Michel Le Duff is a native of France where he completed his undergraduate studies in kinesiology in 1983. After moving to the United States Michel continued his study of human movement at California State University in Northridge. In 1997, he completed with distinction his Masters degree in Kinesiology, with a specialization in Biomechanics.
As Research Lead, Michel is responsible for database development, statistical analysis, preparation of presentations and writing of the materials, methods and results sections of manuscripts related to Dr. Amstutz’s practice.
When not preparing reports regarding ongoing research at the Joint Replacement Institute, Michel enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, and daughter, Cécile. He also enjoys skiing and rock climbing in the local southern California mountains or the Sierra Nevada.
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Lauren Wisk graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2008 with a B.S. in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology. While at UCLA, Lauren was a research assistant for the UCLA Stroke Team and earned an internship with the American Heart Association, conducting research on a novel MRI sequence used for diagnostic imaging of the carotid arteries.
As a newer member of the staff at JRI, Lauren works as Clinical Research Coordinator for Dr. Amstutz. She is responsible for managing data for various clinical trials and contributing to manuscripts on the subject of Dr. Amstutz’s research.
In her spare time, Lauren enjoys swimming, surfing and snowboarding.
Martha Tijerino-Ortega is a native of Nicaragua where she lived until the age of eight. One of the earlier JRI staff members, she joined JRI in 1991 and worked originally as a patient coordinator for Dr. Amstutz before dedicating some time to her own business. She is now back as a Research Assistant in charge of data entry, correspondence with study sponsors, and handling of the numerous outside clinics for Dr. Amstutz’s patients. Martha is also currently pursuing her education to become a Registered Nurse.
Mother of 2 children, she spends most of her free time with her kids Mark and Brittney. You can find Martha on Saturday afternoon cheering her son on the football field.
Mylene dela Rosa is a native of the Philippines. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 1993 with a B.S. degree in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering. She is a Certified Clinical Research Professional and a member of the Society of Clinical Research Associates.
As Clinical Research Coordinator, Mylene is responsible for various aspects of Dr. Schmalzried’s clinical study trials. She maintains relations with study sponsors and with the Institutional Review Board. She is responsible for data collection and database management related to Dr. Schmalzried’s patients. Mylene originally joined the staff of the Joint Replacement Institute in 1993 as a Research Technician in the Implant Retrieval Lab.
Mylene enjoys her spare time with her husband, Cruz Rivas, and their daughters, Olivia and Beatriz. She volunteers with her daughters’ soccer and softball teams. She has a second-degree black belt in Gosoku Ryu karate.
Audrey Gomez graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2007 with a B.A. in History. She plans on continuing her education and pursuing her goal of becoming a Physician Assistant.
Audrey is the Clinical Research Coordinator for Dr. Mynatt and is responsible for various aspects of his clinical studies, including the Ceramic on Metal IDE study. She manages the databases of five studies and is responsible for ensuring patient follow-up compliance to collect study data. Currently, she is working to implement another knee clinical study.
In her free time, Audrey enjoys fine arts and entertainment, exploring Los Angeles for new and interesting dining and social experiences, visiting her family, and traveling with friends.
Harry A McKellop, Ph.D. received his B.S. degree in 1970 and M.S. in 1973, both in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, with emphasis on orthopaedic biomechanics and biomaterials. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics at UCLA in 1979. In 1980 he moved to the University of Southern California, and obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1988.
Dr. McKellop is Vice President for Research at Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital and Director of the J. Vernon Luck Orthopaedic Research Center. His research involves the biomechanics of the tissue of the skeletal system, including tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone, as well as orthopaedic implants such as fracture fixation devices and artificial joints. Recent studies have examined the effect of motion (interfragmentary strain) on the healing response of long bone fractures, including the influence of the mechanical properties of the device used to stabilize the fracture. A major part of his research presently focuses on the friction and wear properties (tribology) of materials used in artificial hip joints, including UHMW polyethylene, cobalt-chromium and titanium alloys, and alumina and zirconia ceramics. Specific studies include how modification of the molecular structure of polyethylene affects its wear resistance (NIH funded), and how the proteins present in joint fluids contribute to lubrication of the bearing surfaces.
In addition to the Biomechanics and Tribology laboratories, the J. Vernon Luck Center incorporates laboratories specializing in Biochemistry, Bone Physiology, Endocrinology and Biocompatibility, and collaborates with the surgical faculty of the UCLA Department of Orthopaedics as well as the JRI.
Edward Ebramzadeh, Ph.D. received his B.S. in 1980, and his M.S. in 1981, both in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California. He started working in Biomechanics Research in 1982, and was appointed Instructor of Research Orthopaedics at the USC Department of Orthopaedics in 1986. In 1995, he obtained his Ph.D. from the Department of Biomaterials and Handicap Research at Göteborg University.
He has since been the Director of the Implant Performance Laboratory, a subdivision of the J. Vernon Luck, Sr., M.D. Orthopaedic Research Center at Orthopaedic Hospital.
Research at the Implant Performance Laboratory primarily involves the design, testing and evaluation of implants, and methods for the fixation of fractures and soft tissues. Current projects include: the effects of femoral stem surface roughness and cement thickness on its initial stability and on load transfer to the proximal femur; comparison of four methods to measure acetabular cup wear from radiographs; effects of malunion of the distal radius on radio-ulnar joint pressures; comparison of three methods to fix rotator cuff tears; and changes in bone density in patients receiving surface replacements. Dr. Ebramzadeh was also part of the team that developed the Uniflex intramedullary nail system in collaboration with Biomet.
In addition to bench-top models, Dr. Ebramzadeh established the Research Computing facility at Orthopaedic Hospital which has been instrumental in a variety of clinical follow-up studies. As an example, this facility has maintained and analyzed clinical and research data on 1800 total hip replacement patients followed for up to 27 years. Statistical methods, including survivorship analysis and multivariate analysis techniques, have been adopted to assess the effects of hip component design variables, patient characteristics and surgical variables on the long term outcome of these hip replacements. Survivorship analysis has also been used to assess the outcome with many orthopaedic treatments, such as patients with osteogenesis imperfecta treated with Baily-Dubow extensible intramedullary nails, and outcome of forearm fractures in children treated with and without internal fixation.
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Pat Campbell, Ph.D. received her Bachelor of Science degree in Anatomy and Human Biology at the University of Western Australia. She came to the United States in 1983 when she was recruited to help establish an implant retrieval laboratory at the Biomechanics Department of Orthopaedic Hospital. She then spent several years at the Harrington Arthritis Research Center in Phoenix, Arizona before returning to Los Angeles in 1988 to direct the Implant Retrieval Lab at the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at UCLA under the direction of Dr. Harlan Amstutz.
Dr. Campbell’s current interest in the problem of component wear was engendered during her time at UCLA and has carried over to her current position at the JRI where she is Director of the Implant Retrieval Lab. Her interest in this field led to the completion of a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences in February, 1995. In conjunction with the alliance between Orthopaedic Hospital and UCLA, Dr. Campbell was named an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She continues to be involved with retrieved component analysis, wear particle isolation and characterization, and the histopathological evaluation of periprosthetic tissues.
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Frederick Dorey, Ph.D. received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts in 1969. After receiving tenure in the Mathematics Department at George Mason University he came to Los Angeles to pursue his evolving interest in statistics. This began a twenty-three year career of statistical teaching and consulting at the UCLA School of Medicine. Today Dr. Dorey continues an association with Dr. Harlan Amstutz (that began at UCLA in 1983) as a statistical consultant for the Joint Replacement Institute.
He is a member of the Hip Society and has recently achieved the rank of Professor at UCLA. Dr. Dorey is best known for his writings and presentations involving the use of proper statistical analysis in the evaluation of orthopaedic data with an emphasis on the use of survivorship analysis in the long term evaluation of total hip arthroplasty. He is a co-author on over 130 published articles in the medical literature and is a co-editor on a recently published book on the subject of hip arthroplasty outcomes. Dr. Dorey is married and has a son who is entering his teenage years.