Unveiling the Bone and Mineral Special Interest Group

By Ben Wokas, Senior Manager of Member Engagement & Experience, and Membership & Diversity Programs

We are delighted to announce the recent formation of the Bone and Mineral Special Interest Group (SIG). This group, which already has more than 400 active members, aims to highlight clinical care and research about bone and mineral metabolism and disorders while facilitating collaboration and networking across disciplines. 

The Bone and Mineral SIG joins our seven existing SIGs and adds a unique professional home for this growing area of endocrine focus.

Society members have been pivotal in advancing bone and mineral research in clinical settings and laboratories. Recent years have witnessed significant strides in bone and mineral disorders, leading to FDA-approved drug therapies for various conditions. 

The Bone and Mineral SIG will act as a unifying force, bringing together a diverse group of clinicians, researchers, industry representatives, and NIH stakeholders. This convergence will serve as a platform for leaders in the field to connect, share knowledge, and collaborate on groundbreaking research endeavors.

This SIG goals include:

1. Enhanced Education: The Bone and Mineral SIG strives to boost educational activities among Endocrine Society members, particularly emphasizing clinical care and research on bone and mineral metabolism and disorders.
2. Fostering Collaboration Across Disciplines: The SIG seeks to provide opportunities for representatives from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and industry to interact and collaborate with SIG members, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships and advancements in the field.
3. Mentoring: The SIG's distinctiveness lies in its commitment to providing a platform for new investigators to interact with established scientists and clinicians, ensuring a continuum of knowledge and expertise.

Filling a Gap 

This SIG also will facilitate comprehensive discussions and collaborations that are essential for bone and mineral metabolism research advancements. This will be achieved by bringing clinical, translational, and basic scientists and clinicians under one umbrella. 

In addition, the Bone and Mineral SIG fills a vital need for networking among practitioners of this specialty. This commitment has been stated by leaders of the Bone and Mineral SIG: 

Muriel Babey, MD, University of California, San Francisco 

Nicky Partridge, PhD, New York University

Joy Wu, MD, PhD, Stanford University

Nicola Napoli, MD, PhD, Biomedico Roma 

Dolores Shoback, MD, University of California, San Francisco

These leaders recently organized an inaugural networking event at the October 2023 ASBMR Meeting in Vancouver. They now are hard at work planning more webinars, networking events, and opportunities to foster mentorship. 

In conclusion, we’re thrilled that so many Society members worldwide are already participating in this SIG, and we welcome even more to join. 

The Bone and Mineral SIG stands as a promising avenue for members to immerse themselves in the dynamic world of bone and mineral endocrinology, forging new connections, driving advancements, and ultimately improving the lives of individuals grappling with bone and mineral disorders.