Duke Orthopaedic Surgery is proud to announce that Amy L. McNulty, PhD, associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, has been selected as the 2026 ORS Meniscus Momentum Award recipient. This inaugural award, presented by the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Meniscus Section, recognizes a mid-career investigator whose work has significantly advanced the meniscus research field while demonstrating excellence in collaboration, mentorship, innovation, and service to the scientific community
McNulty shared, “I am deeply honored to receive the inaugural Meniscus Momentum Award from the ORS Meniscus Section. The meniscus research community is highly collaborative and innovative, and I am fortunate to work alongside colleagues who are advancing the field. This recognition reflects the dedication of my team and our shared commitment to improving joint health and developing new strategies to prevent osteoarthritis after injury.”
She holds secondary appointments in the Departments of Pathology and Biomedical Engineering and has built a widely respected research program focused on preventing osteoarthritis and promoting tissue repair and regeneration following joint injury. Her work has been supported by robust federal and foundation funding, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) with support from the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF), the VA Rehabilitation Research Service, and the Arthritis Foundation.
A Leader in Meniscus Science and Service
An active and engaged member of the Orthopaedic Research Society, McNulty currently serves as a Member-at-Large on the ORS Board of Directors. She has demonstrated a longstanding dedication to the ORS Meniscus Section through service as Secretary, Research and Education Chair, Chair-Elect, Chair, and Past Chair. This history of leadership, combined with her notable scientific contributions, exemplifies the spirit of the Meniscus Momentum Award.
McNulty’s laboratory investigates the biological and biomechanical factors that influence joint degeneration and healing after meniscus injury. Her team focuses on four major research areas:
- Mechanotransduction in Joint Tissues: Understanding how cartilage and meniscus cells respond to normal and injurious mechanical loading—and how these pathways change with aging, injury, and degeneration.
- Tissue Engineering for Meniscus Repair: Developing meniscus tissue–engineered constructs designed to repair or replace damaged meniscal tissue following injury or surgical resection.
- Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Mechanisms: Identifying how biological and biomechanical changes after meniscus injury contribute to the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
- Blood Exposure and Meniscus Homeostasis: Examining how exposure to blood and its components affects meniscus repair and long-term tissue health.
About the ORS Meniscus Momentum Award
The new award honors early–mid career investigators (3–10 years in an independent faculty role) who have made significant contributions to meniscus science and to ORS service. Nominees must be ORS Members and Meniscus Section members in good standing and demonstrate a clear record of engagement, scientific impact, collegiality, and innovation.
Nominees for the Meniscus Momentum Award must demonstrate sustained impact, mentorship, collaboration, and active involvement with the ORS Meniscus Section. McNulty’s selection reflects not only her scientific leadership but also her commitment to fostering a collaborative research environment and supporting the next generation of orthopaedic scientists.
Duke Orthopaedic Surgery congratulates McNulty on this prestigious recognition and celebrates her influential contributions to advancing musculoskeletal science.