Marnie M. Saunders , Ph.D.

Biographical Information:

• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH
• M.S., Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OHPh.D., Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH (Advisor: Glen O. Njus, Ph.D.)
• Post-Doc, Mechanotransduction, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA

Research Interests:

• Bone Adaptation
  • Macroscopic remodeling for implant evaluation and selection
  • Bone/implant interface issues at the cellular level
  • Implant-induced osteolysis and mechanical necrosis
  • Bone cell-cell communication
  • Osteoporosis
  • Osteoblast stimulation effects on osteoclast activity
  • In situ and ex vivo bone cell mechanotransduction modeling


• Bioreactor development
  • Determination of osteogenic stimulatory factors (mechanical)


• Orthopaedic Biomechanics
  • Evaluation of orthopaedic fixation techniques and surgical procedures
  • Orthopaedic Implant Design and Evaluation
  • Computer modeling, mechanical testing, clinical evaluation

Professional Affiliations:

• American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
• Biomedical Engineering Society
• European Calcified Tissue Society
• Orthopaedic Research Society

Selected Recent Publications:

Taylor AF, Saunders MM, Shingle D, Cimbala JM, Zhou Z, Donahue HJ. (2006) Osteocytes communicate fluid flow-mediated effects to osteoblasts altering their phenotype. The American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology (In press 8/2/06 – available online)

Segal LS, Jacobson JA, Saunders MM. (2006) Biomechanical analysis of in situ single versus double screw fixation in a non-reduced slipped capital femoral epiphysis model. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 26(4):479-485.

Saunders MM, Taylor AF, Du C, Zhou Z, Pellegrini VD Jr, Donahue HJ. (2006) Mechanical stimulation effects on functional end effectors in osteoblastic MG-63 cells. Journal of Biomechanics 39(8):1419-1427.

Naidu SH, Kulkarni N, Saunders MM. (2006) Titanium basal joint arthroplasty: a finite element and a clinical study. Journal of Hand Surgery. Journal of Hand Surgery 31(5):760-765.

Li Z, Zhou Z, Saunders MM, Donahue HJ. (2006) Modulation of connexin 43 alters the expression of osteoblastic differentiation markers. The American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology 290:C1248-55.

Bennett GL, Cameron B, Njus G, Saunders M, Kay DB. (2005) Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis: a biomechanical assessment of stability. Foot and Ankle International 26(7):530-536.

Black KP, Saunders MM. (2005) Expansion anchors for use in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: establishing proof of concept in a benchtop analysis. Medical Engineering and Physics 27:425-434.

Saunders MM, Donahue HJ. (2004) Development of a cost-effective loading machine for biomechanical evaluation of mouse transgenic models. Medical Engineering and Physics 26:595-603.

Kapoor P, Saunders MM, Li Z, Zhou Z, Schaeffer N, Kunze EL, Samant RS, Welch DR, Donahue HJ. (2004) Breast cancer metastatic potential: Correlation with increased heterotypic gap junctional intercellular communication between breast cancer cells and osteoblastic cells. International Journal of Cancer 111 693-697.

Hugate R, Pennypacker J, Saunders M, Juliano P. (2004) The effects of intratendinous or retrocalcaneal bursal injections of corticosteroids on the biomechanical properties of rabbit Achilles tendons. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Am. 86-A(4):794-801.

Huang-Brown KM, Saunders MM, Kirsch T, Donahue HJ, Reid JS. (2004) The effect of COX-2 specific inhibitors on fracture healing in the adult rat femur. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Am. 86-A(1): 116-23.

Donahue HJ, Saunders MM, Li Z, Mastro AM, Gay CV, Welch DR. (2003) Intercellular communication in breast cancer metastasis to bone. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions 3(2):156-161.

Saunders MM, Schwentker N, Kay D, Bennett G, Jacobs C; Verstraete MC; Njus GO. (2003) The use of finite element analysis as a tool for prosthetic design, prototype selection and amputee prescription. Technique development in the solid ankle cushioned heel (SACH) foot. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering 6(1): 75-87.

Saunders MM, You J, Zhou Z, Li Z, Yellowley CE, Kunze E, Jacobs CR, Donahue HJ. (2003) Fluid-flow induced prostaglandin E2 response of osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cells is gap junction-mediated and independent of cytosolic calcium. Bone 32(4): 350-356.