Dr. Shannon Strader pursued a degree in neurobiology and a certificate in stem cell sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as an undergraduate. She received her medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Dr. Strader is currently the research representative for the Association of Academic Physiatrists Resident and Fellow Council. She recently created the Orthobiologics and Regenerative Medicine Series with the collaboration of Alliance for Regenerative Rehabilitation Research and Training in hopes to provide comprehensive education for physicians-in-training and physiatrists interested in regenerative rehabilitation, while reducing stigma, misinformation, and encouraging responsible advancements for the regenerative field. She received an NIH Alliance for Regenerative Rehabilitation Research and Training award to attend the Mayo Clinic Regenerative Medicine Course in 2021.

Dr. Strader spent time researching in James Thomson’s Regenerative Biology Lab, the world-renowned stem cell basic science lab at Morgridge Institute for Research. She was selected as a first-year medical student to research as a Shirley Ryan AbilityLab extern on Continence in Cerebral Palsy. Throughout medical school, she studied regeneration in planarians, nutcracker syndrome in interventional radiology, and muscle regeneration potential in Dr. Andrea Domenighetti’s lab. She is currently working on stem cell bioethics research as well as intellectual and developmental disability curriculum research. 

She founded and is currently the president of the 501(c)3 non-profit, Bella Soul. It is the mission of Bella Soul to empower college students confronting chronic illness or disability through scholarships and emotional support. Bella Soul’s board has currently given 50 scholarships to college and graduate students. 

Dr. Strader is deeply passionate about developmental disabilities. With the help of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD), Dr. Priya Chandan, Dr. Andrew Villasenor, and Dr. Candyce Mehler, she organized a disability curriculum day at her medical school. She is currently on the AADMD medical student and resident council. At UW-Madison, she was a McBurney Disability Speaker and a child-life volunteer at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois

Her medical school accolades include COSGP National Student Researcher of the Year: Top Ten Finalist 2020, LMU-DCOM Student Doctor of the Year 2020, American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry Future Leader Baton Award 2019, American Roentgen Ray Society Certificate of Merit 2019, LMU-DCOM Research Fellowship 2017 & 2016, Giva Worldwide Community Ambassador Scholarship 2016, and KDH Hospital Dr. Zink Medical Student Scholarship 2016.

During her undergraduate education, she was honored as a Big Ten Network LiveBIG Featured Honoree, Top 25 Women Leaders in Central Illinois Honoree, UW-Madison Chancellor’s Leadership Dinner Honoree, and an Honoree at the Groundbreaking for Children’s Hospital of Illinois. She also received the Joey Stowell Award 2010-2011 (Children’s Hospital of Illinois). 

Dr. Strader hopes to continue to research the potential for muscle regeneration in individuals with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities. Her goal is to further outcomes and optimize the quality of life for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She envisions working as a clinician while pursuing translational research.

In her free time, Dr. Strader loves spending time with her family and watching NCAA basketball games.