Professor Peter Croucher, head of the Bone Biology Lab at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, has received the 2023 Lawrence G. Raisz Award from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
The award recognises Professor Croucher’s outstanding achievements and contributions to preclinical and translational bone research, which have led to significant advancements in the treatment of osteoporosis and cancers that grow in bone, including multiple myeloma and cancer metastasis.
“It is a huge honour and a wonderful surprise to receive the ASBMR 2023 Lawrence G. Raisz Award,” said Professor Croucher. “Although this is an individual award, it really recognises the work of the many exceptional colleagues and collaborators whom I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working with over many years. The hard work and dedication of my colleagues, along with the creative and innovative approaches they have brought to the challenges of working on bone has made it a real privilege to work in the skeletal biology field. Having seen this work contribute to better outcomes for patients makes this award all the more special.”
Over his distinguished career, Professor Croucher’s work has provided pivotal insights into how bone cells interact and function in health and disease.
Professor Croucher's research has influenced the understanding and treatment of myeloma bone disease, leading to the development of crucial drugs now incorporated into clinical guidelines in the US, Australia, and Europe. Among his recent work is the identification of the ‘osteomorph’ – a new cell type that fundamentally changed how bone breakdown is understood, and may help explain a major side-effect of denosumab, a widely used bone drug.
Professor Croucher has also contributed major conceptual and technological advances in cancer dormancy. His work has provided compelling evidence that dormancy is controlled in a similar way in all cancers that grow in bone, providing hope that future dormancy-targeted therapies might have broad effectiveness across many advanced cancers.
Beyond his specific research contributions, Professor Croucher has made a significant contribution to the global scientific community through his teaching, mentorship, and leadership roles. He served as the chair of the Cancer and Bone Society and the President of the Australia and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society and on the editorial boards of major journals.
The Lawrence G. Raisz Award is the latest in a series of recognitions for Professor Croucher's work.
ASBMR is the leading professional society bringing together clinical and experimental bone researchers globally. The Lawrence G. Raisz Award is one of ASBMR’s highest honours, recognising those who have made exceptional contributions to the bone research field.
Professor Peter Croucher is a Conjoint Professor at St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney.