Dr. Nyman joined the Vanderbilt Center for Bone
Biology in the summer of 2006 moving from San Antonio with Dr. G. Mundy and
colleagues. While in SA (2003-2006), he was a post-doctoral fellow at the
University of Texas at San Antonio investigating determinants that could
explain the age-related decrease in the post-yield toughness of cortical bone.
Prior to his time in San Antonio, he earned a PhD in Biomedical
Engineering at the University of California, Davis where he developed
theoretical models using finite element analysis to investigate how bone adapts
from a mechanical perspective to orthopaedic implants and drug treatments. All
these experiences including his transition from research instructor to
independent investigator at Vanderbilt University influenced his current
research endeavors. The ultimate goal of his research is to lower the
number of bone fractures associated with osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer,
genetic diseases, and aging. Towards that end, his research team
investigates ways to improve the clinical assessment of fracture risk and
identify regulators of bone toughness (lack of brittleness).