirav Joshi, MD providing instruction to Katie Moses.
Ed Cheung, MD presenting at the annual local Longmire Scientific Day
Dan Boguszewski, PhD with Justin Mathew and Kent Yamaguchi at the UCLA Josiah Brown Poster Fair.