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My research interests are diverse and include both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. Within the orthopedic field I have studied the Interlocking Intramedullary Nail (IIN) in immature foal femurs. Through this research I gained valuable insight into the biomechanics of bone and implant materials, methods of testing, and appropriate statistical analysis of data. As a member of the Comparative Orthopedic Research Group, I gained additional training in bone and joint research including osteochondral graft transplantation, cartilage stress response, and tendon reattachment.
Additional research is required before IIN fixation will be accepted as an established method of internal fixation of equine fractures. Knowledge of in vivo bone strain in the foal to elucidate the bending, torsional and compressive loads generated during recovery from anesthesia and during normal activities would facilitate implant development. In addition, evaluation of these constructs in shear and combined loading modes and fatigue testing is needed to understand the forces these implants face. Finally, different nail and screw designs, including larger implants, and innovative techniques in IIN application may prove useful in the further development of IIN fixation.
My other research interest lies in the field of laparoscopic surgery. At the Ontario Veterinary College, I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Ludovic Boure' and participate in several new laparoscopic procedures for the college, including laparoscopic tumoral ovarioectomy, bladder stone removal, and nephrosplenic space closure. Even though laparoscopy has become a standard in the field, the practice of minimally invasive surgery continues to evolve, and much needs to be learned. The development of laparoscopy as a tool in large animal surgery is exciting and I will contribute to its development in our field.
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