New and Emerging Investigators

ISCBH New Investigators Networking Group Logo

In the spirit of fostering the exchange of ideas and peer support for new investigators from around the globe, the ISCBH New Investigator Network was established in late 2020.

Network goals:

  • Identify a group of new investigators in the field of paediatric bone health to facilitate collaboration within that group
  • Offer timely support and a feeling of belonging among the new investigator community
  • Provide dedicated NI sessions to expand knowledge and skills specific to paediatric bone health research

The group organises quarterly webinar meetings and if you are a new investigator we encourage you to get involved!  Membership of the group is totally free of charge.  In the past we’ve organised meetings on topics such as:

  • Grants – How to get your research project funded
  • How to prepare and deliver a good talk
  • Networking for introverts/beginners
  • Boost your career with social media

If you’re interested in knowing more please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Jeanne Franzone and Joanna Tung
ISCBH NI Co-Chairs

We listened!

The ISCBH new and emerging investigators group has identified the need for mentorship opportunities.
We are happy to launch our
ISCBH Emerging Investigator
Mentorship Program!

SAVE THE DATE

Our next NI webinar will be in the Autumn, details will be posted here soon..

For more information on the Webinars please email Kate at events@theiscbh.org

Webinars

ISCBH New Investigators Webinars 2025 (more details to follow...)

DATE & TIME:

Friday 17 May 2024
2.00pm-3.00pm (EDT) / 7.00pm-8.00pm (BST) / 8.00pm-9.00pm (CEST)

TITLE:

Harmonizing forces: unveiling a successful partnership between a basic and clinician scientist in pediatric bone health

SPEAKERS:

Dr Frank Rauch
Montreal, Canada
Professor Pierre Moffatt
Montreal, Canada

CHAIRS:

Dr Marie-Eve Robinson MD, Ottawa, Canada
Dr Jeanne Franzone MD, Delaware, USA

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Present an example of a productive collaboration between a basic and clinician researcher
  • Discuss ways to maintain such a collaboration
  • Provide an open forum for discussion with attendees about potential challenges they face in establishing a partnership with a basic science research or with a clinician
Frank Rauch, a speaker at ICCBH Bone School 2023 at Les Pensières Center for Global Health, Veyrier-du-Lac, Annecy, France

Dr Frank Rauch

Frank Rauch, MD, is a Professor of Pediatrics and clinician-scientist at the Shriners Hospital for Children and at McGill University. His clinical activities and research program concentrate on improving bone health in children, with a special focus on genetic conditions leading to fractures and on the role of the muscle system in bone diseases. In his recent work, Dr Rauch has identified new genetic causes of brittle bone disorders and has assessed the long-term effects of bisphosphonate treatment in children with osteogenesis imperfecta. He is also collaborating with Statistics Canada in a study that assesses muscle and bone health in Canadians. Dr Rauch has authored or co-authored more than 200 original publications.

Professor Pierre Moffatt

I am an investigator at the Shriners Hospitals for Children, and Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director within the Department of Human Genetics of McGill University. Prior to joining McGill, I worked in local biotech industries as a senior scientist, and subsequently for 2 years at the Faculty of Dentistry at University de Montreal. My expertise and interest cover molecular, cellular, and physiological aspects of calcified tissues. My research program focuses on the functional characterization of genes encoding secreted and membrane proteins, expressed in bones and teeth. Through ongoing collaborative work we are studying a unique set of genes and proteins (AMTN, ODAM, SCPPPQ1) involved in enamel formation and gingiva structure maintenance. In addition, my lab has actively participated in the discovery of genes (P4HB, SPARC, RUNX2, WNT1, PLS3, SERPINF1, BMP1, SP7) causing novel types of osteogenesis imperfecta or low bone mass syndromes in children. My current research efforts are focusing on the bone-restricted ifitm-like (BRIL), a transmembrane protein expressed specifically in bone forming cells (osteoblast). Mutations in the BRIL/IFITM5 gene in humans cause osteogenesis imperfecta. To understand the mechanistic consequences of BRIL in the disease, we are characterizing and further establishing several genetically engineered mouse models through CRISPR-approaches. Another project aims to develop new treatment methodologies (viral vector delivery of silencing RNA) for the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta. In parallel, we are investigating other interesting, secreted molecules, that affect longitudinal bone growth through regulation of chondrocyte activity.

Previous New Investigator Webinars

Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our Rare Disease division is focused on generating scientific and technological breakthroughs for people living with a rare disease via the discovery and development of integrated therapeutic solutions and novel indications of established medicines in rare and ultra-rare blood, endocrine and renal disorders. Novo Nordisk employs about 50,800 people in 80 countries out of which 3.300 within rare disease.

Kyowa Kirin strives to create and deliver novel medicines with life-changing value. As a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company with a heritage of 70+ years, we apply cutting-edge science including an expertise in antibody research and engineering, to address the needs of patients and society across multiple therapeutic areas including Nephrology, Oncology, Immunology/Allergy and Neurology. Across four regions – Japan, Asia Pacific, North America and EMEA/International – we focus on our purpose, to make people smile, and are united by our shared values of commitment to life, teamwork/Wa*, innovation and integrity.

*Harmony and loop among people.

Founded in 2007, Ascendis Pharma is applying its innovative TransCon™ technology platform to build a leading, fully integrated biopharma company focused on making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. Guided by our core values of patients, science and passion, we use our TransCon technologies to fulfill our mission of developing new and potentially best-in-class therapies that address unmet medical needs. Ascendis is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has additional facilities in Europe and the United States.

Inozyme Pharma is a rare disease biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of diseases driven by pathologic mineralization and intimal proliferation which impact the vasculature, soft tissue and skeleton. We are initially focused on developing an enzyme therapy to treat ENPP1 and ABCC6 Deficiencies, rare genetic diseases associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and unmet medical need.

BioMarin is a world leader in developing and commercializing innovative therapies for rare diseases driven by genetic causes. With a 20-year history, BioMarin remains steadfast to its original mission—to bring new treatments to market that will make a big impact on small patient populations. These conditions are often inherited, difficult to diagnose, progressively debilitating, have few, if any, treatment options, and are usually ignored. Visit www.biomarin.com to learn more.

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, is the group within AstraZeneca focused on rare diseases, created following the 2021 acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As a leader in rare diseases for 30 years, Alexion is focused on serving patients and families affected by rare diseases and devastating conditions through the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing medicines. Alexion focuses its research efforts on novel molecules and targets in the complement cascade and its development efforts on hematology, nephrology, neurology, metabolic disorders, cardiology and ophthalmology. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Alexion has offices around the globe and serves patients in more than 50 countries.