Pioneering fracture repair research wins gold in Switzerland
By Sonia Kumar
Traumatologist Augustine Saiz was honored at AO Trauma Research Olympiad
(SACRAMENTO)
Augustine Saiz, a traumatologist at UC Davis Health, was recently awarded the Gold Medal for outstanding research at the third annual AO Trauma Research Olympiad in Davos, Switzerland.
Augustine Saiz with his Gold Medal for outstanding research.
Long before traveling to the Swiss Alps, the foundation for this victory was built in the lab. A recipient of the prestigious K08 award from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Saiz is dedicated to solving the biological puzzles of fracture repair.
His lab is currently leading critical studies on how polytrauma — severe injuries to multiple body parts — creates systemic effects that alter fracture repair. They are also investigating the localized impact of muscle injury on bone regeneration.
The winning research
Saiz secured the top honor for his presentation titled: "Hydrogel Co-Delivery of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Disordered Peptides Attenuates the Early Local Inflammatory Response and Improves Fracture Healing in Polytrauma."
The research team explored whether a new type of gel could help the body heal broken bones after severe injuries. The gel contains hyaluronic acid, a natural material already used in some medical treatments, along with mesenchymal stem cells and a lab‑designed protein called P2.
P2 was engineered to act like osteocalcin, a protein the body uses to build and maintain healthy bone. In a murine model of multiple traumas, the combination of P2 and stem cells helped reduce the intense inflammation that often follows major injuries and slows bone healing.
The study found that P2 sends steady, bone‑building signals at the fracture site, while the stem cells help calm inflammation. Used together, they sped up bone repair, produced more consistent healing and supported the growth of stronger, healthier bone. This work was recently published inThe Journal of Tissue Engineering.
Building a global network
The AO Trauma Research Olympiad is a premier global event designed to connect the next generation of thought leaders. Saiz was one of only 10 early-career surgeons selected worldwide to present their work to a panel of distinguished experts.
Beyond the podium, the event served as a forum for building an international network. As a finalist, he gained exclusive access to the AO Research Institute and the AO Innovation Technology Center. He spent time connecting with fellow researchers, discussing future fellowship opportunities, and attending the renowned AO Davos Courses alongside more than 300 faculty members and 1,000 participants.
Augustine has earned this recognition through incredible focus and determination. His ability to produce high-impact basic science research while maintaining an active trauma surgery practice is genuinely rare."—Mark Lee, chief of Trauma Service
A win for the department
The AO Trauma Research Olympiad Gold Medal is the most prestigious research award through the AO. The win highlights Saiz's talent and reflects the high caliber of research being conducted within UC Davis Health Orthopaedic Surgery.
"Augustine has earned this recognition through incredible focus and determination. His ability to produce high-impact basic science research while maintaining an active trauma surgery practice is genuinely rare. His translational approach ensures that his laboratory discoveries will someday benefit patients, and I expect he will continue making significant contributions to the field for years to come,” said Chief of ServiceMark Lee.
Saiz is actively involved in AO Trauma North America and was selected for the esteemed AO John Border Memorial Fellowship in 2021 and studied with Christoph Sommer in Chur, where modern fracture surgery was developed.
