Robyn Fuchs, PhD
Education
Bachelor of Science, Dept. of Exercise Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 1996
Master of Science, Dept. of Exercise Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 1998
Doctor of Philosophy, Dept. of Exercise Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 2002
Clinical Postdoctorate, Dept. of Nutrition, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, 2002-2003
Basic Science Postdoctorate, Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 2004-2006
Academic Positions
Dr. Fuchs was promoted to Assistant Research Professor in spring of 2006 in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Indiana University Medical School. Recently, Dr Fuchs joined the faculty in the Department of Physical Therapy at Indiana University in the summer of 2007. She holds an Adjunct Assistant Professor position within the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Indiana University School of Medicine.
Academic Awards
Meeting on Bisphosphonates, Davos, Switzerland, 2006
Clinical Experience
Dr. Fuchs spent several years volunteering in both in-patient and out-patient physical therapy settings at various hospitals and nursing homes in Oregon and Washington. She also has a strong background in developing and teaching exercise programs for children and older adults, including populations with special needs such as children with cerebral palsy and autism, and adults with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Research Interests
Over the past 10 years Dr. Fuchs' research has focused on developing strategies aimed at improving bone health in children and adults as a means to prevent and treat osteoporosis. She is currently investigating specific genes and molecular pathways involved in regulating bone size at the tissue and cellular level using novel animal models. Dr. Fuchs is studying an extracellular matrix protein called periostin which is found to be preferentially located on periosteal bone surfaces. Periostin exhibits unique properties that suggest it may be involved in regulating bone size, particularly in response to anabolic treatments such as mechanical loading and parathyroid hormone, and may be required for fracture healing. Dr. Fuchs' laboratory is located in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.
Professional Activites
Dr Fuchs is an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research. She reviews articles for several journals in her field of research, and was involved with the Strategic Health Initiative Committee for Women, Sport and Physical Activity with the American College of Sports Medicine.
Peer Reviewed Publications
Fuchs RK and Warden SJ. Combination Therapy Using Exercise and Pharmaceutical Agents to Optimize Bone Health. Clinical Rev Bone Miner Metab. 2008: DOI 10.1007/s12018-008-9017-3.
Fuchs RK, Phipps RJ, Burr DB. Recovery of Trabecular and Cortical Bone Turnover Following Discontinuation of Risedronate and Alendronate Therapy in Ovariectomized Rats. J Bone Miner Res. 2008: May 8 [Epub ahead of print]
Fuchs RK, Allen MR, Condon KW, Reinwald S, Miller LM, McClenathan D, Keck B, Phipps RJ, Burr DB. Strontium ranelate does not stimulate bone formation in ovariectomized rats. Osteoporos Int. 2008: Apr [Epub ahead of print]
Gunter KB, Baxter-Jones AD, Mirwald RL, Almstedt H, Fuchs RK, Durski S, Snow C. Impact Exercise Increases BMC During Growth: An 8-Year Longitudinal Study. J Bone Miner Res. 2007:Dec 11 [Epub ahead of print]
Fuchs RK, Allen MR, Ruppel ME, Hui SL, Phipps, RJ, Miller LM, and Burr DB. In situ examination of the time-course for secondary mineralization of Haversian bone using synchrotron Fourier transformed infrared microspectroscopy. Matrix Biology (In Press).
Fuchs RK, Shea M, Durski SL, Hansen B, Bay BK, Winters-Stone KM, Widrick J and Snow CM. 2007. Exercise and alendronate have additive beneficial effects on bone loss following ovariectomy in rats. Bone 41 (2):290-6, 2007
Widrick JJ, Fuchs RK, Maddalozzo GF, Marley K and Snow CM. Relative effects of exercise training and alendronate treatment on muscle function of ovariectomized rats. Menopause 14(3 Pt 1):528-34, 2007.
Warden SJ, Fuchs RK, Castillo AB and Turner CH. Exercise when young provides lifelong benefits to bone structure and strength. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Feb 22 (2): 251-9, 2006
Sheridan C, Kishimoto H, Fuchs RK, Mehrotra S, Bhat-Nakshatri P, Turner CH, Goulet R, Badve S, and Nakshatril H. CD44+/CD24- breast cancer cells exhibit enhanced invasive properties, an early step necessary for metastasis. Breast Cancer Research 8 (5): R59, 2006
Warden SJ, Fuchs RK, Kessler CK, Avin KG, Cardinal RE and Stewart RL. Ultrasound produced by a conventional therapeutic ultrasound unit accelerates fracture repair. Physical Therapy 86;1118-1127, 2006
Warden SJ, Fuchs RK, Castillo AB and Turner CH. Does exercise during growth influence osteoporotic fracture risk later in life? Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions 5;344-346, 2005
Warden SJ, Fuchs RK and Turner CH. Steps for targeting exercise toward the skeleton to increase bone strength. Europa Medicophysica 40:223-232, 2004
Fuchs RK and Snow CM: Gains in hip bone mass from high-impact training are maintained. A randomized controlled trial in children. Journal of Pediatrics 141:357-362, 2002
Fuchs RK, Cusimano B and Snow CM. Box jumping. A bone building exercise for elementary school children. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 73:2, 2002
Fuchs RK, Bauer J and Snow CM. Jumping improves hip bone mass. A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 16:148-156, 2001
Snow CM, Williams DP, LaRiviere J, Fuchs RK and Robinson TL. Bone gains and losses following seasonal training and detraining in gymnasts. Calcified Tissue International 69:7-12, 2001
Bauer J, Fuchs RK, Smith GA, Costello M and Snow CM. Force characteristics of children participating in exercise that increases bone mass. Journal of Applied Biomechanics 17:142-152, 2001
Outside Interests
Dr Fuchs enjoys different sporting activities, including golfing, mountain biking and skiing. During her undergraduate collegiate career she was a member of the Oregon State University Varsity Crew Team, after which she was a member of the Sobe/Cannondale National Mountain Biking Team and competed with the Oregon State University Cycling Team during graduate school. Dr. Fuchs also enjoys oil painting and gardening, and most of all spending time with her husband, son and two dogs.
Active Grants
Funding Agency: IUPUI Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education
Title: The Role of Periostin in Bone Formation
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Amount: $30,000 (6/1/06-7/1/08)
Funding Agency: Biomedical Research Committee, LARC Pilot Grant
Title: Periostin and it's Role in Regulating Bone Size
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Amount: $10,000 (7/1/07-6/30/09)
Funding Agency: National Synchrotron Light Source, Department of Energy
Title: How do Bisphosphonates Influence the Rate of Secondary Mineralization: Implications for the Treatment and Prevention of Osteoporosis
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Amount: Awarded 4-7 days/cycle on beamline U10-B (5/1/05-9/1/07)
Funding Agency: National Osteoporosis Foundation
Title: The Role of Periostin in Regulating Bone Size in Response to Anabolic therapy
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Amount: $57,000
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health (NIAMS)
Title: The Role of Periostin in Bone Formation (K01-AR054408-01A2)
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Amount: $580,665 (pending)