The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has awarded the prestigious IOF Olof Johnell Science Award to Dr Roland D. Chapurlat, Professor of Rheumatology at Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Bone Diseases at Hôpital Édouard Herriot in Lyon, France.

The award was presented on April 18, 2026, in Prague, Czech Republic, during the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2026). Named in honour of the late Olof Johnell, a pioneering investigator whose work significantly advanced epidemiology, guideline development, and health policy, the award recognises individuals who have made outstanding global contributions to osteoporosis research or policy implementation.

Professor Nicholas Harvey, President of IOF, stated: “On behalf of IOF, I am delighted to present this prestigious award to Professor Roland Chapurlat. A member of the IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors since 2008, and Associate Editor of Calcified Tissue International, Professor Chapurlat has made seminal contributions to the understanding and management of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and skeletal rare bone diseases, in particular fibrous dysplasia, for which he leads the French National Reference Centre. His standing as one of the leading clinical academics in our field worldwide, together with his unstinting commitment to the IOF, fully justify this award, for which I convey my sincere congratulations.”

Professor Chapurlat is an internationally recognised expert in rheumatology and bone diseases. In addition to his role as Chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Bone Diseases at Hôpital Édouard Herriot in Lyon, France, he is the Chief of the National Reference Centre for Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone since 2006 and, since 2021, Director of INSERM UMR 1033, a research unit dedicated to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. His research focuses on the pathophysiology, imaging, and treatment of bone and joint disorders, including fibrous dysplasia and McCune–Albright syndrome. He has authored more than 440 peer-reviewed publications. 

Professor Chapurlat is an active member of leading professional societies, including the American Society for Bone & Mineral Research and the European Calcified Tissue Society. He serves on the IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors (CSA), on the ESCEO Scientific Advisory Board, and on the scientific committee of the Group de Recherche et d’Information sur les Ostéoporoses (GRIO) in France. As a member of the IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors, he co-chairs the IOF Imaging Markers in Skeletal Rare Disorders Working Group, and co-chaired the former Joint IOF–ASBMR–ECTS HR-pQCT Working Group. In 2025, he was appointed Associate Editor of Calcified Tissue International.

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World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO Prague 2026)
Held jointly by IOF and ESCEO, the Congress takes place in Prague, Czech Republic, April 16-19, 2026. WCO-IOF-ESCEO is the world’s largest annual forum for the presentation of clinical research and new advances in the prevention and management of bone, muscle and joint disorders, including skeletal rare disorders, sarcopenia and frailty. For complete information visit www.wco-iof-esceo.org  #OsteoCongress

About IOF
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the world’s largest nongovernmental organization dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Its members — including committees of leading scientific researchers and 349 patient, medical, and research organizations across 152 countries — work together to make fracture prevention and healthy mobility a global healthcare priority.
www.osteoporosis.foundation   @iofbonehealth