Welcome to the Saiz Laboratory
The Saiz Laboratory primarily investigates the broad domains of fracture healing. Specifically, the lab focuses on the fracture healing response in the setting of polytrauma. We aim to define mechanistic cellular and molecular pathways involved in the physiologic response to trauma and fracture healing with a goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, we perform clinical and translational research given our direct clinical access. All our studies have specific clinical motivations and translational goals to advance the field of orthopaedic trauma care.
Augustine Saiz, M.D., was born and raised in Wisconsin and received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire with summa cum laude. He then attended the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, obtaining his medical degree with a Path of Distinction in Public Health. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency with a year of research at UC Davis Health and received numerous awards during his residency years. His passion for orthopaedic traumatology led him to pursue a fellowship at UT Houston in Texas. Dr. Saiz’s contributions and recognition in the field of orthopaedic surgery have allowed him to participate in many national and international activities. He has been actively involved in AO Trauma North America and was selected for the prestigious AO John Border Memorial Fellowship and studied with Christoph Sommer in Chur where modern fracture surgery was developed. Dr. Saiz’s research interests include both clinical and basic science studies. Clinically, he is interested in surgical techniques, patient outcomes, and advancing treatment methods and protocols. Mechanistically, his lab investigates the systemic and local effects of polytrauma on fracture repair and the role of muscle injury on bone regeneration with the clinical goal of improving fracture healing. His research has resulted in numerous publications and national/international presentations. In addition, he serves on professional committees for the AO, AAOS, and the OTA Research Committee.
The Therapeutic Use of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells for Fracture Repair
COA Annual Meeting 2020 J. Harold LaBriola M.D. Award 2020
Engineered Approaches for Muscle Repair to Promote Concurrent Bone Regeneration
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Maryam Rahmati, Ph.D. “I am doing my postdoctoral fellowship in orthopaedics and tissue engineering with Dr. Saiz. I did my undergraduate in Orthopaedic engineering and my Master’s in biomaterials and tissue engineering. I completed PhD in bone tissue engineering at the University of Oslo, Norway, and the University of Giessen, Germany. I then did a fellowship at the University of Manchester, UK, on using nanofibers for angiogenesis and bone formation. I enjoy kickboxing, swimming, running, hiking, and biking, which keep me physically active and mentally refreshed.” |
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Hannah Day, M.D. Hannah is an Orthopaedic Surgery resident with interests in Orthopaedic Traumatology and fracture healing. She completed both her Master of Science in Physiology and medical degree from Georgetown University. Prior to starting her surgical training at UC Davis, she undertook a year of research in Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at The Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, CO. Hannah grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is happy to be back on the West Coast for her residency. She and her husband Caleb, and their dogs, Henry and Franklin, are enjoying getting to know Sacramento and the endless opportunities for outdoor recreation in the surrounding areas. |
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Matthew Frederickson, M.D. Matthew Frederickson is a resident physician in orthopaedic surgery at UC Davis. He was born in Sacramento and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. He received a bachelor of science in biology at UCLA and then completed medical school at the University of Cincinnati before returning home to California to complete his orthopaedic training at UC Davis. Matt is a big fan of football, rugby, and Australian rules football, and his research interests include orthopaedic trauma and sports medicine. |
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Yunmei Li, M.D. “I graduated from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and have been working at Cangzhou Combined Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital in Hebei, China, for 20 years. I have been an attending physician in trauma and orthopaedics for ten years, and I came to UC Davis Medical Center to be a visiting scholar under Dr. Augustine Saiz for one year. I am interested in factors affecting fracture healing and surgical treatment of the hip fracture.” |
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Tony Daniel Baldini, B.S “I am a medical student at California Northstate University. I’m interested in the intersection between orthopaedic surgery and basic science research and have a passion for the field of surgery as a whole. Hobbies I enjoy include going to the gym, reading, and fishing.” |
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Aneesh Bhat “I am a first-year undergraduate pre-med student at UC Davis, majoring in Molecular and Medical Microbiology and minoring in Music and Math. Outside of my interests in Anatomy, Physiology, and Orthopaedics, some of my hobbies include Basketball, Soccer, and performing Jazz music.” |
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Soren Johnson “I am a fourth-year undergraduate at UC Davis majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. I am applying to medical school this summer and planning to pursue a career in sports medicine. In my free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, as well as playing trivia.” |
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Mengyao Liu, B.S. Mengyao is a third-year medical student at California Northstate University. She is interested in orthopaedic surgery and is studying the effects of IL6 on trauma healing within polytrauma model. Outside of medicine, she enjoys eating good food, swimming, lifting weights, going to national parks, and hanging out with her partner and two cats. |
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Deeksha Mamidi, B.S. “I am a medical student at California Northstate University. I am doing research with Saiz lab alongside my med school because I am interested in orthopaedic research. I believe that this field combines the fascinating aspects of human anatomy, mechanics, and physiology. A fun fact about me is that I recently just picked up snowboarding, and I really love it.” |
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Renato Miguel Reyes "I am a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Global Disease Biology. Outside of the lab and school, I enjoy going to the gym, listening to music, playing the saxophone, reading, watching Netflix, and hanging out with my family, friends, and girlfriend. I am hoping to apply for medical school and have a career as a physician-scientist." |
Click here to find a complete list of publications.
2022
- Gonzalez-Fernandez T, Tenorio AJ, Saiz AM Jr, Leach JK. Engineered Cell-Secreted Extracellular Matrix Modulates Cell Spheroid Mechanosensing and Amplifies Their Response to Inductive Cues for the Formation of Mineralized Tissues. Adv Healthc Mater. 2022. PMID: 34968011
2021
- Saiz AM, Shieh AK, Hideshima K, Wong F, Klineberg EO, Eastman JG. Modified Lumbopelvic Fixation Technique Utilizing S1 Pedicle Screws for Spinopelvic Dissociation U-and H-Type Sacral Fractures with Kyphotic Deformity. Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2021. PMID: 34510126
- Rahmati M, Stötzel S, Khassawna TE, Iskhahova K, Florian Wieland DC, Zeller Plumhoff B, Haugen HJ. Early osteoimmunomodulatory effects of magnesium-calcium-zinc alloys. J Tissue Eng. 2021 PMID: 34589198
2019
- Saiz Jr AM, Gionet-Gonzales M, Lee MA, Leach JK. Conditioning of myoblast secretome using mesenchymal stem/stromal cell spheroids improves bone repair. Bone. 2019. PMID: 31102712
