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Yu Ru Shih

Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery

Research Interests


My research is focused on the study of molecular mechanisms related to orthopaedic and neurological conditions using preclinical in vivo models, ex vivo systems (explants, pluripotent and adult stem cells, primary cells) and behavioral analyses. The goal of these efforts are to unravel the therapeutic potential of molecular targets to treat 1) orthopaedic conditions including osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and bone trauma; and 2) neurological conditions in pain, cognition (neuroinflammation), and depression/anxiety.

Selected Grants


Localization of adenosine to promote fracture healing

ResearchSenior Research Associate · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2022 - 2027

Understanding the role of senescence on post-operative neuroinflammation

ResearchSenior Research Associate · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2026

Modulation of local adenosine signaling to attenuate fracture pain

ResearchSenior Research Associate · Awarded by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases · 2021 - 2026

Adenosine A2B Receptor in Bone Health and Osteoporosis

ResearchSenior Research Associate · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2023

Bioinspired Synthetic Grafts for Bone Regeneration

ResearchResearch Scientist · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2017 - 2019

External Relationships


  • OsteoCure Therapeutics
  • duke university patent applications

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies, institutions, or organizations listed above. This information is available to institutional leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.