Group Leader Bone Microenvironment Group - University of Sydney

Associate Professor Michelle McDonald’s research careers spans over 20 years, attaining her PhD in 2008. She is currently Group Leader of the Bone Microenvironment Group at The University of Sydney, Australia. Through the development of a novel intravital imaging technique her research has allowed fate tracking tumour cells within living bone, as well as visualisation of bone cells in real time. This has revealed previously unappreciated bone cell dynamics, advancing our fundamental understanding of osteoclast biology, and uncovering mechanisms behind unexpected clinical responses to osteoporosis therapies, with a particular focus on denosumab withdrawal rebound bone loss. Current research from the McDonald lab focuses developing optimised approaches for sequential osteoporosis therapy regimens, the prevention of tumour-induced bone destruction and the suppression of metastatic spread through regulating the bone micro-environment. Current leadership appointments President of the ISBM and President of the ANZBMS.