Nearly 100 current and future physicians and scientists attended 2025 UConn Musculoskeletal Institute (MSI) Research Day, March 11 at the Cell and Genome Sciences Building.

The day included oral presentations, a symposium on osteoarthritis, 18 poster presentations, an awards ceremony, and a keynote address from an international leader in the field of cartilage and developmental biology.

“This is a day where clinical and research faculty meet and get together to share recent accomplishments in musculoskeletal research at the University of Connecticut,” says Dr. Ernesto Canalis, professor of orthopedic surgery and medicine and MSI co-director. “It allows for interactions among faculty and presentations by faculty, students, residents, and trainees.”

It was the 19th MSI research day and the most well-attended since before the pandemic, with the UConn School of Medicine’s Departments of Orthopedic Surgery, Medicine, and Neuroscience represented, as well as the UConn School of Dental Medicine’s Center for Regenerative Medicine and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, a joint department of the dental, medical, and engineering schools.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Maurizio Pacifici, director of research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“Dr. Pacifici was an ideal speaker, as he has first-hand experience translating basic science discoveries into clinical treatment – a core mission of the UConn MSI”, says Dr. Isaac Moss, professor and chair of orthopedic surgery and MSI co-director.

“Participants leave this event having learned recent advances in musculoskeletal research at UConn, with the opportunity to learn from a national leader,” Canalis says. “Faculty interactions are expected to lead to new collaborative efforts to enhance research in the musculoskeletal field.”

Awards presented:

• Best MD/Ph.D., Marta Stetsiv
• Best Graduate Student, Biology, Kai Clarke
• Best Graduate Student, Engineering, Travis Wallace
• Best Young Innovative Investigator Program, Arianna Cedeño
• Best Undergraduate Student, Bailey Millis
• Best Medical Student, Daniel Brocke
• Best Orthopedic Research Resident Fellow, Lisa Tamburini
• Best Orthopedic Research Fellow, Rohan Patel