Stuart Ralston

Professor Stuart Ralston is the Chair of Rheumatology at the University of Edinburgh, affiliated with the Institute of Genetics and Cancer and the Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine (CGEM). He directs the Edinburgh Paget’s Disease Centre of Excellence (PACE) and leads research on bone and joint diseases, focusing on genetic determinants and clinical outcomes. His work includes developing tools like the dietary calcium calculator and osteoporosis risk-benefit calculator (ORB).

• MD and MBChB from University of Glasgow

His research spans Paget’s disease, pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO), and osteogenesis imperfecta, with a strong emphasis on genetic association studies and clinical trials. Key projects include the ZiPP trial (prophylactic treatment for Paget’s disease) and the TOPaZ trial (osteogenesis imperfecta treatment). Recent publications focus on genetic mutations (ALPL, SQSTM1), vertebral fracture risks, and clinical guidelines for Paget’s disease. His research is funded by the European Commission, Royal Osteoporosis Society, and Arthritis Research UK.

• European Research Council Advanced Investigator Award
• £1.5m grant for brittle bone disease study

As clinical lead for Edinburgh’s osteoporosis service and director of the MSc in Clinical Trials, he bridges translational research with direct patient care. Collaborations span institutions like the University of Aarhus and Beatson Institute, Glasgow.