Senior mechanical engineering student, Angelica Baburova, presented their abstract at the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) 2025 Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. The five-day meeting featured a diverse program of scientific sessions, interactive workshops, networking events, exhibits, and poster presentations. As a recipient of the Underrepresented in STEM Undergraduate Travel Award Program, Angelica received complimentary registration and an invitation to a mentor-mentee luncheon. 

During the meeting, Angelica had the opportunity to share her work at both the Undergraduate Poster Session and Poster Session 2. Her abstract, titled “Aging and injury interact to induce biomechanical changes in the intervertebral disc in an ex vivo mouse lumbar spine model,” detailed an innovative investigation into how aging and injury combine to affect the mechanical properties of the intervertebral disc. By employing an ex vivo mouse lumbar spine model, her research offered a controlled approach to examining the complex interplay between degenerative processes and traumatic injury—findings that could pave the way for targeted therapeutic interventions in the future.

“Attending the ORS Conference was an invaluable experience, providing me with the opportunity to present my research on how "Aging and injury interact to induce biomechanical changes in the intervertebral disc in an ex vivo mouse lumbar spine model" with the Department of Orthopaedics at Mount Sinai. Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend talks and network with leaders in the field in both academia and industry. This has been an incredible and inspiring opportunity as I continue to pursue a career in orthopaedics and biomechanics.

I am very grateful for Cooper Union's support and relationship with Mount Sinai, which allowed me to conduct this research and work with Dr. James Iatridis and Dr. Neharika Bhadouria over the summer. They have been incredible mentors in both my career and education. Additionally, I am very grateful to Dr. Weiser, who, as my mentor, not only has supported this connection but also promoted my attendance at the conference by nominating me for the Underrepresented in STEM Undergraduate Travel Award." – Angelica Baburova ME’25