Seoul St. Mary's Hospital professor leads global bone metabolism research, representing Asia

Professor Ha Jeong-hoon of the Department of Endocrinology at the Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital has recently been appointed as a member of the Steering Committee of the Bone and Mineral Special Interest Group under the Endocrine Society in the United States.

The Bone and Mineral Special Interest Group is a core organization that discusses major research directions in the field of bone metabolism worldwide, plans academic exchanges, and develops educational programs. It includes leading scholars from the U.S. and Europe, such as Professor Dolores Shoback at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Professor Joy Wu at Stanford University.

As the only Asian member of the committee, Professor Ha will share his diverse clinical experience and research achievements, representing Asia, and play an active role in planning educational programs and identifying opportunities for joint research.

Professor Ha has been recognized for his academic achievements in Korea and abroad through various clinical and translational research on osteoporosis and bone metabolism disorders

Notably, based on active research into the association between hematopoietic markers and bone metabolism, alcohol-induced bone quality decline, and muscle-bone crosstalk, he has published related papers in prestigious academic journals both domestically and internationally. Recently, he has expanded global collaboration through joint research with Stanford University and other institutions. These international research activities have served as the foundation for his appointment to the Steering Committee.

“This appointment is significant because it establishes a foundation for Korean researchers to connect directly with the global bone metabolism research network,” Professor Ha said. “I plan to contribute to raising the level of bone metabolism treatment and research in Korea by promptly sharing the latest research trends and clinical guidelines domestically and providing young researchers with opportunities for international collaboration and mentoring.”

The U.S. Endocrine Society is an authoritative academic organization leading global research on endocrine and metabolic diseases, and its Bone and Mineral Special Interest Group is at the forefront of the latest research on bone and mineral metabolism disorders, including osteoporosis.

The group actively collaborates with major academic societies, such as the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), and the European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS), contributing to enhancing global healthcare standards through various activities, including research, education, and the development of clinical guidelines.