Research Faculty

Biomechanics . Retrievals . Tribology . Fractures . Pediatrics . Spine .

 
 
 

Director of j. vernon luck sr., m.d. orthopaedic research center

Edward Ebramzadeh, PhD

 

Education

  • BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1980

  • MS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1981

  • PhD in Biomaterials and Handicap Research, Göteborg University, Sweden, 1995

Research Interests

Biomechanics

Implant Retrieval

Implant Performance

Wear and Tribology

Biomaterials

Research Area

Dr. Ebramzadeh is the Director of the J Vernon Luck, Sr Orthopaedic Research Center located at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children (formerly Orthopaedic Hospital) in downtown Los Angeles. The Research Center includes five full-time research faculty focusing on Biomechanics, Implant Retrieval, Implant Performance, and Wear and Tribology of Biomaterials. Dr. Ebramzadeh has an extensive background in biomechanical design, development and evaluation of implants, including joint replacement prostheses, fracture fixation devices and related instrumentation. He has also been involved in the evaluation of surgical procedures for deformity correction, such as pediatric spine deformities, and fracture fixation. Dr. Ebramzadeh is a member of the editorial board of several prominent orthopaedic journals and is a member of the Hip Society.

Link to Pubmed Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/edward.ebramzadeh.1/bibliography/44495844/public/?sort=date&direction=descending

 
 
 

 
 
 

director of biomechanics laboratory 

Sophia Sangiorgio, PhD

 

Education

  • BS in Biomedical-Mechanical Engineering, USC, 2000

  • BA in Liberal Arts, 3-2 Engineering Scripps College, 2000

  • MS in Biomedical Engineering, UCLA, 2002

  • PhD in Biomedical Engineering, UCLA, 2006

Research Interests

Biomechanics

Implant Performance

Deformity Corrections (Scoliosis, Clubfoot)

Pediatric Orthopaedic Research

Implant Retrieval and Failure Analysis

Biomaterials

Implant Wear and Biodegradation

Fretting Wear and Corrosion

Research Area

Dr. Sangiorgio is the Director of the Biomechanics Laboratory of the JVL Orthopaedic Research Center, located at Orthopaedic Institute for Children (formerly Orthopaedic Hospital, founded in 1911). In the last decade, Dr. Sangiorgio has conducted several preclinical studies to evaluate surgical procedures for pediatric deformity corrections, including spine deformity and clubfoot. She has coauthored several landmark publications on the biomechanics of scoliosis surgery and the outcome of clubfoot treated using minimally invasive methods. Since 2000, she has conducted numerous cadaveric and composite biomechanical experiments for preclinical evaluation of fixation of total joint replacement components. Her focus has been on the design, performance, and initial stability assessment of joint replacement implants as well as spine arthroplasty devices. In addition to research activities, Dr. Sangiorgio has designed and teaches a course in orthopaedic biomechanics for the UCLA biomedical engineering department. This course covers the biomechanics of natural and artificial joints, and the evaluation of biomaterials for wear, tribology, biodegradation, and biocompatibility.

Link to Pubmed Publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/48104217/?sort=date&direction=ascending

 
 

 
 
 

director of bone and connective tissue healing laboratory 

Sang-Hyun Park, PhD

 

Research Area

Dr. Park is the Director of the Biomaterials Laboratory of the JVL Orthopaedic Research Center located at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children (formerly Orthopaedic Hospital) in downtown Los Angeles. Dr. Park’s education focused in large part on implant biomaterials and degradation. In the last decade, Dr. Park has conducted extensive studies of metal-on-metal joint replacements, including comprehensive analysis of implant failure, and mechanical, biological, and corrosion analysis. These studies include detailed characterization of implant surface and structural damage to determine mechanisms of wear and failure in total hip and knee replacement components, as well as lumbar and cervical disk replacements. In the past, Dr. Park has also conducted landmark research studies using animal models to enhance methods for treating fractures, focusing on the effects of weight bearing, electrical muscle stimulation, and lavage of an open fracture, and the effect of pneumatic compression on blood flow to the fracture and healing. Dr. Park developed a novel method for creating different types of closed fractures in animals, and evaluated these using micro CT imaging, in vivo blood flow measurement, histology, and biomechanical testing.

Link to Pubmed Publications: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1R_-5uxARejAm/bibliography/49077235/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending

Education

  • B.S. in Materials Engineering, Han-Yang University, Seoul, Korea, 1981

  • M.S. in Bioengineering, Clemson University, 1985

  • Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, The University of Iowa, 1989

Research Interests

Implant Retrieval and Failure Analysis

Biomaterials

Surface Characterization

Fracture Fixation

Fracture Healing