About the Lab
Understanding how bones grow, adapt, and stay healthy.
The Pediatric Musculoskeletal Imaging Lab develops advanced imaging and computational methods to better understand the growing skeleton. Our research spans from children participating in clinical studies to experimental models of bone growth, allowing discoveries in the laboratory to inform clinical care and clinical questions to inspire new scientific investigations.
Our goal is to develop imaging tools and biological insights that improve the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of pediatric musculoskeletal disease.
Clinical Imaging Research
We develop and apply advanced imaging methods to study bone health in children and adolescents affected by chronic disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and injury. By combining longitudinal cohort studies with multimodal imaging, we investigate how bone microarchitecture changes throughout growth, treatment, and recovery.
Areas of interest
- Longitudinal pediatric cohort studies
- Bone microarchitecture using HR-pQCT
- Clinical CT, MRI, radiography, and ultrasound
- Computational image analysis and AI
- Quantitative imaging biomarkers
Preclinical Bone Mechanobiology
Our experimental research investigates how bones sense and respond to their mechanical environment during growth. Using high-resolution microCT, controlled loading experiments, and computational analysis, we study the biological mechanisms that regulate bone adaptation, growth, and repair.
Areas of interest
- Bone mechanobiology
- Skeletal growth and adaptation
- High-resolution microCT imaging
- Image-based biomechanics
- Experimental disease models
Bridging the Clinic and the Laboratory
One of the defining features of our lab is the integration of clinical and preclinical research. Clinical studies identify important challenges faced by children with musculoskeletal disease, while experimental models help uncover the biological mechanisms responsible for these observations. Together, these complementary approaches accelerate the translation of discoveries into improved patient care.
Why Pediatric Bone Health
Childhood and adolescence represent a unique opportunity to shape lifelong skeletal health. The majority of peak bone mass is established before early adulthood, making these years critical for preventing future fractures and osteoporosis.
By studying how bone grows, adapts, and responds to disease, injury, and treatment, our research aims to improve lifelong musculoskeletal health for children today and stronger bones for the future.
Our Research Approach
Advanced Imaging
Developing quantitative imaging methods across multiple modalities.
Bone Biology
Understanding how growing bone adapts to mechanical and biological signals.
Computational Science
Using image analysis, biomechanics, and artificial intelligence to extract meaningful biomarkers.
Translation
Transforming research discoveries into improved pediatric care.
Funding
Our research is supported through competitive funding programs and collaborative partnerships across pediatric health, musculoskeletal science, and biomedical imaging. Funding logos can be added here as the lab’s active funding portfolio grows.
Institutional Affiliations
The Pediatric Musculoskeletal Imaging Lab is based at the University of Calgary and works within a strong research ecosystem spanning pediatric health, bone and joint health, and biomedical imaging.
