Research

The Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through research excellence. Our work spans basic science, clinical studies, and population health—transforming discoveries into better care worldwide.

Our research community brings together faculty, clinicians, and trainees from orthopaedics, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, fostering collaboration across Duke’s world-class institutes and core facilities.

Key initiatives include specialty research seminars, a Clinical Research Unit partnering with the Duke Clinical Research Institute for large-scale trials, and access to advanced resources, including mechanical testing, histology, imaging, and the K-Lab for motion analysis.

Together, we are driving innovation in musculoskeletal science and shaping the future of patient care.

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Discovery and Translational Science Research Groups

Sam Adams Ben Alman Gurpreet Baht
Todd Cade Joe Chakkalakal Malcolm DeBaun
Lou DeFrate Will Eward Leonardo Ferreira
Matt Hilton Shihuan Kuang Neill Li
Amy McNulty Steven Olson Thorsten Seyler
Shyni Varghese Julia Visgauss Colleen Wu


Clinical, Epidemiology, and Implementation Research Groups

Research Leadership Team

Laszlo Ormandy Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Research Division Chief; Vice Chair, Research
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Director of Clinical Facilitation Research; Director, Duke Center of Excellence in Manual and Manipulative Therapy
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Vice Chair, Clinical Research and Epidemiology
Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Associate Chair, Research, Basic and Transitional Science
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery; Director, Clinical Research Unit