Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Gwendolyn A. Sowa, MD, PhD

  • Co-director, Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic Research
  • Chair, Department of Physical Medicine, School of Medicine

Dr. Gwendolyn Sowa is the endowed professor and chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Using her background in biochemistry, Dr. Sowa performs molecular laboratory-based, translational and clinical research, investigating the effect of motion on inflammatory pathways and the benefits of exercise. Dr. Sowa also has an active research program investigating the role of serum biomarkers in guiding individualized treatment in intervertebral disc degeneration and back pain.  She was recently recognized for her contributions by election to the National Academy of Medicine.  Currently, she serves as the co-PI with Dr. Nam Vo for the NIH/NIAMS BACPAC Mechanistic Research Center, part of the HEAL Initiative, aimed at phenotyping chronic low back pain to facilitate improved treatments.

Education & Training

  • MD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, WI
  • PhD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, WI
  • Residency: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Research Interests

Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopedic and Spine Research

Dr. Sowa is codirector of the Ferguson Laboratory for Orthopaedic Research and has an active research program investigating the role of mechanical forces in disc degeneration. Dr. Sowa is an award winning researcher and has presented her findings at international conferences and symposia.