2026 Bone Symposium

Title: The Role of Nutrition in Healing after Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Bio: Teresa G. Biggerstaff, DDS, MD, a native of Washington State, began her training at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry.  She completed her Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency and medical school at LSU New Orleans and a Facial Cosmetic Surgery fellowship in Greensboro, NC.   After residency and fellowship, Dr. Biggerstaff joined a small private practice in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, then four years later built her own practice in nearby Kernersville.  She has also built a medical spa in Kernersville and an additional office in Advance, North Carolina.

Abstract: Bone grafting, facial reconstruction and dental rehabilitation have become more and more sophisticated over time due to the innovative development and use of biomaterials. Careful patient selection, surgical technique, selection of appropriate biomaterials and sound functional design are the foundational principles of predictable outcomes. But sometimes, even when guiding principles are followed, we still see failure of the regenerative procedure, failure of bone or wounds to heal, or failure of the dental implant. Increasing evidence suggests that a lack of certain micronutrients may contribute to these failures. We will review the effects of micronutrients on bone health, bone grafting, soft tissue healing, implant osseointegration and immune regulation and discuss strategies to optimize serum levels of micronutrients to prepare for regenerative procedures and improve surgical outcomes.

Learning Objectives:
1). Discuss how micronutrients can influence bone health and healing
2). Recognize possible micronutrient deficiencies in patients undergoing surgery
3). Describe ways to correct micronutrient deficiencies

Title: Bone Modeling and Remodeling as Tools to Optimize Bone Health: Improving Bone Quality with Anabolic Osteoporosis Therapies

Bio: David W. Dempster, BSc (Hons), PhD, FRMS is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University in New York and former Director of the Regional Bone Center of Helen Hayes Hospital, New York State Department of Health, West Haverstraw, New York.  He received a First-Class Honors degree and a PhD from the University of Glasgow in Scotland and completed postdoctoral studies in Switzerland and France. 

Dr. Dempster is a Past President of the International Society of Bone Morphometry and has served on the Scientific Advisory Council of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. He is a Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society. Dr. Dempster’s iconic micrographs of osteoporotic bone have been widely reproduced in the scientific and popular press, including being displayed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

Dr. Dempster is the founding associate Editor of Osteoporosis International and Archives in Osteoporosis and served in that role for 35 years. He has also served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Clinical Densitometry, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Bone, and Endocrinology. His research studies have been continuously supported by the National Institutes of Health for 40 years. Dr. Dempster has published over 300 research papers on the pathophysiology and treatment of metabolic bone disease. 

Dr. Dempster has served as principal investigator or advisor on the clinical trials that led to the development of most of the current approved medicines for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. He is the Editor in Chief of the Vth edition of the highly respected textbook Marcus and Feldman’s Osteoporosis (affectionately known as “Big Red”).  In 2019, Dr. Dempster was elected as a Fellow of the ASBMR in recognition of his contributions to the field of bone metabolism.  In 2025, Dr. Dempster was recognized by the Lawrence G. Raisz Memorial Lecture Award from the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.

Abstract: The coordinated activity of osteoclast and osteoblasts, regulated by osteocytes, maintains bone health throughout life. Dysregulation of this activity, in which bone resorption exceeds bone formation, results in osteoporosis. When the jawbone becomes less dense, tooth loss can occur and osseointegration of dental implants may be impaired. There are two main classes of medicines approved for the treatment of osteoporosis: antiresorptive and osteoanabolic agents. While potent antiresorptive agents have been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), this is not the case for the osteoanabolic agents. Current research indicates that osteoanabolic agents could positively influence oral health and potentially enhance the results of invasive dental procedures.  The speaker will review basic bone biology and will describe the pathogenetic mechanisms resulting in bone loss and osteoporosis. He will compare the mechanism of action of approved osteoporosis medicines and describe how osteoanabolic agents may improve jawbone quality and preserve dental health.

Learning Objectives:
1). Describe the role of osteoclasts, osteoblasts and osteocytes in bone metabolism.
2). Compare the effects of antiresorptive and osteoanabolic medicines on bone structure and strength.
3). Evaluate data indicating that osteoanabolic medicines can improve the outcome of dental procedures.

Title: Clinical Considerations of Osteoporosis Medications and Oral Health

Bio: Dr. Michael McClung is an endocrinologist and Founding and Emeritus Director of the Oregon Osteoporosis Center (OOC) in Portland where he had a clinical practice focused on metabolic bone disorders and directed a large bone density testing center. He was the principal investigator in many clinical trials evaluating the effects of therapeutic agents for osteoporosis that led to to government approval of drugs for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. He has been actively involved in the training of young physicians and the development of clinical guidelines for several national osteoporosis societies and currently serves on the Board of the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

Abstract: Bone metabolism is an important component of oral health. Modulation of bone metabolism by diseases or medications can have both detrimental and beneficial effects. Recent preclinical and clinical data have improved our understanding of the roles of both anti-remodeling and osteoanabolic bone-active drugs on fracture healing and osseointegration of bone implants. Experience with both medical and orthopedic use of bone-active drugs has informed us about a) the importance of the sequences with which we use various osteoporosis medications and b) the need for long-term therapy to maintain the benefit of the initial treatment.  Applying this knowledge will potentially improve the outcomes of patients requiring oral surgery.

Learning Objectives:
1). Review the experience with osteoporosis drugs on fracture healing and osseointegration of surgical implants
2). Consider the importance of specific sequences of bone-active agents in managing patients undergoing bone surgery
3). Appreciate the need for long-term maintenance with osteoporosis drugs even after the initial sequence of therapy 

Title: The Safety of Common Treatments for Osteoporosis

Bio: Dr. Steven Cummings is Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at UC San Francisco and Director of the San Francisco Coordinating Center in Suitter Health. He led large cohort studies about osteoporosis and several pivotal trials of the drug treatments for osteoporosis including alendronate, denosumab, and zoledronate. He has been given awards for excellence in clinical research about osteoporosis. He has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine for his contributions to clinical research.

Abstract: Treatments for osteoporosis are generally well-tolerated and safe. Bisphosphonate therapy carries a very low risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) that is higher after invasive oral surgeries and with high doses of zoledronate for cancer. Bisphosphonates entail very low risk of atypical femoral fractures (AFF) that increases with years of treatment and declines soon after discontinuation. The first treatment with IV zoledronate causes flu-like symptoms in about 25-30% and less commonly ( ~10%) after subsequent doses. Pre-treatment treatment with acetaminophen reduces symptoms. In the largest clinical trial, denosumab had no adverse effects except, rarely, eczema and cellulitis. Stopping denosumab after 3 years increases the risk of vertebral fractures. Teriparatide and abaloparatide uncommonly cause mild postural hypotension (light headedness, palpitation) and rarely arthralgias and myalgias. The largest placebo-controlled trial of Romosozumab found no adverse effects. There were with rare cases of ONJ and AFF. Romosozumab had no increased risk of CVD. Another trial of alendronate vs. romosozumab reported a difference in CVD events that can be attributed to chance.

Learning Objectives:
1). Recognize potential adverse effects of antiresorptive treatments for osteoporosis—alendronate, zoledronate, and denosumab.
2). Recognize the potential adverse effects of teriparatide and abaloparatide.
3). Critically appraise the concern about cardiovascular effects of romosozumab.

Title: Osseointegration and the Bone-Implant Interface

Bio: Professor Anders Palmquist is an internationally recognized expert in biomaterials and osseointegration at the University of Gothenburg. His research centers on the bone-implant interface, under normal and compromised healing conditions. He has pioneered multiscale, multimodal analytical techniques to study osseointegration from nano to macro levels. With over 130 publications, including influential reviews, he continues to lead interdisciplinary collaborations that advance implant design and improve clinical outcomes in dental, hearing, and orthopedic applications.

Abstract: 2025 marks 60 years anniversary since the concept of osseointegration was first realized with titanium dental implants in 1965 . Today, it is a cornerstone of modern implantology, enabling predictable and long-term clinical success. Yet, the bone-implant interface remains a key area of research due to its importance for implant stability, function and long-term performance. This lecture explores how osseointegration is understood and evaluated, focusing on multiscale and multimodal analytical strategies. A correlative microscopy approach— spanning macro to nanoscale imaging—is combined with spectroscopic techniques to reveal structural and compositional relationships at the bone-implant interface.

By integrating advanced imaging with tailored sample preparation, the presentation offers a more holistic and clinically relevant view of dental implant osseointegration. It also addresses current clinical challenges. The strengths and limitations of today’s analytical methods will be critically discussed, highlighting their role in shaping future research and clinical practice.

Learning Objectives:
1). Define osseointegration and its clinical significance.
2). Identify key analytical techniques for studying the bone-implant interface.
3). Recognize current challenges and opportunities in implant research.

Title: Bone Grafting Strategies and Techniques For Complex Orthognathic Surgery

Bio: Dr. Zaid is a Tenured professor at LSUHC -School of Dentistry. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery & fellow of the Canadian Royal College of Dentists in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery after completing his residency program at McGill University in Montreal Canada, and one of the inaugural batches of surgeons obtaining the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Maxillofacial Pathology and Microvascular Reconstruction by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery after completing in Head and Neck Fellowship program at Boston University.  Currently, he is the chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. He is also the site director for LSU Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Baton Rouge and the fellowship director for Head and Neck Oncology & Microvascular Reconstruction.

Finally, Dr. Zaid is an alumnus of the Harvard School of Medicine, having completed the Surgical Leadership program there.

Abstract: Bone grafting has been a pivotal adjunct in orthognathic surgery, particularly in cases involving large skeletal movements or anatomical deficiencies. This lecture examines the rationale, methodologies, and results related to bone grafting in maxillofacial osteotomies, not only in Cleft craniofacial patients undergoing orthognathic surgery, but also in cases requiring unconventional osteotomies, such as inverted L osteotomies, vertical ramus osteotomy, and conventional osteotomies with large movements, like in Maxillo-Mandibular advancements to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea. We will review the current literature and create a framework for attendees about indications, graft selection, surgical techniques, integrating bone grafting into the Orthognathic digital workflow, and the effect of bone grafting on long-term results and stability.

Learning Objectives:
1). Identify clinical indications for bone grafting in complex orthognathic procedures, including cases involving cleft craniofacial anomalies, large skeletal movements, and obstructive sleep apnea.
2). Compare and contrast various bone grafting techniques and materials used in maxillofacial osteotomies, including their integration into digital surgical workflows and their impact on long-term skeletal stability.
3). Evaluate the outcomes and evidence-based rationale for incorporating bone grafting in unconventional osteotomies such as inverted L and vertical ramus osteotomies, with a focus on optimizing surgical planning and patient-specific treatment strategies. 

Title: Bone Grafting Choices for Cleft/Craniofacial Grafting and Reconstruction

Bio: Dr. Miller is a fellowship trained pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgeon at Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Miller is board certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery and holds a certificate of added qualifications in pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgery from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Miller graduated with his medical (MD) degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine and his dental degree (DMD) from the University of Kentucky. He completed an internship in general surgery and residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Florida, College of Medicine – Jacksonville. Following his residency, he completed a fellowship in pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgery at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida.

Dr. Miller is Associate Professor and Faculty Endowed Chair, Associate Dean for Hospital Affairs of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, Residency Program Director of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, with additional appointments as Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics in the College of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.

Dr. Miller practices maxillofacial and craniomaxillofacial surgery with an emphasis in pediatric craniomaxillofacial surgery, reconstructive facial surgery, neuroplastic reconstructive surgery, orthognathic surgery, repair of cleft lip and palate, and complex craniofacial conditions. He has dedicated his professional life to the care of individuals with facial differences. 

Abstract: Cleft and craniofacial reconstruction often requires bone grafting to restore form, function, and facial harmony. The selection of graft material—autologous, allogeneic, xenograft, or synthetic—must balance biological principles, donor-site morbidity, integration potential, and long-term stability. Emerging alternatives, including cellular and growth factor–enhanced products, add further complexity to clinical decision-making. This session will provide a comprehensive review of current bone grafting strategies in cleft and craniofacial reconstruction, highlighting the scientific rationale, surgical applications, and evidence-based outcomes associated with each material. Practical considerations for graft selection in alveolar clefts, cranial defects, and complex syndromic reconstructions will be discussed, as well as future directions in tissue engineering and regenerative approaches. Attendees will gain actionable insights into tailoring grafting choices to patient-specific needs, optimizing outcomes, and anticipating innovations that are reshaping reconstructive care.

Learning Objectives:
1). Differentiate among autologous, allogeneic, and synthetic bone grafting options for cleft and craniofacial reconstruction, based on biological properties and clinical applications.
2). Analyze clinical scenarios to select appropriate grafting materials that optimize functional and aesthetic outcomes.
3). Evaluate emerging biologic and regenerative approaches in craniofacial grafting and assess their potential integration into practice.

Title: Regenerative Techniques in Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery

Bio: Dr. Edwards is the James R Hayward Endowed Professor and Chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Michigan. He also serves as the chief of Pediatric Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. He graduated from the Dalhousie University School of Dentistry and the University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Edwards completed his residency at the University of Michigan in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. After his residency, Dr. Edwards completed fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh in Craniofacial Surgery and the University of Michigan in Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction. Dr. Edwards’ clinical interests include cleft lip and palate and craniofacial differences and pediatric head and neck oncology and survivorship.

Abstract: Regenerative techniques have grown in their utilization for cleft and craniofacial procedures. They are used to reduce patient morbidity, shorten length of hospitalization, improve results and may even lead to cost reductions.

Learning Objectives:
1). The learner will gain knowledge of the contemporary use of regenerative techniques for reconstruction of skeletal defects.
2). The learner will appreciate when regenerative techniques can be used to augment patient healing.
3). The learner will be able to compare and contrast the benefits and risks of regenerative techniques in terms of morbidity and costs.

Title: Practical Application of Regenerative Therapies to Alveolar Cleft Grafts

Bio: Alan S. Herford, DDS, MD, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry.  He also holds the Philip Boyne & Peter Geistlich Endowed Professorship.  Other appointments include Loma Linda University School of Medicine and he also serves as the Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Department of Surgery at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Herford serves on numerous committees and Boards. In 2013 he was named a founding board member of Osteo Science Foundation (OSF) and currently serves as a board member of the Foundation.  He served as President of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) as well as President of the California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CALAOMS). Dr. Herford has a strong interest in trauma and is a past Chair of the North American Craniomaxillofacial Trauma Education Council of the AO/ASIF as well as a board of director for the AO North America (AONA). He currently serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors for the American Institute of Oral Biology (AIOB). He is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists.  He has numerous publications and lectures throughout the world on various topics related to regeneration.

Dr Herford’s current interests include utilizing technological advances to improve reconstructive treatment options for patients.  Dr Herford enjoys balancing a busy work schedule with spending time with his family.

Abstract: 

Alveolar cleft defects can be predictably grafted with growth factors. This presentation will focus on ways to incorporate BMP-2 into treating patients with alveolar clefts. Many of these patients will require orthognathic surgery as they get older. We will discuss also discuss the use of growth factors to enhance bone formation in patients requiring maxillary advancement to avoid autogenous grafting.

Learning Objectives:
1). At the end of this presentation the participant will be able to describe the technique of utilizing BMP-2 for treating alveolar clefts. 
2). At the end of this presentation the participant will be able to describe the long-term benefits of using growth factors in treating patients with alveolar clefts. 
3). At the end of this presentation the participant will be able to describe the benefit of grafting patients requiring large maxillary orthognathic advancements. 

Title: Mimicking the Matrix: Bioprinting of Nanoscale Mineralized Bone Organoids for In Vitro Modeling and In Vivo Regeneration

Bio: Robert E. Guldberg is the DeArmond Executive Director of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact and Vice President of the University of Oregon. His research focuses on musculoskeletal mechanobiology, regenerative medicine, and orthopaedic medical devices.  Dr. Guldberg has produced over 280 peer-reviewed publications and co-founded six start-ups.  He is past Chair of the Americas Chapter of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) and serves on the Leadership Council of the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, a $220 million global initiative to promote wellness and peak performance through scientific discovery and innovation.

Abstract: Replicating the mineralized collagen matrix and cellular architecture of native bone in vitro remains a major challenge in regenerative medicine. We have recently established a bone organoid bioprinting platform using human cells and collagen-based microgels with tunable mineral content in the form of biomimetic intrafibrillar hydroxyapatite to engineer microenvironments that promote rapid osteogenesis in vitro in the absence of osteogenic supplements and accelerate bone regeneration in vivo. The bioprinted “bone dots” represent a human, optionally patient-specific model system for preclinical testing to complement or replace animal studies. Moreover, the bioprinting platform is a potential scalable solution for the production of living bone graft alternative material for clinical use. 

Learning Objectives:
1). Describe how bioprinting of bone organoids is accomplished.
2). Identify the key features of bone organoids required for in vitro testing of therapeutics.
3). Outline the progress towards developing bioprinted bone as a bone graft alternative.

Title: Soft Biomaterials For Hard Tissue Formation

Bio: Kent Leach’s research interests are focused on developing cell-instructive biomaterials for tissue engineering of replacement tissues and cultivated meat, applying transport principles for growth of engineered tissues and modeling cancer, and translation from the bench to the clinic. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, the official journal of the Society for Biomaterials (SFB). He is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) and the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). He is the Program Director of one of eight NIH-funded predoctoral training grants focused on musculoskeletal health nationally. He has received multiple teaching and mentorship awards at UC Davis, and he holds various leadership roles in his scientific communities.

Abstract: The musculoskeletal system is the framework for structure, movement, posture, and stability, and defects or disorders in musculoskeletal tissues impair quality of life. My research is directed toward incorporating cues from the native environment and natural extracellular matrix (ECM) into the design of platforms and musculoskeletal tissue engineered constructs. By applying fundamental principles in cell and molecular biology, biomaterials, and biotransport phenomena, we are developing materials-based strategies to direct the behavior of transplanted or host cells within bone and cartilage defects and interrogate the behavior of various cell populations in more physiologically relevant conditions. In this talk, I will present examples of our recent work in designing biomaterials from cells and natural and synthetic polymers to instruct cell fate and enhance tissue formation and function with applications in musculoskeletal tissue regeneration and repair, with a particular focus on the craniomaxillofacial region. I will highlight the use of granular hydrogels to combat inflammation and promote bone and cartilage tissue formation, as well as the utility of instructive cell-secreted matrices to guide cell fate.

Learning Objectives:
1). Describe the influence of inflammation on musculoskeletal tissue repair and regeneration.
2). Share current efforts to promote bone formation in an inflammatory milieu.
3). Identify opportunities to propel new approaches for bone regeneration in the head and neck region and throughout the skeleton.

Title: Shaping the Future of Craniofacial Bone Repair with 3D-Printed Bioceramic Scaffolds

Bio: Dr. Lukasz Witek is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Biomaterials and Regenerative Biology at NYU College of Dentistry and Director of the Dental Academic Research Experience (DARE) program. He also holds faculty appointments in NYU Dental’s Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NYU Tandon School of Engineering.

At NYU College of Dentistry, Dr. Witek’s Biomaterials Science and Translational Research Lab, focuses on development of advanced biomaterials—including titanium implants, resorbable ceramics, and resorbable 3D-printed scaffold strategies—to improve osseointegration and bone regeneration. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and actively contributes to the biomaterial’s community through leadership roles at the International Association for Dental Research and the Society for Biomaterials.

Abstract: Craniofacial bone defects require solutions that address anatomy while restoring both function and aesthetics. Advances in 3D printing are enabling the fabrication of patient-specific scaffolds with precise architecture and tunable properties, offering tools for personalized regenerative medicine. Bioceramic scaffolds combine osteoconductivity, resorbability, and mechanical stability, making them well-suited for craniofacial reconstruction. By bridging materials innovation with future clinical translation, personalized scaffold-based strategies have the potential to reshape craniofacial bone regeneration. These advances point toward a future where regenerative therapies are tailored to each patient, improving predictability, accelerating healing, and achieving both functional and aesthetic reconstruction.

Learning Objectives:
1). Evaluate current 3D printing technologies and biomaterial strategies for craniofacial bone regeneration, with a focus on bioceramic scaffolds and their role in personalized regenerative medicine.
2). Analyze how scaffold design features—including architecture, mechanical properties, and bioactive modifications—impact biological performance, integration, and long-term regenerative outcomes.
3). Identify translational considerations in advancing scaffold-based therapies from bench to clinic, including digital workflows for patient-specific design, preclinical validation, and regulatory pathways.

Title: Organs-on-Chip Models of Human Bone Pathophysiology

Bio: Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic is University Professor, as the first engineer to ever hold this highest academic rank at Columbia University. She is also the Mikati Foundation Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Medical Sciences and Dental Medicine. She is also the Mikati Foundation Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Medical Sciences, and Dental Medicine and a faculty in the Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Center for Human Development and the Mortimer B Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute. She directs the Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, the NIH-funded Tissue Engineering Resource Center, and Columbia’s Center for Dental and Craniofacial Research.

The focus of her lab is on engineering functional human tissues for use in regenerative medicine and patient-specific “organs-on-a-chip” for studies of human pathophysiology. From these studies, she published 3 books and 496 journal articles, including those in Nature, Cell, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Medicine, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Communications, Nature Cardiovascular Research, Nature Protocols, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Science Advances, PNAS, Cell Stem Cell, and Science Translational Medicine. With over 72,000 citations and the impact factor h=149, she is a highly cited investigator. She gave over 500 invited talks, and has mentored over 250 trainees.

The research in her lab is highly translational. With her students, she has over 110 licensed, issued, published and pending patents and founded five biotech companies. She is one of the Foreign Policy’s 100 Leading Global Thinkers for 2014, recipient of the annual inventor award of the European Patent Office (2021), one of the “Power 50” in the New York State (2021) and one of the BIOS Top 50 Academic Life Science Entrepreneurs (2022).

Dr Vunjak-Novakovic is a Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a Founding Fellow of the International Society for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. She was inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame “for developing biological substitutes to restore, maintain or improve tissue function”, and received the Clemson Award of the Biomaterials Society “for significant contributions to the literature on biomaterials”, the Pritzker Award of the Biomedical Engineering Society and the Shu Chien Achievement Award. She gave the Director’s lecture at the NIH, as the first woman engineer to receive this distinction, and received the 2019 TERMIS award for innovation and commercialization, Pierre Galletti Award of the AIMBE, and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society. She was decorated by the Order of Karadjordje Star – Serbia’s highest honor. She has served on the Council of the National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), as Chair of the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), on the Scientific Review Board of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and on numerous Editorial Boards, Advisory Boards and Boards of Directors.

She was elected to the New York Academy of Sciences, Academia Europaea, the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the USA National Academy of Engineering (the first women faculty at Columbia University), the USA National Academy of Medicine (the first engineer at Columbia University), the USA National Academy of Inventors, the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada – Academy of Science.

Abstract: Tissue engineering has advanced in response to the clinical need for biological substitutes that restore or replace tissues compromised by trauma or disease, with the ultimate aim of improving patient survival and quality of life. Conventional strategies integrate human cells with biomaterial scaffolds, supported by bioreactors that provide biochemical and biomechanical cues while enabling mechanistic studies of tissue development and pathology¹. Recent innovations have introduced organ-on-chip platforms—microengineered tissue systems designed to recapitulate organ-level functions within physiologically optimized microenvironments². These platforms can support individual tissue types or establish multicellular, perfused networks that more accurately model systemic physiology³. Engineered skeletal tissues, including bone, osteochondral grafts, bone marrow, and tumor-involved bone, have demonstrated increasing utility in patient-specific modeling of injury, regeneration, and disease. Recognizing their translational potential, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has prioritized human tissue models for preclinical applications in regenerative medicine, disease progression, and therapeutic discovery. This work highlights emerging applications of these systems in clinically relevant contexts, including skeletal regeneration, radiation-induced bone marrow injury⁴, hematopoietic niche remodeling by cancer⁵, and metastatic colonization of bone.

Learning Objectives:
1). Understand the principles of tissue engineering by examining the integration of human cells, biomaterial scaffolds, and bioreactors to support tissue regeneration and function.
2). Explore the role of organ-on-chip systems in replicating organ-level functions, enabling physiologically relevant modeling of injury, regeneration, and disease progression.
3). Evaluate applications of engineered tissues in bone-related contexts (e.g., bone regeneration, marrow injury, cancer remodeling, and metastasis) and their impact on therapeutic discovery and preclinical studies.

Title: From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Skeletal Stem Cell Aging in Homeostasis and Regeneration

Bio: Dr. Leucht joined the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Cell Biology at NYU Langone Health in 2014 after finishing his orthopedic residency and trauma fellowship training at Stanford University. He started his clinician scientist career in 2004 when he joined the laboratory of Dr. Jill Helms at Stanford University. In this environment he concentrated his efforts on the basic science and translational research focused on (1) determining the underlying cell and molecular regulatory mechanisms involved in skeletal development and fracture repair, (2) investigating the role of the mechanical environment during fracture repair, and (3) stem cell-based tissue engineering strategies to enhance bone regeneration. 

Since joining the faculty at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, his research has centered around skeletal stem cell aging. He has received multiple NIH grants build on his work on inflammaging and its detrimental effect on the skeletal stem cell resulting in devastating conditions such as osteoporosis and delayed or failed fracture repair.

As an orthopedic traumatologist, Dr. Leucht’s long-term goal is to use the knowledge gained from basic science research to improve patients’ outcome after musculoskeletal injury.

Abstract: Aging dramatically impairs skeletal health, leading to fractures that heal poorly and contribute to frailty, immobility, and loss of independence. A central driver of this decline is the deterioration of skeletal stem and progenitor cells (SSPCs), which are essential for bone maintenance and repair. Despite their importance, in vivo mechanisms underlying SSPC aging remain poorly defined, and strategies to restore their function are lacking. We hypothesize that age-related dysfunction of SSPCs is reversible and that pharmacologic modulation of conserved aging pathways can rejuvenate SSPC activity to promote bone regeneration. Here, we will present our current research on three strategies to rejuvenate the aging skeletal stem cell and how this rejuvenation can result in improved clinical outcomes in the next few years.

Learning Objectives:
1). Define potential causes of skeletal stem cell aging.  
2). Recognize the effect of aging on skeletal healing.  
3). Describe three therapeutic approaches that can result in restoration of skeletal stem cell function and improved regenerative output.  

Title: Use of Osteokines/Myokines to Improve Outcomes in Aged Individuals

Bio: Dr. Bonewald is the Founding Director of the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, ICMH, with over 100 members from 27 schools and four campuses. She received her Ph.D. in Immunology/Microbiology from the Medical University ofSouth Carolina, was promoted from Assistant to Full Professor at the Univ. of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and served as director of the Bone Biology Research Program and as Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She is a Past-President of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities. She has served as Chair of the Board of Scientific Councilors for the NIH NIDCR and served on Council for NIH NIAMS. She received the IADR “Basic Research in BiologicalMineralization Award”, the Sun Valley “RIB Award”, the prestigious ASBMR William F. Neuman award and is a UM Curators Professor Emeritas, an IU Distinguished Professor and an AAAS Fellow. She has been continually funded by NIH for over thirty years and is best known for her work in the study of osteocytes and is responsible for tools used byresearchers globally to determine osteocyte biology and function. She is currently studying bone and muscle crosstalk with aging.

Abstract: Musculoskeletal health is determined not only by mechanical interactions between bone and muscle but also by secreted regulatory factors. A number of key mechanisms have been identified where soluble factors released during exercise by bone such as PGE2 and Wnts exert positive effects on muscle and irisin and L-BAIBA, secreted by muscle, on bone. Conversely immobilized bone and muscle secrete factors (RANKL, TGFb by bone; myostatin by muscle) that have negative effects on the corresponding tissue.  It is proposed that the factors secreted by bone and muscle are responsible for the positive effects of exercise on health, prevention of illness, and delayed effects of aging. Although exercise can delay the negative effects of aging, these beneficial effects are diminished with aging compared to young or middle-aged individuals. We propose that exercise induced beneficial factors must battle changes in circulating endocrine and inflammatory factors that increase with aging. Sedentary behavior during aging worsens the ratio of positive musculoskeletal secreted factors to inflammatory factors. This impacts the ability of bone and muscle to respond to physical activity. Our goal is to change this ratio in order to minimize the negative effects of aging on healthspan.

Learning Objectives:
1). Understand that bone and muscle interact biochemically, not just mechanically.
2). Identify both positive and negative osteokines and myokines and their targeted effects on other tissues.
3). Reducing aging inflammatory factors may enhance the effects of exercise on overall health.

Title: Growth Factors: Autogenous, Allogeneic and Recombinant and Their Application to Bone Regeneration

Bio: Dr. Spagnoli is the author of over 30 articles and book chapters. He has served as section editor of the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal and AAOMFS Knowledge Update. In 2005 and 2006, he co-authored two award-winning papers published in the Journal of Periodontalology and the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. His most recent article, “Dental Implants and the Use of rhBMP-2,” which appeared in the May 2011 issue of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America, was reprinted in Dental Clinics of North America that same year. His research, numerous lectures, and continuing education courses are focused on temporomandibular joint disorders and surgery, tissue engineering, and preprosthetic surgery. Dr. Spagnoli, who was formerly the Chair at LSU-New Orleans, is now in private practice in North Carolina.

Abstract: Bone regeneration represents a complex progression of events orchestrated by cellular and soluble factor contributions. This presentation will briefly describe contributions from inflammatory, neurogenic, vascular, and stromal/stem cells to bone regeneration.  Growth factors, Cytokines and Chemokines that direct regeneration will be identified.    Factor specific cell surface receptors, cytoplasmic messengers, and related nuclear transcription factors will be reviewed.  Sources of growth factors available to the surgeon will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:
1). Identify basic cell types active in bone regeneration.
2). Identify key growth factors, Cytokines and Chemokines that contribute to bone graft regeneration.
3). Understand Specific growth factors, target cells and  Cell surface receptors
4).Understand Cytoplasmic messenger factors.
5). Identify specific nuclear transcription factors associated with growth factors.
6). Discuss growth factors currently available for surgeons to use derived from, autogenous, allogeneic, and recombinant sources

Title: Regenerating Function: Contemporary Role of Bone Grafting and Implant Therapy

Bio: Dr. Edmond Bedrossian received the DDS degree from the University of the Pacific, and completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Residency at Alameda Medical Center.

Dr. Bedrossian is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

He is also An Honorary Member of the American College of Prosthodontists.

He is a Professor and the Director of Advanced Implant Reconstruction at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry as well as the Chairman of the ITI scholar center , San Francisco. He has combined private practice with academics with over 30 years or experience.

He has authored multiple articles and chapters on the various uses of the Zygomatic implant, bone grafting and treatment planning implant dentistry. 

He has also authored several text books including:

• “Implant treatment planning for the edentulous patient”, Forewarded by Professor Brånemark.
• “Immediacy Concept” in 2022, Forwarded by Professor Daniel Buser.
• “Demystifying Zygoma implant”, pending publication 2024

Dr Bedrossian is on the Editorial review Board of:

• The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants
• The Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
• The Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research.
• The journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.

Abstract: The lack of internal loading of the alveolar bone leads to disuse atrophy of the edentulous alveolus. In the contemporary dental practices, the replacement of the missing tooth or teeth with dental implants has become very routine. The primary reason is that dental implants reintroduce internal loading of the alveolus and therefore slow down the resorption of the alveolar bony volume.

With this advantage of dental implants over other dental procedures for replacement of missing teeth, the contemporary clinician must bear in mind that dental implants are being placed in younger patients as compared to the past several decades. Even with implant therapy as well as bone grafting, the potential for bone resorption leading to functional and cosmetic complications still exist in the younger patients.

This presentation will discuss the role of autogenous, alloplastic as well as Xenografts in regeneration of form and function using dental implants. To select the most effective bone graft material, the contemporary clinician must bear in mind the specific properties of each type of bone graft. The pros and cons of grafting vs not grafting will be discussed guiding the clinicians to select evidence based surgical protocols to effectively tret their patients and prevent potential complications.

Learning Objectives:
1). Role of internal loading of the alveolus; Participants to understand the physiology of occlusal load, transferee to the maxillary and mandibular alveolar bone.
2). Role of immediate implant placement in the contemporary Oral $ Maxillofacial surgery practice with the patients age in mind.
3). Presentation will distinguish the different properties of autogenous, alloplastic and xerograph bone graft options for planning and choosing the appropriate graft indicated for regeneration of the alveolar bony defects.

Title: Universal Application of Modern Tissue Engineering in Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction

Bio: James C. Melville, DDS, FACS, is a Tenured Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston UTHealth and specializes in Oral, Head & Neck Oncology, and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery. He graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2005 and completed a General Practice Residency at the University of California San Francisco in 2006. He completed a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery in 2012, followed by fellowships in oral, head, and neck oncology and microvascular reconstructive surgery at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was appointed as the UTH OMFS internship director in 2017.

Dr. Melville was awarded the Faculty Educator Development Award (FEDA) in 2019 by the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). An award given to promising young academic surgeons. He was awarded the AAOMS Advocacy Challenge Coin by the AAOMS Board of Trustees and AAOMS Committee on Government Affairs in 2020. AAOMS designed its own Challenge Coin to recognize oral and maxillofacial surgeons who have made significant advocacy contributions on behalf of the Association. The AAOMS Challenge Coin is awarded to those elite few who transcend the efforts of their colleagues to further the specialty through advocacy. He was awarded the AAOMS Fellows Research award in 2023 for fostering innovations in new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions applicable to the clinical practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Dr. Melville served as the President of the Oral & Maxillofacial Section of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) / International Association of Dental Researchers (IADR) in 2023. He was appointed the President of the AAOMS Clinical Interest Group (CIG) in Neurologic Disorders 2023. He served on the International Academy of Oral Oncology (IAOO) as a scientific committee member for its 2022 conference.

Dr. Melville is a diplomate and examiner of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons, American College of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the American College of Surgeons. He has been an invited visiting professor and lecturer at over 20 academic institutions, including Case Western University, Columbia University, Harvard/MGH OMFS and Plastic Surgery, Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, MedStar Hospital Center, McGill University, The Ohio State University, University of Michigan, University of Toronto, UOP/ Stanford University, USC , UCLA and Yale University.

He has written five textbooks on maxillofacial reconstruction and contributed to 35 textbook chapters concerning oral and maxillofacial surgery, oncology, maxillofacial reconstruction, microvascular reconstruction, and tissue engineering. In addition, he is the author of more than 80 articles in peer-reviewed journals. He is a reviewer for the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (JOMS), Triple OOOO Journal, Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Journal of Tissue Engineering, PLOS ONE, Bioengineering & Translational Medicine (Wiley), Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, Experimental Dermatology, Japanese Dental Science Review, FACE (Sage Journal), Ear, Nose, and Throat Journal (Sage Journal) and of Journal of American Dental Association (JADA).

Abstract: With the advancements made in regenerative medicine, the predictability and reliability of tissue-engineered bone grafts have made the reconstruction of defects in the oral and maxillofacial region a reassuring and dependable process, eliminating the need for harvesting autogenous bone. Long-term clinical studies have demonstrated that this mixture is equivalent to or superior to avascular autogenous bone graft.

The presentation will comprehensively cover the preoperative workup, preparation, and procedural options for patients with congenital defects, benign tumors, post-resection defects, and traumas. In addition, the speaker will provide a thorough review of initial evaluation, patient selection, and state-of-the-art science regarding growth factors and autogenous bone substitutes. Emphasis will be placed on surgical technique, postoperative care, and management of complications, ensuring that the audience is well-informed and prepared.

Topics for mandibular regeneration will be covered, ranging from socket preservation and alveolar ridge defects to continuity defects, and even the reconstruction and regeneration of the condyle. Also, “controversies” of modern bone grafting will be addressed.

The session will focus on the use of cutting-edge contemporary tissue engineering (Stem cells, allogeneic bone, and BMP-2) to reconstruct the maxillofacial region, ensuring the most effective and successful outcomes for our patients and instilling optimism about the future of maxillofacial reconstruction.

Learning Objectives:
1). Describe the current clinical application of tissue engineering for maxillofacial defects.
2). Identify challenges faced by the clinical reconstruction maxillofacial defects.
3). Compare and contrast several management strategies for patients mandibular and maxillary defects.

Title: Universal Application of Modern Tissue Engineering in Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction

Please see Part 1 for Dr. Melville’s Bio, Abstract, and Learning Objectives

Title: A Decision Tree for Bone Augmentation 

Bio: Dr. Craig Misch received certificates in postgraduate prosthodontics, oral implantology as well as a Master of Dental Science from University of Pittsburgh.  Thereafter he became faculty and acted as Co-Director of the University of Pittsburgh Oral Implantology Center for three years (1992 – 1994).  Dr. Misch then completed specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery in Pittsburgh in 1999 and is board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.  Dr. Misch practices as a dual specialist in Sarasota, Florida.  He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan in the department of periodontics.  Dr. Misch serves as Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Oral Implantology and is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Oral Implantology, International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry and Dentistry Today. He has been a featured speaker for numerous organizations and has published extensively with over 50 publications and 22 textbook chapters. Dr. Misch’s textbook on Horizontal and Vertical Bone Augmentation for Dental Implant Therapy was released by Quintessence in 2024 and became a top 5 best seller.

Abstract: There are several techniques and biomaterials available for implant site development. The choice may depend on a number of factors including osseous morphology, size of the defect, costs and surgeon or patient preferences. The trend today is to reduce patient morbidity but still provide predictable outcomes. This lecture will focus on decision trees based on bone gains required to place dental implants supported by clinical studies. The presentation will discuss the use of various methods for hard tissue augmentation including GBR, block grafting, ridge expansion, mesh grafting, distraction osteogenesis and interpositional grafting. The a biological bases for the selection of various materials for bone augmentation will also be presented.

Learning Objectives:
1). To understand the factors that determine the selection of a bone augmentation technique and materials.
2). To understand when autogenous bone is needed for specific cases of bone augmentation.
3). To understand how bone volume gains influence the decision to use particular techniques and materials for bone augmentation.

Title: Growing Bone: Strategies for Engineering the Alveolar Process

Bio: Ole T. Jensen is an oral maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in reconstruction of the jaws including the use of dental implants and tissue engineering. He has degrees from the University of Utah, Northwestern University and the University of Michigan. He has written 7 books about bone grafting procedures. He has published 102 articles in peer reviewed journals. He was editor-in-chief of Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and is associate editor of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants. He helped found Clearchoice dental implant centers in 2006. In 2015 he received the Branemark Award from the Academy of Osseointegration. In 2019 he established the Jensen International Tissue Engineering Award, now given annually by TERMIS. He is CEO of Ditron Dental Implants and Co-founder of Smile-loc dental implant centers. He recently edited Peri-Implant Disease, for the Journal of Maxillofacial Medicine. His scientific focus now is in creating a more healthy and sustainable dental implant system that resists peri implant disease. He is married to Marty Jensen, the love of his life. Together they have three children and 15 grandchildren.

Abstract: The alveolar process when deficient, ablated or absent is a challenge for reconstructive efforts.  The use of so many different and continuing innovative methods for surgical treatment suggests a lack of consensus for a standardized solution.  Methods described in the literature are often situational having limited applicability. The tissue engineering triad has still not been settled for what is best to do for the alveolar process.  Various methods and treatments will be reviewed and described as it relates to the basic principles of osteo-conduction, osteo-induction, osteogenesis and bio-mechanical stimulation for long term function of regenerated bone.

Learning Objectives:
1). Understand host factors that influence bone graft incorporation.
2). Recognize osteo-conductive scaffold importance particularly when vertical alveolar bone grafting is required.
3). Describe the use of BMP-2 to enhance bone inductive response as well as increase angiogenic activity.

Title: Ensuring Quality in Cell-Based Therapies: CMC Principles and a Regulatory Science Perspective

Bio: As Chief of the Cellular and Tissue Therapies Branch at the FDA, Dr. Kyung Sung oversees the regulatory review process for a diverse portfolio of cell therapies, tissue products, and medical devices, while also serving as a hands-on reviewer. She directs regulatory science programs that develop novel engineering tools and assays to improve the characterization and manufacturing of these products, directly supporting the FDA’s public health mission. Before joining the FDA in 2015, Dr. Sung was a Biotechnology Patent Examiner at the USPTO. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Abstract: TCell-based products present new therapeutic opportunities in medicine, but their inherent complexity as living drugs introduces unique scientific and manufacturing challenges. This presentation will explore the critical Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) considerations that support a successful cell therapy program, emphasizing how these requirements evolve from early to late clinical development. Key topics include the scientific challenges of demonstrating comparability following manufacturing changes and developing biologically relevant potency assays that link critical quality attributes to therapeutic function and clinical performance. In addition, the talk will provide an overview of the regulatory process for cell-based products and include regulatory science project examples that illustrate approaches to addressing key challenges in evaluating and supporting these innovative therapies, underscoring the importance of a proactive, science-driven CMC strategy in delivering safe, consistent, and effective cell therapies to patients.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how CMC expectations for cell-based therapies evolve throughout clinical development and the scientific principles that guide these expectations.
22. Recognize the challenges associated with manufacturing changes, comparability assessments, and potency assay development for complex cellular products.
3. Gain insight into regulatory processes and regulatory science initiatives that inform the evaluation, consistency, and safety of emerging cell-based therapies.