Postdoctoral Scholar Research Program
The UC Davis Health Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is a leading academic and clinical department dedicated to advancing musculoskeletal health through excellence in patient care, education, research, and community service.
Spanning across multiple sub-specialties, the department integrates world-class clinical expertise with innovative discovery and teaching to improve lives locally and globally. Guided by its four pillars—Impactful Advocacy, World-Class Education, Leading-Edge Research, and High-Value Clinical Care—the department continues to lead in advancing musculoskeletal health through research, training, and compassionate care.
Under the leadership of Barton Wise, M.D., M.Sc., FACP, the department’s full-time Postdoctoral Research Program provides an exceptional training environment for emerging scientists. Designed to cultivate the next generation of orthopaedic researchers, the program offers a comprehensive experience that prepares scholars for independent, impactful careers in their chosen fields.
Postdoctoral scholars work closely with faculty mentors to conduct advanced research across diverse environments. Through this collaboration, they make significant contributions to the department’s educational and scientific missions while gaining the skills necessary to thrive in competitive academic and translational research environments. Ideal candidates bring a strong academic foundation, relevant research experience, and the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines while working independently in a vibrant, multidisciplinary setting.
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Bart Wise, M.D., M.Sc.
Barton L. (Bart) Wise, M.D., M.Sc., is a dual-appointed physician and clinical researcher at UC Davis Health, serving in both the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
As the Associate Vice Chair for Clinical Research in Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Wise oversees our full-time Postdoctoral Scholar Research Program. Under his expert guidance and mentorship, postdoctoral scholars and students collaborate directly with esteemed faculty to engage in leading-edge, transformative research aimed at advancing musculoskeletal (MSK) care and improving patient outcomes.
His personal research program focuses heavily on osteoarthritis mechanisms, clinical trials, pain management, and sex differences in joint diseases. In his clinical practice, Dr. Wise provides compassionate, patient-centered care for adult rheumatologic conditions, with a dedicated emphasis on integrating mindfulness into modern medicine.
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Reginald Obinna Chinweze M.D., LLM
Graduate School: University of Manchester, England
Medical School: Grodno State Medical University, Belarus
Research Interests: Trauma, Sports/Upper Extremity, Medical Education, Psychosocial impact of musculoskeletal injury"From my first interactions with the UC Davis team, the culture of collaboration, mentorship, and innovation has been unmistakable. Being surrounded by passionate researchers and supportive faculty has energized my own drive to explore and develop my own clinically meaningful questions. Everyone has been warm and welcoming since my arrival, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to engage in impactful research as part of such a diverse and supportive team."
Click here to find a complete list of publications.
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Hania Shahzad, M.D.
Medical School: The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Research Interest: Integration of AR-based tools into surgical practices and patient consultations, aiming to improve patient care and medical training; gamifying orthopaedic trauma education; cannabinoids in pain management; health economics; gender diversity in orthopaedics; osteobiologics; and surgical implants.
"Being part of UC Davis Orthopedics has been an incredible journey of turning curiosity into innovation. With the support of brilliant mentors and a collaborative environment, I've had the chance to explore enabling technologies, and translating them into real solutions that improve patient care. The best part? At UC Davis, new ideas aren’t just encouraged—they're transformed into research that shapes the future of orthopedic surgery."Click here to find a complete list of publications.