Musculoskeletal Research Center - Staff

Directors

Leadership

Patrick Carry, PhD, is an Assistant Research Professor in the Colorado Program for Musculoskeletal Research. He completed his MS and PhD in Epidemiology at the Colorado School of Public Health. His graduate work focused on the longitudinal analysis of metabolomic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic biomarkers to understand the etiology of Type 1 Diabetes. His current research interests include using omics markers to understand the etiology of complex musculoskeletal disorders including scoliosis, concussion, and osteoarthritis. He provides methodological and analytical support for the MRC in the areas of randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, biomechanical studies, quality improvement studies, and cohort studies based on large administrative datasets.

Phone: 720-777-6732
Email: Patrick.Carry@childrenscolorado.org

David R. Howell, Ph.D., ATC, is the Lead Researcher at the Children's Hospital Colorado Sports Medicine Center and an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics. He received his undergraduate degree from Whitworth University with a Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training and completed his Ph.D. in 2014 in the Department of Human Physiology at the University of Oregon, with an emphasis in biomechanics and neurophysiology. From 2014-2017, he completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in the Division of Sports Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital focusing on clinical investigations of pediatric concussion. His primary research interests pertain to human movement analysis and sport-related concussions. Together with many colleagues and collaborators, he has presented at scientific conferences and published papers in peer-reviewed journals within the fields of sports medicine, biomechanics, neuroscience, rehabilitation, and pediatric medicine.
 
Email: David.Howell@childrenscolorado.org

Collaborators

Frank Somoza, AS, is a Professional Research Assistant and Medical Assistant for the University of Colorado Denver. After proudly serving in the United States Navy and completion of his Associate degree in Medical Science at Denver Institute of Technology, Frank is currently working at the University of Colorado Denver in the Orthopedics department for the Adult Reconstruction Division. Frank also a part of the Staff Council, the Resident Research Committee, and the Musculoskeletal Research Center at Children's Hospital Colorado.

Phone: 303-724-2544
Email: Frank.Somoza@cuanschutz.edu

Research Assistants

Jordyn Adams, BA, is a Research Assistant in the MRC working with Dr. Selberg on the Hip Preservation Team. Jordyn graduated from Baylor University in December of 2021 with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Forensic Science. She joined the MRC in May of 2022. Jordyn is currently a master's student at the Colorado School of Public Health. In the last year of her undergraduate studies, she was a research assistant working in a collaborative for hunger and poverty of school-age children in Central Texas and the surrounding areas. Her current research focuses on disorders of the hip in pediatric populations. In her free time, Jordyn enjoys reading, cooking, wake-surfing, and watching scary movies. 

Madison (Madi) Brna, BSEd, is a Research Assistant in the Sports Medicine Center supporting all of the Primary Care Sports Medicine physicians as well as Dr. Howell and the Howell Concussion. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 2022 with a degree in Kinesiology. At the University of Virginia, Madi was heavily involved in sports concussion research and was a student volunteer with the UVa Sports Medicine team, working directly with UVa’s student-athletes. She is excited to expand her research beyond the world of concussion as a member of the Musculoskeletal Research Center. Outside of the Children’s Hospital Colorado, Madi enjoys watching sports, running, hiking, reading, and spending time with her dog Tabasco.

Phone: 720-777-0109
Email: madison.brna@childrenscolorado.org 

Tyler Feddema is Research Assistant in the MRC working with Dr. Garg and Dr. Erickson on the Spine Team. Tyler graduated from Rhodes College in May of 2022 with a BS in Neuroscience and was a four-year Varsity volleyball player. Tyler previously worked as a Medical Assistant at an OB/GYN clinic in Memphis, TN where she worked with uninsured patients of Hispanic, Hindu, and Arabic backgrounds. She completed a research fellowship in Neuroscience in 2021, where she researched the effects of acute stressors on the susceptibility to develop PTSD-like symptoms in mice and learned about the genetic differences in the development of other mental illnesses. Tyler is excited to work with the Spine team and help further research in pediatric spine and chest wall deformities. She hopes to pursue higher education in medicine later on. In her free time, Tyler likes to paddleboard, journal, and play pick-up volleyball games.

Phone: 720-777-5809
Email: tyler.feddema@childrenscolorado.org

Claire Giachino, BA, is a Research Assistant in the Sports Medicine Center supporting Dr. David Howell and primary care sports medicine physicians. Claire Giachino graduated from The College of Saint Benedict in 2021 with a degree in Nutrition. She hopes to pursue a career in medicine. Claire has previously performed basic nutritional research on the gut microbiome and Irritable Bowel Syndrome and is excited to focus on researching pediatric orthopedic sports-related injuries as part of the Musculoskeletal Research Center. Outside of the Children’s Hospital Colorado, Claire enjoys hiking, cooking, and reading.

Email: Claire.Giachino@childrenscolorado.org

Meredith Lewis, BA,  is a Research Assistant with the Center for Gait and Movement Analysis supporting Dr. James Carollo and physicians collaborating with the CGMA. Meredith graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in May 2020 with degrees in Cell Biology and Chinese and an undergraduate certificate in Public Health. After graduating from CU, she received a graduate certificate from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in International Politics; during that time, she studied at Nanjing University and National Taiwan University. Her previous research focused on health system innovations in developing economies. She hopes to pursue a career in public health research and administration. In her spare time, Meredith enjoys skiing, running, and playing music.

Email: meredith.lewis@childrenscolorado.org 

Florian Miller, BA, is a Research Assistant in the MRC working with Dr. Garg and Dr. Erickson on the Spine Team. Florian graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2019 with a degree in neuroscience with hopes to pursue higher education and a career in medicine. Before starting at the MRC in May 2021, he worked for a medical device company researching the use of virtual reality technology to alleviate pain in patients with chronic back pain. In this position Florian found a specific interest in spine and spinal cord injuries. His research focuses on treatment of spinal deformities in the pediatric. In his spare time, he enjoys baking, snowboarding, playing basketball, and watching science documentaries.

Phone: 720-777-8026
Email: florian.miller@childrenscolorado.org

Scott Miller, BS, is a Research Assistant in the CGMA supporting Dr. De. Scott graduated from Oberlin College in 2017 with a Biology major and as a four-year Varsity basketball player. He has previously worked in a wet lab environment at UCSF in the department of Cardiology looking at the effects of genetic mutations on sudden cardiac arrest. He hopes to pursue a career in medicine. Scott primarily works with the Neuromuscular Disorders and Cerebral Palsy Program as well as the Amputee Program. He enjoys playing Basketball, Soccer, and other outdoor activities in his free time.

Phone: 720-777-0931
Email: Scott.Miller@childrenscolorado.org

Hannah Rossing, BA, is a Research Assistant in the MRC working with Dr. Jay Albright. Hannah started at the MRC in April 2021 after graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Neuroscience. After working as an intern in the Neurology Department at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Hannah wanted to continue her passion for pediatric research. Her research in the MRC focuses on the treatment of ACL injuries and other sport-related injuries in the adolescent population. Outside of work, her passions are biking, snowboarding, and baking.

Email: Hannah.rossing@childrenscolorado.org

Reba Salton, BS, is a Research Assistant in the General Orthopedics Program supporting Dr. Miller and Dr. Georgopoulos. Reba started working in the MRC in January 2020 after graduating from the University of Vermont in May 2019 with a degree in Exercise and Movement Science. She has previously done research on fibrosis, muscle weakness and functional outcomes after ACL injuries. Her current research focuses on pediatric hip dysplasia, clubfoot and fracture trends. Reba hopes to continue working to improve outcomes for individuals with musculoskeletal impairments in the future. In her free time, she enjoys reading, skiing, and hiking.

Email: Reba.Salton@childrenscolorado.org
Phone: 720-777-0702