Research Projects
Image 2020 grant recipients, (L-R) Sophie Wiszniak, Asiri Wijenayaka, Jasvir Bahl, Rami Al-Dirini, Melissa Cantley
2022 Research Projects
Investigating new modulators of bone ossification in development and disease
Principal Researcher: Dr Sophie Wiszniak
Location: University of South Australia
Establishing a sclerostin as a biomarker for childhood cancer chemotherapy induced bone loss
Principal Researcher: Dr Michelle Su
Location: University of South Australia
Development of a computational model to predict prosthetic wear toward minimizing the risk of periprosthetic osteolysis
Principal Researcher: Dr Khorso Fallahnezhad
Location: Flinders University
Since 2022 The Bone Health Foundation is proud to have awarded 13 x $25,000 grants to early career researchers as well as 4 x $25,000 Grants in Aid in collaboration with the ANZBMS.
Bone Research is a core objective of the Foundation’s mission to help prevent bone disease which impacts the lives of young and old.
By supporting bone research, the Foundation is fostering the current and next generation of researchers who will pave the way forward to the next innovation in bone disease prevention, treatment and care.
Since 1991 we have helped find better and less painful treatments for children and adults with bone growth disorders such as:
Scoliosis
Hip dislocation
Hand and foot problems such as clubfoot
Neuromuscular disorders, such as spina bifida
Side effects of chemotherapy
Dwarfism or bone dysplasia
Bone tumors and
The Foundation has also:
Funded PhD and post-doctoral study, as well as other relevant university research
Assisted health practitioners diagnose, treat and rehabilitate patients with musculoskeletal ailment
Financially supported calcium-based diet programmes for primary school students
2021 Research Projects
Does Vitamin K deficiency affect Femoral Bone Quality
Principal Researcher: Dr Deepti Sharma
Location: University of South Australia
The Osteocyte as an orchestrator of bone quality in Osteoarthritis
Principal Researcher: Dr Dzenita Muratovic
Location: University of Adelaide
A subchondral bone pathologies in the cervical spine associated with facet joint degeneration?
Principal Researcher: Dr Ryan Quarrington
Location: University of Adelaide
Proteomic discovery of bone tissue biomarkers for knee osteoarthritis patients
Principal Researcher: Dr Yea Rin (Oliva) Lee
Location: University of South Australia
Assessment of an engineered, antimicrobial nanostructured silver implant surface for the treatment of fractures in a diabetic animal model.
Principal Researcher: Dr Alex Barker
Location: University of South Australia
2020 Research Projects
Investigating angiocirine growth factors as treatments for jaw growth disorders.
Principal Researcher: Dr Sophie Wiszniak
Location: University of South Australia
Serum CTX-1 levels to predict smouldering myeloma patients at high risk of progression to multiple myeloma: a prospective clinical trial.
Principal Researcher: Dr Melissa Cantley
Location: University of Adelaide
Intrinsically stable total knee Arthroplasty.
Principal Researcher: Dr Rami Al-Dirini
Location: Flinders University
Understanding the association between hip joint stress and bone marrow lesions in people with hip osteoarthritis.
Principal Researcher: Dr Jasvir Bahl
Location: University of Adelaide
Past Projects
Acute effect of high calcium milk and calcium supplementation on bone resorption marker in lean and overweight women.
Principal Researcher: Assoc Prof Paul Anderson, Prof Peter Clifton, Deepti Sharma
Duration: September 2017 - August 2018
Location: School of Pharmacy and Medial Sciences, University of South Australia
Determining the cause of monoarthritis in children and adolescents. A prospective observational study to develop a clinical prediction rule and management protocol.
Principal Researcher: Dr Nicole Williams
Duration: April 2014 – April 2015
Location: Women’s and Children’s Hospital, South Australia
Late diagnosed DDH epidemic in South Australia: A review of changing risk factors and presentations.
Principal Researcher: Dr Nicole Williams
Duration: April 2015 – April 2016
Location: Women’s and Children’s Hospital, South Australia
Targeted therapy in a model of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia.
Principal Researcher (s): Professor David Little, Nikita Deo
Duration: April 2012 – April 2015
Location: Westmead Children’s Hospital, NSW
Mechanisms of and potential intervention targets for the bony repair of injured growth plate cartilage.
Principal Researcher: Professor Cory Xian
Duration: April 2011 – April 2014
Location: Bone Growth and Repair Research Group, South Australia
Project: Clinical Research Scientist Position – part funded
Principal Researcher (s): Dr Nicole Williams, Ms Georgia Antoniou, Professor Peter Cundy
Duration: February 2013 – February 2014
Location: Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
Project: Mutant collagen quality control in the ‘brittle bone disease’ osteogenesis imperfecta. Testing a new therapeutic strategy
Principal Researcher: Professor John Bateman
Duration: May 2013 – May 2014
Location: Murdoch Children’s Institute, Victoria
Project: Clinical Research Scientist Position – Part Funded
Principal Researcher(s): Dr Leanne Sutherland, Professor Peter Cundy
Duration: January 2011 – December 2011
Location: Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia
Project: Metal Release from Surgical Implants used to correct sunken chest in children
Principal Researcher: Dr Tom Cundy
Duration: November 2010 – July 2011
Location: Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia
Project: Understanding the Mechanisms of Brittle Bone disease
Principal Researcher: Professor John Bateman
Duration: September 2010 – December 2011
Location: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Victoria
Project: 3 x year Fellowship
Principal Researcher(s): Dr Michelle McDonald, Professor David Little
Duration: 2009 – 2011
Location: Westmead Children’s Hospital, NSW