It was a productive meeting for our department and the Bethel Musculoskeletal Research Center (BMRC) at the 2026 Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting. From celebrating our alumni to outstanding trainee recognition, UPMC-PittOrtho was well represented across scientific sessions and events.
We were pleased to see BMRC lab alumni continuing to share their expertise on a national stage. Gianluca Vadalà, MD, PhD, a Ferguson Spine Lab alum, was selected to present during the 2026 ORS Guest Nation Spotlight Session, where he spoke on emerging cell therapy approaches for low back pain. His presentation highlighted ongoing innovation in this space, including work aligned with the Ferguson Spine Lab’s LB3P study.
UPMC-PittOrtho’s strong presence at ORS continued with nearly 15 poster presentations from across our research labs, along with multiple podium presentations delivered by members of our BMRC core laboratories. These talks spanned a wide range of topics, from total knee arthroplasty to novel work demonstrating how an acid–metformin conjugate hydrogel may enhance healing in cold induced skin injuries.
We were also proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our trainees and fellows. Congratulations to the 2025–2026 class of ORS/Bethel Fellows, including Dr. Mark (Min Kyu) Kim and Dr. Shirley (Nina) Tang, who were honored in person at this year’s meeting. We are proud to support all five Fellows and look forward to their presentations at the upcoming BMRC Symposium in September.
Finally, congratulations to those receiving special recognition at the meeting, including NIRA Finalist Dr. Shotaro Kamijo and ISFR Poster Award Finalist Dr. Vasyl Pastukh. Their achievements reflect the depth and excellence of research being conducted across our department.
