Killian and Abraham Labs
Welcome to the Killian and Abraham Laboratories!
The Killian and Abraham Labs are a research group focused on connective tissue development and disease in the Orthopaedic Research Laboratories in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Michigan Medical School.
We study musculoskeletal growth and remodeling that can be leveraged to improve tendon, muscle, bone, and joint growth and healing. We focus on the cell and tissue-scale mechanisms underlying orthopedic disorders (such as joint instability, contracture, and overuse in pediatric and young adult patients) and in chronic tendon disorders (tendinopathy, rupture).
We use innovative and translational tools, such as optogenetics, microphysiological systems, nano-computed tomography, histology, molecular and cell biology, transgenic mouse models, and mechanical testing.
We train learners from diverse backgrounds in a collaborative and inclusive environment to foster individual and scientific growth.
Thanks to Jennifer Wloszek for colorizing this logo!
Orthopaedic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund: We are dedicated to making orthopaedic surgery more diverse and accessible to physicians of all backgrounds. Your gift will enable community outreach and recruitment programs, resident education opportunities, and faculty training around DEI topics. Give today!
We commit to continued allyship for marginalized and underrepresented communities. At a minimum, we pledge to:
-- educate ourselves on racial injustice and systemic discrimination against under-represented communities. Places to start include Scaffolding Resources for Anti-Racism.
-- Listen to and uplift voices from these communities even when they challenge our assumptions and make us uncomfortable. Places to start include #BlackintheIvory.
-- Speak out and push for change when we see microaggressions or institutional policies that disadvantage these communities, both within our lab and within the larger campus community.
-- Engage with, volunteer for, and support (with time and money) programs that bolster the recruitment, retention, and inclusion of historically excluded individuals to the STEM career pipeline.
-- Make space and time for trainees to heal, take care of their communities, or fight for justice, and continuing to provide financial, career, and other support while they do so.
Our pledge and posters are modified from the pledge and posters made by Sammy Katta (licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License). Some graphics were adapted with permission from Noun Project by Vectors Market, from Noun Project by Witsakom, or with permission from the Library of Science and Medical Illustrations by Luk Cox and Idoya Lahortiga.