Professor Juliet Compston is a distinguished Clinical Scientist and Emeritus Professor of Bone Medicine at the University of Cambridge, where she has established herself as a preeminent authority in skeletal health research and clinical practice. She served as Professor of Bone Medicine and Honorary Consultant Physician at the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, building a career defined by rigorous investigation into bone metabolism and disorders. Her leadership extends to pivotal roles including membership on the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group's Guideline Development Group, where she has significantly influenced national clinical standards for osteoporosis management. Professor Compston's expertise has been formally recognized through her appointment to the Board of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, positioning her at the forefront of global bone health policy development. Her academic journey spans several decades, during which she has become one of the most influential voices in osteoporosis research across the United Kingdom and internationally.
Professor Compston's groundbreaking research has substantially advanced our understanding of osteoporosis pathophysiology, particularly in glucocorticoid-induced bone disease where her comprehensive reviews have become essential clinical references worldwide. Her highly impactful 2019 Lancet review on osteoporosis established new paradigms for fracture risk assessment and management strategies, representing a cornerstone of contemporary clinical practice in the field. She pioneered the development and implementation of fracture risk algorithms that integrate clinical risk factors with bone mineral density measurements, fundamentally transforming how clinicians identify and treat high-risk patients. Her work has powerfully highlighted the critical treatment gap in osteoporosis care, advocating for systematic implementation of Fracture Liaison Services to improve patient outcomes across healthcare systems. Through meticulous research on skeletal disorder epidemiology and management, Professor Compston has provided evidence-based frameworks that directly inform clinical guidelines used by healthcare providers globally.
As Chairman of the European Union Osteoporosis Consultation Panel, Professor Compston has played a decisive role in developing continental strategies to address what she has compellingly termed the silent epidemic of osteoporosis, demonstrating her commitment to translating research into meaningful policy change. Her leadership extends to her influential position on the Board of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, where she shapes global research priorities and advocacy initiatives for bone health. Recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences FMedSci, she has mentored numerous early-career researchers who have established successful careers in bone medicine. Despite her transition to emeritus status, Professor Compston remains actively engaged in research, as evidenced by her authoritative 2023 review on advances in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis management, continuing to guide the field's future direction. Her enduring legacy lies in her unwavering dedication to improving bone health outcomes through rigorous science, thoughtful policy recommendations, and compassionate patient advocacy that has transformed skeletal healthcare worldwide.
