Orthopaedic Biomechanics & Biomaterials Lab

Welcome to the UNM Orthopaedic Biomechanics & Biomaterials Laboratory (OBBL). Our original orthopaedic biomechanics laboratory was established in the late '70s under then Chairman Dr. Moheb Moneim. Research began to expand in the early '90s under Dr. Keikhosrow Firoozbakhsh. Dr. Christina Salas began her partnership with the OBBL in 2006 and assumed direction of it in 2014 following her appointment as a UNM Orthopaedics assistant professor. 

OBBL investigators conduct basic and applied musculoskeletal research, bringing together scientists, engineers, and clinicians from the UNM School of Medicine and School of Engineering. Projects vary widely but fall into the following five categories: computational finite element modeling, synthetic and cadaveric bone experimental testing, biomedical device development, materials characterization, and tissue engineering. Research topics cover all anatomical regions of the human body with clinical collaborators from each of our 10 surgical subspecialties. A significant focus of our laboratory is to assist with facilitation of research requirements as part of the undergraduate and graduate medical education programs. To this end, our laboratory director and assistants guide medical students, residents, and surgical fellows through the principles of scientific investigation. 

We welcome your interest in our laboratory as well as collaborations with other institutions. For more information, please email us.

Christina Salas, M.S., PhD

Director Orthopaedic Biomechanics & Biomaterials Lab