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D. Rick Sumner, PhD

The Mary Lou Bell McGrew Presidential Professor for Medical Research
Chairperson, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Rush Medical College
Education

PhD, University of Arizona
MA, University of Arizona
BA, University of Iowa

Research Areas

Bone regeneration, implant fixation, osteoarthritis, microcomputed tomography

Contact Info:

600 S. Paulina St.
Suite 507
Chicago IL 60612
Phone: (312) 942-5501
Fax: (312) 942-5744
rick_sumner@rush.edu
Links:
Biography

D. Rick Sumner, PhD, has taught gross anatomy in medical and dental schools and has more than 30 years of NIH funding as a principal investigator on research, training and instrumentation grants. Sumner currently is the president of the American Association for Anatomy, a past-president of the Orthopaedic Research Society, a representative to the FASEB Training and Career Opportunities Subcommittee for the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, president of the International Society for Bone Morphometry, and secretary-treasurer for the Association of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Neurobiology Chairpersons. His research interests focus mainly on bone regeneration as related to orthopedic implants, understanding how matrix maturation contributes to bone quality, and the role of bone in osteoarthritis. He has expertise in small animal models, dynamic and static histomorphometry, scanning electron microscopy, micro computed tomography, and mechanical testing.

Rush Medical College’s Sumner Named President of Orthopaedic Research Society

Honors and Activities
  • Elected Fellow of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, September 2022
  • Elected Fellow of the Orthopaedic Research Society, 2021
  • Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, November 2019
  • President of the American Association of Anatomists, 2019-2021
  • Elected Fellow of the American Association of Anatomists, 2017
  • President of the Orthopaedic Research Society, 2017
  • Mentor of the Year, Rush Postdoc Society, 2015
  • Hooder for graduating Doctor of Philosophy students (selected by the graduate students), Rush University, 2010 
  • Excellence in Teaching Award (chosen by the graduate students), The Graduate College of Rush University, 2010 
  • Exceptional Mentor Award (chosen by the graduate students), The Graduate College of Rush University, 2008 
  • Hooder for graduating Master of Science students (selected by the graduate students), Rush University, 2002
  • Award for Exceptional Research Mentoring, The Graduate College of Rush University, 2002 
  • RIB (Remodeling in Bone) Award, Sun Valley International Hard Tissue Workshop, 2001
  • Otto Aufranc Award, Hip Society, 1994
  • Kappa Delta Young Investigator Award, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 1993
  • Research Award, European Society of Biomechanics, 1992
  • First Award, National Institutes of Health, 1989-1994
  • National Research Service Award, PHS, 1984-87
  • Grant-in-Aid (thesis research), Sigma Xi 
  • B.A. with special distinction and honors, 1975
Publications

Complete list of published work on PubMed

Complete list of published work on Scopus

Complete list of published work on ORCID

Grants
  • NIH 1R21AR075130: “Role of the Gut Microbiome in Implant Loosening.” Principal investigator: Dr. Sumner
  • NIH 1R01AR066562: “Detection and treatment of peri-implant osteolysis.” Principal investigator: Dr. Sumner
  • NIH 1T32AR073157:  “Post-Doctoral Training in Joint Health.”  Principal investigator:  Dr. Sumner
  • Roche Diagnostics:  “Detection of Bone Remodeling Biomarkers in Urine Samples with Cobras e411 1A Analyzer.”  Principal investigator:  Dr. Sumner