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National Osteoporosis Foundation Remembers Gregory R. Mundy, MD
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 2, 2010) — The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) mourns the passing of Gregory R. Mundy, MD, long time member of the NOF Board of Trustees. At the time of his death, Dr. Mundy was Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology, Orthopaedics and Cancer Biology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was also John A. Oates Chair in Translational Medicine and Director of the Vanderbilt Center in Bone. He was formerly Professor of Cellular and Structural Biology at University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas and was also Assistant Dean for Clinical Research and Principal Investigator of the Frederic C. Bartter Clinical Research Unit.
Dr. Mundy served on the NOF Scientific Advisory Board and Board of Trustees from 1986 to 2008. From 1986 to 1996, he chaired the Research Grants Committee of the NOF Scientific Advisory Board. "His research was focused on early-stage drug discovery and identifying drugs which stimulate bone growth or inhibit cancer metastasis to bone," said Robert Recker, MD, NOF President. "His achievements have significantly improved the lives of many patients who have or who are at risk for osteoporosis."
Educated in Australia, he spent most of his professional career in the United States. The recipient of numerous awards for his research, he was active in several scientific societies including the American Society for Bone & Mineral Research, the International Myeloma Foundation and the International Bone & Mineral Society. In 2004, he was one of three individuals who founded the Cancer and Bone Society. In addition, he served on the editorial review board for several scientific journals.
Dr. Mundy was an internationally renowned investigator in bone biology and his research focused on osteoporosis, cancer metastasis and fracture repair. A prolific scientist, he built a record of exceptional research excellence. For more than 25 years he was in the top two percent of all National Institutes of Health grantees in terms of extramural funding. His publications numbered more than 550 original articles, reviews and book chapters, and he was an inventor on 34 issued patents. He edited two books and published two separate monographs on calcium homeostasis and bone remodeling and its disorders. Additionally, he founded two biotechnology startup companies for drug discovery for bone diseases, and two in other areas. He was a member of the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) from1997 to 2001.
"Greg was a warm and personable guy with a great sense of humor" said Recker. "We have lost not only a great scientist but also a dear friend."
The latest
Last week, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Panel voted that the risks of calcitonin salmon outweigh the benefits for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The panel joined health authorities around the world in reviewing the drug’s safety after two recent studies showed slightly higher rates of cancer among patients taking calcitonin. The panel voted against continued use of the drug by a narrow majority, pointing out that it has not been found very effective in preventing bone fractures.
In today's Washington Post article "Calcium and Vitamin D findings show that caring for your bones can be compilicated," NOF's senior clinical director, Dr. Felicia Cosman helps clear up some of the confusion around the recent and conflicting research on calcium and vitamin D. She says: "It’s confusing, even for doctors. But there’s a common thread: None of the heart or kidney risks were associated with calcium from food."
CIRCA, the leading international buyer of fine jewelry, diamonds and watches, announced a new partnership with NOF at a Generations of Strength luncheon at the Friars Club in New York City on February 26. To kick-off the partnership, CIRCA’s Acting CEO Mary L. Forté presented NOF Executive Director and CEO Amy Porter with a check for $25,000, to support NOF’s mission.
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