PVM Represented in Collaborative Effort to Grow Musculoskeletal Health Research

Staff from the office of U.S. Senator Mike Braun met with several members of the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health. Pictured left-right: Dr. Stuart Warden of IUPUI; Dr. Stewart Low, head of discovery at Quince Therapeutics and co-founder of Novosteo, Inc.; Senator Braun’s staff members Jake Chebowski and Audrey Arbogast; Drs. Erik Imel and Sharon Moe of the IU School of Medicine; Dr. Sarah Malek from Purdue Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Lynda Bonewald, ICMH director; Michelle Gwin, a patient of Dr. Imel; and Dr. Wayne Campbell of Purdue’s Department of Nutrition Science.
Staff from the office of U.S. Senator Mike Braun met with several members of the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health. Pictured left-right: Dr. Stuart Warden of IUPUI; Dr. Stewart Low, head of discovery at Quince Therapeutics and co-founder of Novosteo, Inc.; Senator Braun’s staff members Jake Chebowski and Audrey Arbogast; Drs. Erik Imel and Sharon Moe of the IU School of Medicine; Dr. Sarah Malek from Purdue Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Lynda Bonewald, ICMH director; Michelle Gwin, a patient of Dr. Imel; and Dr. Wayne Campbell of Purdue’s Department of Nutrition Science.

Some astonishing numbers were shared this week with staff from the office of U.S. Senator Mike Braun of Indiana during a meeting in Indianapolis spotlighting the need for, and accomplishments of, the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health (ICMH), which includes Purdue Veterinary Medicine scholars.  During a one-day program at the Center Wednesday, August 24, several ICMH members spoke about important progress being made toward the Center’s goal of turning discoveries into applications, prevention, and treatment of diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system through collaborative research.

The ICMH was established in 2017 and is led by Dr. Lynda Bonewald, an IU School of Medicine faculty member and the Center’s founding director. Based in the IU School of Medicine, the Center boasts more than 100 members from 36 departments and four campuses – including Purdue, IUPUI, the University of Notre Dame and Marian University. The collaboration involving ICMH members has resulted in numerus federally funded grants supporting research in all areas related to musculoskeletal health. Overall, external funding obtained by the ICMH members across all the colleges and universities has reached a total of $65 million so far.

That level of support is vital, given how musculoskeletal diseases and disorders have resulted in a huge financial burden to the United States health care system and are the leading cause of disability. According to information from the Center, in 2011, the cost of musculoskeletal diseases was estimated at $796.3 billion, or 5.7 percent of the U.S. National Gross Domestic Product.

To advance scientific discovery in this field, the ICMH has five research teams, each focused on one of the following areas:  mechanobiology and muscle-bone crosstalk; trauma regeneration and rehabilitation; lifestyle modification; cancer research; and musculoskeletal medicine. At Wednesday’s meeting, a group of ICMH members led by Dr. Bonewald shared with Senator Braun’s legislative assistant, Audrey Arbogast, and legislative correspondent, Jake Chebowski, about the goals, accomplishments and needs of the ICMH.  Two Purdue University faculty members, Dr. Sarah Malek, assistant professor of small animal orthopedic surgery in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Wayne Campbell, professor of nutrition science in the College of Health and Human Sciences, were among the ICMH members invited to participate 

Dr. Malek’s area of interest is in biomarker research used for disease pattern recognition involving animal and human models in a clinical setting with the aim of developing bedside clinical tests that can be used for humans and animals with musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoarthritis and fracture related infection. A member of the Center’s trauma, regeneration and rehabilitation team, Dr. Malek said, “I am excited to see this form of attention that ICMH is receiving, which hopefully will lead to encouraging expansion of federal and local funding to support musculoskeletal research that benefits both animals and humans.” Other Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty members involved in the ICMH are Dr. Marxa Figueiredo, associate professor of basic medical sciences; Dr. Dianne Little, associate professor of basic medical sciences; and Dr. Russell Main, associate professor of basic medical sciences.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Accomplished Basic Medical Sciences Scholar Appointed as PVM Associate Dean for Research

Dr. Susan Mendrysa, professor and interim head of the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, has been selected as the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s new associate dean for research and graduate programs, effective March 1.

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we feel grateful for Anita Wolf, RVT, who is a veterinary technician in Intermediate Care in the Brunner Small Animal Hospital facility.

In Memory – Dr. Janet Weiss (PU DVM ’91)

The Purdue Veterinary community is saddened by the recent passing of Dr. Janet Weiss, an alumna who served as a dedicated veterinarian in Northwest Indiana. A resident of La Porte, Indiana, Dr. Weiss passed away February 20, 2025. She was 61.

Upcoming PVM Veterinary Nursing Symposium Features Hands-On Learning

Veterinary professionals in the field of veterinary nursing have a special opportunity to expand their expertise and earn continuing education (CE) at Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Annual Veterinary Nursing Symposium. The one day continuing education program will be held at Lynn Hall on the Purdue campus March 23, 2025.

Zebra Foal Gets Lifesaving Help at Purdue University Equine Hospital

It’s not surprising to see a foal receiving emergency care at the Purdue University Equine Hospital during foaling season. The hospital’s team of expert clinicians and veterinary nurses are used to coming to the rescue when foals need special help to survive. But it was a surprise to see a foal named Marty arrive at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit in February, because Marty is a zebra, and the hospital is in Indiana.