Dr. Jeffry Nyman

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).