The Annual Center for Musculoskeletal Research (CMSR) Symposium is a special event held over the course of an entire day each year at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC).

The Symposium is designed to not only showcase the current year's musculoskeletal research, but also provide a platform for trainees to present their data and interact with scientists throughout the URMC community and visiting scientists from other institutions. The events that take place during the Symposium include: a morning session in the Class of 62 Auditorium featuring 9 trainee presentations, a poster session in Evarts Lounge located in Helen Wood Hall in the middle of the day, and an afternoon plenary session in the Class of 62 Auditorium featuring faculty presentations and an invited keynote presentation.

This year’s distinguished Keynote speaker is Dr. Mary L Bouxsein, PhD, Director of the Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Bouxsein’s research focuses on understanding skeletal fragility from a biomechanics viewpoint, and includes studies using animal models and human cadaveric tissue, as well as clinical investigations. She also has a strong interest in the use of novel non-invasive imaging techniques to predict fracture risk and monitor response to osteoporosis therapies. Dr. Bouxsein serves on the committee of scientific advisors for the International Osteoporosis Foundation and is a board member of the International Bone and Mineral Society.

The Annual CMSR Symposium is supported in part by our NIH T32 Training Grant (AR076950). Three travel awards are presented to outstanding trainee presentations (2 pre-doctoral and 1 post-doctoral trainees).