Two Decades of Excellence

* denotes highest societal award

Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo Wins 1998 IOC Olympic Prize





2011

  • Mr. Robert Miller was awarded the ARCS Foundation Scholarship.

  • Nick Drury, Benjamin Ellis, Jeffery Weiss, Patrick McMahon and Richard Debski received the prestigious 2010 ASME Richard Skalak Award for the Best Paper Published in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering for their paper entitled " The Impact of Glenoid Labrum Thickness and Modulus on Labrum and Glenohumeral Capsule Function" at the ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference at Nemacolin's Resort June 22-25, 2011.

  • Three MSRC students participated in the Student Paper Competition at the ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference at Nemacolin's Resort June 22-25, 2011.

    • Mr. Kelvin Luu won 3rd Place in the BS level Student Paper Competition (Mentor: Dr. Debski) for "Collagen Fiber Alignment and Maximum Principal Strain in the Glenohumeral Capsule Predict Location of Failure During Uniaxial Extension"
    • Dr. Carrie Voycheck was a finalist for the PhD Level Student Paper Competition (Mentor: Dr. Debski) for "Changes in Capsule Function Following Anterior Dislocation Elucidate the Need for Standardized Clinical Exams to Diagnose Shoulder Instability"
    • Mr. Andrew Feola was a finalist for the PhD Level Student Paper Competition (Mentor: Dr. Abramowitch) for "Characterizing the Ex-Vivo Mechanical Properties and Corresponding In-Vivo Impact of Synthetic Urogynecological Meshes"

  • In May 2011, William Barone was awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRF).

2010

  • Three undergraduate researchers from the MSRC won second and third places in the undergraduate student poster competition at 2010 ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference

     2nd Place: Ms. Stacy Tokar (Mentor: Dr. Abramowitch) for "Characterizing the Biaxial Mechanical Properties of Vaginal Maternal Adaptations During Pregnancy"

    Tied for 3rd: Mr. William Barone (Mentor: Dr. Abramowitch) for "Viscoelastic Behavior of the Rat Uterine Cervix at Mid-Pregnancy"

    Tied for 3rd: Ms. Brooklynn Rowland (Mentor: Dr. Debski) for "Effect of Cortical Bone Thickness on the Magnitude and Classification of Hill Sachs Lesions Versus Glenoid Lesions"

  • Ms. Carrie Voycheck, a graduate student from the MSRC, has been selected to receive Provost's Development Fund for Year 2010 - 2011.  


2009

  • Matt Fisher, a graduate student at the MSRC, received the Best Student Paper Award at the International Symposium on Ligaments and Tendons - IX.



2008

  • Dr. Woo received Diamond Award "Distinguished Achievement in Academia" from University of Washington College of Engineering, his alma mater (for more information click here)

  • Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

  • Honorary Professorship, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

  • ASME Student Paper Competition, M.S. Level, 3rd Place - Nicholas Drury, B.S
  • ASME Student Paper Competition, B.S. Level, 2nd Place - Joel Palko


  • Tan Nguyen, a former research fellow at the MSRC recently received the Best Free Paper Award out of 500 others at the Bi-annual International Congress of the Nordic Orthopaedic Federation.



2007

  • Dr. Woo has been elected LIFE FELLOW, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

  • Dr. Woo received the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award of the Bay Area Knee Society, November 1 in San Francisco, CA. The Bay Area Knee Society is an academic organization based in San Francisco, which for the past two decades, has annually recognized outstanding individuals who have made lifelong contributions in advancing the art and science of knee surgery. Dr. Woo will be the 21st recipient of this prestigious, internationally recognized award that many consider as the "Nobel Prize" of the knee.

  • Dr. Woo was elected to the Hall of Fame of the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Washington. The ME Hall of Fame at UW was inaugurated during 2006, the centennial year of the department. Election to the Hall of Fame is intended as a lifetime achievement award to honor ME alumni, former students, faculty, and staff who have made major contributions to the ME Department and/or the mechanical engineering discipline. For more information click here
    Additional details of the Hall of Fame, including a listing of persons already inducted, are available on the website: http://www.me.washington.edu/people/halloffame/


  • Effective May 1, 2007, Dr. Woo is appointed University Professor by Chancellor Nordenberg. University Professorship constitutes the highest honor that the University can accord a member of the professorate. Appointment as University Professor recognizes eminence in several fields of study, transcending accomplishments in and contributions to a single discipline. National, and where appropriate, international recognition in at least one field is required. For more information click here

  • Ms. Serena Augustine has been selected to receive a National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) award. This award is among the most competitive and highly sought graduate fellowships a student can receive. Under this prestigious program, Ms. Augustine will receive a $40,500 award per year for a period of three years, including $30,000 per year for stipend and $10,500 per year for education allowance. In addition, she will receive a one-time $1,000 international research travel allowance. Ms. Augustine will conduct this research at the MSRC. Her doctoral thesis study will involve understanding the mechanisms of bioscaffolds in enhancing ligament and tendon healing.


  • Mr. Nicholas Drury received Honorable Mentions from the NSF/GRF program.


  • Ms. Sabrina Noorani, won the Best Student Paper Award at the 7th International Symposium on Ligaments & Tendons (ISL&T-VII). Her paper was entitled, "An Alternate Single Femoral Tunnel Method for Double Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with the Use of an Over-the-top Graft."



2006

Carnegie Science Center 2006 Award for Excellence - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo (Life Sciences Awardee)
for more information click here



Dr. Woo with other awardees at the award announcement ceremony


  • William Kepler Whiteford Faculty Fellowship -Dr. Richard Debski (effective September 1, 2006 for two years)

    • In his letter to Dr. Debski, Dean Holder writes that “this appointment is in recognition of your outstanding productivity as a member of the faculty. Your selection reflects the high value placed upon your contribution to scholarship, graduate and undergraduate education, external research support, research quality and contributions to diversity. Further, it reflects the strong support of your faculty colleagues and your Chairman.”

  • 2006 Chancellor's Distinguished Research Award - Dr. Richard Debski

    • In his letter to Dr. Debski, Chancellor Nordenberg writes, "You have distinguished yourself as a "young star" in the fields of musculoskeletal biomechanics and sports medicine through your fundamental work on the structure and function of the soft connective tissues at the shoulder joints. It is a measure of your intellectual depth that you are widely recognized in the fields of experimental biomechanics, computational biomechanics, and robotic technology. This status has been highlighted by the numerous awards that you have received. However, it was formalized when the American Society for Mechanical Engineering awarded you its Y.C. Fung Young Investigator Award, the most prestigious national award that a young scholar in your field can receive."
    2005

    University of Pittsburgh Board of Visitors Faculty Award - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo


    Chancellor Mark A Nordenberg; Dr. Harvey Borovetz; Dr. Savio L-Y Woo; Dean Gerald Holder; Thomas J. Usher, Chairman of the Board of Directors of US Steel


    * ASME Robert Henry Thurston Lecture Award - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    * BMES Distinguished Lectureship Award - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    BiRM Fellowship for Graduate Studies in Bioengineering - Matt Fisher

    Rita Schaffner Undergraduate Award - Alexis Wickwire

    * Herodicus Society Distinguished Guest Speaker "Godfather" - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    Beckman Scholarship for Undergraduate Research - Mike Anderson

    ISAKOS Achilles Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Research Award - Dr. Rui Liang, Dr. Steven D.Abramowitch, Daniel K. Moon, Dr. Fengyan Jia, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo


    Dr. Rui Liang accepting the ISAKOS Achilles Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Research Award

    2004

    ASME Student Paper Competition, M.S. Level, 2nd Place - Susan Moore, B.S.

    Y.C. Fung Young Investigator Award - Dr. Richard Debski

    2004 - 2005 Provost's Development Fund -Susan Moore, B.S.
    2003

    Tongji University, Honorary Professorship - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    ISAKOS Achilles Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Research Award - Dr. Rajesh Jari, Ryan S. Costic, Dr. Mark W. Rodosky, Dr. Richard E. Debski


    Dr. Rajesh Jari, Dr. Mark W. Rodosky, Ryan S. Costic, and Dr. Richard E. Debski


    AOSSM Cabaud Award - Dr. Jon Sekiya, Marcus Hammerlae, Kathryn Stabile, Dr. Tracy Vogrin, Dr. Christopher D. Harner

    * University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering Hall of Fame - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo
    2002

    Richard O'Connor Award - Dr. John Loh, Dr. Yukihisa fukuda, Dr. Eiichi Tsuda, Dr. Richard Steadman, Dr. Freddie Fu, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo


    Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo and Dr. John Joh


    * Carnegie Centenary Professorship - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo


    Professor Pope, Sir Arbuthnott and Professor Woo


    Rita Schaffer Award, Biomedical Engineering Society - John Jolly

    OREF Research Resident Award - Dr. H. James Pfaeffle, Dr. Peter Tang

    AFOR Scientific Award - Dr. Vladimir Martinek, Dr. Christian Latterman, Arvidas Usas, Steve Abramowitch, Dr. Freddie H. Fu, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo, Dr. Johnny Huard
    2001

    AOSSM Young Investigator Award - Dr. J. Robert Giffin, Dr. Tracy Vogrin, Kitty Stabile, Thore Zantop, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo, Dr. Christopher Harner

    Hulda Irene Duggan Arthritis Investigator Arthritis Foundation - Dr. James H-C. Wang

    Wellington C. Carl Scholarship Pittsburgh Foundation - Brian Campbell

    Aircast Award for Basic Science - Dr. J. Robert Giffin, Dr. Tracy Vogrin, Danyel Tarinelli, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo, Dr. Christopher Harner

    Brackenridge Scholarship - Brian Civic and Nima Salari
    2000

    Fellows Award for Basic Science Arthroscopic Association of North America - Dr. Akihiro Kanamori, Jennifer Zeminski, Dr. Guoan Li, Ted Rudy, Dr. Freddie H. Fu, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    Distinguished Alumini Award, California State University, Chico - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    Hughston Award Best Paper AJSM - Dr. Christopher Harner, Marsie Janushek, Dr. Akihiro Kanamori, Dr. Masayoshi Yagi, Dr. Tracy Vogrin, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo
    1999

    Cabaud Award, Am. Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine - Dr. Christopher Harner, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo, Marsie Janaushek, Dr. Akihiro Kanamori, Dr. Masayoshi Yagi, Dr. Tracy Vogrin

    Albert Trillat Award, Int'l Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine - Dr. Christos Papageorgiou, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo, Dr. Freddie Fu, Dr. James Fenwick, Dr. Aki Kanamori


    Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo and Dr. Christos Papageorgiou


    Volvo Award, Int'l Society for the Study of Lumbar Spine - Dr. Kotaro Nishida, Dr. Lars Gilbertson, Dr. James Kang

    Outstanding Paper Award, North Am. Spine Society - Dr. Seong-Hwan Moon, Dr. James Kang, Dr. Lars Gilbertson, Dr. Christopher Niyibizi

    The 1999 Charles S. Neer Award: - Dr. Jon JP Warner and Dr. I.M. Parsons IV on their acheivement, earning the Neer Award in the clinical category for their paper: Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer: Comparison of Primary and Salvage Reconstruction of Massive Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears

    Founders' Award, Eastern Orthopaedic Assoc. - Dr. Kotaro Nishida, Dr. James Kang, Dr. Lars Gilbertson

    * Chancellor's Distinguished Researcher Award - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship - Damion Shelton
    Microstrain Award, Am. Society of Biomechanics - Jonathan Sakai, Dr. Lars Gilbertson, Louis DeFrate, Dr. Seong-Hwan Moon, Dr. William Donaldson, Dr. James Kang, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo.

    Doctoral Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (3rd Place) - Todd Doehring

    Masters Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (Finalist) - Jonathan Sakai

    Masters Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2nd Place) - Ted Clineff

    Masters Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (Finalist) - Marsie Janaushek

    Note: 3 out of 6 finalists for this national competition are from the MSRC
    1998

    * Olympic Prize for Sports Science and Gold Medal, International Olympic Committee - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo
    for more information click here


    * Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science, Trustees of the California State University System - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    Smith and Nephew Award - Dr. Patrich Bosch, Dr. Christopher Evans, Dr. Johnny Huard

    Doctoral Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (3rd Place) - Maria Apreleva

    Masters Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1st Place) - Tracy Vogrin

    Bachelor Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2nd Place) - Jorge Gil

    Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship - Lou DeFrate
    Beckman Scholarship - Damion Shelton
    Co-op Student of the Year, University of Pittsburgh; National Competition (Finalist) - Lou DeFrate
    1997

    OARS/Hoechst Marion Roussel Research Award, Osteoarthritis Research Society - Dr. Christopher Evans

    * The O'Donoghue Sports Injury Research Award, Am. Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine - Dr. Kevin Hildebrand, David Smith, Dr. Christina Allen, Dr. Masataka Deie, Brian Taylor, Dr. Chris Schmidt, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    3M Award, Am. Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine - Dr. Jacques Menetrey, Dr. Channarong Kasemkijwattana, Dr. Charles Day, Dr. Freddie Fu, Dr. Morey Moreland, Dr. Johnny Huard

    Herodicus Society Award - Dr. Charles Day, Dr. Channarong Kasemkigwatana, Dr. Jacques Menetrey, Dr. Morey Moreland, Dr. Freddie Fu, Dr. Johnny Huard

    Osteoarthritis Research Award - Dr. Christopher Evans

    Bachelor Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2nd Place) - Lou DeFrate

    Teaching Assistant of the Year, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Mechanical Engineering - Jennifer Zeminski
    1996

    Elected to the Academia Sinica - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    * Inaugural Gessellschaft fur Orthopadisch-Traumatologische Sportmedizin (GOTS) - Beiersdorf AG Research Award: First Place (DM 100,000) - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo, Dr. Freddie Fu, Thomas Runco, Dr. Christina Allen, Theodore Rudy, Dr. Glen Livesay, Dr. Masataka Sakane, Dr. Guoan Li


    * Kappa Delta Award, Am Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - Dr. Jon J.P. Warner, Dr. Richard Debski, Dr. Freddie Fu

    New Investigator Recognition Award, Orthopaedic Research Society - Dr. James Kang

    * John Charnley Award, Hip Society - Dr. Arun Shanbhag, Dr. Harry Rubash, Dr. Carl Hasselman

    Masters Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (Honorable Mention) - Tom Runco
    1995

    * Muybridge Medal, International Society of Biomechanics - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award, American College of Rheumatology - Dr. Christopher Evans

    Resident Best Basic Science Award, Cervical Spine Alignment - Dr. William Donaldson

    Masters Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2nd Place) - Serena Chan
    1994

    Excellence in Research Award, Am. Orthopaedic Society for Sport Medicine - Dr. Christopher Harner, Dr. John Xerogeanes, Glen Livesay, George Carlin, Dr. Brian Smith, Dr. Takeshi Kusayama, Dr. Shinji Kashiwaguchi, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    Elected to the National Academy of Engineering - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    Outstanding Cervical Spine Research, Cervical Spine Research Society - Dr. Christopher Evans

    Herodicus Society Award - Dr. William Thompson, Dr. Richard Debski, Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo, Dr. Freddie Fu, Dr. Jon J.P. Warner

    Cervical Spine Research Society Award - Dr. James Kang

    Masters Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1st Place) - Todd Doehring

    Masters Level Student Paper Competition, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2nd Place) - Richard Debski
    1993

    * Giovanni Borelli Award, Am. Society of Biomechanic - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo
    1992

    Founding Fellow, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    World Renowned Foreign Scholars Lectureship Award, National Science Council, Republic of China - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo
    1991

    * H.R. Lissner Award, Am. Society of Mechanical Engineers - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    Elected to the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences - Dr. Savio L-Y. Woo

    O'Donoghue award, American Journal of Sports Medicine - Dr. Jon Warner, Dr. Xiang-Hua Deng, Dr. Russell Warren, Dr. Peter Torzilli.

    Young Investigator's Travel Award, Japan-USA-China-Singapore Conference on Biomechanics, National Science Foundation - Dr. Jun-Kyo Suh