I am a postdoctoral researcher with a background in evolutionary developmental biology, which I now apply to advancing clinical approaches to bone repair. My PhD research at the University of Calgary explored the evolution, morphology, and repair of bone and cartilage, using techniques like bone bioimaging, transcriptomics, and biomechanics. This work, supported by national funding including the NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship, laid the foundation for my interest in the role of chondrocytes in driving skeletal repair. 
In my current work at the Orthopaedic Trauma Institute at UCSF, I study the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving bone fracture regeneration with the goal of filling knowledge gaps that could lead to new therapeutic discoveries. My work focuses on skeletal stem cells, cell fate decisions, and the transition from cartilage to bone through endochondral ossification, a process that links skeletal development and repair. I am particularly interested in the crosstalk between the skeletal and nervous systems and how this interplay influences both bone regeneration and the transmission of trauma-induced pain.
By combining basic science with translational research, my goal is to improve our understanding of bone repair and pain to identify opportunities for novel, non-invasive therapies. Current treatments for delayed bone healing often rely on surgery, which can be costly and invasive. Through my research, I hope to uncover pathways for targeted therapeutics that improve healing outcomes and reduce the need for operative intervention. My long-term goal is to one day become a clinically focused musculoskeletal researcher, utilizing fundamental research to improve mobility and quality of life well into old age.