Orthopedic Research

Established by Drs. Augustus White, III, and Toby (Wilson) Hayes, as the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory (OBL), the Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies (CAOS) has amassed over 40 years of research experience studying biomechanics and bone biology as the major research arm of the Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at BIDMC.

The center is composed of five faculty members with expertise in fracture risk prediction, mechanical testing, and non-invasive assessment of musculoskeletal tissues by micro-computed tomography and related techniques.

Today, the center continues to be a leader in the areas of bone biomechanics, motion analysis, bone biology, spine biomechanics, and skeletal fragility as a result of osteoporosis. We intend to build upon these strengths and develop a fully integrated, multi-disciplinary center with research spanning from basic, bench-top studies to clinical trials.

Meet Our Investigators

• Alkalay Lab
• Anderson Lab
• Bouxsein-Johannesdottir Lab
• Snyder Lab

History of the Center

The Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory was established in 1979 by Augustus A. White III, MD, then Chief of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and by Wilson C. (Toby) Hayes, PhD, Laboratory Director. From 1979 to 1983, the Laboratory occupied 800 square feet of a converted research surgical suite on the third floor of the Slosberg-Landay Building. In 1983, the Laboratory moved to 3,800 square feet of new research space on the seventh floor of the Dana Research Building.

A major expansion became possible when, in 1988, funds donated by Maurice E. Müller were used to establish the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory under the directorship of the first Müller Professor, Wilson Hayes, PhD. This became one of the leading laboratories in the field and the first Biomechanics endowed chair in the country. In April of 1994, the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory moved to Research North, a new $18 million research facility providing 110,000 square feet of research space on three floors of state-of-the-art laboratories and conference rooms, located at 99 Brookline Avenue.

Dr. Hayes left BIDMC in 1998, with Dr. Snyder assuming the lab director role, a position he held until 2008, when biologist Christopher Evans, PhD, was recruited to lead the lab and become the second Müller Professor.

To reflect the greater research scope now represented in the laboratory, the lab was renamed the Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies (CAOS). Following Dr. Evans’ departure in 2013, Dr. Bouxsein assumed the leadership of CAOS, with Dr. Snyder becoming the third Müller Professor in 2021.

Orthopedic research at BIDMC underwent a major overhaul in 2020, when Dr. Rodriguez was chosen as the new Orthopaedic Surgeon-in-Chief. Subsequently, Dr. Nazarian was appointed the Vice Chair of Research Affairs, where he established the Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation initiative (MTII) and the Orthopaedic Surgery Clinical Research (OSCAR) Program, leading the three research entities into a new era of growth where, with institutional support, the department’s research operations experienced major resource and service upgrades.

In 2024, Dr. Snyder became the Distinguished Müller Professor, and Dr. Bouxsein as the fourth Müller Professor. In the same year, Dr. Nazarian became the inaugural holder of the Augustus White, III, MD, PhD Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery at BIDMC, a Chair established to honor the legacy of Dr. White.

The Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation and Initiative (MTII) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery creates an environment to foster and promote disruptive and innovative solutions for medical care, regardless of specialty field, to be translated into medical devices, clinical protocols, therapeutics, or diagnostics.

Our problem-solving approach leverages cross-disciplinary skills and technology to transcend the boundaries of traditional clinical and research fields.

Meet Our Investigators

• Freedman Lab
• Nazarian Lab
• Snyder Lab

The Orthopaedic Surgery Clinical Research (OSCAR) Program focuses on clinical research, providing infrastructure and expertise to support investigators through all stages of clinical study development, including design, regulatory compliance, data management, statistical analysis, and dissemination.

It connects clinicians, academic researchers, and industry collaborators to advance patient-centered outcomes and evidence-based orthopedic care.