Johnny Huard PhD

Dr. Johnny Huard is a Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Dr. Huard joins UT from the University of Pittsburgh, where he was an endowed professor and Vice Chair for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Cellular Therapeutics. He also served as the Director of the Stem Cell Research Center for University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Dr. Huard completed his Ph.D. in Neurobiology at Laval University in Quebec before earning two post-doctoral degrees in Gene Therapy, the first from McGill University in Quebec, and the second from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Huard possesses extensive knowledge in the areas of gene therapy, tissue engineering & regenerative medicine applications based on the use of muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs). His primary areas of interest are in basic stem cell biology and their translation to clinic to aid in the healing and regeneration of a variety of tissues. His team has received national and international recognition, and the technologies that they have developed have been licensed to industry. Together, Dr. Huard and his team have published over 300 peer reviewed papers, 82 book chapters, and have had 757 abstracts accepted for presentation at national and international conferences.
Dr. Huard’s research has received over 80 honors and awards either locally or at national and international meetings. His research was featured on the cover of Stem Cells, Journal of Orthopedic Research, and Molecular Therapy including several from the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, the Orthopedic Research Society, and the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. He is active member of several professional and scientific societies including the American College of Sports Medicine, International Cartilage Repair Society, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.