Meet The Student Researchers: BMRC SSRP Class of 2026

Meet The Student Researchers: BMRC SSRP Class of 2026

Last week, we celebrated the conclusion of another successful BMRC Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) with our annual Poster Presentation Day (post on that coming soon!) Over the past nine weeks, these students gained hands-on research experience through lab work,...

Meet The Researcher: Vasyl Pastukh, MD, PhD, MHM

Meet The Researcher: Vasyl Pastukh, MD, PhD, MHM

Can you share a bit about your early life and what sparked your interest in research, medicine and orthopaedics/bioengineering? I originally trained as a orthopedic-trauma surgeon, so my interest in orthopaedics and bioengineering didn’t begin in a laboratory — it...

BMRC Celebrates 2025 SSRP Students

BMRC Celebrates 2025 SSRP Students

Last week marked the culmination of our 9-week Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) with our annual Poster Presentation Day.Throughout the summer, these undergraduate students were immersed in hands-on lab work, mentorship, and weekly seminars led by BMRC Core...

Meet The Researcher – Michael Spitnale, MD

Meet The Researcher – Michael Spitnale, MD

Can you share a bit about your early life and what sparked your interest in research, medicine and orthopaedics/bioengineering? What were some pivotal moments or influences during your education that shaped your research interests? During my senior year of high...

Meet The Researchers – SSRP Students

Meet The Researchers – SSRP Students

This summer, the BMRC welcomed our first cohort of Summer Student Research Program participants. Over the past 9 weeks, students were exposed to both hands-on laboratory research and in-classroom learning, guided by our expert mentors in the BMRC labs. Classroom...

Meet The Researcher – Clarissa LeVasseur Lees, MS

Meet The Researcher – Clarissa LeVasseur Lees, MS

Can you share a bit about your early life and what sparked your interest in research, medicine and orthopaedics/bioengineering? I really have my parents to thank for gently (and sometimes not so gently) guiding me to where I am today. Growing up, we were always...

Meet The Researcher – Albert Lin, MD

Meet The Researcher – Albert Lin, MD

Can you share a bit about your early life and what sparked your interest in research, medicine and orthopaedics? I’m a native Pittsburgher through and through.  I was born in West Penn Hospital, grew up in Monroeville and went to Shady Side Academy.  My...

Meet The Researcher – John R. Fowler Jr., MD

Meet The Researcher – John R. Fowler Jr., MD

Can you share a bit about your early life and what sparked your interest in research, medicine and orthopaedics? I was born in Pittsburgh and grew up in Plum until about 3rd grade when my family moved to Erie.  I have always been interested in science and started...

Meet The Researcher – Mark W. Rodosky, MD

Meet The Researcher – Mark W. Rodosky, MD

Tell us a little about your early life and what sparked your interest in research. I grew up in a small Midwestern farming town surrounded by animals and plants.  From the time I was a small boy, I enjoyed using all my senses to explore all of the biology that...

Meet The Researcher – Prashanta Silwal, PhD

Meet The Researcher – Prashanta Silwal, PhD

Can you share a bit about your early life and what sparked your interest in research, medicine and orthopaedics/bioengineering? I was born and raised in Nepal. I have been interested in science since my early childhood. The unlimited potential that science offers has...