D. Rick Sumner, PhD

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 past-president of the American Association for Anatomy, a past-president of the Orthopaedic Research Society, a past-president of the International Society for Bone Morphometry, and president of 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
Mentor of the Year Award from the Rush Mentoring Programs, 2021
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 for Anatomy, 2019-2021
Elected Fellow of the American Association for Anatomy, 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, 1982
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 R21AR075130: “Role of the Gut Microbiome in Implant Loosening” Principal investigator: Dr. Sumner
NIH T32AR073157: “Post-Doctoral Training in Joint Health” Principal investigator: Dr. Sumner
NIH R01AR079179: “Systems Genetics of Bone Regeneration” Multiple Principal Investigator
NIH R21HD102026: “Establishing a New Model of Bone Health in Formerly Premature Individuals” Multiple Principal Investigator
Little Giraffe Foundation: “Preventing Metabolic Bone Disease of Prematurity” Principal investigator: Dr. Sumner
NIH K01AR073923: “Sclerostin Regulation of Skeletal Mineralization and Phosphate Metabolism” Co-Sponsor (Ryan Ross, PI)
NIH K01AR077679: “Role of Periostin Expressing Cells in Intramembranous Bone Regeneration” Sponsor (Frank Ko, PI)
NIH P30AR079206: “Chicago Center on Musculoskeletal Pain (C-COMP)” Co-Investigator (Anne-Marie Malfait, PI)
NIH R01AR060364: “Molecular Pathways of Pain Generation in Osteoarthritis” Co-Investigator (Anne-Marie Malfait, PI)

Education

Research Areas