Richie Abel

Dr. Richie Abel is an Associate Professor in Musculoskeletal Sciences at the Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London (Faculty of Medicine). He leads the Bone Health Research Group within the MSk Lab and holds affiliations with the Grantham Institute, Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering, and the Space Lab. His research focuses on bone mechanics, environmental influences on bone disease, and clinical decision-making in musculoskeletal healthcare.

Richie’s work combines synchrotron X-ray imaging, microscopy, and molecular dynamics modeling to study bone at molecular and nanoscale levels. He has authored over 60 publications (H-Index 31) and pioneered the use of synchrotron methods in human bone research. His translational efforts include developing diagnostic tools for osteoporosis and improving surgical decision-making in hip and spine procedures. He also investigates bone stress injuries in dancers to enhance athlete health and return-to-play protocols.

Richie co-created the award-winning BoneUp podcast, which communicates bone health research to the public, earning the 2022 Neil Mackenzie Public Engagement Award. He sits on editorial boards (JBMR Plus) and committees including the Royal Osteoporosis Society and British Orthopaedic Society.

His research is funded by the Wellcome Trust, Royal Osteoporosis Society, and Michael Uren Foundation. The MSk Lab actively engages patients through its Bone Patient Involvement Group, fostering participatory research.