Wellington K Hsu

The focus of my research efforts centered on the effect of bone graft substitutes in pre-clinical animal models. Our publications looked at the effects of viral-mediated gene therapy, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), adipose-derived stem cells, and demineralized bone matrix in a variety of rodent bone healing models in the extremity and spine. Furthermore, our research group studied the effects of novel imaging to track in vivo bone formation and metabolic activity. My current focus of research is aligned with my research partner and wife, Dr. Erin Hsu, who is a Research Assistant Professor at Northwestern University. Our work investigates the role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (Ahr) with a focus on gene and protein expression changes and downstream effects after activation by xenobiotics such as dioxin and its role on osteogenic differentiation and bone healing. This has led to publications suggesting that the mechanism in which smoking increases the risk of fracture nonunion is mediated by Ahr ligands and not nicotine. Another arm of our research aims to develop and evaluate novel technologies involving both nanomaterials and 3D-printing methodologies to ultimately produce a universally safe and effective bone graft substitute for use in humans. I serve as PI or Co-Investigator on all of these studies.