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

Deirdre Rafferty, MS, ATC is the Research Program Manager for the Musculoskeletal Research Center. She received her undergraduate degree from California University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in 2010, and her Master of Science in Wellness and Human Performance from the University of Pittsburgh in 2011. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh she went on to work in their injury prevention and performance optimization initiatives with Air Force Special Operations, embedded at Hurlburt Field, FL until 2015. She moved to Colorado near the end of 2015 and worked at the University of Colorado on projects related to the interaction of exercise and type 2 diabetes for almost 8 years before making the move to the MRC in 2023. Outside of work, she enjoys spending as much time in the outdoors as possible with her family.
 
Email: Deirdre.Rafferty@cuanschutz.edu

Anna Monley, BS, is a professional Researcher with the Miller Scoliosis Lab. Anna graduated from the University of Colorado Denver in May 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Biology and has worked in the laboratory sciences in a wide variety of roles, with experience in clinical immunology and biobanking. She supports the Miller Scoliosis Lab in patient accrual for active basic science research projects, as well as regulatory maintenance and compliance.

Phone: 720-777-4626
Email: Anna.Monley@cuanschutz.edu

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. 

Ava Baumann, BA , is a Research Assistant for the General Orthopedics Department of the MRC. She supports Dr. Gaia Georgopoulos, Dr. Nancy Miller, and Dr. Margaret Murphy-Zane. Ava graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in neuroscience, and she hopes to pursue a career in pediatric medicine. Before her work in the MRC, Ava worked as a Medical Assistant at Boulder Heart and has additional experience working in neurology, pulmonology, and family medicine. Her current research focuses on pediatric hip dysplasia, clubfoot, and fracture trends. Outside of the Children’s Hospital Colorado, Ava enjoys live music, reading, and spending time with her dog Poppy.

Email:  Ava.Baumann@childrenscolorado.org
Phone: 720-777-0484

Veronica Hogg-Cornejo, MS, is a Research Services Senior Professional in the Sports Medicine Center supporting Dr. Aubrey Armento and Dr. Kristina Wilson. She graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from CU Boulder and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Denver. Veronica’s graduate thesis focused on the biomechanics of the ankle during dynamic athletic movements to characterize healthy joint articulation. Veronica went on to work in product development of patented medical devices and athletic equipment before making a return to academic research. She is now focused on developing a career in clinical sports medicine research and acquiring a doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT). In her free time, Veronica enjoys spending time with her family and two rescue dogs (Sunny & Dexter), gardening, woodworking, hiking, and snowboarding.

Phone: 720-777-0109
Email: VERONICA.HOGG-CORNEJO@UCDENVER.EDU  

Kelea Damp, BA, is a Research Service Professional in the MRC supporting the PatientIQ project and Dr. Garg on the Spine Team. Kelea graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2022, majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Spanish. She hopes to pursue a career in medicine in the near future. Outside of Children's Hospital Colorado, Kelea enjoys baking, yoga, hiking, and playing with her dog Nova.

Phone: 720-777-1905
Email: kelea.damp@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

Mia Lundin, BS, EMT-IV,  IV is the professional research assistant supporting Dr. Donaldson and the MRC Tumor Program. She graduated from the University of Colorado Denver in 2022 with a BS in Psychology, and minors in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience and leadership studies. Before joining the MRC, Mia worked in Emergency Medicine for 4 years in which she worked first as a medical scribe, and then worked on several clinical trials focusing on post-cardiac arrest cooling, airway management, opioid overdoses, and sepsis. She also worked on a global trauma epidemiology study involving trauma patients in the Western Cape of South Africa. Outside of work, she loves to travel, do yoga and Pilates, and spend time with her dog, Spike.

Email: mia.lundin@childrenscolorado.org

Sarah Petersen, BA, is a Research Services Professional in the Sports Medicine Center supporting Dr. Sweeney and Dr. Walker. Sarah graduated from the University of Denver in 2023, with an integrated degree in Biology and Chemistry, and minors in Neuroscience and Psychology. While at the University of Denver, Sarah was involved in neurology research with National Jewish Health and The Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, focusing on the effect of COVID-19 on the nervous system. Sarah also has 12 years of experience as a competitive gymnast and three years of experience as a competitive gymnastics coach. Sarah is excited to expand her research into her passion for competitive sports and understanding injury in sports specialization. She hopes to pursue a career in research and medicine. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, running, and playing with her puppy Bella.

Phone: 720-777-0109
Email: sarah.petersen@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

Kim Sungmin, BS, is a Research Service Professional supporting Dr. Klane White. She graduated from Sun Moon University in Asan, South Korea in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Engineering. Her previous research focused on the effects of anti-cancer drugs on liver and lung cancer cells. Her current research focuses on skeletal dysplasia and spinal deformities in pediatric patients. Outside of work, Sungmin enjoys cooking, baking, working out, and traveling with her husband.

Email: Email: sungmin.kim@cuanschutz.edu

Tyler Sullivan, BS,  is a 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

Savannah Troyer, BA, is a Research Service Professional on the Surgical Sports Medicine Team supporting Dr. VandenBerg. She graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022 with degrees in Psychology and Exercise & Sports Science. She hopes to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist and has a passion for mental health considerations for young athletes. She recently completed her 200-hour yoga teacher certification and has a dog named Cameron Diaz.

Phone: 720-777-4973
Email: savannah.troyer@childrenscolorado.org