Monash Bone and Muscle Research team in Malaga, Spain

Professor Peter Ebeling delivering plenary lecture

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health PhD student Alexander Rodriguez and senior post-doctoral researcher Dr David Scott who were recently awarded competitive ESCEO-AgNovos Healthcare Young Investigator Awards have returned from the 2016 World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteopenia and Musculoskeletal Research (WCO-IOF-ESCEO) in Malaga, Spain.

Alexander and Dr Scott each presented two posters at the world's largest conference on osteoporosis and musculoskeletal disease while Head of the Bone and Muscle Research Group Professor Peter Ebeling delivered a plenary lecture on vitamin D, the immune response and infection.

"I found the conference very stimulating and it was great to put faces to names of authors I have cited," said Alexander.

Dr David Scott, Professor Peter Ebeling,
Alexander Rodriguez outside the Malaga
Automobile Museum for the Awards reception.

The conference was attended by nearly 4000 delegates, including some of the biggest names in osteoporosis and musculoskeletal research.

"On a professional level the conference was rewarding as I had some interest in my poster on low muscle mass and aortic calcification and am now in conversation with a potential collaborator from Denmark in conducting a similar analysis," said Alexander.

Alexander Rodriguez, Dr David Scott,
Alexander's parents and Professor Ebeling

Originally from Malaga, Spain, Alexander's parents travelled with Alexander on a family reunion and hosted a dinner for the SCS research team.