Key Researcher
Jessica Downes, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Downes is a lead researcher in foot and ankle trauma, as well as women’s health, fitness, nutrition, and bone health. She has been a Principal Investigator for foundation awards as well as the Department of Defense-funded METRC studies. She has several publications in peer reviewed journals as well as book chapter authorship.
Dr. Downes received her medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska, and her residency in Orthopaedic surgery at the University of Minnesota. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and is the Associate Program Director of Curriculum Development and Simulation Innovation for the Orthopaedics Department at the University of Minnesota. She is a fellow of the American Orthopaedic Association and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Key Researcher
Jacqueline A. Geissler, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Geissler specializes in hand and upper extremity. She has been a Principal Investigator for industry-sponsored clinical trials with biologically active processed human nerve allograft for the surgical repair of peripheral nerve discontinuities. She has impressive publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Geissler received her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. She completed her residency at the University of Minnesota Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She is the current chair of Hennepin County Medical Center’s (HCMC) Orthopaedic Surgery Department and an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota. She has previously acted as the Director of Education, Orthopaedic Faculty, HCMC.
Key Researcher
George R. Hanson
Principal Investigator
Dr. Hanson is an active researcher in hip and knee replacement and orthopaedic trauma. He is a site Principal Investigator for several METRC studies and has authored several peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Hanson completed his medical degree at Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, and his residency at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. He completed his Trauma fellowship at MetroHealth, Cleveland, and his Adult Reconstruction fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is an active member of professional bodies, including the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He currently serves as the Director of Research for the HCMC Orthopaedics Department.
Key Researcher
Nancy Luger, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Luger’s research interest is in pain management, extremity fractures, and associated structures in children and adults. She has been a co-Principal Investigator on NIH-funded R01 studies as well as a site Principal Investigator for METRC studies. The findings of these studies are aimed at improving pain management and understanding the pathophysiology of skeletal metastasis. She has several publications in peer-reviewed journals as well as book chapter contributions.
Dr. Luger completed her medical degree and residency program at the University of Minnesota. She is fellowship trained in sports medicine. She is the past Vice-President of the Minnesota Orthopaedic Society and an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota. She is passionate about medical education and is the current Director of Orthopaedic Medical Student Education at HCMC.
Key Researcher
Gudrun E. Mirick Mueller, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Mirick Mueller specializes in the extremities as well as the pelvis, in both adult and pediatric patients. She has research interests in Orthopaedic infections and non-unions/malunions. She is a site Principal Investigator and co-Principal Investigator for METRC studies. Dr Mirick Mueller has authored several peer-reviewed publications.
She completed her medical degree at the New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, and her residency program in Orthopaedics at the George Washington University, Washington, DC. She completed her Trauma fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and has served in various committees of professional organizations, including the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) and the Minnesota Orthopaedic Society.
Key Researcher
Andrew H. Schmidt, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Schmidt is a leading researcher in musculoskeletal trauma and its complications. He has been a Principal Investigator on numerous industry-funded and METRC studies. He is the study-wide Principal Investigator for METRC’s multicenter TUACS study. He has authored over 130 peer-reviewed publications, acted as editor of two textbooks, and is Editor-in-Chief of the journal OTA International.
He completed his medical degree at the University of California, San Diego, and his residency program at Oregon Health Science University. Dr. Schmidt is the past chair of Hennepin County Medical Center’s (HCMC) Orthopaedic Surgery Department and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He is also a past President of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA).
Key Researcher
Emily Wagstrom, MD, FAOA
Principal Investigator
Dr. Wagstrom specializes in orthopaedic trauma of the extremities as well as the acetabulum and pelvis. She has been a site Principal investigator for industry as well as METRC studies. She is a well-published author with peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and an editor of the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma.
Dr. Wagstrom completed her medical degree at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, and her residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. She is an assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and an active member of professional societies, including the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) and American Orthopaedic Association.
Orthopaedics
The Department of Orthopaedics' research program focuses on advancing medical and surgical treatment of musculoskeletal conditions and improving outcomes in both adult and pediatric patients. Over the years, our team of surgeons has been Principal Investigators for industry-sponsored clinical trials as well as Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC) studies funded by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) United States Army Medical Research and Development Command. METRC brings together many civilian trauma centers to work with military surgeons in studying battlefield injuries and improving care for injured military personnel. The results of this research are also applied to improve the treatment of civilian trauma.
Our team collaborates with METRC’s prime awardee, Johns Hopkins University, and a network of leading research institutions and trauma centers across the United States and Canada in advancing care standards for patients with severe extremity trauma.
These projects provide opportunities for Orthopaedic residents and fellows as well as medical students from the University of Minnesota to gain experience in research, with our orthopaedic faculty mentors helping to teach research methods and develop research proposals that address clinically important problems that improve healing, speed rehabilitation, and improve patient outcomes.
Affiliated Researchers
Dr. Alese’s expertise spans across pre-clinical and clinical settings, having held diverse roles from being a dynamic biomedical academic and principal investigator. She is the primary resource for the multidimensional research program in Orthopaedics, acting as a liaison between investigators, IRBs, ancillary services, research administration, and sponsors. Passionate about advancing clinical research, she prioritizes collaboration, innovation, and excellence to enhance trial efficiency and accessibility while ensuring the highest standard of patient care and safety. Her love for education and research, strategic vision, and commitment to quality management have driven growth and innovation in the research program of the department.
Dr. Alese completed a master’s degree in public health from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, and a PhD in Anatomy from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. She completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, in 2018. She joined HHRI as a postdoctoral research fellow in 2022 and the Department of Orthopaedics in 2024.
Dr. Fowler’s research interest is in hand surgery, pathophysiology of arthrofibrosis and joint contracture, and clinical application of targeted muscle reinnervation. He has been a co-Principal investigator on NIH-funded studies on pharmacotherapy for elbow contracture. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and is the HCMC Residency Site Director, Orthopaedics. Dr. Fowler has an impressive number of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
He completed his medical degree at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, and Fellowship at the Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center, Philadelphia, PA. He is an active member of professional bodies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hand Surgery.
Dr. Gustilo was a renowned surgical innovator and researcher with rare expertise in open fractures, musculoskeletal infections, and orthopaedic device design. He established the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Research Laboratory at HCMC.
Dr. Gustilo was known for extensive work in classifying open fractures. His classification system remains instrumental in improving the care and outcome of severe fractures globally. He was a Professor at the University of Minnesota, first head of the department of Orthopaedic Surgery, HCMC, founder of HCMC Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery Fellowship, and founding President of the Orthopaedic Trauma Hospital Association and Orthopaedic Trauma Association.
He completed his medical school at the University of the Philippines and his Orthopaedic Residency program at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Gustilo designed one of the earliest total knee replacements (Gustilo knee), the first hip replacement approved by the FDA for use without bone cement (BIAS Hip), and one of the most successful current generation total knee replacements (Genesis knee). He published over 30 chapters in Orthopaedic textbooks and authored over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles in Orthopaedics. He was listed as the "World's Top 2 Percent Scientists" by Stanford University for his professional achievements in 2024.
Dr. Gustilo died in 2023 and is fondly remembered for his highly productive and legendary career in Orthopaedic Research.
Dr. Kyle was the lead researcher of the Biomechanics Research Laboratory, focused on innovative research in fracture fixation and joint replacement, and improvement in patient outcomes. He is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota with substantial research in Orthopaedic hip fixation devices. He has authored an impressive number of publications in peer-reviewed journals. He is a founding member and Past President of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
He completed his medical degree at Loyola University, Chicago, IL, and residency training at St Joseph's Hospital in Denver, CO. He received a fellowship in Biomechanics at Cornell University, New York, NY. He did extensive work on the development of cementless hip and knee arthroplasty with the late Ramon B. Gustilo, MD.
Dr. Templeman’s research interests include pelvic and acetabular fractures, lower extremity non-union and malunion problems, and complex fractures of the lower extremities. He is a co-investigator on several industry and METRC studies. He is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota and past president of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.
He has authored an impressive number of peer-reviewed publications and books. He completed his medical training at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, and Trauma fellowship at the University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA.
Dr. Varecka’s research interests are in hand and wrist surgery and microsurgery. He is an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota. He has done extensive research in upper extremity trauma with several publications in peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. He is an Associate Editor, Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, and a member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.
He completed his medical degree at State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; Orthopaedic residency at Veterans Administration Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, and fellowship in Microsurgery at the University of Niigata - Japan, Niigata, Japan.
Key Researcher
Jessica Downes, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Downes is a lead researcher in foot and ankle trauma, as well as women’s health, fitness, nutrition, and bone health. She has been a Principal Investigator for foundation awards as well as the Department of Defense-funded METRC studies. She has several publications in peer-reviewed journals as well as book chapter authorship.
Dr. Downes received her medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska, and her residency in Orthopaedic surgery at the University of Minnesota. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and is the Associate Program Director of Curriculum Development and Simulation Innovation for the Orthopaedics Department at the University of Minnesota. She is a fellow of the American Orthopaedic Association and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Key Researcher
Jacqueline A. Geissler, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Geissler specializes in hand and upper extremity. She has been a Principal Investigator for industry-sponsored clinical trials with biologically active processed human nerve allograft for the surgical repair of peripheral nerve discontinuities. She has impressive publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Geissler received her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin. She completed her residency at the University of Minnesota Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She is the current chair of Hennepin County Medical Center’s (HCMC) Orthopaedic Surgery Department and an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota. She has previously acted as the Director of Education, Orthopaedic Faculty, HCMC.
Key Researcher
George R. Hanson, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Hanson is an active researcher in hip and knee replacement and orthopaedic trauma. He is a site Principal Investigator for several METRC studies and has authored several peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Hanson completed his medical degree at Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, and his residency at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. He completed his Trauma fellowship at MetroHealth, Cleveland, and his Adult Reconstruction fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is an active member of professional bodies, including the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS), and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). He currently serves as the Director of Research for the HCMC Orthopaedics Department.
Key Researcher
Nancy Luger, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Luger’s research interest is in pain management, extremity fractures, and associated structures in children and adults. She has been a co-Principal Investigator on NIH-funded R01 studies as well as a site Principal Investigator for METRC studies. The findings of these studies are aimed at improving pain management and understanding the pathophysiology of skeletal metastasis. She has several publications in peer-reviewed journals as well as book chapter contributions.
Dr. Luger completed her medical degree and residency program at the University of Minnesota. She is fellowship trained in sports medicine. She is the past Vice-President of the Minnesota Orthopaedic Society and an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota. She is passionate about medical education and is the current Director of Orthopaedic Medical Student Education at HCMC.
Key Researcher
Gudrun E. Mirick Mueller, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Mirick Mueller specializes in the extremities and pelvis, treating both adult and pediatric patients. She has research interests in Orthopaedic infections and non-unions/malunions. She is a site Principal Investigator and co-principal Investigator for METRC studies. Dr Mirick Mueller has authored several peer-reviewed publications.
She completed her medical degree at the New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, and her residency program in Orthopaedics at the George Washington University, Washington, DC. She completed her Trauma fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and has served on various committees of professional organizations, including the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) and the Minnesota Orthopaedic Society.
Key Researcher
Andrew H. Schmidt, MD
Principal Investigator
Dr. Schmidt is a leading researcher in musculoskeletal trauma and its complications. He has been a Principal Investigator on numerous industry-funded and METRC studies. He is the study-wide Principal Investigator for METRC’s multicenter TUACS study. He has authored over 130 peer-reviewed publications, acted as editor of two textbooks, and is Editor-in-Chief of the journal OTA International.
He completed his medical degree at the University of California, San Diego, and his residency program at Oregon Health Science University. Dr. Schmidt is the past chair of Hennepin County Medical Center’s (HCMC) Orthopaedic Surgery Department and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. He is also a past President of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA).
Key Researcher
Emily Wagstrom, MD, FAOA
Principal Investigator
Dr. Wagstrom specializes in orthopaedic trauma of the extremities as well as the acetabulum and pelvis. She has been a site Principal investigator for industry as well as METRC studies. She is a well-published author with peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and an editor of the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma.
Dr. Wagstrom completed her medical degree at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, and her residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. She is an assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and an active member of professional societies, including the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) and American Orthopaedic Association.