Research

At the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM), it is part of our mission to engage in medical research.  Podiatric medical research is essential in advancing diagnostics and treatment options in order to improve the health of patients under the care of podiatric physicians.  At KSUCPM, we engage in both basic and clinical research.

Director of Research, Jill S. Kawalec, Ph.D.

Interests include orthopaedic biomaterials, cartilage repair and wound healing.  In addition, she is working in collaboration with the Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing on an NIH-funded study to evaluate the effectiveness of non-visual foot inspection for individuals with diabetes and visual impairment. 

Research Laboratories

Clinical and basic science faculty are also active in performing research at KSUCPM.  Ongoing clinical studies include the effects of running in minimalist shoes, treatments for onychomycosis (toenail fungus), and radiographic studies to predict disorders of the foot, to name a few.  The basic research laboratory has an MTS biomechanical testing device, which is used often by our surgical faculty to test the strength of various fixation methods for osteotomies and to evaluate new surgical devices and implants. 

Student Research Opportunities

Students at KSUCPM are encouraged to participate in podiatric research, under the guidance of a faculty advisor.  Our students have conducted award-winning research.  During each of the past five years, the Ohio student chapter of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) has been awarded either first, second or third place in a surgical research poster competition between the student chapters at the annual ACFAS scientific meetings.  In addition, KSUCPM students won 2nd place in the Dr. Gerard V. Yu Residency Paper Competition at the 92nd annual American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Region IV Mid-Eastern CME Seminar in 2008 for their research on fixation techniques for the Lapidus procedure.  In 2010, KSUCPM students won the National Podiatric Medical Association (NPMA) Student Research Scholarship Contest for their research on the use of plantar temperatures in assessing tri-axial loading under the foot.