Message from ASBMR President Jennifer Westendorf, Ph.D. – December 26, 2024
Dear Colleagues,
As we close out 2024, I wish to thank all members for their commitment to ASBMR and our mission of advancing bone, mineral and musculoskeletal science and promoting the translation of basic and clinical research to improve bone health worldwide.
A lynchpin in the ASBMR mission is the Society’s steadfast commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers in bone, mineral, and musculoskeletal science and clinical implementation. Our dedication is manifested by diverse mentorship and professional development opportunities aimed at empowering young investigators and fostering innovation within the field.
This year, we have seen exceptional engagement with our THRIVE Program, which provides individualized mentorship and high-quality professional development to early-career scientists and clinicians who are underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral science, and who have research interests in fields related to the mission of ASBMR. Last month, nine individuals were selected from the outstanding applications received to participate in our upcoming 2025 cohort, exemplifying the passion and dedication that drive advancements in our field.
Complementing THRIVE, our Leadership Education for Advancement (LEAD) program will return for a third year next month to address gaps in leadership education for junior and mid-career faculty. Applications for the 2025 cohort are due Monday, January 6.
Additionally, our Mentorship Program offers members the opportunity to receive personalized mentorship around a specific objective—where that is reefing a manuscript, securing your next career position or applying to a grant or award. Applications for the 2025 Mentorship Program are due Friday, January 10.
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Forum for Clinical Mentored K Awardees in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and it was an incredible experience! Spending time with the next generation of clinician-scientists was both inspiring and energizing. Their passion, dedication, and innovative ideas reaffirmed my confidence in the future of clinical research and patient care. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage with bright minds, exchange ideas, and witness firsthand the commitment these rising stars have to advancing medical science. Many were interested in learning more about our career development programs, such as those described above, and expressed that support from professional societies has been crucial to their early success.
To improve our commitment to early-stage clinical investigators, ASBMR leadership recently formed a Working Group on the Clinician Investigator Pipeline. The initiative aims to strengthen the pipeline of clinical investigators in bone, mineral and musculoskeletal research by providing mentorship and the necessary skillsets for successful research careers. The group’s work includes benchmarking programs from other organizations and making recommendations to ASBMR leadership next spring on actions the Society can take to grow the pipeline of clinician-scientists in the field. This strategic effort reflects ASBMR’s commitment to fostering future leaders and addressing critical workforce needs. My thanks to Drs. Laura Calvi, Nicola Napoli, Joy Wu, Matthew Drake, and Anne Schafer for leading this working group.
The Society is also working on programs to grow the global pipeline of basic, translational and clinical researchers in bone, mineral and musculoskeletal research. Our Ambassador’s Subcommittee is exploring the creation of an international fellow pipeline pilot that will be designed to educate future fellows and establish metabolic bone as a recognized sub-specialty. My thanks to members Drs. Aliya Khan, Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan, Roberta Faccio, and Senior Director of Publications, Ms. Katie Duffy for leading this pilot. We currently envision the eventual pilot to align with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies.
Finally, the Society will formally launch in 2025 its pilot Special Interest Groups (SIGs). The two initial SIGs will bring together both members and non-members with interests in Rare Bone Diseases and Muscle & Bone with the broad goal of building communities within the field by providing platforms for knowledge sharing, mentorship across all career levels and enhancing the vibrancy of our community. Interested in joining one of our inaugural SIGs? Complete the SIG Interest Form.
Through these initiatives, ASBMR continues to champion the advancement of research and the professional development of our members. Thank you for your invaluable contributions to this shared mission.
As the year ends and I reflect on 2024, I am proud of what the ASBMR Council and Committees accomplished with the ASBMR staff. I am extremely grateful to all volunteers who served in so many ways. I wish you all happy holidays and best wishes for the new year.
Sincerely,
Jennifer J. Westendorf, Ph.D.
ASBMR President