Education

PhD, Louisiana State University, 2013

MA, Louisiana State University, 2008

BA, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2001

Research Interest

We use the principles of functional and evolutionary morphology to the study of complex structural systems of model organisms to answer causal, “how?” questions and evolutionary, “why?” questions. Specific hypotheses can be tested within clinical or evolutionary contexts through experimental means or through natural experiments that compare carefully selected vertebrates. A focus in my lab is to understand the causal relationship between body postures/movements and tissue degeneration using force analysis methods on 3D and 4D models generated from CT data. Current projects are investigating the use of biotensegrity as a conceptual framework to (1) analyze the relationship between whole body postures/movements of the horse and the resulting degeneration of the skeletomusculofascial system and (2) analyze the functional, symbiotic relationship between horse and rider.

Teaching Interest

I am a broadly and classically trained comparative morphologist, and my teaching expertise includes gross anatomy and gross- and micro-dissection, histology, developmental biology, biomechanical analysis, and visualization. The morphological sciences provide the foundation on which veterinarians stand as they treat animals. Integrating and establishing conceptual connections between gross anatomy, histology, embryology, and physiology provides an understanding of the “normal” animal that is necessary to treat the unwell one. I am invested in not only helping students build a strong foundation of anatomical knowledge, but also in developing the skills (e.g., communication, collaboration, observation, time management, development of personal study strategies) necessary to do well as they proceed in their education and training.

Clinical interest

In addition to my clinically-based research, I enjoy collaborating with clinicians by providing expertise in anatomy and visualization. I have used (or adapted for my use) several techniques, including biometrics and statistics, micro-dissection,and static force analyses for functional and clinical applications. I also use various graphics, imaging and animation computer programs for the presentation, computation, and analysis of research in 2D, 3D, and 4D.

Awards & Honors

2023, Dean's Teacher Merit Honor Roll, LSU Vet Med

2022, Dean's Teacher Merit Honor Roll, LSU Vet Med

2021, Dean’s Teacher Merit Honor Roll, LSU Vet Med

2020, Dean’s Teacher Merit Honor Roll, LSU Vet Med

2020, Faculty Service Award, LSU Vet Med

2020, Invited by the American Association of Anatomists to represent the state of Louisiana at the 2020 FASEB Capitol Hill Day (March). Cancelled due to Coronavirus threat.

2019, Outstanding Teacher Selected by the Class of 2022, LSU Vet Med

2019, Dean’s Teacher Merit Honor Roll, LSU Vet Med

2018, Outstanding Teacher Selected by the Class of 2021, LSU Vet Med

2018, Dean’s Teacher Merit Honor Roll, LSU Vet Med

2017, Outstanding Teacher Selected by the Class of 2020, LSU Vet Med

2017, Dean’s Teacher Merit Honor Roll, LSU Vet Med

2017, LSU Office of Academic Affairs Teaching Enhancement Fund Travel Award, Annual Meeting, American Association of Anatomists, Chicago, IL, 22-26 April 2017. $500.00 

Publications

Li Z, Ramos A, Li Z, Osborn ML, Zaid W, Li X, Li Y, Xu J. 2023. Nearly-lossless-to-lossy medical image compression by the optimized JPEGXT and JPEG algorithms through the anatomical regions of interest. Biomed Signal Process Control 83:104711, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bspc.2023.104711 

Li Z, Li Z, Zaid W, Osborn ML, Li Y, Yao S, Xu J. 2022. Mouthwash as a non-invasive method of indocyanine green delivery for near-infrared fluorescence dental imaging. J. Biomed. Opt. 27(6), 066001, https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/journal-of-biomedical-optics/volume-27/issue-6/066001/Mouthwash-as-a-non-invasive-method-of-indocyanine-green-delivery/10.1117/1.JBO.27.6.066001.full?SSO=1 

Schachner ER, Diaz Jr RE, Coke R, Echols MS, Osborn ML, Hedrick BP. 2022. Architecture of the bronchial tree in Cuvier’s dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus). Anatomical Record. Anatomical Record. online ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.24919 

Rockwell K, Rademacher N, Osborn ML, Nevarez JG. 2022. Extravasation of Contrast Media after Subcarapacial Vessel Injection in Three Chelonian Species. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 53(2):402-411.

Denys A, Pedersen KB, Watt J, Norman AR, Osborn ML, Chen J-R, Maimone C, Littleton S, Vasiliou V, Ronis MJJ. 2021. Binge ethanol exposure in mice represses expression of genes involved in osteoblast function and induces expression of genes involved in osteoclast differentiation independently of endogenous catalase. Toxicological Science. 185(2):232-245. https://doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfab135 

Osborn ML, Blas-Machado U, Uhl EW. 2021. The Equine Navicular Apparatus as a Premier

Enthesis Organ: Functional Implications. Veterinary Surgery 2021; 1-16. http://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13620 

Lee AKK, Uhl EW, Osborn ML. 2021. Construction of a Realistic, Whole-Body Three-Dimensional Equine Skeletal Model Using CT Data. Journal of Visualized Experiments (168), e62276, doi:10.3791/62276. https://www.jove.com/t/62276/construction-realistic-whole-body-three-dimensional-equine-skeletal 

Li Z, Ramos Ramirez A, Li Z, Osborn ML, Li X, Li Y, Yao S, Xu J. 2021. An Optimized JPEG-XT-based Algorithm for the Lossy and Lossless Compression of 16-bit Depth Medical Image. Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, 64:102306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bspc.2020.102306 

Li Z, Li Z, Holamoge Y, Zaid W, Osborn ML, Bhatta S, Jeyaseelan A, Li Y, Yao S, Xu J. 2021. Mouthwash to Deliver Indocyanine Green for Infrared Dental Fluorescence Imaging. Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 27(4)1-8. Art no. 6800108, https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTQE.2020.2995659 

Li Z, Holamoge YV, Li Z, Miller JT, Osborn ML, Shan X, Ramos A, Li Y, Zaid W*, Yao S*, Xu J*. 2020. Detection and analysis of enamel cracks by ICG-NIR fluorescence dental imaging. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Accepted April. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14374 

All Publications on PubMed

Google Scholar Citations

Grants

Boehringer Ingelheim/NIH Veterinary Scholars Program Mentor (Funding: Kenneth F. Burns Trust, $6,588 student stipend), LSU, SVM, “Whole Body Analysis of Degenerative Joint Disease of the Fetlocks: A Case Study”. PI: M.L. Osborn. 2023

Merial Summer Scholars Program ($4250.00 student stipend) “Comparative Anatomy and the Kinematic Analysis of the Atlantoaxial Joint in Feline and Human Computer Models”. PI: M.L. Osborn. 2017.

Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine Charles V. Cusimano Equine Health Studies Program ($9,900.00) “Pathomechanical Analysis of Equine Navicular Disease”. PI: M.L. Osborn. 2016-2017.

United States Department of Defense subcontract ($40,931.00) “Codon Usage in Morbilliviruses Option Years: Role of Specific Synonymous Codons in Viral Pathogenesis and Adaptation to New Hosts”. PI: M.L. Osborn. (Sponsor: University of Georgia, Athens; PI: Elizabeth W. Uhl). 2016-2021.