SORG Research Group

From developing predictive algorithms to investigating the impact of social determinants of health, SORG leverages technological advancements in artificial intelligence and data science to gain new insight into surgical outcomes.

Explore the SORG Research Group

Overview

The SORG Orthopaedic Research Group (previously Skeletal Oncology Research Group) has grown beyond musculoskeletal oncology. SORG was founded and is directed by Dr. Joseph Schwab and co-directed by Dr. Hamid Ghaednia in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Our research group has developed some the world’s leading predictive algorithms for spine disorders and musculoskeletal oncology. Additionally, SORG manages Mass General Brigham’s Orthopaedic Registries (MGBOR) and develops biomedical devices and wearables (CPAI). Learn more about our ongoing research.

Our Current Research Projects

SORG Predictive Algorithms

SORG leverages technological advancements in artificial intelligence and data science to gain insight into patient outcomes of orthopaedic surgery. Our predictive models are recognized and accessed around the world. Access our models.

SORG Clinical Studies

Learn more about clinical studies currently underway at SORG.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

Social structures and socioeconomic patterns may be the most powerful factors determining the recovery of patients with musculoskeletal impairments. These factors can be categorized into social determinants of health (SDOH) and include economic stability, living environment, educational attainment, access to care and social support. Learn more about our research into the social determinants of health.

The Center for Physical Artificial Intelligence (CPAI)

The Center for Physical Artificial Intelligence brings together cutting-edge technology and clinical expertise to develop groundbreaking devices that reshape the way we think about assessing health.

Mass General Brigham Orthopaedic Registries

SORG is responsible for managing the Mass General Brigham Orthopaedic Registries, incorporating both traditional and novel methods to drive new insights into patient outcomes in orthopaedic surgery. Visit the MGB Orthopaedic Registries website.

Our Team

SORG is a diverse research team composed of inquisitive minds at all stages of their educational and scientific careers, from eager high school students to prolific postgraduate fellows. See a complete list of team members.

Principal Investigators

Joseph Schwab, MD, MS
Founder & Director of SORG, CPAI & MGB Orthopaedic Registries

Hamid Ghaednia, PhD
Co-Director SORG, CPAI & MGB Orthopaedic Registries

Aditya Karhade, MD, MBA
Director of Artificial Intelligence SORG

Affiliates and Research Managers

Soheil Ashkani-Esfahani, MD, PhD
Associate Director of Foot & Ankle Research and Innovation Lab (FARIL)

Sarah Yeates, BS
Clinical Research Program Manager, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Postdoctoral Fellows

Bardiya Akhbari, PhD
PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Brown University

Research Fellows & Clinical Coordinators

Olivier Q. Groot, MD
Research Fellow, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands

Amanda Lans, MD, MS
Research fellow, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands

Nathan Miner, MS
Research Fellow, Northeastern University, Boston

Jacobien HF Oosterhoff, MD
Research Fellow, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Netherlands

David Osei-Hwedieh, MD, PhD
Clinical Research Fellow, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

David Shin, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator, MGB Orthopaedic Registries

Emma Tomlinson, BS
Clinical Research Coordinator for Orthopedic Registries and Spine Research

Hester Zijlstra, MD
Research Fellow, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands

Research Positions

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital is home to the SORG Orthopaedic Research Group and is a place where innovation, research and education meet, creating a unique environment where clinicians, engineers and other researchers can collaborate on high-quality, clinically relevant research. During your time with SORG you will have the opportunity to work on a variety of exciting, cutting-edge clinical and biomechanical research.

Postdoc Positions

Qualifications:

MD, PhD or MD/PhD
At least five peer-reviewed publications
Solid knowledge on biostatistics
Interest in artificial intelligence
Basic programming skills are preferred

Research Fellow Positions

Qualifications:

MD, MS or enrolled in a PhD program
Excellent proficiency in the English language
At least three peer-reviewed publications
Basic knowledge in biostatistics
Programming skills are preferred

Clinical Research Coordinators

Qualifications:

BS or MSc degree from any areas of STEM
Interested in a career in the medical field

Undergraduate Research Positions

Programming skills are preferred

Summer Internships (for undergrad and high school students)

Basic knowledge in biostatistics
Programming skills are preferred

Application Form:
To apply to join the group, please complete this Google application form.

Recent Publications

Below is a sampling of our most recent published research:

"The effectiveness of systemic therapies after surgery for metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the spine: a propensity analysis controlling for sarcopenia, frailty, and nutrition." Massaad E, Saylor PJ, Hadzipasic M, Kiapour A, Oh K, Schwab JH, Schoenfeld AJ, Shankar GM, Shin JH. J Neurosurg Spine. 2021 Jun 25:1-10. doi: 10.3171/2020.12.SPINE201896.
"Temporizing Wound VAC Dressing Until Final Negative Margins are Achieved Reduces Myxofibrosarcoma Local Recurrence." Fourman MS, Ramsey DC, Kleiner J, Daud A, Newman ET, Schwab JH, Chen YL, DeLaney TF, Mullen JT, Raskin KA, Lozano-Calderón SA. Ann Surg Oncol. 2021 Jun 18. doi: 10.1245/s10434-021-10242-4.
"ASO Visual Abstract: Temporizing Wound VAC Dressing Until Final Negative Margins are Achieved Reduces Myxofibrosarcoma Local Recurrence." Fourman MS, Ramsey DC, Kleiner J, Daud A, Newman ET, Schwab JH, Chen YL, DeLaney TF, Mullen JT, Raskin KA, Lozano-Calderon S. Ann Surg Oncol. 2021 Jun 11. doi: 10.1245/s10434-021-10302-9.
"Clinical Utility of Anchored Multiplex Solid Fusion Assay for Diagnosis of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors." Chebib I, Taylor MS, Nardi V, Rivera MN, Lennerz JK, Cote GM, Choy E, Lozano Calderón SA, Raskin KA, Schwab JH, Mullen JT, Chen YE, Hung YP, Nielsen GP, Deshpande V. Am J Surg Pathol. 2021 Jun 10. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000001745.
"Wide range of applications for machine-learning prediction models in orthopedic surgical outcome: a systematic review." Ogink PT, Groot OQ, Karhade AV, Bongers MER, Oner FC, Verlaan JJ, Schwab JH. Acta Orthop. 2021 Jun 10:1-6. doi: 10.1080/17453674.2021.1932928.

Our research on Advances in Motion