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Mentor Areas

Our lab studies how aberrant structure-function relationships across the spine contribute to the initiation and progression of degenerative disc disease. Our work spans multiple length scales across model systems of disease and human tissue. We probe spinal tissues, including intervertebral discs, vertebral bones, cartilage endplates, and facet joints, elucidating connections between tissue structure and degeneration by employing a suite of biomechanical and bioimaging tools. Our group also focuses on utilizing this knowledge to inform the development and translation of tissue-engineering-based approaches for disc regeneration.

Description:

Research projects in our laboratory are broadly focused on investigating the structure, function and biology of the intervertebral discs, vertebral endplates, paraspinal muscles and facet joints across the spectrum of spinal degeneration, whole intervertebral disc tissue engineering, and annulus fibrosus repair. Interested students should contact us to discuss their research interests and currently available projects.

Preferred Qualifications

Our lab space is located at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center. To physically work in the lab, students must have a VA WOC appointment - a process which we will facilitate, but can take 2-3 months.

Project Website

Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here.
Gullbrand Lab Website

Details:

Preferred Student Year

First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior

Academic Term

Fall, Spring, Summer

I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).

Volunteer

Yes

Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.

Paid

Yes

Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.

Work Study

Yes

Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.