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INFORMATION FOR

    Steven Tommasini, PhD

    Research Scientist
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    About

    Titles

    Research Scientist

    Appointments

    Other Departments & Organizations

    Education & Training

    Postdoctoral Research Associate
    Stony Brook University (2011)
    PhD
    City University of New York (2008)
    MS
    City College Of New York (2002)
    BS
    Columbia University (2000)

    Research

    Overview

    My research focuses on understanding the complementary contributions of bone mass, geometry and tissue material properties to whole-bone structural behavior. Specifically, this work assesses bone quality and bone mechanical properties at the tissue and organ level both during homeostasis as well as in response to either catabolic or anabolic stimuli. I am interested in the relationship between bone quality, metabolism, and mechanosensitivity, especially how changes in metabolism (as a result of diet, age, drug treatment, or estrogen withdrawal) alter the morphology of the osteocyte lacunar-canalicular network potentially affecting bone’s response to biomechanical stimuli. A combination of state-of-the-art techniques to assess bone quality such as nanoindentation, Fourier Transform Infrared imaging, synchrotron radiation-based computerized tomography, and finite element modeling are being used to explore the hypothesis that mechanical and biochemical stimuli may cause osteocytes to directly contribute to the modulation of bone quality and quantity by directly remodeling their surrounding environment. Previously, using high resolution computed-tomography, we observed that the number, size, and distribution of microporosities in lamellar bone can be altered by conditions such as estrogen withdrawal and pharmaceutical treatment of osteoporosis in an OVX rat model. Currently, different genetic strains of inbred mice, both with normal phenotype and impaired mineralization are being used to investigate the relationship between mineral ion homeostasis, osteocyte biology, and skeletal adaptation.

    Medical Research Interests

    Bone and Bones; Metabolism; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Orthopedics; Osteocytes

    Research at a Glance

    Yale Co-Authors

    Frequent collaborators of Steven Tommasini's published research.

    Publications

    2024

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    Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

    • honor

      Harold M. Frost Young Investigator Award

      International AwardASBMR and IBMS

    Get In Touch

    Contacts

    Email
    Academic Office Number
    Lab Number
    Office Fax Number
    Mailing Address

    Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

    P.O. Box 208071

    New Haven, CT 06520-8071

    United States

    Locations

    • Farnam Memorial Building (330 Cedar)

      Lab

      330 Cedar Street, Ste FMB 540

      New Haven, CT 06510

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    • Farnam Memorial Building (330 Cedar)

      Academic Office

      330 Cedar Street, Ste FMB 554

      New Haven, CT 06510

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