The UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Pilot Award Program was created to support novel and developing research of department faculty and trainees who are early in their professional careers. Awarded three times per year, these grants target research areas that advance the fields of orthopedics and rehabilitation, including basic discovery research, patient-based clinical research, patient-centered outcomes research, dissemination and implementation research, and community engagement research.

We are excited to share the names of the two members of our team who were selected to receive a Pilot Award in summer 2025:

Eric Cotter, MD, an assistant professor in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, has been awarded a $25,000 Pilot Award to support his promising research into reducing the risk of shoulder periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) caused by Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes).

C. acnes is the most common pathogen responsible for PJIs following shoulder surgeries. These infections are notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat due to the bacteria’s slow growth in culture and ability to evade conventional detection methods. Infections can lead to costly implant removal and extended antibiotic treatment – averaging over $100,000 per case.

Dr. Cotter’s research explores the use of blue light therapy (BLT) as a novel preoperative skin preparation technique. BLT, currently used in dermatology to treat inflammatory acne, may offer deeper penetration into sebaceous glands than traditional skin preps, potentially reducing C. acnes bioburden more effectively.

This lab-based study aims to help clarify the mechanism of BLT and its potential as a selective or broad-spectrum antimicrobial strategy. It may also pave the way for combining BLT with photosensitizing agents to enhance its effectiveness.

We congratulate Dr. Cotter on this important recognition and look forward to the impact his research may have on improving patient outcomes after shoulder joint replacement surgery.

Josh Choe, MD, PhD, an orthopedic surgery resident in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation and an affiliate of The Murphy Group, was awarded a $23,000 Pilot Award in support of his innovative research on gene delivery in the context of digit regeneration.

Dr. Choe’s project addresses a pressing and underserved medical challenge: complex tissue and limb loss. With over 2.3 million Americans currently living with limb loss and annual amputations projected to exceed 761,000 by 2060, there is an urgent need for therapies that restore natural limb function. His work explores a promising path forward by leveraging the body’s own regenerative biology with therapeutic mRNA delivery.

In collaboration with bioinformatics expert Peng Jiang, Dr. Choe aims to identify microRNA (miRNA) profiles unique to non-regenerating digits. His project will develop an innovative mRNA-miRNA circuit designed to activate only in the microenvironment of proximally amputated digits, thereby promoting tissue regeneration with precise, tissue-specific gene expression. This non-viral mRNA delivery method builds on recent advances in mRNA vaccine technology, offering a safer and more targeted therapeutic strategy than traditional gene therapies.

This exciting project represents a critical step toward future regenerative therapies for multi-tissue regeneration and limb loss, and we congratulate Dr. Choe on this well-deserved recognition and support.

Last month, Naoaki Ito, DPT, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation and Badger Athletic Performance, was awarded a five-year, $945,000 K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund his research on improving outcomes following patellar tendon injuries. This highly competitive grant supports early-career scientists in transitioning from mentored postdoctoral research to independent academic positions. Dr. Ito’s project begins with a two-year mentored phase, followed by three years of independent research as a tenure-track investigator.

With support from his K99/R00 award, Dr. Ito and his team are developing a new approach to optimize treatment for two common knee injuries: patellar tendinopathy (often known as jumper’s knee) and secondary injuries from ACL surgery that uses the patellar tendon as a graft, which can significantly impair mobility and quality of life. The team’s work focuses on better understanding how the tendon responds to exercise-based rehab – the gold standard treatment – and creating more precise and personalized treatment strategies.

This prestigious recognition highlights Dr. Ito’s exemplary line of research as an early career clinician-scientist focused on advancing strategies to restore and maintain tendon health.

Bryan Heiderscheit, PT, PhD
Frederick Gaesnlen Professor in Orthopedics
Vice Chair of Research
Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Dr. Ito’s primary mentors during the two-year mentored phase include:

• Bryan Heiderscheit, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Frederick Gaenslen Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation who will leverage his extensive experience in managing large-scale clinical research studies to provide Dr. Ito guidance on managing his first clinical trial; and
• Darryl Thelen, PhD, the John Bollinger Chair of Mechanical Engineering and Bernard A and Frances M Weidman Professor in the UW College of Engineering and the inventor of shear wave tensiometry who will contribute his expertise for implementation of the technology in a clinical setting; and
• Diego Hernando, PhD, Associate Professor of Radiology and Medical Physics at UW and a leader in the field of diffusion-weighted imaging will mentor Dr. Ito on the novel implementation of diffusion tensor imaging in tendons.

Dr. Ito will also be supported by co-mentors:

• Stephanie Kliethermes, PhD, Associate Professor in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation and Research Director of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, who will bring her expertise in biostatistics and clinical trial design; and
• Karin Silbernagel, PT, PhD, FAPTA, Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware who is a world-renowned leader in tendon rehabilitation.

In addition, collaborators Samuel Hurley, PhD, assistant professor in the UW Department of Radiology, and Jack Martin, PhD, a research scientist in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, will provide further support in the application of imaging and tensiometry techniques.

Dr. Ito’s research incorporates two emerging technologies to better understand how tendons respond to rehabilitation. One is shear wave tensiometry, using a wearable device capable of accurately measuring tendon force during movement and exercise – something that has been difficult to quantify in the past. The other is diffusion tensor imaging, an advanced MRI technique that provides detailed insight into the internal structure of tendons, allowing researchers to track tissue changes and recovery over time.

In addition to these tools, Dr. Ito’s team is evaluating whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) – which uses electrical pulses to activate muscles – can enhance tendon loading during rehab and improve healing outcomes. By combining these innovative technologies with rigorous clinical research, the project aims to create more effective rehabilitation protocols tailored to individual patient needs.

Ultimately, Dr. Ito hopes this work will not only improve treatment for knee injuries but also pave the way for better approaches to tendon rehabilitation across the body – and smarter, science-driven strategies that help patients recover more fully and return to their daily activities with confidence.

On September 10, 2025, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) presented Bryan Heiderscheit, PT, PhD, FAPTA, with a 2025 ICTR Faculty Mentorship Award. This prestigious award recognizes faculty mentors whose commitment to intentional, evidence-based mentorship is shaping the future of clinical and translational research at UW-Madison. Honorees have played a vital role in advancing the professional growth and success of their colleagues.

Dr. Heiderscheit currently serves as the Frederick J. Gaenslen Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH). He also chairs the department’s Internal Review Committee, a critical leadership role through which he has directly supported the professional growth of more than 60 faculty members.

An engaged, responsive, and strategic mentor, Dr. Heiderscheit leads by example and is described by colleagues as “unwavering” in his dedication to the success of others. From formal mentorship to strategic advocacy, Dr. Heiderscheit’s influence is both wide-reaching and deeply personal.

“Bryan has been the single most influential person in my professional development,” said Dr. Dan Cobian, an assistant professor in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. “From providing a blueprint for success to facilitating countless opportunities, he exemplifies exceptional mentorship in every sense of the word.”

Dr. Heiderscheit’s commitment to mentorship extends across campus and into national circles. He has served on the SMPH Tenure Track Promotions Committee and previously on the Dean’s Advisory Committee on Promotions and Appointments for the School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a sought-after mentor across disciplines, from Physical Therapy to Engineering.

“Dr. Heiderscheit has truly shaped and advanced the culture of mentorship in our department and across our university. I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of this award.”

Dr. Tamara Scerpella
AA McBeath Professor and Chair
Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Earlier this month, Wan-Ju Li, PhD, associate professor in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, and his research team were awarded a $500,000 Research Forward grant to support a bold new project that integrates cutting-edge science and engineering to tackle one of the biggest challenges in healthcare – osteoarthritis.

Affecting over 32 million Americans, osteoarthritis is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability, with current treatments providing only limited long-term relief. Although joint replacement surgery can restore function, the procedure involves the removal of damaged cartilage and bone and the replacement of these tissues with metal and plastic implants. This approach is highly invasive, costly, and may come with risks such as infection, implant failure, and lengthy recovery periods.

Dr. Li and his team are developing a novel, minimally invasive method to treat joint damage by bioprinting engineered cartilage directly inside the body.

The project brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts across medicine and engineering:

Principal Investigator

• Dr. Wan-ju Li (Orthopedics) – Leads research in musculoskeletal tissue engineering and animal models for joint disease.

Co-Principal Investigators

• Dr. Xiao Kuang (Mechanical Engineering) – Specializes in ultrasound-based 3D printing, biomaterials, and machine learning.

• Dr. Chu Ma (Electrical and Computer Engineering) – Brings expertise in ultrasound imaging and real-time computational systems.

• Dr. Andrea Spiker (Orthopedics) – Orthopedic surgeon providing critical clinical insight into joint injury and repair.

Together, the team is pioneering a first-of-its-kind technique that uses advanced ultrasound technology, custom-engineered bioinks, and AI-guided 3D printing to regenerate cartilage directly within the body, eliminating the need for open surgery. Unlike conventional surgical interventions that require large incisions and permanent synthetic implants, this new method uses ultrasound imaging to precisely guide the real-time printing of living cartilage directly inside the body, without the need for open surgery.

With the potential to dramatically reduce recovery time, surgical risks, and long-term complications, this safer, more targeted approach offers new hope to millions suffering from joint degeneration.

“Securing this highly competitive grant is a true testament to Dr. Li and his team, representing both visionary thinking and scientific excellence. By pioneering a method to print living cartilage inside the body using ultrasound guidance – without open surgery – this research promises to redefine orthopedic care and help millions suffering from joint degeneration.”

Bryan Heiderscheit, PT, PhD
Frederick Gaesnlen Professor in Orthopedics
Vice Chair of Research
Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

About the Research Forward Initiative

Hosted by the UW-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) and funded by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), the Research Forward Initiative seeks to “stimulate and support highly innovative and groundbreaking research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison,” encouraging multidisciplinary, multi-investigator projects with the potential to transform fields and address major societal challenges.

Wan-Ju Li, PhD, an associate professor in the UW Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, has been inducted as a fellow of the International Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies (ICORS) – a prestigious recognition awarded to leading researchers who have made exceptional contributions to the field of orthopedic science.

As part of this honor, Dr. Li will hold the distinguished title of “Fellow of International Orthopaedic Research (FIOR),” recognizing his influential work in musculoskeletal tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and translational research aimed at improving treatment for joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.

ICORS represents a global coalition of orthopedic research societies, and its fellowship program celebrates sustained excellence, leadership, and innovation in orthopedic research. Being named a FIOR marks an international acknowledgment of Dr. Li’s impact on the field and his dedication to advancing therapies that restore mobility and improve quality of life.

Dr. Li leads a multidisciplinary research program that bridges engineering, biology, and medicine and holds an affiliate appointment in the UW Department of Biomedical Engineering. His work includes pioneering techniques to regrow cartilage using ultrasound-guided 3D printing and bioengineered “sono-inks,” supported by a recently awarded $500K Research Forward grant.

Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Li said that the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation has “helped shape [his] career and research program,” adding that “this recognition is something we share, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the backing and encouragement I have received here.”

Dr. Li will be formally inducted as a Fellow during a ceremony at the ICORS 2025 meeting in Adelaide, Australia, this October.

About ICORS

The International Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies (ICORS) serves as an alliance of societies to promote basic, translational, and clinical musculoskeletal research worldwide.