PVM Directory / Dianne Little
Associate Professor
Department of Basic Medical Sciences
Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine
625 Harrison Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-494-9307
little33@purdue.edu
Dr. Dianne Little is an Associate Professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine with a Courtesy appointment in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, where she directs the Multidisciplinary Orthopaedic and Regenerative Engineering (MORE) Laboratory. A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons with a multidisciplinary background in systems physiology and musculoskeletal diseases, she brings over two decades of experience in basic and translational research. Her current work spans a number of areas: 1) Rotator cuff tendon tissue engineering, including the use of novel non-woven approaches and native extracellular matrix signals for engineered tendon development and regeneration of the enthesis. 2) Improved understanding of rotator cuff tendon biology, regeneration, and disease through integration within and across multiomic platforms to discover novel pathways of tendon cell identity, differences in tendon biology between males and females, and the earliest molecular events in tendon tears. 3) Understand osteoarthritis and tendon disease as a disease of systemic physiology, working to understand how both factors in the exposome (diet, environment, psychosocial stressors) and intrinsic factors interact in the context of osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, and the risk for other chronic diseases. 4) Together with collaborators at major medical centers to improve understanding of primary arthritis of the shoulder joint, and why some patients report better outcomes than others for similar orthopaedic diseases, like rotator cuff tears. 5) Preclinical models of musculoskeletal disease. Dr. Little’s research has been continuously supported by the NIH since 2011, and more recently by the Department of Defense with total research funding exceeding $4.5 million. With more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, 90+ national and international presentations, and a strong record of award-winning mentorship, national and international collaborations with top Universities, and long standing institutional and national professional society service, she works across disciplines to advance understanding of musculoskeletal disease, and to develop innovative devices, treatments, and solutions towards musculoskeletal, and systemic health for all.
2006 - PhD | North Carolina State University
2003 - MSpVM | North Carolina State University
1998 - BVSc (DVM Equivalent) | Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, England
2021 | Associate Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University
2021 | Associate Professor (Courtesy Appointment), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University
2016–2021 | Assistant Professor (Courtesy Appointment), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University
2016–2021 | Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Purdue University
2015 | Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University
2012–2016 | Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center
2011–2012 | Medical Instructor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center
2007–2011 | Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center
2006–2007 | Director, Equine Outpatient Imaging Service, Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University
2006–2007 | Equine Orthopaedic Research Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University
2003–2006 | Doctoral Candidate Gastrointestinal Physiology/Biotechnology, North Carolina State University
2003–2005 | Equine Emergency Service Surgeon. Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University
2000–2003 | Large Animal Surgery Resident, Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University
1999–2000 | Clinical Fellow, Large Animal Surgery, Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine
1998–1999 | Intern, Equine Ambulatory Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University
