Gwendolyn Sowa, MD, PhD

She has an active research program investigating matrix gene expression changes in response to various stimuli, both chemical and mechanical, in the intervertebral disc. In addition, she has utilized these findings to rationally target biomarkers and other prognostic indicators of response to activity, exercise, and other treatments of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly low back pain.  She had led research projects investigating the utility of serum biomarkers for knee osteoarthritis, axial low back pain, response to spinal injections, response to physical therapy and chiropractic manipulation for low back pain, and spinal cord injury.  The ultimate goal of her research program is to use targeted assessments informed by the basic biology of low back pain to improve treatment. She is a board-certified physiatrist and spends approximately 25% of her time treating outpatients with musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders in the University of Pittsburgh Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She is the Medical Director of the UPMC Total Care- Musculoskeletal Health program, which is a multi-disciplinary program involving Physiatry, Rheumatology, Pain Anesthesiology, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Nutrition, and Sleep Medicine aimed at individualizing care to improve outcomes.  In addition, she is active in teaching, having trained over 50 trainees on research projects, with over 30 trainee awards locally and nationally for their work.  The ultimate goal of her work is to utilize basic science knowledge to facilitate rational and individualized treatments of individuals with musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions to facilitate more effective and efficient care.