# Biomechanical Pathways Associated with Osteoarthritis Pain

> **NIH NIH K01** · RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $85,952

## Abstract

Project Summary
Candidate: Rachel E. Miller, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Medicine (Division of Rheumatology) at Rush
University Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Dr. Miller is seeking a Mentored Research Scientist Development
Award in order to obtain additional training in neurobiology and physiology laboratory techniques necessary for
her to develop an independent research program focused on better understanding the mechanophysiology of
OA pain. Specifically, Dr. Miller will receive training in electrophysiology and calcium signaling techniques, as
well as training in applying custom-built mechanical loading. Therefore, this career development award will
complement her graduate and postdoctoral training by providing her with the additional expertise necessary for
forging an independent research program bridging: musculoskeletal biology, biomechanics, neuroscience, and
physiology. This research is expected to provide novel insights into the signaling pathways responsible for the
pain associated with aberrant mechanical loading, which could ultimately be translated into improved
therapeutics for OA. This award would enable her to devote 75% FTE to the training and science proposed. In
addition to scientific training, she will benefit from attendance and presentation in seminars and scientific
meetings, training in the responsible conduct of research, and training in manuscript writing and
grantsmanship.
Environment: Dr. Miller recently accepted an Assistant Professor position at Rush University in the Department
of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology. The Rush Arthritis and Orthopedics Institute, comprising the
Departments of Orthopedics, Anatomy & Cell Biology, Rheumatology, and Biochemistry, provides an academic
translational research community that combines excellent basic and clinical research for the study of
osteoarthritis. In addition, the close proximity to Northwestern Medical Campus allows for close collaboration
with experts in neuroscience and physiology. Finally, faculty members in the Department of Molecular
Biophysics and Physiology at Rush have active research programs in a variety of areas including the functions
of cell membranes and ion channels, and whose experience will benefit Dr. Miller's proposed research. Dr.
Miller has the full support of the Division of Rheumatology and the Division guarantees that Dr. Miller will have
more than 75% time protected for K01-related research and training throughout the term of this award, and, to
pursue the objectives of this application, she will have minimal administrative, committee, and lecturing
obligations. She will have access to all of the faculty expertise, mentorship, laboratory space and equipment,
and career development resources necessary to help her to reach her goal of becoming an independent
researcher.
Research: This proposal focuses on improving the understanding of why weight-bearing activity causes pain in
osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a pain...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9936118
- **Project number:** 5K01AR070328-05
- **Recipient organization:** RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Rachel Elizabeth Miller
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $85,952
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-07-01 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9936118

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9936118, Biomechanical Pathways Associated with Osteoarthritis Pain (5K01AR070328-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9936118. Licensed CC0.

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