Annabel Bugbird is a PhD Candidate in the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program at the University of Calgary. Her research is focused on developing tools that will allow clinicians to predict fracture risk based on raw image data captured at peripheral sites using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Current fracture prediction methods that use inputs from medical imaging require some form of analysis of the images, which can be time-consuming and error prone. Her research aims to remove this analysis step and predict fracture risk based on unprocessed image data. Under the supervision of Dr. Steven Boyd, Annie has the unique opportunity to work with a wealth of prospective data from a large normative population to develop clinically relevant research tools.

My name is Laurel Walfish, I graduated from McGill Medical School in 2021 and I am now a third-year core internal medicine resident at McGill University. I have a strong interest in bone disorders which led me to my current research project. Under the supervision of Dr. Suzanne Morin, my research focuses on further understanding the relationship of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) with bone and muscle health. Specifically, for this project we focused on individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus as both of these conditions are associated with poor muscle and bone health. I applied for the Tim Murray Training Award to attend this year’s American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) conference in Vancouver.  I am excited to attend the ASBMR annual meeting because it will provide me with the opportunity to share my research with others who are passionate about bone health. Furthermore, I look forward to expanding my knowledge and building connections in the field of bone while attending the conference. It is an honor to receive the Tim Murray Training Award to attend this important event and I am grateful to OC for this award.