Currently the musculoskeletal development division is being developed by A/Professor Christine Rodda, Paediatric Endocrinologist with established expertise in growth, skeletal development and vitamin D metabolism and Dr Rachel Duckham, a senior research scientist with considerable depth and breadth of experience in RCT’s concerning children’s musculoskeletal health.

Together we very much look forward to applying Dr Duckham’s expertise to study specific paediatric clinical conditions.

Our specific areas of focus within this division comprise:

• Musculoskeletal development during childhood and adolescence in both health and disease
• Effects of Vitamin D deficiency on musculoskeletal development
• Genetic abnormalities of vitamin D metabolism
• Embryonic musculoskeletal development and imprinting (this area is yet to be established)

This research focuses on:

• Early detection of children’s risks for lifelong compromised bone health
• The influence of exercise and nutrition on musculoskeletal health over the life span, specialising in the younger years.
• Musculoskeletal development during childhood and adolescence in both health and disease
• Effects of Vitamin D deficiency on musculoskeletal development
• Genetic abnormalities of vitamin D metabolism
• Embryonic musculoskeletal development and imprinting (this area is yet to be established)