The Bethel Musculoskeletal Research Center (BMRC) is pleased to announce its newest cohort of BMRC Bethel Fellows. These exceptional early-career researchers have demonstrated outstanding promise in advancing musculoskeletal science through innovation. We look forward to supporting their professional growth.

Congratulations to the following individuals on their selection as 2026-2027 BMRC Bethel Fellows!

Postdoctoral/Resident Fellows ($20,000 each) 

• Jinhyung Lee, PhD, postdoctoral research associate, University of Connecticut “Dual-Action Atsttrin mRNA Therapy via Janus Base Nanoparticle for Osteoarthritis in a Human Cartilage-on-a-Chip Model” 
• Ananya Goyal, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, Stanford University, “Integrated Neural & Muscular Mechanisms of Fatigue Resistance in Human Performance”

Junior Faculty Fellows ($30,000 each) 

• David Maridas, PhD, assistant professor, Augusta University, “Pharmacological targeting of the BMP inhibitor Gremlin 1 to improve fracture healing in aging mice” 
• Sophie Morgani, PhD, research assistant professor, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, “Harnessing Ccl8 to accelerate fracture healing and restore skeletal regeneration in aging” 

BMRC Scientific Director Nam V. Vo, PhD, Ruby and James Kang, MD Chair welcomed this year’s Bethel Fellows: “The future of musculoskeletal research is bright, and this group of [Bethel] Fellows are a wonderful example of that promise. We are thrilled to support their professional growth and look forward to the impact they will make.”

The BMRC Fellowship Program provides one-year awards of $20,000 for postdoctoral and resident researchers and $30,000 for junior faculty investigators to support the generation of preliminary data for future external grant applications. Fellowship funds may be used for research-related expenses including salary support, supplies, equipment, animals, travel, and publication costs. Recipients are required to present their research at the annual BMRC Research Symposium each September in Pittsburgh.