Trio of awards for bone health research

Three Southampton researchers have been recognised at an international conference.

Dr Elizabeth Curtis, Dr Leo Westbury and Dr Faidra Laskou have each won awards for musculoskeletal (MSK) research.

Over 20 million people in the UK have MSK conditions. They are a leading cause of pain and disability.

The researchers received their prizes at the 25th World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO). It was held in Rome earlier this month.

All three are based at the University of Southampton’s MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre. They are also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre.

Recognising excellence

The WCO-IOF-ESCEO is the world’s largest forum for the presentation of clinical research and new advances in the field.

It is jointly held by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases.

This year’s event attracted around 4,500 delegates. A similar number joined online.

Dr Curtis received the prestigious ESCEO-IOF-Pierre Meunier Young Scientist Award. She is an Associate Professor in Rheumatology.  This honour recognises her early-career achievements, as well as her potential as a future leader in MSK research.

Dr Westbury is a Senior Statistical Epidemiologist at the MRC LEC. He received the ESCEO-Aging Clinical and Experimental Research Award. It is presented for the best article published in the journal over the past 12 months.

Dr Laskou received a Young Investigator Award for research into MSK ageing.

Strong Southampton presence

Professor Nicholas Harvey (pictured left) co-chaired the opening ceremony in his role as IOF President. He also delivered a plenary presentation.

Southampton researchers led several sessions at the event, which took place over four days.

Dr Curtis and Dr Rebecca Moon focused on how parental health influences children’s bone health. Recent findings suggest children whose mothers took extra vitamin D during pregnancy continue to have stronger bones at age seven.

Dr Nicholas Fuggle chaired sessions on artificial intelligence in osteoporosis and patient management.

Prof Kate Ward, Prof Elaine Dennison and Prof Harvey also presented findings from the MRC LEC.

Prof Harvey, Director of the MRC LEC, said:

“Many congratulations to Beth, Leo and Faidra for their achievements. It is fantastic to see the high quality of our research recognised at this world-leading congress.”