Prof. Mary Larsen Bouxsein

The Bouxsein group employs a multidisciplinary strategy with state-of-the-art technologies to study the causes, detection and treatment of skeletal fragility. One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 will suffer a fragility fracture in their remaining lifetime. Thus, our ultimate goal is to reduce the burden of fractures due to osteoporosis and other bone disorders.

We have several ongoing projects:
(*) The evaluation of novel technologies for non-invasive or minimally-invasive assessment of bone fragility and fracture risk in osteoporosis and other diseases associated with skeletal fragility;
(*) Identification of the biomechanical factors that contribute to vertebral fractures;
(*) Identification of the key factors that influence musculoskeletal deterioration following reduced mechanical loading;
(*) Evaluating the biomechanical effects of new therapies for osteoporosis and fracture healing;
(*) Vertebral loading analysis in astronauts after long duration spaceflight on the ISS.

The Bouxsein group includes biomechanical engineers and biologists, and we collaborate closely with molecular biologists, clinicians, imaging specialists, and musculoskeletal epidemiologists. We are funded by grants from the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Child Health and Development, and NASA.