Dear Member
It’s
an honour
and privilege
to take
up the
Presidency
of the
Bone Research
Society.
My first
duty is
to thank
our retiring
President,
Professor
Cyrus Cooper,
for his
enormous
contribution
to the
society.
During
his stewardship,
the BRS
has continued
to develop
its mission
particularly
in fostering
links between
basic and
clinical
science
and in
supporting
the needs
of younger
investigators.
I would
also like
to pay
a special
thanks
to our
out-going
secretary,
Colin Farquharson,
for his
tireless
support
in ensuring
the smooth
running
of the
society.
I should
also like
to thank
out-going
committee
members
Andy Pitsillides
and Nick
Harvey,
and welcome
Tim Arnett
as President-Elect,
and Debbie
Mason,
Sanjeev
Patel and
Celia Gregson
as new
committee
members.
I am also
looking
forward
to working
with Eugene
McCloskey,
who will
be taking
over as
secretary,
and Nigel
Loveridge
who remains
as treasurer. |
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Before
looking
ahead to
the next
two years,
I would
like to
reflect
on one
or two
things.
First,
I would
like to
echo sentiments
expressed
at the
recent
AGM in
Glasgow
at the
recent
loss of
two stalwarts
of the
society,
namely
Mike Horton
and Trudy
Roach,
whose contributions
and enthusiasm
will be
sadly missed.
Secondly,
I would
like to
acknowledge
the efforts
of everyone
involved
in making
our last
two meetings,
jointly
held with
the British
Society
for Matrix
Biology
and European
Calcified
Tissue
Society
in UCL
and Glasgow
respectively,
such a
success.
Even though
BRS was
only a
junior
partner
in Glasgow,
we had
a major
presence,
with the
BRS dinner,
BRS oral
session,
BRS clinical
session
and young
investigator
meeting
all representing
memorable
highlights.
A special
thanks
is due
to Roger
Smith for
presenting
the Dent
Lecture
in which
he gave
us a fascinating
insight
into rare
bone diseases.
Looking
to the
future,
I am keen
to continue
with the
format
of holding
our main
annual
meeting
jointly
with another
society.
Rather
than simply
being of
economic
necessity,
I see this
as a positive
step towards
achieving
our mission
of improving
links between
clinical
and laboratory
scientists
in the
bone field.
I’m
therefore
delighted
that our
next meeting,
in Cambridge
June 27th-29th
2011, will
be held
jointly
with the
British
Orthopaedic
Research
Society.
I am hopeful
that the
2012 annual
meeting
will also
be held
in partnership
with a
like-minded
society,
possibly
the National
Osteoporosis
Society.
In addition,
I would
like to
encourage
members
to continue
to come
forward
with suggestions
to run
shorter
local meetings,
and am
keen that
the BRS
does everything
it can
to support
these.
As well
as a forthcoming
BRS clinical
day meeting
which is
currently
being planned,
I would
welcome
suggestions
from laboratory
groups,
for example
to run
technique
based workshops.
I’m
also keen
to build
on efforts
to encourage
and support
the entry
of young
investigators
into the
bone field.
I was delighted
that the
BRS was
able to
offer 24
Diamond
jubilee
bursaries
to younger
members
attending
the recent
Glasgow
meeting.
We also
offer support
in the
form of
the Barbara
Mawer travelling
fellowship
to help
young investigators
spend a
period
of time
learning
techniques
in another
centre.
In addition,
the young
investigator
session
held at
the annual
meeting,
intended
to discuss
practical
aspects
of developing
a research
career,
has gone
from strength
to strength.
A number
of related
initiatives
are being
planned,
such as
setting
up of a
discussion
board on
our website,
and developing
a mentoring
program
for young
investigators
coming
into the
bone field.
I’m
eager to
receive
further
suggestions
for anything
the society
can do
to help
support
its members
and develop
its mission
statement,
so please
feel free
to contact
me by e-mail
on [email protected].
With best
wishes
Jon
Tobias
MD PhD
FRCP
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