Marja M. Hurley, the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of medicine and orthopedic surgery, was recently voted president-elect of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR). She will assume her presidency in 2026.
Dr. Hurley has been a faculty member at the University of Connecticut since 1986. Currently, she serves as associate dean and founding director of the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative and chair of the department of health career opportunity programs. She previously had a stint as UConn Health’s interim senior associate dean for academic affairs and education.
An internationally recognized expert on the role of fibroblast growth factor-2 in skeletal biology, Dr. Hurley researches the molecular mechanisms of osteoarthritis, osteoporosis fracture repair, and the role of FGF2 in bone, cartilage, and phosphate homeostasis. Currently, her lab is working to advance scientific knowledge about sickle cell disease and its related bone loss.
“These are challenging times for the scientific community and professional sciences,” said Dr. Hurley. “It is imperative for ASBMR to continue, and expand, and train its members, patients, and policy makers in advocacy at the grassroots and national levels to increase awareness and funding for musculoskeletal disorders. My vision is for the ASBMR to continue to grow its membership worldwide as the professional and scientific home for trainees and investigators at every stage and to forge further engagement of clinicians delivering musculoskeletal care.”
Dr. Hurley earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and her medical degree from the University of Connecticut.
(photo courtesy of UConn Health Photo / Tina Encarnacion)